What examiners want
- Task Achievement: you cover all bullet points clearly.
- Coherence and Cohesion: logical paragraphs and linking.
- Lexical Resource: tone control and precise word choice.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: varied sentences with few errors.
Choose the tone first
- Formal: official, complaints, applications, unknown recipient.
- Greeting: Dear Sir or Madam / Dear Hiring Manager
- Closing: Yours faithfully
- Semi formal: teacher, landlord, manager you know by name.
- Greeting: Dear Ms Rahman
- Closing: Yours sincerely
- Informal: friend or relative.
- Greeting: Hi Arif
- Closing: Best / Take care
Tone switches
- say instead of tell for formal accuracy
- request instead of ask for formal
- could you please instead of can you
Universal 4 paragraph plan
- Reason: why you are writing and your goal.
- Detail 1: expand bullet point A with examples.
- Detail 2: expand bullet point B or C, offer solutions.
- Action: request or next step, polite close.
Time guide: 20 minutes total
- Plan 3 min, Write 15 min, Check 2 min.
Sentence frames by tone
Formal
- I am writing to request information regarding…
- I would appreciate it if you could…
- Please accept my apologies for…
Semi formal
- I am contacting you about…
- Could you let me know whether…
- I suggest that we…
Informal
- Just a quick note to say…
- Could you do me a favour and…
- Let me know what you think.
Useful linkers
- Reason: because, since, due to
- Order: first, next, finally
- Contrast: however, although
- Outcome: therefore, as a result
- Addition: also, in addition
Vocabulary swaps for tone
- help → assist (formal)
- fix → repair (formal), sort out (informal)
- buy → purchase (formal)
- say sorry → apologise (formal), sorry about that (informal)
Mini model outlines
Formal complaint
- Reason: I am writing to complain about the late delivery of order 7842.
- Detail 1: It arrived five days late and the packaging was damaged.
- Detail 2: This delay caused missed deadlines for my team.
- Action: Please refund the delivery fee and advise how you will prevent a repeat.
- Close: I look forward to your prompt response. Yours faithfully, …
Informal request
- Reason: Hi Saba, I am planning a weekend trip to Cox’s Bazar.
- Detail 1: Could you recommend a quiet hotel near the beach
- Detail 2: Also, do you know bus times on Friday evening
- Action: Thanks in advance. Best, …
Politeness tools
- Softeners: I was wondering if, would it be possible to
- Time markers: by Friday, no later than, as soon as possible
- Solutions: I propose, as an alternative, I would be happy to
Common errors and quick fixes
- Mixing tones: Dear Sir with Best. Fix: pair greeting and closing correctly.
- Missing a bullet point. Fix: tick each bullet during planning.
- Vague requests. Fix: add a deadline or action.
- Overlong sentences. Fix: one main idea per sentence.
10 minute practice routine
- 2 min: identify audience and choose tone.
- 2 min: write a one line purpose and three bullet notes.
- 5 min: draft using frames.
- 1 min: check greeting, closing, bullets, tone, spelling.
Quick checklist
- Correct greeting and closing for audience
- All bullets covered with examples
- Clear request or next step
- Consistent tone and suitable vocabulary
- Paragraphs linked and easy to read
Upgrade moves for Band 7 plus
- Vary structures: if, although, relative clauses which
- Use precise nouns: refund, itinerary, tenancy agreement
- Add cause and result: due to, therefore
- Keep grammar clean: articles, prepositions, verb forms
Final advice
Decide tone first, plan with bullets, then write a short, purposeful letter with a clear request. Keep your language polite and consistent, and finish with the correct close. Small, repeatable steps produce reliable scores.