You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: Modern communications mean that it’s no longer necessary to write letters. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

In years gone by, before the age of the telegraph or telephone, note writing was the main means of communication for most people. Since
then
we have developed faster and more direct ways of contacting people, and personal mail has become relatively rare. It is true that in many cases where our parents would have written a sign, we prefer to pick up the phone,
to
Change preposition
apply
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email or even to text
instead
. These are perfectly suitable ways of inviting friends to call round or exchanging news with a family member,
for example
, and they have the advantage that the communication is immediate and we can receive a reply very quickly. In business, too, fax and email are extremely useful.
However
, in my opinion, there are times when there is no alternative to a sign.
Letters
are generally more formal and carefully composed than emails.
This
makes them more suitable for occasions when they are likely to be kept and re-read, perhaps several times, by the recipient, as with formal
letters
of thanks or sympathy.
In addition
, the
letters
provide a written record, unlike telephone calls, so they are
also
a better way of setting out an important or complex argument, as in official complaints or legal matters. In conclusion, I would definitely agree that there are fewer times when we need to write
letters
than in the past.
On the other hand
, I feel there are still some important occasions when a sign is the most appropriate form of communication.
Submitted by Harshu Akkaraju on

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The Greeting

Depending on the style and aim of the letter, you will need to adapt your greeting.

Always start an informal letter in the ways:

  • Dear + name
  • Hi / Hello + name

‘Dear...’ is more appropriate, so stick with this.

For a formal letter there are two options for the greeting:

  • Use Dear Sir or Madam if you don’t know the name of the person you are writing to.
  • Use Dear + surname if you do know their name, e.g. Dear Mr Smith or Dear Mrs Jones.

Discover more tips in The Ultimate Guide to Get a Target Band Score of 7+ »— a book that's free for 🚀 Premium users.

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