General Training Task 1: Formal vs Semi-Formal vs Informal Letters

Written by RevisionTown Team · Reviewed by RevisionTown Team · Published 30 August 2026 · Updated 30 August 2026

Formal vs Semi-Formal vs Informal Letters: Quick Facts

Table of Contents

1. What IELTS General Training Task 1 requires
2. How to identify the correct letter style
3. Formal letters
4. Semi-formal letters
5. Informal or personal letters
6. Complete register comparison
7. Greetings and sign-offs
8. Making the purpose clear
9. Covering all three bullet points
10. Language for common letter functions
11. Grammar and vocabulary by tone
12. A reliable letter structure
13. A 20-minute writing plan
14. Three worked model letters
15. Common mistakes
16. Practice method
17. Frequently asked questions

What Does IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 Require?

Current official IELTS information states that General Training Writing Task 1 presents an everyday situation and asks you to write a letter of at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes. The prompt specifies three bullet points that tell you what information or language functions to include. Depending on the reader and situation, the letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal.

The response must be written as connected text in full sentences, not as notes or bullet points. You do not need to write postal addresses at the top. A proper letter needs an opening greeting, organised body paragraphs and a clear ending with a sign-off.

What examiners assess

Task 1 is assessed using four equally weighted criteria:

• Task Achievement: how fully, appropriately, accurately and relevantly the letter fulfils its purpose and covers the task.
• Coherence and Cohesion: how logically the letter is organised and connected.
• Lexical Resource: the range, accuracy and appropriacy of vocabulary.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: the range and control of sentence structures, grammar and punctuation.

Why tone affects more than vocabulary

Tone is visible in the greeting, opening purpose, directness of requests, contractions, phrasal verbs, personal comments, modal verbs and sign-off. A letter cannot become formal simply by adding one sophisticated word. Consistency matters: a respectful opening followed by slang and a casual ending produces a mixed register.

Task 1 is not an email or an essay

Use a letter format. Do not add an essay title, subheadings, numbered sections or bullet points. Do not write “To:” and “From:” email fields. You may create paragraphs that broadly correspond to the three task bullets, but the final answer must read as a coherent letter rather than a checklist.

How to Identify Formal, Semi-Formal or Informal Style

Use three questions in order: Who is the reader? How well do I know them? What am I trying to achieve? The job title alone does not always decide the tone.

Question 1: Is the reader known personally?

• If you do not know the individual and are writing to an organisation, service, official or unnamed manager, the letter is normally formal.
• If you know the person but the relationship is professional rather than close, the letter is normally semi-formal.
• If the person is a friend or close relative, the letter is informal/personal.

Question 2: What relationship does the prompt create?

You may know a landlord, teacher, supervisor or neighbour, but that does not make the relationship intimate. A polite professional letter can acknowledge familiarity without becoming chatty. Conversely, a friend who works at a company is still your friend if the task asks you to write to that friend personally.

Question 3: What purpose must the letter achieve?

A complaint to an unknown company needs controlled, firm language. A request to a manager needs respect but may mention shared context. An apology to a close friend should sound sincere and personal. Purpose changes the degree of directness within the chosen register.

Use the supplied greeting as strong evidence

Official sample tasks tell candidates how to begin, for example “Dear Sir or Madam,” or “Dear ______,”. Follow the task instruction. “Dear Sir or Madam” signals a formal unknown reader. A blank after “Dear” may invite the first name of a friend or the appropriate name/title supplied by the context.

Audience-first decision table

Formal IELTS Letters

A formal letter is appropriate when the reader is unknown, represents an organisation or holds an official role with whom you have no personal relationship. Typical tasks include complaining to a company, requesting information from a college, reporting a problem to an agency or expressing a view to a newspaper.

Characteristics of formal tone

• clear and explicit purpose in the opening paragraph;
• neutral, respectful wording;
• complete forms such as “I am” and “I would” rather than contractions;
• polite modal requests: could, would, may;
• specific factual detail without emotional exaggeration;
• controlled complaint language;
• appropriate formal greeting and sign-off.

Useful formal openings

• I am writing to enquire about…
• I am writing to express my concern regarding…
• I am writing to complain about…
• I am writing in response to…
• I am writing to request further information about…
• The purpose of this letter is to bring the following matter to your attention.

