Introduction to Task-1
For General Training Writing Task-1, candidates will be asked to write a letter. The letter must be of minimum 150 word and it accounts for 1/3rd of total writing score. Candidates need to spend around 20 minutes for this task. There are three main types of letters- informal, formal, semi-formal. Each type of letter is a little bit different.
- Personal- You usually write a personal letter to a friend or family member. In a personal letter, you should use casual language, as if you are talking to a friend.
- Semi-formal- A semi-formal letter is in between personal and formal. You shouldn’t write in a casual way like you would to a friend. However, you also shouldn’t write in a very formal way like you would to your boss. A semi-formal letter is a serious letter to someone who is your equal.
- Formal- A formal letter is a serious/formal letter. A formal letter is written to someone who you know only in a serious way. For example, your boss at work or the hiring manager for a company you are applying to.
You can know what type of letter you need to write based on two criteria: 1) who are you writing to? and 2) what situation are you writing about?
PERSONAL LETTER
Criteria 1- a letter to someone close to you. For example, a friend or family member.
Criteria 2- a letter about a personal relationship or social situation. For example, making plans for a birthday party.
Example:
A friend of yours is coming to stay at your house for a week while you are away on holiday. They have not stayed at your house before.Write a letter to your friend so that you can prepare them for their stay. In your letter:
- remind him/her about your holiday dates
- tell him/her what tasks need to be done in your house
- explain what he/she can do during the day in your town
In answer to this question you should write a personal letter because it is:
- to someone close to you (a friend).
- about a personal situation (a friend staying at your house)
SEMI-FORMAL LETTER
Criteria 1 – a letter to someone close to you. For example, a friend or family member.
Criteria 2 – a letter about a serious situation. For example, career advice or a business proposal.
OR
Criteria 1- a letter to someone you know in a formal way or have never met. For example, a new business contact or a company you want to buy from.
Criteria 2- a letter about a personal or informal situation. For example, finding an apartment to rent or a gym to workout.
Example:
You are being sent on a one-month work assignment in San Francisco, California. You need a place to stay while you are there. Write a letter to the Maury Samson Real Estate Agency. In your letter:
- explain the situation
- describe the kind of accommodation you would like
- provide the dates you will need it
Letter to this question should be written in a semi-formal style because it is:
- to someone you don’t know (Maury Samson Real Estate Agency)
- about a personal/informal problem (finding a place to live)
It is advisable to use only a formal or informal tone as appropriate. It is done for keeping things simple and having a third style option only complicates matters. Many questions require you to write to a colleague or manager in your business, both of whom could be friends. In this instance, assume that they are not and write the letter in a professional style, that is, in a formal tone. The other situation that can be confusing is where the person you have to write to is a neighbour. Again, assume that you do not know them very well and keep the letter formal. If you follow the general rule of only writing an informal letter when the question contains the word ‘friend/close family’, you won’t go wrong.
FORMAL LETTER
Criteria 1- a letter to someone you know in a formal way or have never met. For example, your boss or landlord.
Criteria 2 – a letter about a serious/formal situation. For example, a letter to the hiring manager at a company to apply for a job.
Example:
You recently purchased an internet package for your house but you think the speed is slower than it should be. You have complained twice to customer services on the phone but still nothing has been done. Write a letter to the manager of the company. In your letter:
- explain the internet problem
- explain why you are not happy with the way it has been dealt with
- say what action you now want the manager to take
In response to this question you should write a formal letter because it is:
- to a person you don’t know (the manager at a company)
- about a serious work-related problem (slow internet and problems communicating with customer service)