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Multilevel Writing Task 1 Guide

Multilevel writing task 1 involves writing a short letter on a given topic within 20 minutes, requiring at least 150 words. The letter must follow a specific format, addressing a person and covering three key points. Tone is crucial, with informal used for friends and formal for other recipients, while semi-formal is unnecessary.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
34 views7 pages

Multilevel Writing Task 1 Guide

Multilevel writing task 1 involves writing a short letter on a given topic within 20 minutes, requiring at least 150 words. The letter must follow a specific format, addressing a person and covering three key points. Tone is crucial, with informal used for friends and formal for other recipients, while semi-formal is unnecessary.

Uploaded by

erkinovazuhra55
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Multilevel writing

Task 1
Modelu I
What is Multilevel writing task 1?
• In task 1 you will be given a topic and asked to write a short letter to
someone.
• You have 20 minutes to complete this.
• You must write at least 150 words.
• Much easier than academic.

Example 1:
On a recent holiday you lost a valuable item. You have travel insurance to cover
the cost of anything lost.
Write a letter to the manager of the insurance company. In your letter you
should:
- describe the item that you lost
- explain how you lost it
- tell the insurance company what you would like them to do

Example 2:
You want to sell some of your furniture. You think a friend of yours might like to
buy it from you.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
- explain why you are selling
- describe the furniture
- suggest a date when your friend can come and see the furniture
The best thing about general writing task is that the format is never
changed:
Part 1 – The topic.
Part 2 – The person you must write to.
Part 3 – What you should write about (listed as 3 bullet points).

Below are possible situations and letters you might be asked to write
about:
• Letter of complaint
• Application or resignation letter
• Inviting a friend or colleague to join you at an event or social occasion
• Making a request
• Making formal arrangements
• Explaining something to a friend or colleague
• Making an apology

Example:
You have just moved to a new apartment.
Write a letter to your friend inviting them to come to your new home. In the
letter
You should:
- explain why you moved
- describe your new home
- tell them how to get to your apartment
Why is tone important?
Because it is part of the marking criteria. Examiners will be looking to see if you
have:
• Identified the style of the letter and…
• Used the appropriate tone.

Three main tones:


• Formal
• Informal
• Semi-formal

Do we actually need semi-formal tone?


• No.
• We only need formal and informal .
• Don’t make things more complicated for yourself. Make them as simple as
possible.

What is the difference between formal and informal?


• Very easy – use the word “friend”.
• If the question contains the word “friend”, use an informal tone.
• If it doesn’t, we use a formal tone.
Example 1:
You have just returned home from a holiday and have received photographs
from a friend who was on holiday with you.
Write to your friend thanking them for the photographs. You should include:
- a description of the photos
- the most memorable thing about the holiday
- invite them to come and stay with you

Example 2:
You are moving to London for the summer in order to improve your English.
Write to your friend who lives there and ask them where you can find a part
time
job. You should include:
- the type of job you would like
- the hours you would like to work
- ask them to recommend where you can find a job

But what about semi-formal?


• Lots of people still worry about semi-formal and think that they will be too
formal if writing to colleagues or managers
• Do not worry. It does not say in the question if you are friendly with your
colleagues or managers, using a formal tone is fine.
Example 1:
You are arranging a conference with a colleague in a different department.
Write to your colleague to make these arrangements. You should include:
- the main topic of the conference
- your preferred speaker for the conference
- the type of food and refreshments you would like.

Example 2:
You would like to join an online course that is important for your career.
Write a letter to your manager asking them to pay for the course. You should
include:
- a description of the course
- why it is important for your career
- how much it costs and how they can pay

Example 3:
You are having a party at your house to celebrate a national holiday.
Write a letter to your neighbor asking them to attend your party. You should
include:
- details of the party
- what they should bring
- who the other guests will be

• Is the letter to a friend? Yes – informal


• Is the letter to a friend? No – formal

Common questions

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Using an incorrect semi-formal tone can complicate the task unnecessarily and possibly lead to lower marks. The task specifies only formal or informal tones, depending on the recipient's identity. Incorrect use of tone can imply misunderstandings about the relationship context, thus affecting clarity and appropriateness of communication .

Writing at least 150 words necessitates a structured approach to elaborately address all bullet points provided, ensuring sufficient coverage of relevant details while maintaining clarity. It requires the writer to expand on each guideline with examples or explanations to meet the word requirement effectively .

To ensure the appropriate tone, consider the professional relationship context: for colleagues or managers, use a formal tone. Maintain professionalism through clear language, structured format, and respectful addressing. Avoid overly casual expressions and focus on clarity and relevance of information .

Excluding a semi-formal tone simplifies the decision-making process for writers, reducing confusion and potential errors. It categorizes letters clearly into formal for non-friends and informal for friends, aligning with specific situational expectations and simplifying assessment criteria for evaluators .

A complaint letter requires a formal tone, focusing on concise and factual presentation of the issue, desired resolutions, and any supporting evidence. Conversely, a letter of invitation may use a less formal tone if addressing a friend, with emphasis on creating a welcoming and warm atmosphere, providing clear event details .

Identifying the style and tone is important because it is part of the marking criteria. The tone determines whether you should write formally or informally, based on the relationship with the recipient. This affects how the content of the letter is presented, ensuring appropriateness and effectiveness for the communication purpose .

Challenges include risk of miscommunication if the formality doesn't match the recipient's expectations, potentially leading to perceptions of distance or detachment. Over-formal tone might inhibit a collaborative atmosphere if the recipient expects a semi-formal interaction, yet maintaining formality ensures professional respect .

The fixed format of task prompts helps writers focus by providing a consistent structure, including topic, recipient, and bullet points, which guides content organization. This structure simplifies planning and ensures all critical components are addressed systematically, enhancing fluency in writing .

Letter tasks require understanding of cultural norms, as tone choice reflects respect and awareness of social hierarchies and relationships. Formality is often culturally associated with professionalism and respect, hence applied to non-friends or higher-status individuals, aligning with cross-cultural communication norms .

Guidance on tone and format helps novice writers focus on practicing specific styles, reducing complexity by explicitly tying tone to recipient and genre. It encourages targeted practice, ensuring that they develop proficiency in effectively categorizing and composing letters based on contextual cues .

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