How To Write A Semi-Formal Letter? Format & Templates Included

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)

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, with no grammatical or spelling errors.

Sample Questions: Semi-Formal Letters Sample | IELTS General Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You eat in your college cafeteria everyday lunchtime. However, you think it needs some improvements.
Write a letter to the college magazine. In your letter,
explain what you like about the cafeteria
say what is wrong with it
suggest how it could be improved

You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ………………,

Explore more topics:
Semi-Formal Letters Sample | IELTS General Writing Task 1
You recently attended a conference and you would like to give a presentation in your office about the information you gained by attending the conference.
You are having a graduation party next Saturday.
Letter to the training organiser to express interest
You are organizing a trip for a group of students

We hope you found this post useful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. If you have any questions please let us know in the comments below or on the Facebook page.

The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, then follow us on Instagram and Pinterest.

If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can assist you to achieve your desired band score. We offer an essay correction service, mock exams and online courses.