How to Write an Informal Email or Letter for FCE

(B2) Writing
An email is an example of an interactive writing, which means that we are writing to
someone rather than just for someone to read. For this reason, emails and letters are a
very particular type of writing for FCE in comparison
with essays, articles, reviews or reports. So let’s take a look at the main characteristics
of emails:

• Purpose of an informal email: The purpose of an informal email will depend on

each task. Some tasks ask you to provide your friend with some important
information, while others might ask you to ask for some advice. It is common for a
friend or relative to ask you something about the place where you live, while saying
that they will be visiting soon.
• Language: Given that we are writing to a friend or close relative, our language
will be relaxed and friendly. We could call it informal language if you want. So we
will be making use of contracted forms, common phrasal verbs, colloquial
expressions and even flexible punctuation (E.g.: using em dashes «–»)
• Structure: One of the cool things about emails is that they always follow the
same structure. In general terms, we always need an opening and a closing
formula; an introductory and closing paragragh; and the body, which will
consist of as many paragraphs as ideas you are asked to discuss.
• Common topics: Many informal emails to friends and relatives deal with giving
advice on a certain subject, such as visiting your hometown, keeping fit, advice
on which cities to visit in your country, organising a party for a mutual friend, etc.
Sometimes, these topics may appear in combination.
• Number of words: like all FCE Writing tasks, informal emails should be written
in 140 – 190 words.

FCE Writing Informal Email Example

Now that we are familiar with the characteristics of an informal email for First (FCE)
Writing, let’s take a look at an example of an informal email at B2 level, both at the task
and at a sample answer.

Instructions of an informal email

It is extremely important to pay careful attention to these instructions, because it is
here where we have to find out what to talk about in our email. For example, in this case
we have the following:
• The addressee: an English friend of yours
• The context: is visiting your city next summer
• The main ideas/paragraphs: tell him about the places he should visit / and the
clothes / invite him to stay with you
And that’s how you know what you have to write about.

Sample answer
Now that we have a sample task, let’s take a look at a sample FCE answer to the task
above. Pay attention not only to the language, but also to the clear structure marked in
red.

If we take a quick look at the email above, we can see the following features:

• The email layout is extremely clear. This is easily achieved by using opening and
closing formulas and paragraphs, a signature, and allowing some space between all
the semi-independent paragraphs.
• Each paragraph has a clear purpose, which in this case is marked in red.
 • The opening and closing formulas are used to say «hi» and «goodbye» in a
polite way.
• The introductory paragraph is typically used to react to news (It’s great to hear
from you… / I’m so excited about...) and to introduce the topic of our email.
• The main body deals with each of the sub tasks, which in this case are: what to
visit, what to wear and invite him.
• In the closing paragraph we start saying goodbye and we can ask for a reply to
our email.
• The language is informal:
• Contractions: It’s great, I’m, you’ll have, etc.
• Common phrasal verbs: put you up, check out.
• Colloquial language: How are you doing?, you should totally, you can’t miss, drop
me a line, etc.
• Writing as we think: Oh, By the way, Anyway,
• Flexible punctuation: …viewpoint – you’ll have the best…

Useful Expressions for an Informal Email or Letter for

FCE Writing

So if you want to learn how to write an informal email for FCE, you need to have a set
of expressions ready to use. Some of these useful expressions are the following:

Greetings:
• Dear Sarah,
• Hello Sara,
• Hi Sara,

Introductory paragraph:
• How’s it going?
• How are you doing?
• How are things?
• How are things going?
• It’s great to hear from you!
• Long time, no see!
• Sorry I haven’t written for ages, but
• I’m really sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you.

Giving reasons for writing:

• I am writing in response to…
• I saw your notice/advert in…
Reacting to good news:
• I’m glad to hear that
• I’m so happy that
• Great news about your
• I’m very happy to hear about
• It’s so great that

Reacting to bad news:

• I’m so sorry to hear about
• Sorry to read about
• I can’t tell you how sad I am that
• I’m extremely sorry to hear about
• It’s just awful to hear that

Introducing paragraphs:
• Oh, by the way,
• Hey, did you hear about…?
• One more thing,
• As for
• By the way, tell me about

Referring to something mentioned in the email / letter:

• You said in your email/letter that …,
• You mentioned that …
• You asked whether …

Ending the email or letter:

• Well, I gotta go now.
• Anyway, I should get going.
• I’ve got to leave you now.
• I’d better get going.
• Well, it’s time to go
• Make sure you write soon
• Don’t forget to drop me a line soon.
• Look after yourself.
• Take care of yourself.

