Students preparing for BECE or WASSCE across West Africa are expected to master how to write Formal and informal letters before they enter the exam hall. However, students can get confused or mix up the features, leading to loss of marks. This is one of the reasons why the differences and similarities between Formal and informal letters have been simplified in this post.
The choice between a Formal and Informal letter is determined entirely by the relationship between the writer and the recipient. Formal letters are used for official business, while informal letters are reserved for family, friends, and close acquaintances.
Critical Formatting Requirements
A formal letter is strictly structured. It must include two addresses (writer and recipient), a formal salutation such as “Dear Sir” or “Dear Madam,” and a professional subscription like “Yours faithfully” followed by a signature and full name. In contrast, an informal letter is more relaxed, omitting the recipient’s address and using casual greetings like “Hey Benjamin.”
READ: Letter to the Editor vs. Article for Publication: Key Differences and Similarities
| Details | Formal Letter | Informal Letter |
| 1. Writer’s Address | Yes | Yes |
| 2. Date | Yes | Yes |
| 3. Recipient’s Address | Yes | No |
| 4. Salutation | Yes (Formal) Eg. Dear Sir | Yes (Casual) Eg. Hi Akos |
| 5. Title | Yes | No |
| 6. Introduction | Yes (No well-being) | Yes (Well-being permitted) |
| 7. Body | Yes | Yes |
| 8. Conclusion | Yes | Yes |
| 9. Subscription | Yours faithfully, followed by signature, full name, and position if any in a bracket. | Yours ever, or Best regards etc followed by only your first name |
| 10. Jargon | No jargons permitted | Yes, jargon is permitted |
| 11. Contracted Forms | No contacted forms of words such as “can’t,” etc. | Yes, contacted forms of words such as “can’t,” etc., are permitted. |
| 12. Idioms & Proverbs | No | Yes |
Essential Writing Tips On Formal and Informal Letter Differences
Formal Introductions: Do not ask about the well-being of the receiver. Instead, clearly state the reason for writing based on the question.
Informal Freedom: You are permitted to ask about the family, friends, or even pets of the receiver.
Language Use: Formal letters must avoid jargon, contracted forms (like “don’t”), and slang. Informal letters allow for the use of idioms, proverbs, and phrasal verbs to create a friendly tone.
This detailed write-up would help students and teachers alike to revise these topics with ease for the next BECE and/or WASSCE.
By Wisdom Hammond
Team Lead – Education-News Consult