📚 IB Edexcel English: Letter Writing – Key Examination Points | IB Edexcel英语：书信写作考点精讲
Letter writing remains a core skill assessed in both IB English (particularly Language B, and text types in Language A) and Edexcel IGCSE / International A-Level English. This revision guide dissects the key examination points that will help you secure top marks. It covers format, tone, register, purpose, and the specific expectations of each awarding body, giving you the confidence to tackle any letter task.
书信写作是IB英语（尤其是语言B及语言A中的文本类型）和Edexcel IGCSE/国际A-Level英语共同考查的核心技能。本复习指南深度解析必考要点，涵盖格式、语气、语域、写作目的以及各考试局的具体要求，助你稳拿高分，从容应对任何书信写作任务。
1. Understanding the Task Requirements | 审题与任务解读
Before you write a single word, dissect the prompt. Identify whether the letter must be formal or informal, who you are addressing, and what the purpose is. In IB English B and Edexcel IGCSE, some prompts explicitly state ‘write a formal letter’ or ‘write a letter to a friend’, but higher-level tasks may require you to infer the register from the context.
在动笔之前，务必仔细剖析题目。判断要求的是正式信件还是非正式信件，明确收信人身份以及写作目的。在IB英语B和Edexcel IGCSE考试中，有的提示会明确要求“写一封正式信件”或“给朋友写一封信”，但更高阶的任务可能需要你根据上下文推断出合适的语域。
Marks are heavily weighted for appropriate format and consistent register. A beautifully written letter in the wrong tone will lose substantial credit. Also check for supplementary instructions, such as bullet points you must cover or a target word count.
评分中，恰当的格式和一致的语域占很大比重。文笔再优美，若语气用错，也将大量失分。同时要留意补充指令，比如必须涵盖的要点或目标词数。
2. Letter Formats: Formal versus Informal | 正式与非正式信件格式对比
A formal letter typically includes your address and the date in the top right corner, the recipient’s name and address on the left, a formal salutation (Dear Sir/Madam or Dear Mr Lee), a clear subject line, organised body paragraphs, a polite closing (Yours faithfully or Yours sincerely), and your signature with your printed name beneath. No postscripts are used.
正式信件通常包含：寄信人地址和日期位于右上角，收信人姓名和地址居左，正式称呼（Dear Sir/Madam 或 Dear Mr Lee），清晰的标题行，结构分明的正文段落，礼貌的结尾敬语（Yours faithfully 或 Yours sincerely），以及签名与印刷体姓名。一般不使用附言。
An informal letter is far more relaxed. You may put only the date, and the addressing can be entirely personal. The salutation goes straight to the first name (Dear Emma), the paragraphs are chatty, and the sign-off uses phrases like ‘Love’, ‘Best wishes’ or ‘Yours’. Postscripts are acceptable if they add a warm personal touch.
非正式信件则轻松得多。可以只写日期，收信人地址甚至可以省略。称呼直呼其名（Dear Emma），段落话风随意，结尾用”Love”、”Best wishes” 或 “Yours” 等。如果需要补上一句温馨的附言，也是可以的。
3. Matching Purpose and Audience | 写作目的与读者意识
Every letter has a job to do. In exams, the purpose may be to complain, persuade, inform, request, invite, thank, apply, or give advice. The audience might be a company, a newspaper editor, a peer, or a relative. Your content, vocabulary, and tone must be filtered through both lenses.
每封信都有它的功能。考试中常见的目的包括投诉、说服、告知、请求、邀请、感谢、申请或提供建议。读者可能是某公司、报纸编辑、同龄人或家人。你的内容、词汇和语气都须经过这双重滤镜的考量。
For instance, a letter to a restaurant manager about a poor meal requires specific details, measured complaint, and a formal register. A letter to a cousin about a holiday needs anecdotes, informal connectors, and an enthusiastic tone. Misjudging audience is one of the quickest ways to lose marks.
