FCE Exam Tips Lesson 16 - First Certificate Preparation - How to Write a Letter
Welcome to a new lesson of our English section, for the preparation of the FCE. In this section we will give you all the tips to pass the FCE exam. It is very important for you to be well prepared to this exam because very a lot of specific parts.
In today's lesson, we will give you all the tips and tricks about how to write a letter, formal or informal. It will help you for the writing part of the exam.
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FCE EXAM TIP 16
How to write a LETTER or an EMAIL:
Before writing a letter, please consider whom you are writing to and the purpose of the letter:
a complaint (formal)
a suggestion (formal), advice (informal)
an application (formal)
an enquiry (formal), asking questions (informal)- an informal, personal catch-up
good wishes (informal), congratulations (formal)
General tips for a successful writing piece:
check you are using the right tone: formal or informal.
make sure that you include all the information that you have been asked to cover.
ensure that you completing the task based on the requirements.
proofread your work to remove any typos or other mistakes before submitting your work.
What is the difference between an informal and a formal letter?
Informal Letter
Formal Letter
Generally between 2 people that know each other quite well. The tone is similar to a conversation: with numerous questions being asked (showing interest), the use of emotions (i.e. enthusiastic tone...) and a lot of information being shared.
More of a professional or non personal exchange. Both people don’t know each other that well or aren’t on a first-name basis.
Form
You can use contracted forms (I’m, aren’t...)
You must not use contractions
Greetings/Salutations
Hello/Hi/Dear + Recipient’s first name
Dear Madam, Dear Sir, Dear Miss, Dear Mr ...., Dear Ms ....
Standard openings
How are you?/I hope you are well.
How have you been lately?/How are things?/How are you doing?
Thank you for your last letter.
It was good to hear from you.
I was actually quite surprised to hear that... Do forgive me for not writing sooner. / I am sorry I haven’t been in touch lately.
It’s been ages since we last spoke.
I am writing in response to your ad/article/letter... I am writing with regard to...
I am writing on behalf of...
I am writing regarding...
Receiving information
That is great news about...
I am so glad to hear that...
I am truly sorry to hear that...
I am writing to thank you for the information you provided me with....
Giving information
You will never believe what/that...
Another thing I would like to mention is...
I thought you might be interested in knowing / to hear about / to know that..
By the way, did you know that...?
I am writing in order to inform you that...
Apologies
I’m writing to apologise for...
I hope you can forgive me for... I’m really sorry that...
I would like to express my sincere apologies...
Complaints
I'm writing to let you know that I am not very happy with the...
I am writing in order to complain about... I am writing to complain about...
Closing
Keep in touch!
I look forward to hearing from you. Write (to) me soon.
Yours sincerely (if you know the person’s name) Your faithfully (if you don’t know the person’s name)
I look forward to receiving your reply.
I look forward to hearing from you. I look forward to your reply.