IELTS General Training Letters: Formal vs. Informal Openings

In IELTS General Training Writing Task 1, you have 20 minutes to write a 150-word letter. While your grammar and vocabulary are important, the most critical factor for achieving a Band 7.0 or higher is Tone.

If you write a highly formal letter to your best friend, or a super casual letter to a bank manager, you will instantly lose marks for “Task Achievement.” The examiner decides your score based on how appropriately you open and frame your letter.

Treat this 20-minute task like a mini business project: allocate your time efficiently, understand your target audience, and execute the right communication strategy from the very first sentence.

The Golden Rule: Identify Your Target Reader

Before you write a single word, read the letter instructions carefully to determine who you are writing to. This dictates your entire approach.

Informal: You are writing to a friend or family member. (The prompt will usually explicitly say “Write a letter to a friend.”)
Formal: You are writing to a business, manager, local council, or someone you do not know.
Semi-Formal: You are writing to someone you know in a professional context (like a colleague, your boss, or a landlord). Note: For openings, semi-formal usually follows the rules of formal writing, just with a slightly softer tone.

Informal Letter Openings

Purpose: To connect with someone you know well.

Rule: Always start with warm, friendly chit-chat before stating the reason for your letter. Do not jump straight to the point!

The Salutation

Always use their first name.

Correct: Dear John, / Dear Sarah,
Incorrect: Dear Friend, / Dear Mr. John,

Step 1: The Friendly Opening (Icebreaker)

Show the examiner you know this person.

“I hope you and the family are doing well.”
“It was so great to hear from you last week!”
“I hope you’re having a fantastic summer.”
“I’m so sorry I haven’t written in a while, things have been crazy here.”

Step 2: Stating the Purpose

Transition smoothly from the friendly chat to the reason you are writing. Use contractions (I’m, can’t, won’t) as they are natural in informal English.

“Anyway, I’m writing to tell you all about my new job…”
“The reason I’m writing is to invite you to…”
“I just wanted to ask if you could do me a huge favor…”

Perfect Informal Opening Example:

Dear Mark,

I hope you’re doing well and that the kids are enjoying their school holidays! I’m writing to see if you’d be interested in coming up to the lake house with us next weekend.

Formal Letter Openings

Purpose: To communicate officially with a business or authority.

Rule: No small talk! Get straight to the point immediately. When building your vocabulary for IELTS, remember that formal letters require elevated academic verbs (e.g., inquire instead of ask, express dissatisfaction instead of complain).

The Salutation

It depends on whether the letter statement gives you a name.

If you DO NOT know the name: Dear Sir or Madam,
If you DO know the name/title: Dear Mr. Smith, / Dear Ms. Johnson, (Never use a first name here).

Step 1: Stating the Purpose Immediately

Your very first sentence must tell the reader exactly why they are reading this letter. Do not use contractions (I am, not I’m).

For a Letter of Complaint:

“I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with…”
“I am writing to formally complain about…”

For a Letter of Inquiry/Request:

“I am writing to inquire about the possibility of…”
“I am writing to request further information regarding…”

For a Letter of Application/Resignation:

“I am writing to apply for the position of…”
“Please accept this letter as formal notification that I am resigning from my position as…”

Perfect Formal Opening Example:

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my extreme dissatisfaction with the level of customer service I received at your downtown branch on Tuesday, October 14th.

Top 3 Strategies for a Band 7+ Opening

Nail the Punctuation: Always put a comma after your salutation (Dear Alex,). Start the next line with a capital letter.
Paraphrase the Letter Instructions: If the IELTS Letter says “Write a letter to a hotel manager to complain about a noisy room,” do not write: “I am writing to complain about a noisy room.” * Better: “I am writing to express my frustration regarding the unacceptable noise levels I experienced during my recent stay at your establishment.”
Tone Consistency: If you open formally, you must stay formal. Do not start with “I am writing to inquire about…” and then later say “Hit me up when you get this.” —