例如，给餐厅经理写投诉用餐体验的信，需要具体的细节、克制的抱怨以及正式语域。给表亲写度假见闻的信，则需要趣事、口语化衔接词和热情的语调。对读者的误判是最快的失分点之一。
4. Structure of a Formal Letter | 正式信件的结构拆解
A flawless formal letter follows a conventional skeleton. Open with your address and the date, then the recipient’s address. The salutation must match the addressee: ‘Dear Sir or Madam’ when the name is unknown, and ‘Dear Dr Chen’ when it is. After the salutation, consider a subject line: Subject: Application for the post of Volunteer Coordinator.
一封完美的正式信件遵循约定俗成的骨架。开头是寄信人地址和日期，然后是收信人地址。称呼必须与收信人匹配：不知姓名时用 “Dear Sir or Madam”，知道姓名则用 “Dear Dr Chen”。称呼之后，可设标题行：Subject: Application for the post of Volunteer Coordinator。
The body should unfold in three clear phases: an introductory paragraph stating the reason for writing, a middle paragraph or two developing the points with evidence, and a concluding paragraph that politely restates expectations or thanks. Close with ‘Yours faithfully’ (if you began with ‘Dear Sir/Madam’) or ‘Yours sincerely’ (if you used a name). Leave space for your signature and print your name beneath.
正文应分成三个清晰的阶段：开头段说明写信缘由，中间一两段展开要点并提供细节，结尾段礼貌地重申期望或表达感谢。如果开头用 “Dear Sir/Madam”，结尾用 “Yours faithfully”；如果使用了姓名，则用 “Yours sincerely”。留出签名空间，并在下方打印姓名。
5. Structure of an Informal Letter | 非正式信件的结构要点
An informal letter is built around warmth and fluency. While you may include your address and date, they can be omitted if the task is tightly timed. The greeting is always personal: ‘Dear Sam’ or ‘Hi Sam’. The opening paragraph should refer to the recipient and set a friendly tone, often by asking about their well-being or thanking them for a previous letter.
非正式信件的核心是亲切与流畅。虽然可以加上地址和日期，但如果考试时间紧张，也可省略。问候语总是个人化的：”Dear Sam” 或 “Hi Sam”。开头段应提及收信人并奠定友好的基调，通常是询问对方近况或感谢上次来信。
The main content develops the subject of your letter in a natural, conversational flow. Each paragraph may handle one topic, but abrupt topic shifts should be smoothed with phrases like ‘By the way’ or ‘Oh, I nearly forgot’. The conclusion signals that you are wrapping up, and the sign-off matches the closeness of the relationship: ‘Take care’, ‘Lots of love’ or ‘See you soon’.
主体内容以自然对话的方式展开你要说的事。每段可以处理一个话题，但突然转换话题时要用”By the way”或”Oh, I nearly forgot”来润滑过渡。结尾段预示着收尾，结束语则与关系亲疏匹配：”Take care”、”Lots of love” 或 “See you soon”。
6. Tone and Register in Depth | 语气与语域深度解析
Formal tone demands restraint and precision. Avoid contractions (use ‘I am’ not ‘I’m’), colloquial phrases (‘awesome’), and emotional language. Instead, deploy impersonal constructions and polite modal verbs: ‘I would be grateful if you could…’ or ‘It might be advisable to consider…’
正式语气要求克制与精准。避免使用缩写（用 “I am” 而非 “I’m”）、口语词（”awesome”）和情绪化语言。取而代之的是非人称结构和礼貌的情态动词：”I would be grateful if you could…” 或 “It might be advisable to consider…”。
Informal tone thrives on intimacy and rhythm. Use contractions freely, inject interjections (‘Well, you won’t believe what happened!’), and opt for phrasal verbs (‘figure out’ instead of ‘ascertain’). However, do not drift into slang that might confuse an international examiner; keep the language natural but accessible.