Formal request language

• I would be grateful if you could provide…
• Could you please confirm whether…?
• I would appreciate it if this matter could be resolved by…
• I would like to request that…
• Please let me know what action you intend to take.

Formal complaint language

Be firm without becoming aggressive. “Your service was absolutely disgusting and your staff were useless” is emotionally excessive and unlikely to demonstrate appropriate register. Prefer:

• Unfortunately, the service did not meet the standard described.
• The item arrived two days late and was damaged.
• I was particularly concerned by the lack of assistance available.
• I therefore request a replacement or a full refund.

What to avoid in a formal letter

• slang: “the service was awful,” “I was fed up”;
• chatty fillers: “Anyway,” “Guess what?”;
• emojis, exclamation-heavy language or texting abbreviations;
• overly literary legal language you cannot control;
• threats or invented consequences unrelated to the prompt;
• contractions in every sentence.

Semi-Formal IELTS Letters

A semi-formal letter is written to someone you know, but the relationship is professional, practical or socially distant. Examples include a manager, teacher, landlord, colleague you do not know closely, club organiser or neighbour. The tone is polite and respectful, yet it can acknowledge shared knowledge.

Why semi-formal is the hardest register

Formal and informal extremes are relatively easy to recognise. Semi-formal tone sits between them. It should not sound like an anonymous legal complaint, but it should not sound like a message to a best friend. The solution is controlled warmth: refer naturally to the existing relationship while keeping requests and explanations polite.

Useful semi-formal openings

• I am writing about the schedule for next month.
• As you know, I have been renting the flat since January.
• Thank you for speaking with me about the training course.
• I wanted to ask whether it would be possible to…
• I am sorry to let you know that I will be unable to…

Semi-formal requests

• Would it be possible to change my shift on Friday?
• I would appreciate your advice on this matter.
• Could we arrange a convenient time to discuss the problem?
• Please let me know if this arrangement would suit you.

Can semi-formal letters use contractions?

Occasional contractions may sound natural when the relationship allows them, especially in a friendly note to a known colleague or neighbour. However, full forms are safer when making a serious request, complaint or apology to a manager or landlord. Consistency and appropriacy matter more than a blanket rule.

Balancing professional and personal language

Compare:

• Too formal: “I hereby request the immediate alteration of my assigned working hours.”
• Appropriate semi-formal: “Would it be possible to change my working hours next week?”
• Too informal: “Can you swap my hours? That would be awesome.”

Informal or Personal IELTS Letters

An informal letter is written to a friend or close relative. Official IELTS materials may call this a personal letter. The response should still be clear, grammatically controlled and fully relevant, but it can use warmth, contractions, phrasal verbs and direct personal references.

Characteristics of informal tone

• first-name greeting;
• friendly opening and closing;
• natural contractions: I’m, I’ve, don’t, can’t;
• personal reactions and shared context;
• phrasal verbs where natural;
• direct but considerate requests;
• conversational transitions without texting language.

Useful informal openings

• It was great to hear from you.
• Thanks so much for your invitation.
• I’m sorry I haven’t written sooner.
• I’ve got some exciting news to share.
• I’m writing because I need a small favour.

Informal requests and suggestions

• Could you bring the book when you visit?
• Why don’t we meet at the station?
• It would be great if you could stay for the weekend.
• Let me know what you think.
• If I were you, I’d book the tickets soon.

Informal does not mean careless

A personal letter should not use “u,” “thx,” emojis or fragments that reduce clarity. It is still an English proficiency test. Natural expressions, accurate grammar and logical paragraphs remain necessary.

Use personal detail strategically

Relevant invented detail can extend a bullet point: “I need the suitcase by Friday because I’m flying to Dubai for my sister’s wedding.” Avoid long stories that do not help the letter’s purpose.

Complete Register Comparison

Register is a spectrum

Real communication does not fit three sealed boxes. IELTS uses these categories to assess whether your tone matches the audience and purpose. A semi-formal letter to a manager may lean formal if the complaint is serious; a semi-formal letter to a familiar neighbour may lean friendly. Keep the relationship believable and the tone consistent.

