IELTS Letter Writing: 10 Essential Tips


1. Instructions



Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

  • thank your friend for staying with them
  • tell them what you enjoyed most about the holiday
  • explain you are sending photos of the holiday with the letter

Further instructions for all GT writing task 1 state:

  • you do NOT need to write an address on the letter

2. Types of IELTS Letter




Write a letter inviting your friend. In your letter:

  • tell your friend about your birthday
  • explain how much the visit would mean to you
  • suggest that your friend stays at your house for the visit








  • explain what you know about your friends company
  • choose whether you accept or decline the offer
  • give reasons for your choice






  • explain which course you are interested in
  • tell what you know about the University
  • explain why you should receive the scholarship



3. Letter Aims


  • complaints (usually formal)
  • invitations (usually personal or semi-formal)
  • applications or resignations (usually formal)
  • request (any style common)
  • making arrangements (often formal)
  • explanation (sometimes semi-formal or personal)
  • apology (could be any style)


 4. Letter Openings








5. Signing Off


  • Dear Sir / Madame = Yours faithfully, 
  • Dear Mr Robson = Yours sincerely,




I look forward to hearing from you.

The first one is personal and the second one is formal.





6. Grammar: Formal and Informal



7. Vocabulary: Formal and Informal



8. Spelling and Punctuation


9. Structure and Paragraphs



  • title
  • opening statement – reason for writing
  • body paragraph A (one point with detail)
  • body paragraph B (another point with detail)
  • body paragraph C (final point with detail)
  • closing statement (if needed)
  • signing off
  • name (choose a name or use your own)

10. Planning Your Letter


  1. read the instructions
  2. identify what style of letter you must write
  3. read through the points you must include in your letter
  5. plan what information you will add to each point
  6. decide how to open the letter
  8. decide how to close the letter
  9. plan the content of each body paragraph
  10. start writing


Main IELTS Pages




  1. Dear Liz,

    I write again. I have purchased your advanced lessons, and I hope that i can gain more than a 6.5 this time around. My total scores were 8,8,7.5 and 6.5 again. I have a question that pertains to salutation for GT task 1 letter. I had learnt previously that to end, it is useful to write;
    Yours sincerely,
    Best Wishes,
    Your faithfully,


    Now to my question, if you notice for “Best Wishes”, it is written in initial caps “B” and “W”. Please can you tell me if this is correct and why it is different from the others that are written in sentence cap? Now I am willing to unlearn whatever I had been used to previously.

    Please respond to this, its urgent.

    • You should not be focusing on how to write one letter in your writing test. If you are failing to hit band 7, there are obviously serious reasons.
      1) You must review the number of errors you make in vocabulary and grammar. Are you trying to impress the examiner – this is a mistake. Every poor choice will lower your score.
      2) Review your techniques, your ability to address all issues, your understanding of common topics, your linking techniques etc
      – You can write Best Wishes in an informal letter if you wish. It’s an informal letter and we often write than way.

  2. Hi Liz,
    I saw a sentence you wrote in your explanation about writing.

    “It is essential that you follow use the three points to structure your letter and provide the foundation for the information”.

    In the sentence above, you use “follow” and “use” together. Could you explain what kind of structure is that?

    Thank you kindly,

  3. Hii liz
    Thanks for your valuable study material

  4. your content is really helpful. More power to you!

  5. Hi Liz,
    Can we write a saying or idioms in formal letters?


  6. Dear Liz,
    You mentioned that we won’t get more than a 6 if spelling is frequently wrong. I do have a serious issue with spelling since a long time. even the tutors get shocked when they go through my writing because they say the grammar is excellent and I use a quite good range to vocabulary, but my spelling is extremely bad (the word is understood though). So what can I do to improve my spelling? I actually wonder if there is an option to inform the IELTS committee about special cases? I don’t know what to do really as I need to get band 7 in writing.

