IELTS Letters

How To Write a Letter of Apology
 

Letters of apology are common types of IELTS letters. This lesson will show you step-by-step how to write them.

Here’s what the lesson includes:

---

Question structure

All questions for IELTS letters have the same structure. They are made up of 3 parts.

Here is a sample question for a letter of apology with the 3 parts illustrated.

Understanding this will help you to quickly analyse the question and plan your answer. To help you plan, use the letter structure below.

For a full lesson on planning click here: How To Plan IELTS Letters

---

Letter structure

The layout of IELTS letters should follow the structure of the question and consist of four paragraphs with a greeting at the beginning and a signoff at the end.

Use this easy to remember 6 part structure.

All you need to do to create your plan is to add in the details from the question, like this:

---

---

Formal & Informal IELTS Letters

IELTS letters must be written in the appropriate tone and style. There are two options:

It is essential that you are able to identify what type of question you’re required to write.

Follow this rule:

• If the question includes the word ‘friend’, use informal language.

• If the question does not include the word ‘friend’, use formal language.

The only exception is if the letter is to a close family member when you would also use an informal tone.

One situation that can be confusing is where the person you have to write to is a neighbour, as in our sample question. Assume that you do not know them very well and keep the letter formal.

This leads us on to the opening of your letter – the greeting.

---

The Greeting & Signoff

The Greeting

It is most likely that you would know the name of your neighbour so make one up, e.g. Mrs Dixon.

If you did not know their name you would write, ‘Dear Sir / Madam’.

If you were writing an informal letter to a friend, you would use their first name, e.g. ‘Dear John’.

The greeting you use will determine how you sign off your letter.

The Signoff

For a formal letter, there are two main options. The correct one will depend on who you are addressing:

• Dear Mrs Dixon (name known) – Yours sincerely

• Dear Sir/Madam (name unknown) – Yours faithfully

You could also use ‘Kind regards’. This is formal but friendly and is appropriate for most situations. It is particularly useful if you struggle to remember how to spell ‘sincerely’ and ‘faithfully’.

Always sign off a formal letter with your full name, e.g.

     Yours sincerely,

     Jacky Spear

For an informal letter to a friend, use one of these phrases followed by your first name:

• All the best

• See you soon

• Keep in touch

For example,

     Keep in touch,

     Jacky

 

For our sample letter, we will use this greeting and signoff:

     Dear Mrs Dixon...

     ....Yours sincerely,

     Jacky Spear

 

We are now ready to think up some ideas to write about. We have the guidelines of the 3 bullet points to help us so this won’t be difficult.

---

How To Generate Ideas for IELTS Letters

With only 150 words to write, you won’t need many ideas. Just make sure that you write about each bullet point and develop each idea fully.

They don't have to be the best ideas you can possibly think of. Go with your first thoughts and don’t waste time trying to think of better ideas. Just make sure that they are directly related to the bullet points.

Note your ideas beside each bullet point on the exam paper, like this:

That’s our planning complete. Once you’ve had some practice, you’ll be able to do this in just a few minutes. Taking time to plan makes writing IELTS letters far quicker and easier than if you don’t do this step. You will also write a better letter and get higher marks.

So, let’s write our letter.

---

Writing the Letter

Here’s our plan again with all our notes added in.

We’ve already decided on the greeting so we’ll start with paragraph 1.

Paragraph 1

In the first paragraph, you must state the reason for writing the letter, that is, its purpose.

Paragraph 1: Purpose – to apologise for the noise

Many students make the mistake of missing this purpose sentence out but it's very important. Including it will gain you marks.

It only requires one sentence. He’s an example appropriate to our letter of apology.

Top vocabulary tip: Do not use contractions in formal letters. They are informal language.

For a letter of apology to a friend, it would be appropriate to write, I’m writing to apologise / to say sorry for...  

Paragraph 2

In the second paragraph, you write about bullet point 1.

Remember to keep the language formal for this question. Aim for around 50 words for paragraph 2, 3 and 4. You could write something like this.

Paragraph 3

The third paragraph should cover the second bullet point.

Paragraph 4

Paragraph 4 addresses the third bullet point.

Now we just need to add the signoff we decided on earlier and our letter is complete.

---

The Finished Letter

Here is the finished letter.

---

---

Practice Question

To get some practice writing IELTS letters of apology, write a letter for the question below.

This letter is to a friend so must be written in an informal tone and style. Use the planning structure I showed you above to plan before you start writing.

Here’s a sample letter. Can you identify the language and grammar structures I’ve used to give it an informal tone?

You'll find lessons on other common IELTS letter topics in the menu below.

Common Letter Topics

IELTS Letters – All Lessons

IELTS General Writing –  A summary of the test including important facts, test format & assessment.

Letter Format – The format, the 7 topics, letter structure, formal & informal, assessment & marking criteria, sample questions. Essential information you need to know.

Letter Writing Tips – Learn top tips on how to meet the assessment and marking criteria and achieve a high score.

Letter Writing Structure – Find out how to use this easy to learn letter structure to write a high-scoring letter. Includes a model answer.

How To Plan a Letter – Learn a simple 5 step process & 6 part letter structure. Also, help to understand the question & generate ideas.

Formal or Informal – How to decide what type of letter to write. Sample questions & 2 model letters.

Letter Writing Vocabulary – Learn useful phrases to help you achieve a high score. Also, know how to start & end your letter.

How To Write an Informal Letter – Step-by-step instructions, simple 4 step plan & 6 part letter structure, model letter.

How To Write a Formal Letter – Step-by-step instructions, simple 4 step plan & 6 part letter structure, model letter.

Letter Topics – Learn the 7 most common letter topics & other popular subjects. Includes 20 sample questions.

---

1. Home
›
2. IELTS Writing
›
3. Letter of Apology

1. Back To Top

---

---

---

---