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

1. Reason: why you are writing and your goal.
2. Detail 1: expand bullet point A with examples.
3. Detail 2: expand bullet point B or C, offer solutions.
4. 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

1. 2 min: identify audience and choose tone.
2. 2 min: write a one line purpose and three bullet notes.
3. 5 min: draft using frames.
4. 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.