    • I said that you won’t get more than 6 in the criterion of vocabulary if your spelling contains frequent errors. This is not the same as getting no more than 6 in your whole writing task 1 or task 2. The criterion of vocabulary counts for only 25% of your total mark. But it’s still essential to improve your spelling. You can do this on spelling websites, from writing words lists, memorising spelling etc etc. Go online and google spelling practice online. If you are dyslexic, it will be possible to submit a medical certificate. But if the problem is just poor spelling – then you will need to work hard to improve it.

  7. Hi Liz,
    Thanks for your wonderful lesson.I just want to clarify my doubt such as if we have to write a letter to leave any courses in middle so does it falls under formal?
    So for formal we have to use dear sir/ madam, but actually we know our tutor name so can I use his/ her name at first?
    Please give me your valuable inputs.

    Thanks in Advance,
    Amit jaiswal

    • You use “Sir/ Madam” or you use their name “Mr Jones” or “Mr John Jones” – all are possible for a formal letter. You only use “Sir” if you do not know the person’s name you are writing to.

  8. Kiran Johnson says:

    Hi Liz,

    How should I address the below Task 1 question – GT:

    Q: A builder did some repairs in your house recently and you are unhappy with their work. Write a letter to your builder.

    Is it should be Dear Sir, (Formal Letter)
    Is it should be Dear Mr. John (Semi Formal)

    Please assist.


    • If you have employed the builders, then you usually know his name. You use “sir” when you don’t know someone’s name.

  9. Preeti Jindal says:

    Hello Liz,

    I have 2 queries related to Writing exam:
    1. Should we use pen or pencil? What do you suggest?
    2.Is cutting allowed in paper if we are using pen? Would there be penalty?

  10. Hi Liz,
    What type of letters are expected in GT? I mean, Formal or Semi-formal or Casual?
    Thanks in advance.

  11. Dear liz,
    Is it a good idea to memorize vocabulary words related to the essay writing topics?As you always say.. Don’t memorize phrases.. so what is the best strategy to prepare for essays?Reading more & more articles? What do you suggest?

  12. I need help in my secondary school letter writing. Does anyone have any tips.

  13. Hi Liz,

    Thanks for the wonderful website and useful tips. I want to get your writing Task 2 tips. advanced. As I saw, there are several videos on the page. Do all videos have separate costs or it is enough to buy one and then you have access to all?


  14. Hi Liz,

    Thanks a lot for your amazing videos and blog. I have just completed my ielts exam and in the writing task 1 I was supposed to write a letter to a friend about my college, in my letter I didn’t write any names, so I started my letter with “Dear………,” and I ended it with “Yours” without putting my name.

    Would I be penalized for this and lose marks?

    Thanks a lot

    • You need to write a name at the start and the finish. It will affect your score, but it’s only one small mistake.

  15. Hi Liz
    Hope you are doing well. Thank you so much for this wonderful site. Do you provide writing task correction service? If yes, how much it would be?

  16. Hello Liz, Great work you are doing here and God bless the day I ran into your website!

    To my enquiry: Is it proper to write in short form in my GT letter?

    E.g, ‘It’d will great if I don’t have to submit…..”
    Will “It’d” and “don’t” be acceptable instead of “it would” and “do not”


  17. Hi Liz! I found your lessons to be the best! You are so clear and organised to explain that it makes learning really easy and fun! THANK YOU!
    One simple question, are we asked to write in coursive or script? If we do so, how strict is this? My handwriting is very clear and tidy, but some letters might not look like script and I am curious if this can cause a problem for my score.

    Many thanks again and keep helping us!

  18. Hello Liz,

    Could you please explain the scoring pattern of IELTS writing (General) exam?

    Awaiting for your response.

  19. Hi dear Liz,
    In a letter writing can I integrate two bullet points and explain them in a single paragraph, does it degrade my score?
    I’m not sure whether we must focus on one single point in each paragraph or not.
    Such as what we do in essay writing.
    I would be grateful if you give me your advice.

