In the writing module of the general training test, IELTS gives you a letter-writing task in which you need to write a formal, semi-formal, or informal letter. While all these letters follow the same structure, the language you use in each type is different. In this article, we’re going to go through an informal letter step by step and learn how it should be written.

Basic information and tips for informal letters

Choose appropriate greeting and ending

• You know the name of the recipient: 
  • Begin with “Dear [first name],”
  • End with “Best wishes,” or “All the best,”

Dos and don’ts of informal letters

• Use contractions like he’s, she’s, I’m, etc.
• You should use idioms and phrasal verbs
• Don’t use slang
• Don’t use formal language like “I would appreciate it…”
• Don’t use wanna or gonna. Use want to and going to
• Don’t use texting language such as LOL, BTW, C U, C ya,…

The structure of a letter

You need five paragraphs to write your letters. Some of the paragraphs will only have one line, which is fine in letter writing. Avoid writing irrelevant data and try to keep the word count between 150 and 200.

I highly recommend that you follow this structure for your letters:

Greeting

Paragraph 1: Short sentence for the purpose of the letter.

Paragraph 2: Discuss the first bullet point

Paragraph 3: Discuss the second bullet point

Paragraph 4: Discuss the third bullet point

Paragraph 5: Final sentence (closing statement)

Sign off

Your name

Steps in Writing a letter

1. Read and highlight the keywords
2. Decide on the purpose of the letter
3. Choose the right tone 
4. Think of ideas for each bullet point (planning)
5. Write your letter
6. Review the letter and correct your mistakes

This is the task we’re going to work on in this article:

Your friend invited you to his/her birthday party, but you are unable to attend.

Write a letter apologizing for your absence. In your letter:

• State why you cannot go
• Explain your reason for not contacting your friend sooner
• Suggest another time to meet

Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear ___,

Step 1: Read and highlight the keywords

Write a letter apologizing for your absence. In your letter:

• State why you cannot go
• Explain your reason for not contacting your friend sooner
• Suggest another time to meet

Step 2: Decide on the purpose of the letter

What is the letter about? Is it a letter of complaint, instruction, advice, application, request, resignation, arrangement, acceptance, or apology?

In this particular letter, you should write a letter to a friend and say sorry for not going to his or her birthday party. So it’s a letter of apology.

Step 3: Choose the right tone

This is the step that many test takers find the most challenging. How do you know if it is going to be a formal letter?

Your letter should be informal if:

• You’re writing to someone you know very well (e.g. family member, close relative, friend, etc.)
• You share some aspects of your personal life with the person
• The letter is not about professional or business situations; it’s about a social or personal thing.

Step 4: Think of ideas for each bullet point

First bullet point: State why you cannot go

Something came up: our company…many orders…my boss…work on the weekend→can’t make it

Second bullet point: Explain your reason for not contacting your friend sooner

boss sent a late-minute email…try to get out of it…hoping to change his mind…didn’t happen…is why I didn’t call you sooner

Third bullet point: Suggest another time to meet

My cousin’s graduation party…can bring a friend… like you to come along with me…catch up…

Step 5: Write your letter

Now, use the ideas in your plan and start writing your letter. Since this is an informal letter, and we know the recipient very well, this is what the letter should look like:

Dear Jessica,

Long time no see! I hope everything is going well for you. Hey, the reason I’m writing is, something came up at work, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it to your birthday party tomorrow evening.

As you know, the holidays are upon us, which is why we’ve been swamped by the sheer number of orders that need to be fulfilled by Sunday. So, my boss has asked everyone to stay until late evening on Saturday to make sure we meet the deadline.

Now you might ask why I didn’t call you earlier. Well, his assistant sent us a last-minute email yesterday letting us know of the decision. I tried to get out of it by offering to work late today, but Mr. Anderson, my boss, took ages to respond and finally turned me down just a few hours ago.

On a more positive note, it’s my cousin’s graduation party next Friday evening, and he’s told me I can bring a friend. It would mean a lot to me if you could come along.

Again, I’m so sorry about tomorrow but hope to see you next Friday.

All the best,

John

Step 6: Review the letter and correct your mistakes

This step is essential to maximizing your score. Fewer mistakes = higher scores.

Final note: You shouldn’t spend more than 20 minutes on this task, so make sure you have covered all the requirements of the tasks and been concise.