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

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

⚡ TL;DR

Step-by-step guide to answering this type of IELTS Writing Task 1 question. Covers structure, key language, and band-scoring criteria.

Originally published February 2018. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.

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.

How To Write A Semi Formal Letter

How To Write A Semi Formal Letter

⚡ TL;DR

Proven strategies for this IELTS Listening question type. Includes prediction techniques and common traps to avoid.

Originally published June 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.

In this post, we will look at how to write a semi-formal letter.

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.

Purchase-IELTS-Writing-Correction-with-feedback-today

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’.

Here is an example of a semi-formal letter structure >>

Semi-formal Question Example >>

You must include the information that is required, in this example, you have to make a request, for a meeting with your boss to discuss a problem at work with another colleague. It is semi-formal because it is someone that the letter writer knows, but it is not a close friend.

  • Write at least 150 words
  • You do not need to write any addresses
  • Begin your letter with ‘Dear…..”

Model Answer >>

Dear Mrs Amble

I am writing to you to request a meeting, to discuss some issues that have arisen with a member of my team.

I have been working with Ronnie Smith for over a year now and while he was a model member of the team, he has now become distant and irritable. Last week he disappeared during a very important lesson and reappeared over three hours later with no explanation. When confronted he made a flimsy excuse for his whereabouts. 

I can assure you that I have been very flexible and understanding over previous time management issues, however, his erratic behaviour is becoming more frequent. I would like to meet with you on Wednesday 15th at 3 pm and examine the best way to approach this situation.

I hope this is an acceptable time to meet, please contact me at the earliest opportunity to re-arrange if there is a problem. 

Yours Sincerely,

Steve King.

(Word Count – 156 / Band Score 9)

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Feedback

This letter covers the three main points in the task – why he is writing to her, gives further details of the problem in the second paragraph and in the final paragraph when he would like to have a meeting to discuss it further. 

It has been clearly organised with each key point being written about in a separate paragraph.

  • Paragraph 1 – Explains why he is writing to the boss
  • Paragraph 2 – Details of the issue/problem
  • Paragraph 3 – Gives dates/time that they can arrange a meeting

The tone of the letter is polite and therefore appropriate as it is being sent to a work colleague (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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