  20. Hi Liz,

    If I was asked to write a letter on behalf of my company. Should I need to add a little introduction about my company or atleast should I mentioned the name of the company?
    For example, I am writing this letter to book the conference center for a special training of our company or should I write the name of the company?

    Thank you so much….!!!!! ☺☺

  21. Hello Mam
    How r u…hope u r doing well
    Mam…can you please update videos on GT letters.
    As u said that u’ll post at the end of year. So we are waiting for ur videos.
    Thanks in advance

  22. Dear Liz,

    Trust you are well. Your expert advice is really useful for all. I merely wanted to know about letter writing in general training exam. If we forget to write “your fauthfully” or “regards” at the end of the letter, do we really lose marks? If yes how many?


  23. Good article.
    Small correction though,

    “Explain which courses you’re interested in” 😉

  24. Kazi Afjal Hossain says:

    Hi, Liz
    I like to print your valuable comments. But I can’t do this. Please help me.

  25. hi madam.. i m little confused about official letters . in my school n college we wrote subject and name and designation so should i have to follow that or not … will you explain me . i seek to your blog for information regarding this. i didn’t find your video regarding letter writing of ilets. if it is available then plz share the link

    ,my doubt
    we should write our name at the end of letter ??
    in official letter do we have to write Subject :– an application for a job

    • Please read the page above as it answers your questions. Also click on the links above as they will take you to model letters.

  26. Is letter to the principal of school is formal or semi formal?As principal is known but it is authority also.
    Thank you

    • An informal letter is to someone you have a CLOSE PERSONAL relationship with. Think about the word “personal” – do you really sit down with a principle and talk about your private life in detail? Do you talk about problems with your wife or husband? Think more about a personal relationship.

  27. Hi Liz,

    Can phrasal verbs be used in formal and semi-formal writing?


  28. Prasanth Kannan says:

    Hi Liz,

    Hope you are doing well!
    what if I write an informal letter in a semi formal / formal style. Will the score be reduced?


  29. Hi Liz,

    If I don’t know the spelling of a good word, it is better to go ahead with wrong spelling or repeat a word and loose marks for paraphrasing.


  30. Hello Liz,
    please does it mean that letter writing is just for general test,it cant be featured in academic test.Urgent reply Please.

  31. Sajid Bhojani says:

    Hello Liz
    Resignation letter and application for leave letter are formal or semi formal?

  32. Hi
    Dear Liz,
    I got fuzzy about the following Question. Is this a Discussion, Advantage / Disadvantage, or Opinion essay? Could you please clarify?
    Question: In many countries, the amount of crime is increasing.
    What do you think are the main causes of crime?
    How can we deal with those causes?

    Thank you so much.

    Mohammad Imran Khan

  33. Hi Liz,

    Is it essential to cover the three specified points in a sequential manner? Can I not Jumble them up? Although I do ensure that all points are covered I do not particularly maintain the sequence.Will it reduce my score?Also I recently read a tip stating that using cliches was not a good idea. I have been using them a lot lately and fail to understand how would it negatively influence my score? Please suggest.


    • Part of your score is on logical organisation of information – so mixing things up will lower your score. You need to understand more about what the examiners will mark you on.
      Each sentence you use in your writing test and speaking test must be uniquely yours as an example of your own English. So, using memorised phrases is not an example of your English and won’t count in an English language test such as IELTS.

  34. Hi Liz,
    Is it grammatically correct if I use the following statement in a thank you note.

    Thank you for being the wonderful host that you were during our stay at your place.


  35. Hello Liz

    Thanks for all of this precious information and lessons
    I want to know how will be the tone for a semi-formal letter, shall we pretend it as an informal letter?
    Also, the ending shall it be Yours Sincerely or All the best
    The name at the end shall it be with family name or no.
    Appreciate your kind reply please

    • There are no fixed rules. It depends who you are writing to. Most informal letters are to someone you have a strong personal relationship with but on a serious matter, such as work. So, you will blend friendly language with serious language.

  36. Shweta Verma says:

    Hello Liz,

    Is it necessary to maintain the order of sub-questions while writing the letter?