Do not upgrade every word

Formal writing is not a thesaurus exercise. “Please send me the timetable” may be entirely appropriate. Replacing it with “I implore you to facilitate the transmission of the aforementioned schedule” is unnatural and obscures meaning.

Greetings and Sign-Offs

Formal unknown recipient

Greeting: Dear Sir or Madam,

Sign-off: Yours faithfully,

Use this when the task supplies an unknown recipient or specifically tells you to begin with “Dear Sir or Madam.” Do not invent a name.

Named or known professional recipient

Greeting: Dear Mr Smith, / Dear Ms Patel,

Sign-off: Yours sincerely,

Use the exact title or name supplied. Do not guess marital status; “Ms” is a neutral choice when appropriate. If the task begins “Dear Alex,” follow it rather than changing the greeting.

Informal recipient

Greeting: Dear Maria,

Sign-off: Best wishes, / Take care, / All the best,

Choose a natural sign-off matching the message. “Love” may be suitable for very close family or friends but is unnecessary in most practice tasks.

Should you write your real name?

Use a simple first name after the sign-off unless instructions say otherwise. Do not spend time constructing a full identity, address or signature. Official guidance states that postal addresses are not required.

Punctuation and layout

Place the greeting on its own line, then start the body below it. Put the sign-off and name at the end. A comma after the greeting and sign-off is standard and easy to use consistently. Paragraphing should be visible.

How to Make the Letter’s Purpose Clear

Official IELTS preparation guidance emphasises that the purpose should be clear to the reader, particularly for higher bands. State it in the opening paragraph rather than making the examiner infer it from the third paragraph.

Purpose-first opening formula

Context + reason for writing + desired outcome

• Formal: “I am writing to report a laptop that I left on your train on 12 August and to ask for your assistance in locating it.”
• Semi-formal: “I am writing about next week’s shift schedule because I need to request a change on Thursday.”
• Informal: “I’m writing to thank you for the invitation and to let you know that I’d love to visit in September.”

Do not copy the entire situation

Paraphrase the relevant context. Copying several lines from the prompt wastes words and demonstrates little language ability. The reader does not need every background fact repeated.

Keep one primary purpose

A task may require explaining, requesting and suggesting, but these functions support one overall reason for the letter. The opening should express that main purpose; the body develops the bullet points.

How to Cover All Three Bullet Points

The prompt gives three bullet points, but a bullet can contain more than one requirement. Official preparation guidance specifically advises checking plurals and connectors such as “and.” If a bullet asks you to “explain the problems and why it is difficult to work,” you must cover both the problems and their effect.

Underline the function words

Mark verbs such as describe, explain, suggest, request, invite, apologise, complain and recommend. They tell you what the paragraph must do. “Make suggestions” normally requires more than one relevant suggestion.

Use one paragraph per bullet when practical

This is not an official fixed rule, but it creates clarity under time pressure. You may combine closely related bullets or divide a complex bullet across paragraphs. The important result is that all functions are clearly highlighted and adequately extended.

Extend with relevant detail

Adequate coverage usually needs more than one short sentence. Add a reason, example, time, consequence, description or desired action:

• Weak: “The room is noisy.”
• Extended: “My roommate regularly invites friends over after midnight, so I cannot concentrate on coursework or sleep before morning classes.”

Balance the bullets

Do not devote 120 words to the first bullet and one sentence to the final request. During planning, assign each bullet a paragraph or two clear content notes.

Relevance test

Ask: “Does this sentence help the purpose or one bullet?” If not, remove it. A friendly informal opening can build tone, but a long unrelated story reduces focus.

Language for Common Letter Functions

Requesting information

• Formal: I would be grateful if you could confirm the course dates and fees.
• Semi-formal: Could you let me know whether the room is available next weekend?
• Informal: Can you tell me what time you’re arriving?

Making a complaint

• Formal: I wish to express my dissatisfaction with the service I received.
• Semi-formal: I am concerned about the heating problem we discussed last week.
• Informal: I was disappointed that the plans changed without warning.

Apologising

• Formal: Please accept my sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused.
• Semi-formal: I am very sorry that I will be unable to attend the meeting.
• Informal: I’m really sorry I missed your party.

Inviting

• Formal: We would be pleased if you could attend the opening ceremony.
• Semi-formal: I would like to invite you to our end-of-term event.
• Informal: I’d love you to come and stay with us.

