Content
The Task asks for explaining (your interest and the problems with the website) and
requesting (the information you still need.)
Band 9 model letter 6
Dear Mr Smith,
I’m interested in the photography course this year, and I have seen your name on the college website
as the contact for admission queries. I have several questions for you, and I hope you can help.
Firstly, regarding the cost of the course, is the fee of $99 per month or for the whole course? Is it
possible to pay in monthly instalments, or is the fee paid in full up front? The website says that ‘other
payment methods are possible,’ but there is no explanation.
Secondly, can you tell me what the exact dates of the course are? Your website says ‘Summer to
Autumn,’ but I can’t see any specific dates relating to this. I would be grateful for the precise dates,
including when I need to pay for the course and buy the books and so on.
Finally, I’d appreciate some information about the course content itself, including details of the
equipment to be used and the wording of the certificate I will receive at the end. The website says
that I should contact you for this.
Thank you for your help, and I look forward to receiving the information requested.
Kind Regards,
Aftab Iqbal
(200 words)
Why is this a Band 9 letter?
Recipient
The letter is addressed and concluded in a suitable formal style, because this person is a
stranger; however, the content is written in a semi-formal way, for the reasons explained above.
Style
The style is a mix of formal and personal.
The formal elements are
:
The greeting and ending, with a formal ‘call to action.’
Using ‘firstly/secondly/finally’ to introduce the paragraphs.
Using an indirect question (‘Can you tell me . . .’) to make a request.
Using ‘I would be grateful for’ and ‘I’d appreciate’ to make a request (In a purely formal letter, this
would be ‘I would appreciate.’)
Using formal words including ‘monthly instalment/specific/course content/wording.’
You can use all of these elements in a formal letter.
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