  37. Dear Liz!
    Thanks for your great support regarding IELTS test. I have recently taken IELTS Academic and now want to take General in next month. I have some questions about GT-task2. (1) Can we use the same academic language, grammar and vocabulary for GT-Task2, as we use for Academic-Task2? (2) Can we use Idioms, phrasal verb and proverbs? (3) Is GT-task2 is similar to Academic-task2? thanks

    • There is no difference in technique or how you write your essay for writing task 2. GT and Academic task 2 are the same. However, GT essay questions are sometimes easier.

  38. Hi Liz
    I usually follow your videos. Thanks for helping so many people appearing for IELTS.

    My exam is on 30th Sep. Last time I got band 6 in writing but I need minimum 7. Although I am working towards better structure and clear answer statement this time. Would request you to please help with some more crucial areas required to get band 7.


  39. Hi Liz,
    Could you please go through the letter i just wrote, and let me know if it’s good or not.

    You have purchased a ticket of music concert, but you can attend the event. Write a letter to your friend to offer him the ticket. In your letter:
    * Explain the details of the event
    * Why you cannot attend the concert
    * Suggest how you friend can get the ticket from you.

    Hi Debra,
    It’s been so long since we were last in touch. I hope you’ve settled the exams already. I thought i’d invite you to the upcoming Fenty beauty concert in the UK, on 22nd of December.

    Fenty Beauty concert will be held at the Manchester stadium at 10pm precisely, although, African time can be considered. It will include performances from various artists such as Lilwayne, Kendrick Lamar, Alicia keys (your favorite, I know) and a host of other artists.

    Although, I’m disappointed I won’t be able to make it, as you know Rihanna is my favorite artist of all time. This is because i have got my IELTS on Saturday, the 23rd of December, at Birmingham. I immediately thought about you and how delighted you will be on getting such an invite.

    I have thought of several ways you can receive the ticket. I can send it directly via mail to be delivered, or I give Penny Morgan, since she will be attending as well. Either way you will get it, so prepare to have a blast. Be prepared to gist me all, from A-Z.

    Write back soon,

  40. Dear Liz,

    Which one do you recommend amongst these?
    -Attempting Tast 2 before Task 1; or
    -Attempting Task 1 before Task 2.


    • It is your choice completely. However, most people who start with task 2 get lost in their essay and then run out of time for task 1.

  41. Hi Liz,

    In a semi formal letter, I started with dear sir/madam, do I lose marks?


  42. Hy Liz,
    Now I am confused can we get a letter for wt1 ? I haven’t heard of this till now .

    • If you are taking the General Training IELTS test, you will get a letter in task 1. If you are taking the academic test, you won’t get a letter.

  43. Hi Liz,

    Can we write the address, when it is not mentioned in the question as not to write addresses?

  44. Kapil Ahuja says:

    Hi liz,

    Please advise

  45. Hi Liz

  46. Hi Liz,


  47. Should we write Yours faithfuly OR Your faithfully in ending remarks.

  48. Hi Liz,

    1. Mr.
    2. Mr



  50. Asim Maqsood says:

    Dear Liz,


    You are doing marvelous job in helping hundreds of students.
    Keep it up.


  51. Gurpreet says:

    Hello Liz



    Please make it clear.



  53. Hi Liz,



  54. Dear Liz



  55. Hi Liz,


    I mean, it is mandatory to use contractions or not?



  56. you are incredible your tips is very useful thank you..

  57. Vineet Sarawat says:

    Hi Liz,




  58. Hi Liz,



  59. Akshay mhatre says:


  60. Hi Liz,


    Thank you so much



  62. Riad Ahmed says:

    hi Liz,
    Thanks for your continues support.


  63. Sagnik Datta says:

    Hi Liz,

  64. Hi Liz,


  65. Ibrahim says:


  66. Hi Liz,



    Write a letter to this friend. In your letter

    1. Give details of your study plans

    In my opinion, it should semi-formal.