Closing the email or letter:

• All my love,
• Love,
• Lots of love,
• All the best,
• Take care,
• Best wishes,
• Best,
 • Regards,
• Kind regards,

How to Write a Formal Email or Letter for FCE (B2)

Writing
The purpose may be, for example,

• to apply for part-time or holiday work (application letter)

• to apply for study or scholarship opportunity (application letter)

• to complain about something (complaint letter)

• to make suggestions about something

• to request information (enquiry letter)

B2 First (FCE) Formal Letter: Structure

1. Salutation
Dear…

2. Opening paraph
Explain why you are writing and clearly state the subject of
the letter.

3. The next paragraphs (main content)

Organise all the essential information in paragraphs.
Use linking structures to make your letter flow

4. The last paragraph

Ask any questions and highlight a form of action you want
them to take.
5. Closing and signing off
Yours ……….
Full name

B2 First (FCE) Formal Letter: Writing Guide

We will use the example FCE formal letter topic below:

You have seen the following advertisement in a newspaper:

 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We are the National Diabetes Organisation and we are organising a camp for diabetic

children. We need volunteers to work with us during the camp. Your responsibilities will

include:

• Teaching children about diabetes

• Playing games with them
Also, you should speak several languages because it’s an international camp

Write a letter applying to become a volunteer (between 140-190 words).

We need to start by finding the important information, the reason, topic and the person to
whom you are writing

Reason: applying to become a volunteer

Topic: They are looking for volunteers (camp for diabetic children)

Important information:

1.teaching children about diabetes

2.playing games with them
3.knowledge of several languages
Person: the specific recipient is unknown

Step 1: Salutation

If you don’t know the name of the person you are writing to, use “Dear Sir or
Madam,” whereas if you know the person’s name you write “Dear Mr Smith” or “Dear Ms
Smith”. Use the title “Ms” if you don’t know if the woman is married or unmarried.

• Dear Sir / Madam, (if you don’t know the name)

• Dear Mr or Mrs X (if you do know the name)

• To whom it may concern

Our task...
Because in our task there is no specific recipient given to whom we are writing, we will use

the formula: Dear Sir / Madam,

Step 2: The opening paragraph

When beginning your formal email/letter, it’s essential that you explain to your reader
your reasons for writing.

Here are some suitable phrases to do that:

• I am writing to apply for the position / role of ..

• I am writing in reference to your recent advertisement..

• I am writing to complain about…

• I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with…

Our task..

I am writing in reference to the advertisement (the reason) posted in yesterday’s

newspaper about the camp for diabetic children. I would like to (polite forms) take part as

a volunteer if it is possible.

We began the letter by explaining why we are writing it and referred to the topic of the
letter. This way, the person reading the letter will understand our motives right away.

Step 3. The next paragraphs (main content)

In the next paragraphs, you give more details about why you are writing. Give relevant
information, but don’t expand too much.

Our task..
Here we need to mention all the other important details that were provided in the
assignment.

1.teaching children about diabetes

 2.playing games with them
3.knowledge of several languages

As you can see in my curriculum vitae, I completed a degree in nursing, so I am qualified

to teach children about it. Besides, I suffer from diabetes, so I am quite familiar with this

illness (point 1) and how to deal with it.

[first key point answered]

Furthermore, I have some experience organising entertaining events for children, (point

2) as I worked at a regular camp for children last summer. For this reason, I am capable

of organising and playing fun games with children.

[second key point answered]

Finally, I must say that I can speak 3 languages, (point 3) since I have spent some time

abroad, in England and Germany. Therefore, apart from Spanish, I am fluent in English

and German.

