Formal or informal? In the written part this question decides your tone, your salutation and your word choice. Whoever hits the right style scores points, whoever misses it loses them. Here you learn when you need which style.
Formal or informal letter: the difference
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A formal letter is factual, uses the “Sie” form and fixed phrases, for example to a company or an authority. An informal letter is more personal, uses the “du” form and a casual tone, for example to friends. In the telc exam the formal variant is usually required. Which task comes up exactly is on the page on telc B2 writing, and how to structure the B1 letter is in formal letter in the telc B1 exam.
How to recognise the right style
Look at the addressee: an official body requires formal language, a familiar person allows a casual tone. Suitable wording for both cases is in the most important phrases, and for full marks in B1, telc B1 writing helps.
Typical mistakes with style
The most common mistake is mixing the style, that is starting formally and then slipping into the casual. Which other mistakes occur is in the most common mistakes in the written part.
The bottom line
Whether formal or informal is decided by the addressee. If you set the style from the start and keep it consistent, you hit the right tone in the written part.