Giving advice

• Formal: I would recommend booking an appointment in advance.
• Semi-formal: It may be helpful to speak with the coordinator first.
• Informal: If I were you, I’d take the earlier train.

Thanking

• Formal: I would like to thank you for your prompt assistance.
• Semi-formal: Thank you for helping me arrange the new schedule.
• Informal: Thanks so much for looking after the dog.

Giving news or information

• Formal: I am pleased to inform you that the documents have been submitted.
• Semi-formal: I wanted to let you know that I have completed the training.
• Informal: You’ll never guess what happened last weekend!

Grammar and Vocabulary by Tone

Modal verbs control politeness

“Send the form by Friday” is a direct command. “Could you please send the form by Friday?” is a polite request. “I would be grateful if you could send the form by Friday” increases formality. Match the degree of indirectness to the relationship.

Contractions

Contractions are natural in informal letters: I’m, I’ve, we’ll, don’t. Formal letters normally use full forms. Semi-formal letters may use some contractions when the relationship is friendly, but avoid an abrupt switch between very formal and very casual phrasing.

Phrasal verbs

Informal English comfortably uses “pick up,” “look after,” “put off” and “get back.” Formal equivalents may be “collect,” “care for,” “postpone” and “respond.” Do not eliminate every phrasal verb from formal writing; choose the expression that sounds clear and appropriate.

Emotional language

Informal letters may express excitement or disappointment personally. Formal letters should describe effects and requested remedies more objectively. Semi-formal letters can acknowledge feelings without exaggeration.

Sentence range

All three styles can use complex grammar. Formality is not created by writing extremely long sentences. Combine simple and complex structures accurately:

• Although the package arrived on time, two items were missing.
• If the room is still available, I would like to extend the booking.
• Because I’ll be working on Friday, could we meet on Saturday instead?

Register consistency check

Circle or scan for greetings, contractions, request forms, slang and sign-off. A mismatch usually appears at one of these points. Correct the isolated phrase rather than rewriting the whole letter.

A Reliable IELTS Letter Structure

This is a framework, not a compulsory template

You may use four body paragraphs, combine two bullets or place the closing sentence within the final body paragraph. The organisation must be logical and the format recognisably a letter.

Do you need an overview?

No. The clear overview required in Academic Task 1 does not apply to General Training letters. Instead, make the letter’s purpose clear and address all bullet points.

Do you need a conclusion?

You do not need an essay-style conclusion. A natural closing sentence can confirm the requested outcome: “I look forward to receiving your response,” “Please let me know if Saturday suits you,” or “I hope you can come.”

A 20-Minute Writing Plan

The five-minute planning grid

Reader: known landlord → semi-formal
Purpose: heating still broken; request urgent repair
Bullet 1: failure since Monday; whole flat cold
Bullet 2: called twice; temporary heater unsafe
Bullet 3: technician by Friday; confirm time
Greeting/sign-off: Dear Mr Khan / Yours sincerely

Protect Task 2 time

Official guidance says Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1. Do not turn a 150-word letter into a 30-minute project. RevisionTown’s Task 1 time-management guide gives a full analyse–plan–write–check routine; adapt its checkpoints to letter tasks.

Worked Model Letters

The following examples are original RevisionTown teaching material. They demonstrate register choices rather than guaranteeing a band score.

Model 1: formal complaint to an unknown company

Situation: You ordered a desk online. It arrived damaged. Explain the problem, describe how it affects you and request action.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to complain about a desk that I ordered from your website on 18 August. The item was delivered yesterday, but it arrived in an unacceptable condition.

Although the external packaging appeared undamaged, the desktop has a deep crack running across its centre and one of the metal legs is bent. I have checked the assembly instructions carefully, and it is clear that these faults were present before I opened the box.

I purchased the desk because I begin a remote training course next Monday. At present, I have no suitable place to work, and the damaged leg makes the desk unsafe to use. Delaying the replacement would therefore cause considerable inconvenience.

I would be grateful if you could arrange collection of the damaged item and send a replacement by Friday. If this is not possible, I would like to receive a full refund, including the delivery charge. I have attached photographs and the order confirmation for reference.

I look forward to your prompt response.

