Crafting a Band 9 Informal Letter for IELTS General Writing Task 1

Earning a Band 9 in the IELTS General Writing section, specifically for Task 1 informal letters, requires a carefully structured and well-written piece. This article will guide you through the key elements and tips needed to achieve this high score.

Structure of the Informal Letter

Salutation

Begin with a friendly greeting that sets the tone for the rest of your letter:

Example: “Dear Sarah,”

Opening Paragraph

State the purpose of your letter right away. This should be clear and direct:

Example: “I hope you’re doing well! I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you how much I enjoyed our last get-together.”

Main Body

Paragraph 1: Provide details related to the purpose of your letter. Be personal and engaging: Example: “It was so nice catching up after all this time. I’ve been thinking about our trip to the mountains last year and I can’t help but smile.” Paragraph 2: Include additional information, anecdotes, or questions. Make it conversational: Example: “We should definitely plan another adventure soon! Maybe a beach getaway this time; I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.”

Closing Paragraph

Summarize your thoughts and express a desire to hear back:

Example: “Also, how’s work going? I hope things are treating you well. Let’s not wait too long to meet again. I miss our chats!”

Sign-off

Use a friendly closing phrase to conclude your letter:

Example: “Take care and write back soon!”

Tips for Achieving Band 9

Task Achievement

Tip: Address all parts of the task. Make sure you cover the points specified in the prompt and respond fully to the requirements:

Example: If the prompt asks you to discuss a recent social event, make sure to include details about the event, your thoughts on it, and your future plans.

Coherence and Cohesion

Tip: Use clear and logical organization. Ensure that your ideas flow smoothly from one to the next. Use linking words and phrases:

Examples:

First, discuss... Furthermore, I would like to add... Moreover, I think... Lastly, it is important to...

Tip: Use a wide range of vocabulary. Avoid repetition and use synonyms. Incorporate idiomatic expressions where appropriate to sound more natural:

Examples:

Instead of “nice,” use “pleasant,” “enjoyable,” or “enjoying.” Instead of “smile,” use “grin,” “beam,” or “laugh.” Use idioms like “can’t help but,” “thinking about,” “can’t wait to.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Tip: Use a variety of sentence structures, including simple, compound, and complex sentences. Ensure your grammar is accurate throughout. Pay attention to punctuation and spelling:

Examples:

Song writing about your feelings. Discuss plans for the future with detailed sentences that reflect logical structure. Check for spelling and punctuation errors, such as “there,” “their,” “they’re,” “its,” and “it’s.”

Tone

Tip: Maintain an informal tone throughout. Use contractions where appropriate to sound more natural:

Examples:

“I’ve been thinking” instead of “I have been thinking.” “Shouldn’t we plan” instead of “We should plan.” “Let’s not wait too long” instead of “We should wait.”

Sample Informal Letter

Here’s a brief example to illustrate:

Dear Sarah,
I hope you’re doing well! I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you how much I enjoyed our last get-together. It was so nice catching up after all this time.

I’ve been thinking about our trip to the mountains last year and I can’t help but smile. We should definitely plan another adventure soon! Maybe a beach getaway this time; I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.

Also, how’s work going? I hope things are treating you well. Let’s not wait too long to meet again. I miss our chats!

Take care and write back soon!

Best wishes,

Emily

By following this structure and incorporating these tips, you can enhance your chances of achieving a Band 9 in the IELTS Writing Task 1 informal letter. Good luck!