Letter

A LETTER is written in response to the situation outlined in the question. Letters in the FCE Writing paper will require a response which is consistently appropriate in register and tone for the specified target reader. Candidates can expect to be asked to write letters to, for example, an English-speaking friend or colleague, a potential employer, a college principal, or a magazine editor.

Students should use appropriately informal language consistently throughout an informal letter. They will be required to describe, express opinion and give information, and should use an appropriate range of informal linking expressions. It is important that they realise that while a brief general opening paragraph is appropriate, the majority of their letter should be devoted to dealing with the specific task outlined.

Formal letters may be written to an individual or to an organisation. The purpose may be, for example, to apply for part-time or vacation work, or a study or scholarship opportunity. Students should use appropriate expressions to begin and end a formal letter, but they also need to work on a range of functions, including describing skills and experience, expressing enthusiasm, and persuading.