非正式语气则倚重亲近感和节奏感。大胆使用缩写，加入感叹语（”Well, you won’t believe what happened!”），并多用短语动词（”figure out” 代替 “ascertain”）。但不要使用可能让国际考官困惑的俚语，保持语言自然且易懂。
7. Common Letter Types in Exams | 考试高频信件类型
Formal tasks frequently set include: a letter of complaint to a hotel manager, a job application, a letter to a local newspaper editor arguing a viewpoint, a formal request for information from a university, and a proposal to a head teacher. For informal tasks, expect letters to a friend describing an event, thank-you notes, invitations, and advice letters to a younger relative.
正式信件的高频题型包括：给酒店经理的投诉信、求职申请、写给地方报纸编辑的观点论述、向大学索取信息的请求信，以及给校长的提议书。非正式任务则可能要求给朋友描述某次经历、写感谢信、邀请函或给弟弟妹妹的建议信。
Each type has its own discourse pattern. A complaint letter follows the TAPS pattern (Target, Action, Problem, Solution), while an advice letter opens with empathy, lists suggestions, and finishes with encouragement. Learning these micro-structures will make your writing more cohesive.
每一种信件都有其语篇模式。投诉信遵循TAPS模式（目标、行动、问题、解决方案），而建议信则以共情开头，列出建议，最后加以鼓励。掌握这些微型结构，能让你的写作更加连贯。
8. Language Features for Formal Letters | 正式信件的语言特点
Sentence structures in formal writing should be varied, with frequent use of complex sentences and nominalisation. For example, ‘The decision to relocate was made’ rather than ‘They decided to move’. Passive voice is useful when focusing on the action rather than the doer. Meanwhile, cohesive devices like ‘Furthermore’, ‘Nevertheless’, and ‘Consequently’ guide the reader logically.
正式写作的句式应丰富多变，多使用复杂句和名词化结构。比如用 “The decision to relocate was made” 代替 “They decided to move”。被动语态在强调动作而非施动者时尤为有用。同时，”Furthermore”、”Nevertheless”、”Consequently” 等衔接手段能够帮助读者理顺逻辑。
Vocabulary must be precise and unemotional. Instead of ‘said’, use ‘stated’, ‘indicated’ or ‘asserted’. Instead of ‘bought’, use ‘purchased’. Always aim for economy: ‘due to the fact that’ should be ‘because’. This lexical precision is rewarded in both IB and Edexcel mark schemes.
词汇务必精准、不带感情色彩。用 “stated”、”indicated” 或 “asserted” 代替 “said”，用 “purchased” 代替 “bought”。语言力求精炼：”due to the fact that” 可以直接换成 “because”。这种用词的精密度在IB和Edexcel评分标准中均会得到加分。
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with… | 我写信是为表达我对……的不满
9. Language Features for Informal Letters | 非正式信件的语言特点
Informal letters are a showcase for your mastery of colloquial English. Use discourse markers characteristic of speech: ‘Anyway’, ‘So’, ‘Guess what?’. Include a range of punctuation – exclamation marks, dashes, and ellipses – to mimic spoken rhythm. However, every mark must be intentional and contribute to the friendly register.
非正式信件是展示你口语化英语功底的舞台。使用口语中标志性的语篇标记：”Anyway”、”So”、”Guess what?”。适当运用感叹号、破折号和省略号来模仿说话节奏，但每个符号都须有意为之，服务于亲切的语域。
Bring in sensory details and personal reflection. Instead of ‘The food was good’, write ‘You’d have loved the pasta – it was incredible!’. Use idiomatic expressions like ‘give me a ring’ or ‘fingers crossed’, ensuring they fit naturally. IB examiners particularly value authentic, culturally neutral idioms.
要加入感官细节和个人感悟。与其写 “The food was good”，不如写 “You’d have loved the pasta – it was incredible!”。适当使用习语，如 “give me a ring” 或 “fingers crossed”，要确保它们自然贴切。IB考官尤其青睐地道且文化中性的习语。
You’ll never guess what happened! | 你绝对猜不到发生了什么事！
10. IB English Letter Writing Specifics | IB英语书信写作得分要点
In IB English B Paper 1 (Writing), you may choose a letter from several text-type options. The prompt will specify a context, purpose, and audience. You are assessed on conceptual understanding of the text type, appropriate register and tone, vocabulary range, and grammatical accuracy. Even if your content is strong, failure to follow formal conventions can lower your Criterion C (Conceptual understanding) mark significantly.