Yours faithfully,
Daniel Reed

Why the tone works: the recipient is unknown; the purpose is immediate; facts replace anger; the requested remedy is specific; contractions and chatty expressions are avoided.

Model 2: semi-formal request to a known manager

Situation: Ask your manager to change your work schedule. Explain why, suggest an alternative and describe how you will prevent disruption.

Dear Ms Patel,

I am writing to ask whether it would be possible to change my shift next Thursday. As you know, I normally work from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on that day.

My college has recently moved an important examination to Thursday afternoon because the original venue is unavailable. Attendance is compulsory, and the examination cannot be taken on another date. I only received confirmation of the change this morning.

Would it be possible for me to work the early shift from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. instead? I have spoken to Marco, who is willing to exchange shifts with me, provided that you approve the arrangement.

To ensure that the change causes no disruption, I will complete the weekly stock report on Wednesday and brief Marco about the two expected deliveries. I will also remain available by phone after the examination if an urgent question arises.

Please let me know whether this arrangement would be acceptable. Thank you for considering my request.

Yours sincerely,
Aisha Khan

Why the tone works: the writer knows the manager and refers to shared context, but the request remains polite and professional. The language is neither anonymous nor overly friendly.

Model 3: informal invitation to a friend

Situation: Invite a friend to visit your new home. Describe it, suggest activities and explain travel arrangements.

Dear Leo,

I hope you’re doing well. I’ve finally moved into the new flat, and I’d love you to come and stay for a weekend in September.

The flat is much brighter than my old place and has a small balcony overlooking the park. There’s a spare room now, so you won’t have to sleep on the sofa this time! The neighbourhood is lively, but the street itself is surprisingly quiet at night.

If the weather is good, we could cycle along the river on Saturday and try the outdoor food market in the evening. I also found a little music venue nearby that I think you’d enjoy. On Sunday, we can take things slowly and have breakfast at the café downstairs.

The easiest way to get here is by train. Take the direct service to Central Station and text me when you arrive; I’ll pick you up from the main entrance. If you book soon, the off-peak tickets are usually quite cheap.

Let me know which weekend works best. I can’t wait to show you around!

Best wishes,
Sam

Why the tone works: contractions, friendly detail, a light exclamation and direct suggestions suit a close friend. The letter is still organised and covers every function.

Common Mistakes

1. Choosing tone from the topic instead of the reader

A complaint can be formal, semi-formal or even informal depending on whom you address. Start with audience and relationship.

2. Mixing registers

“Dear Sir or Madam” followed by “Hey, I’m really fed up with you guys” is inconsistent. Check greeting, contractions, requests and sign-off together.

3. Missing part of a bullet

Plural nouns and “and” often hide multiple requirements. Underline every function before planning.

4. Making the purpose unclear

State why you are writing in the first paragraph. Do not wait until the end to reveal the request or complaint.

5. Forgetting a greeting or sign-off

Official examiner comments show that incomplete letter format can affect Task Achievement. Use a complete format every time.

6. Writing addresses

Official guidance says addresses are not needed. They consume time and do not help cover the task.

7. Writing fewer than 150 words

Responses below the minimum are penalised. Aim comfortably above 150 during practice without adding irrelevant padding.

8. Overwriting

A 280-word letter can consume Task 2 time and create repetition. Extend each bullet adequately, then stop.

9. Using memorised phrases without relevance

“I hope this letter finds you in the pink of health” may sound formulaic or inappropriate in a complaint. Use a direct opening suited to the purpose.

10. Becoming aggressive in a complaint

Firm requests and clear evidence are more effective than insults, threats or excessive punctuation.

11. Writing an essay

Do not discuss both sides, add a thesis statement or conclude abstractly. Communicate with the named reader and fulfil the practical purpose.

12. Using bullet points in the response

The task contains bullets, but your answer must be connected prose with paragraphs.

How to Practise Letter Register

Step 1: classify prompts only

Take 20 General Training Task 1 prompts. In 30 seconds each, label the reader, relationship, purpose and likely tone. Explain ambiguous semi-formal cases.

Step 2: build three versions of one function

Write formal, semi-formal and informal versions of a request, apology, complaint, invitation and thank-you. Compare modal verbs, contractions and openings.

