The formal letter blueprint for TEF Section B and TCF written tasks
Layout, salutation, paragraph logic, and closing formulas — plus the register traps that cost points.
The argumentative letter is the backbone of TEF Canada Expression écrite Section B and appears among the TCF Canada written tasks. Examiners are not reading for a single dazzling sentence: they are checking whether you can produce a complete, correctly framed formal letter under time pressure. A reliable blueprint removes half the panic, because you spend your minutes on ideas rather than on layout.
The five zones of a formal letter
Read your letter top to bottom in these blocks
- The salutation — who you are writing to, chosen by register.
- The opening — why you are writing, in one clear sentence.
- The body — your points, one idea per paragraph, ordered logically.
- The request or conclusion — what you want to happen next.
- The closing formula — a fixed polite phrase that echoes the salutation.
Choosing the salutation
When you do not know the recipient's name — the usual exam case — use « Madame, Monsieur, ». If the prompt names a specific role, address it: « Monsieur le Directeur, ». Never open a formal letter with « Cher » plus a surname, and never use a first name. Whatever you choose, the same words must reappear in your closing formula.
Madame, Monsieur, Je me permets de vous écrire au sujet du retard de livraison de ma commande n° 4521.Body paragraph logic
Give each paragraph one job. Paragraph one presents the situation or your first argument; paragraph two develops a second point or an example; a short paragraph can concede the other side before you restate your position. Open each paragraph with a connector so the reader feels the structure: « Tout d'abord », « Par ailleurs », « En effet », « C'est pourquoi ». Two well-linked paragraphs beat four floating ones.
Closing formulas graded by situation
| Situation | Formula | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Standard formal letter / lettre formelle standard | Veuillez agréer, Madame, Monsieur, mes salutations distinguées. | safe default / valeur sûre |
| Making a request / faire une demande | Dans l'attente de votre réponse, je vous prie d'agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l'expression de mes salutations distinguées. | adds anticipation / ajoute l'attente |
| Writing to a named authority / autorité nommée | Je vous prie d'agréer, Monsieur le Directeur, l'expression de ma considération distinguée. | echo the title / reprend le titre |
| Slightly warmer, still formal / plus chaleureux mais formel | Je vous remercie de votre attention et vous adresse mes meilleures salutations. | for emails / pour un courriel |
Je vous prie d'agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l'expression de mes salutations distinguées.Apply it now: draft a short complaint letter using the five zones, then submit it for a corrected version and check whether your salutation and closing truly mirror each other.
Original ScoreRoute lesson — written for TEF Canada / TCF Canada preparation.
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