在IB英语B考试（写作）中，你可以从多个文本类型中选择书信。题目会规定语境、目的和读者。评分依据包括对文本类型的概念理解、恰当的语域和语气、词汇丰富度以及语法准确性。即使内容扎实，若不遵守正式书信规范，概念理解这一项（标准C）的分数可能大幅下降。
For IB English A: Language and Literature, while you may not always be asked to write a letter, you might encounter letter-writing as a creative option for Paper 1 or a written task. Here, creativity and voice are paramount. You will need to sustain a convincing persona throughout, whether you are writing a formal open letter or an intimate correspondence.
在IB英语A：语言与文学课程中，虽然不总是要求直接写信，但你也可能在Paper 1或书面作业中选择书信作为创意写作形式。这时，创意和个性语气至关重要。无论是写一封正式公开信，还是一封私人函件，你都需要始终维持一个令人信服的作者人设。
11. Edexcel English Letter Writing Specifics | Edexcel英语书信写作评分要点
Edexcel IGCSE English Language (Specification A) features transactional writing in Component 2 (or Paper 1, depending on the route). Letter writing can be one of the tasks, worth up to 40 marks. Examiners look for clear purpose, adapted format, effective use of persuasive or informative techniques, and a consistent tone. You must include the sender’s address and the date, salutation, paragraphs, and an appropriate closing to gain marks for form.
Edexcel IGCSE英语语言（规格A）在试卷二（或试卷一，视考试路径而定）中包含事务性写作。书信写作可能是任务之一，分值高达40分。考官看重清晰的目的、正确的格式、说服性或信息性技巧的有效运用，以及前后一致的语调。寄信人地址、日期、称呼、段落和恰当的结尾一个都不能少，才能获得格式分。
In the Edexcel International A-Level English Language specification, writing tasks may require a letter to the editor or a formal proposal letter. Here, sophisticated argumentation, rhetorical devices, and precise lexical choices are expected. You must demonstrate an ability to shift register subtly within a formal framework, e.g. blending firmness with courtesy in a letter of complaint.
在Edexcel国际A-Level英语语言大纲中，写作任务可能要求写一封给编辑的信或一封正式建议信。这时，你需要展现成熟的论证能力、修辞技巧和精准的用词，并在正式框架内灵活微调语域，例如在投诉信中既要立场坚定又要彬彬有礼。
12. Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them | 常见失分点与对策
One of the most frequent mistakes is mixing registers. Students may start formally (‘I am writing to enquire…’) then lapse into informal phrasing (‘it was really cool’). To avoid this, read through your letter with one question in mind: ‘Is this consistent?’ A quick edit of one or two rogue phrases can salvage your tone.
最常见的错误之一是语域混杂。学生可能开头很正式（”I am writing to enquire…”），转眼又滑入口语（”it was really cool”）。避免的方法是通读全文，始终问自己：“这封信的语调前后一致吗？”只需快速修改一两个不合群的表达，就能拯救整封信的语气。
Another major pitfall is forgetting to adapt the format to the task. An informal letter without an address and date may still score well in IB, but in Edexcel IGCSE, missing these elements can cost precious marks. Always check your exam board’s sample assessment materials to know exactly what is expected. Also, steer clear of memorised chunks that sound robotic; examiners see through them instantly.
另一个大坑是忘了根据任务调整格式。非正式信件在IB中即使没有地址和日期也能得高分，但在Edexcel IGCSE中，缺少这些元素则会痛失分数。务必查阅你所在考试局的样卷评分材料，明确其要求。此外，不要使用背下来的模板化句子，听起来僵硬死板，考官一眼就能识破。
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