Writing informal letters: What WASSCE and BECE candidates must know

An informal letter is a letter that is written in a more relaxed and personal tone than a formal letter. It is typically addressed to a friend, family member, or other acquaintance. Informal letters can be used to share news, ask for favours, or simply keep in touch.
Some of the features of informal letters:
There are some of the features of informal letters that WASSCE and BECE candidates must know:
- You need only a writer’s address and date.
- Informal letters are typically addressed to a specific person, such as a friend, family member, or teacher. The salutation should include the recipient’s name, followed by a comma. For example, “Dear John,” or “Dear Mrs. Smith.”
- Informal letters typically use a more relaxed and personal tone than formal letters. This means that you can use contractions, slang, and other informal language. However, it is still important to be clear and concise in your writing.
- Informal letters typically do not have a specific format. However, there are some common elements that you may want to include, such as a greeting, a body, and a closing.
- The body of the letter should be organized in a way that makes sense. You should start by introducing the purpose of your letter, and then you should develop your points in a clear and concise way.
- The closing of the letter should be friendly and inviting. You can end your letter with a phrase such as “Sincerely,” “Yours truly,” or “Best regards.”
- Informal letters should be proofread carefully before they are sent. This will help you catch any errors in grammar or spelling.
- Use of contracted forms of the words such as can’t, isn’t etc and jargons are allowed in such letters.
- Use only your first name when you sign for. Eg. Your ever, this should be followed by only your first name.
Here are some additional tips for writing informal letters:
- Use personal pronouns, such as “I,” “you,” and “we.” This will help your letter sound more personal and engaging.
- Use vivid language and imagery. This will help your letter come alive and make it more interesting to read.
- End with a call to action. What do you want your reader to do after they finish reading your letter?
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By following these tips, you can write informal letters that will impress your examiners and help you achieve a good grade on your BECE or WASSCE English exam.
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Some tips on how 2023 BECE and WASSCE candidates must write informal letters in their English exam:
- Use a friendly and informal tone. This is not a formal business letter, so you can be more relaxed in your writing style.
- Use simple and direct language. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that your recipient may not understand.
- Be clear and concise. Get to the point quickly and avoid rambling on.
- Use paragraphs to organize your thoughts. This will make your letter easier to read and understand.
- Proofread your letter carefully before you send it. This will help you catch any errors in grammar or spelling.
- Use a friendly and inviting closing. This will leave your recipient with a positive impression.
- Use correct grammar and spelling. This will make your letter look more professional and polished.
- Be yourself! The most important thing is to write a letter that is genuine and reflects your personality.
Examples of formal letter questions
Here are 10 informal letter questions that BECE and WASSCE candidates might be asked to answer:
- Write a letter to your friend describing your recent vacation.
- Write a letter to your favourite author asking them for advice on how to become a writer.
- Write a letter to your pen pal describing your favourite TV show.
- Write a letter to your teachers thanking them for their help during your BECE preparation.
- Write a letter to your favourite friend explaining three things you dislike about your school and why.
- Write a letter to your friend explaining what profession you want to go into and why.
- Write a letter to your friend who has decided not to attend school again. Give three reasons why he or she must change his or her mind
- Write a letter to your brother giving him advice on how to deal with bullies in school.
- Write a letter to your friend self on three new changes in your school.
- Write a letter to your best friend telling him/her how much you care.
These questions are all open-ended, so there is no one right answer. However, by following the tips above, you can write informal letters that are clear, concise, and engaging.
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Here are some additional tips for answering informal letter questions:
- Start by brainstorming some ideas. What do you want to say in your letter? What are some specific memories or experiences that you want to share?
- Once you have some ideas, start writing. Don’t worry about making it perfect at first, just get your thoughts down on paper.
- Once you have a draft, revise and edit your letter. This is where you will polish your writing and make sure that it is clear and concise.
- Proofread your letter carefully before you submit it. This is the final step to ensure that your letter is free of errors.
By following these tips, you can write informal letters that will impress your examiners and help you achieve a good grade on your BECE or WASSCE English exam.
We hope this “Writing informal letters: What WASSCE and BECE candidates must know” was useful.