[third key point answered]

Use linking structures to make your letter flow.” Moreover”, “Furthermore”, “In addition” are
all good examples of words that can be used to link sentences together.

Use formal vocabulary – avoid simple obvious words and look for more advanced
vocabulary and formal phrases.

TIP: Divide the text into paragraphs!

Using formal language means that the writing should be clear and easy to read,
 so organizing the content is really essential.
Each paragraph should focus on one specific topic.

Step 4: The last paragraph

Here is where you want to create a lasting impression on your reader. You can ask any
questions but also highlight some form of action you want them to take. Take a look at
these different ways to do that:

• I very much hope you will…

• I look forward to hearing from you soon.

• I would appreciate it/ be grateful if…

• I trust you will…

Our task..

Can I ask about the duration of the camp? What is the daily timetable? (ask questions) I

look forward to hearing from you. (call to action)

Step 5: Closing and signing off

When signing off, look at how you started your email. If you don’t know the name of a
person you can sign off with “Yours faithfully,” and if you do know the name of the person
you should use “Yours sincerely,”. Your full name a surname, should then be written under
this.

• Yours sincerely, (if you know the name of the recipient)

Yours faithfully, (if you don’t know the name of the recipient)

Our task..

Yours faithfully, – you don’t know the name of the recipient

José Smith – remember to write your full name beneath

Sample answer
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing with regard to the advertisement posted in yesterday’s newspaper about the
camp for diabetic children. I would like to take part as a volunteer if it is possible.

As you can see in my résumé, I completed a degree in nursing, so I am qualified to teach

children about it. Besides, I suffer from diabetes, so I am quite familiar with this illness and
how to deal with it.

Furthermore, I have some experience organising entertaining events for children, as I

worked at a regular camp for children last summer. For this reason, I am capable of
organising and playing fun games with children.

Finally, I must say that I can speak 3 languages, since I have spent some time abroad, in
England and Germany. Therefore, apart from Spanish, I am fuent in English and German.

Can I ask about the duration of the camp? What is the daily timetable?I look forward to
hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,
José

Useful Expressions for a Formal Email or Letter for FCE

(B2) Writing
Greetings

• Dear Sir
• Dear Madam
• Dear Sir/Madam
• Dear Mr Brown
• Dear Ms Jones etc
Reason for writing

• I am writing in response to your article/advertisement/letter.

• I am writing with regard to your article/advertisement/letter.
 • I am writing regarding your article/advertisement/letter.
• I am writing on behalf of

Referring to their letter

• As you stated in your letter, …

• Regarding …
• Concerning …
• With regard to …

Ending the letter:

• I look forward to receiving your reply.

• I look forward to your reply.
• I look to hearing from you.

Closing

• I am, yours faithfully (if you don’t know the name of the person you are writing to).
• I am, yours sincerely (if you know the name of the person you are writing to).
• Yours faithfully.
• Yours sincere

Letters to complain: Useful phrases

Reasons for writing

• I am writing in order to complain about.

• I am writing to complain about

Introducing the complaint:

• Firstly.
• In the first place.
• First of all.
 • My first complaint is
• The first problem is
• The first thing I would like to draw your attention to is.
• My first concern is

Introducing further complaints:

• Secondly.
• In the second place
• Not only …….but also
• In addition.
• In addition to this.
• Added to this
• ….was also unacceptable

Demanding action:

• I suggest that you replace the item.

• I therefore suggest that I be given a full refund .
• I would be grateful if my money was refunded
• I would be grateful if you could give me a full refund

Letters to request information: Useful phrases

Reason for writing:

• I am writing to receive further information about.

• I am writing to enquire about.
• I am writing to receive more detailed information about.
• I am writing to receive further details about

Requesting first piece of information

• The first thing I would like to know is.

• First of all I would like to know
 • I wonder if you would mind telling me first of all ….?

Requesting further information:

• Could you also tell me….?

• Could you also inform me ….?
• Would you also mind informing me ….?
• Would you also mind telling me ….?
• Do you know ….?
• I would also like to know if.
• I would also like to know whether
• I hope you might also let me know about …

Thanking for information:

• I would like to thank you in advance for this information.

• Thanking you in advance for this information.