Step 3: practise bullet expansion

For each bullet, add two relevant notes: fact + reason, problem + consequence, suggestion + benefit, or request + deadline. This prevents thin coverage.

Step 4: write timed letters

Use a 3-minute analysis, 2-minute plan, 12-minute draft and 3-minute check. Alternate formal, semi-formal and informal tasks so that tone switching becomes automatic.

Step 5: use a register audit

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three IELTS General Training Task 1 letter types?

Official IELTS materials describe personal, semi-formal and formal letters. Personal letters are commonly called informal letters in preparation materials.

How do I know which letter type to write?

Identify the reader, how well you know them and the purpose. Follow any greeting supplied in the task.

Is a letter to a manager formal or semi-formal?

It can be either. A manager you know may invite semi-formal language; an unknown senior manager or serious institutional complaint may require formal tone. The task context decides.

Is a letter to a landlord formal or semi-formal?

If you know and regularly communicate with the landlord, semi-formal is often appropriate. An unknown property agency usually requires formal style.

Can I use contractions in formal letters?

They are generally avoided because full forms create a more controlled formal tone. An occasional contraction is not automatically fatal, but consistency is safer.

Can I use contractions in semi-formal letters?

Yes, cautiously, when the relationship is friendly. Serious requests or complaints may sound better with full forms.

Can I use phrasal verbs in informal letters?

Yes. Natural phrasal verbs can strengthen a conversational personal tone when used accurately.

Should I write “Dear Sir or Madam”?

Use it when the recipient is unknown or the task instructs you to begin that way. Do not change a supplied greeting.

What is the difference between Yours faithfully and Yours sincerely?

A common convention is “Yours faithfully” after “Dear Sir or Madam” and “Yours sincerely” after a named recipient such as “Dear Ms Patel.”

Do I need to write addresses?

No. Official IELTS guidance states that addresses are not required at the top of the letter.

Do I need a subject line?

No. A subject line is not required. Use the greeting and state the purpose clearly in the opening paragraph.

Do I need an overview?

No. The Academic Task 1 overview requirement does not apply to a General Training letter. Make the purpose clear instead.

Do I need one paragraph per bullet point?

It is a useful structure, but not a compulsory rule. The bullet functions must be clear, fully covered and logically organised.

How many words should I write?

At least 150. Train to finish comfortably above the minimum while remaining relevant and preserving Task 2 time.

How much time should I spend?

Official guidance recommends about 20 minutes for Task 1 and about 40 minutes for Task 2.

Can I invent details?

Yes, when the details are plausible, relevant and help extend the bullet points. Do not contradict the prompt.

Can I use exclamation marks?

They may be natural in an informal invitation or exciting news, but use them sparingly. They are generally unsuitable in a formal complaint.

Does using formal vocabulary guarantee Band 7?

No. The complete letter is assessed for task achievement, organisation, vocabulary and grammar. Tone must be appropriate rather than simply formal.

Methodology and Scope

This guide focuses on IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 letters. It was developed from current official IELTS test-format information, official Writing preparation resources, public assessment criteria, band descriptors and General Training sample tasks with examiner comments. The decision tools, comparison tables, model letters and practice activities are original RevisionTown teaching material and are not official test questions or guaranteed band-score models.

Official IELTS materials use “personal” for a letter to a friend and also recognise semi-formal and formal styles. This guide uses “informal/personal” to connect the official terminology with common classroom terminology. Because real register exists on a spectrum, students should prioritise the stated audience, relationship, purpose and any supplied greeting rather than memorising rigid job-title rules.

Official Sources and Further Reading

• IELTS General Training Writing test format
• IELTS Writing test preparation resources
• IELTS Writing key assessment criteria
• IELTS Writing band descriptors
• IELTS General Training Writing sample tasks and examiner comments

Continue Your IELTS Writing Preparation

Apply this register framework with RevisionTown’s 20-minute Task 1 time-management guide. For language accuracy and planning practice, use the paraphrasing guide for techniques—while remembering that its examples focus on Academic Task 1—and the Academic Task 1 structure guide only if you are also preparing for the Academic module. General Training candidates should keep the letter-specific format taught on this page.

Your next step: Take one request prompt and rewrite only its opening, request sentence and sign-off in all three registers. Then identify which version matches the stated reader and explain your choice using audience, relationship and purpose.