Class 10 Title: Writing Task 1 (General): Writing Formal and Informal Letters
Subtitle: Class 10
Presented by: Fatima
Contact Information: blackboarder1@gmail.com

Overview of IELTS Writing Task 1 - General

• Explanation of Task 1:
Writing a 150-word letter in response to a given situation
formal, semi-formal, or informal

• Time allocation:
20 minutes for Task 1

• Assessment criteria:
Task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, grammatical range, and accuracy

Understanding Different Types of Letters

• Formal letters:
Writing to someone you don’t know well
a company, government agency

• Informal letters:
Writing to someone you know well
a friend, family member

• Semi-formal letters:
Writing to someone you know but with a degree of formality
a landlord, a colleague

Structuring Your Letter

• Opening:
Addressing the recipient appropriately based on formality

• Introduction:
Stating the purpose of the letter

• Body:
Developing the main points
usually 2-3 paragraphs

• Closing:
Polite sign-off and closing statement

Choosing the Right Language and Tone

• Formal language:
Polite, professional, and clear
I am writing to inform you...

• Informal language:
Friendly, casual, and warm
Hey, it’s been a while since we last talked...

• Tailoring tone to the recipient:
Formal for business, informal for friends and family

Sample Formal Letter Analysis

• Present a sample task
writing a letter to a company to request information

• Walk through the structure, language, and tone used

• Highlight key phrases and techniques

Sample Informal Letter Analysis

• Present a sample task
writing a letter to a friend inviting them to visit

• Walk through the structure, language, and tone used

• Discuss how the informal tone differs from the formal one

Practice Writing a Letter

• Formal letter task
complaining about a service

• Informal letter task
thanking a friend for a gift

• Set a 20-minute timer to simulate exam conditions

• Encourage students to apply the structure and language discussed

Formal Letter Task

Task Prompt:
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You recently purchased an item from an online store, but when it arrived, it was damaged.

Write a letter to the customer service department of the online store. In your letter:

• Describe the item you bought and the problem

• Explain what you want the company to do about it

• State how you would like to resolve this issue if there is no satisfactory response

Write at least 150 words.

Instructions for Students

Introduction:
Start by introducing yourself and the reason for writing the letter.

Mention when you purchased the item and briefly describe it.

Body:
Detail the problem with the item when it arrived
(damaged packaging, broken parts, etc.).

Specify what action you would like the company to take
(replacement, refund, etc.).

Conclusion:
Politely state how you would like the issue to be resolved if the company does not respond satisfactorily
(escalate the complaint, take legal action, etc.).

Close the letter with an appropriate sign-off.

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Informal Letter Task

Task Prompt:
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You have recently moved to a new city and your friend wants to visit you.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

• Tell your friend about your new city and what you like about it

• Suggest some activities you can do together during their visit

• Invite your friend to stay with you

Write at least 150 words.

Instructions for Students

Introduction:
Start with a friendly greeting and express your excitement about your friend’s upcoming visit.

Mention that you’ve recently moved and briefly describe your new city.

Body:
Share some of the things you enjoy about the new city
(great restaurants, beautiful parks, vibrant nightlife).

Suggest specific activities you can do together when your friend visits
(sightseeing, trying local cuisine, visiting museums).

Conclusion:
Invite your friend to stay with you and mention any arrangements you've made.

Close the letter with a warm, friendly sign-off.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Task 1 Letters

• Using incorrect tone for the type of letter

• Neglecting to include all required information
date, address, etc.

• Overcomplicating the language or making grammatical errors

Additional Writing Practice

•Assign another letter-writing task
students choose between formal or informal

• Students to write the letter at home and bring it to the next class for review

•Encourage them to focus on maintaining an appropriate tone and clear structure

Next Class: Writing Task 2 - Essay structure and planning.

See you in the next class!