No matter the extent of modernisation and technological/digital advancement the world is experiencing, many of us still write letters. The media or channels might have changed, yet we still have cause to communicate through letters. Today we are revisiting the tender world of informal letters from the perspective of its donâts. While this is of general relevance, the lesson is particularly important for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) candidates who will be sitting the English exam on Wednesday.
Ordinarily, informal letters are relatively easy to write. They are the ones we pen to loved ones: family members, friends, acquaintances, etc. As a result, their structure is not as rigid as their formal counterpartsâ. The features of an informal letter include the senderâs address and date, a friendly salutation, an intimate introduction, and a familiar tone that runs through the piece. Equally important are the subscription phrases like âYours sincerelyâ, âYour loving sonâ, and âYour darling sisterâ.
Despite the cordial atmosphere and structure, informal letters have their rules. Experience has, however, shown that many candidates turn the blessing the letters should be into something negative because they overstretch the informal character. Whether in real life or examination contexts, you should try to avoid this. Here are things you donât indulge in when writing informal letters:
Donât write two addresses
All you need is one â your own address. It is in formal letters we have two: those of the writer and the receiver.
No title
A salutation is compulsory in informal letters, but there should be no title or heading for it. Only the formal requires such.
Donât lose the focus of the question
Although you are writing to a loved one, you must ensure you address the theme of the question you are answering. What exactly does the examiner want you to communicate to the reader/receiver? Some things that have happened in your school, family, community, or the country? Your plan to visit a place or a narration of a past event? You must understand this clearly, state it in the introduction, and do justice to it in the body of the letter. That is what will guarantee you the vital marks under the content segment of the marking scheme. So, donât be carried away by the imagined relationship between you and the receiver.
Donât muddle up paragraphs
Even if the letter is chatty, avoid writing in a single dense block. Break your thoughts into clear, well-connected paragraphs for clarity and readability.
Donât overuse slang expressions
A little bit of slang is fine, but using too much can make the letter confusing or seem disrespectful.
Donât be careless or vulgar
Informal letters allow a good measure of freedom and experimentation, but you should not be careless while enjoying these. Donât use foul or vulgar language, say, because you are writing to a friend.
Donât mix the structure of salutation with that of subscription
In âDear Mumâ (salutation) or âDear Friendâ, we have a capital D and a capital M/F. In the subscription, however, the second word starts with a small letter: âYours sincerelyâ, âYour sonâ, âYour dear daughterâ, etc., not âYours Sincerelyâ, âYour Sonâ, or âYour Dear Daughterâ.
Parting words
Back to the WASSCE paper, remember that, generally in essay writing, the examiner is testing your knowledge, experience, and ability to reason well. Very significantly too, they are testing your mastery of the English Language. So, whichever question you choose, whether an essay or letter, you must handle those elements well.
Lastly, remember that each essay/letter type has its own features â apart from the general factors that bind them. By now, for instance, you should know the difference between argumentative essays and debates, as well as speech-making and speech-writing. If you donât, quickly read up on them or contact relevant authorities.