    • gabriel says:


      • Jefferson says:



  67. Adnan Shamsi says:

    Hi Liz,



  68. Aakash Goel says:



  70. Hi Liz,

    1. I hope you found my letter valuable…
    2. I hope you’ve found my letter valuable…
    3. I hope you find my letter valuable…


  71. Jignesh Patel says:

    Dear Madam,

  72. how important is letter for ielts exam


      • Arul Rayan says:



  73. Hi liz


    Thanks for clearing this for me



  74. Ahmed Zein says:

    Hi liz,
    I am very confused .



  76. Hi Liz ,



    May our Lord will reward you great blessings.
    Thank you very Much.

  77. Hi Liz,

    Thank you

  78. Hi Liz,


    It’d be great if you came in August.

    It’d be great if you come in August.


  79. Hello Liz,


  80. Vishav Singh says:

    Hello Liz

    Such as:

    Dear Sir
    Yours faithfully
    Mr. Vishav


    what do you say ?


  81. Hi liz
    Today was my general module paper in jalandhar ,india
    Writing task one was
    1.explain the details of event
    2.why you can not attend the music concert
    Writing task 2
    Reading topic
    Section one
    Advertisement on club membership
    Section two
    Topic on cover letter
    Fill up
    Section three
    Australian mines
    Only four true false/notgiven questiones.mostly
    Listening test

  82. Nice blog. Thanks Liz, you rock!!!

  83. Abiodun Laleye says:



  85. Matas Milukas says:



    By the way, great website!

  86. Dear Liz,


    Once again. Thanks for your blog.

  87. Dear Liz

    Thanks for yr blog it is helping us alot.


  88. Hi Liz,

    Thank you very much for your wonderful blog.
    i have one question.

    Thank you,


  89. Tony Joseph says:

    Hi Liz,
    Hope I’m on course with this?


  90. Hi Liz,


    Best regards,

  91. Hi Liz,



  92. Hi Liz,


    • It will affect the score for Task Achievement.

      • It eventually did impact. I scored 6 in writing.



          • Thanks again.




  94. parvinder says:

    Hi Liz.





      All the best

      • Dear Ms Liz,
        Yours sincerely, Mr Kadian


          • Hello Mam,


  95. Hi Liz,


  96. Hi Liz,
    Good day!
    Can i have a copy of IELTS letter writing?

  97. Hi Liz,
    Are contractions mandatory in semiformal letter just like informal case ?


  98. Hi liz
    Thank you


  100. Hi liz


  101. Dear Liz,



    Thank you.


  102. Hi Liz,
    Thanks and keep working for us.

  103. Hi Liz,
    Thanks in advance


  104. Hello Liz

    wish you are doing very well,



    Dear Liz,

    1- trust your are doing very well
    2- I wish my letter find you very well

    and then complete the rest of letter

      All the best

  105. R Radhakrishnan says:

    Hi Liz,

    Awaiting your earliest response.
    R. Radhakrishnan.

      All the best

  106. Hi Liz,

    Thanks in advance

  107. Hi Liz,
    I have a doubt regarding letter writing.
    One of the instructions say:
    You do NOT need write any address.
    But in the introduction i mentioned the address as follows:

    Dear Mathew Hogward


    Does this affect my band score in task 1?
    Does this make my task 1 neglected?

    grammar miskates.
    ButI got only 6 bands in writing module.
    My essay was also well structured.

    Your lessons are a great help!
    Thank you Liz!

      All the best

  108. Zainub Bahar says:

    Dear Liz,

    Writing task 1 of GT Pakistan 29th August, 2015:

    Explain the apartment is very good
    describe your problem
    suggest a solution




    Thanking in anticipation for your reply.

      All the best

  109. Hi Liz,



    Yours sincerely,

      All the best

  110. Dhruba Baral says:

    Dear Liz,
    Expecting a genuine suggestion,


  111. Hi there,





      All the best

  112. Thanks Liz.
    Very helpful and useful tips.

  113. Manjush says:

    Hi Liz.


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