General Training Writing Task 1: Semi-Formal Letter- University

In this post, we will look at a Semi-formal letter example: You want to drop a course at University

A semi-formal letter is written to someone that you know by name and with whom you have a professional or business relationship with, for instance; your teacher, accountant, landlord, etc. The surname should be used when addressing them – Dear Mrs.Thomas, Dear Mr Jones.

A semi-formal greeting: Dear Mr Hopkins, Dear Mrs Thomas

When signing off the letter, ‘Yours truly’‘Sincerely yours’ and ‘Yours faithfully’ would be used for semi-formal or formal letters. In semi-formal letters, you can also use – ‘With best wishes’ and ‘With regards’.

If you want to see more information about how to write a semi-formal letter please view this post >>

How to write a semi-formal letter

Semi-Formal Letter: You want to drop a course at University

You are finding your course load very heavy at University. Write a letter to your faculty manager. In your letter:

  • Explain why you are struggling with the course load
  • Ask to drop a module
  • Ask for extra help with time management.

Take a look at the model answer: Semi-Formal Letter

Dear Professor Morris,

I am writing to inform you that I am finding the course load difficult this year and therefore my grades have been suffering. I find that I do not have enough time to work on all of the required modules and have become very stressed as a result. 
I formally request to withdraw from one module: Literary works from 1910-1930 (LIT 220). The main reason I would like to leave that module is that there is so much to cover and with the other courses I am unable to commit fully to this. I feel as though I am too stretched over many subjects to be able to do well in everything. I study for at least 40 hours per week and this is not enough to boost my grades in all areas. 
I would also like to request help from you in organising my time, as I find that I have a study schedule but my grades have slipped recently. Any advice that you could give me would be really appreciated, in order for me to get back up to 90% or over for each assignment. I apologise for wanting to leave the course halfway into the term, but for my grades and health, I feel strongly that this is the right choice. 
Thank you for your time and consideration, if you need to have a meeting with me you can email me – Jenny12@gmail.com or call me – 298-4567.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely yours,
Jenny Smith

Instructor Feedback on Semi-Formal Letter: You want to drop a course at University

This letter covers the three main points in the task. It has been clearly organised with each key point being written about in a separate paragraph.

Paragraph 1 – Explains why she is struggling with the course load

Paragraph 2 – Details of the module she wants to drop

Paragraph 3 – Asks for help with time management

The tone of the letter is polite and therefore appropriate as it is being sent to a teacher (I am writing to you to request…..I can assure you….please contact me at the earliest opportunity). There is also evidence of a range of sentence structures, no grammatical or spelling errors.

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