🟦 Introduction
Hello, brilliant student! 👋
Today, we step into the exciting world of letter writing — a skill that stays useful whether you’re writing to your school headteacher, applying for a scholarship, or simply writing to your best friend.
There are two main types of letters you must master:
Formal letters: serious, respectful, and used for official communication.
Informal letters: warm, personal, and used for chatting with friends and family.
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to clearly tell the difference, structure your letters properly, and write both types confidently.
🟩 Key Concepts and Explanations
What is a Letter?
A letter is a written way of communicating with someone who is not immediately near you. Letters can carry different purposes: to inform, request, invite, apply, or share personal experiences.
Types of Letters
| Type of Letter | Purpose | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Formal Letter | To conduct official, serious communication | Polite, direct, serious |
| Informal Letter | To maintain personal relationships | Casual, friendly, relaxed |
Formal Letter Structure
Here’s the basic format of a formal letter:
| Part | What It Includes |
|---|---|
| Your Address | Top right corner. No name included. |
| Date | Directly under your address. (Day Month Year: 27 April 2025) |
| Recipient’s Address | Top left corner. Full official address. |
| Salutation | “Dear Sir/Madam,” or “Dear Mr. Agyemang,” |
| Heading | Title in full capitals or underlined. |
| Body | 3–4 well-organized paragraphs. |
| Closing | “Yours faithfully,” (if you don’t know the name) or “Yours sincerely,” |
| Signature and Name | Sign and write your full name. |
✅ Tip: Use formal expressions. Avoid slang, contractions (“can’t”, “won’t”), and casual words.
Informal Letter Structure
Writing to a friend is simpler but still needs order:
| Part | What It Includes |
|---|---|
| Your Address | Top right corner. |
| Date | Below your address. |
| Salutation | “Dear Kwame,” or “Hello Ama,” |
| Body | Friendly paragraphs (no set number) |
| Closing | “Yours sincerely,” “Best wishes,” “Your loving friend,” |
| Signature | First name only (e.g., Kofi) |
✅ Tip: Feel free to use contractions (“I’m”, “we’re”, “can’t”) and express emotions naturally.
Main Differences Between Formal and Informal Letters
| Feature | Formal Letter | Informal Letter |
|---|---|---|
| Tone | Serious, respectful | Friendly, conversational |
| Language | No slang; no contractions | Slang and contractions allowed |
| Purpose | Business, official, academic | Personal updates, sharing news |
| Greeting | “Dear Sir/Madam,” “Dear Mr. Oppong,” | “Dear Nana,” |
| Closing | “Yours faithfully,” “Yours sincerely,” | “Best wishes,” “Your friend,” |
🟨 Sample Problem Walkthroughs
✍️ Example 1: Formal Letter (Application)
Task: Write a letter to the District Chief Executive requesting for streetlights in your community.
Structure:
Your Address (top right)
Date
DCE’s Address (top left)
Salutation: Dear Sir/Madam,
Heading: REQUEST FOR STREETLIGHT INSTALLATION
Body:
Paragraph 1: Purpose of the letter.
Paragraph 2: Explain the need for streetlights (safety concerns, crime, accidents).
Paragraph 3: Request action and offer appreciation.
Closing: Yours faithfully,
Signature and Full Name
✍️ Example 2: Informal Letter (Personal Story)
Task: Write a letter to your cousin about how you celebrated your birthday.
Structure:
Your Address (top right)
Date
Salutation: Dear Adwoa,
Body:
Paragraph 1: Friendly greeting.
Paragraph 2: Details about your birthday activities (games, food, gifts).
Paragraph 3: Feelings and memories.
Paragraph 4: Ask about their experiences too.
Closing: Your loving cousin,
First Name Only (e.g., Efua)
🟨 Extra Sample Walkthrough: Letter to the Press
Task: Write a letter to a newspaper to complain about noise pollution in your neighborhood.
Key Format:
Your Address
Date
Editor’s Address
Salutation: Dear Sir,
Heading: COMPLAINT ABOUT NOISE POLLUTION
Body:
Introduction: Why you are writing.
Main Body: Describe the problem, its effects, and evidence (e.g., loud music from pubs, churches).
Conclusion: Suggest actions (e.g., enforcement of bylaws).
Closing: Yours faithfully,
Signature and Name
🟨 Extra Tip: Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Correct Way |
|---|---|
| Using “Dear Sir” and “Yours sincerely” | Use “Yours sincerely” only if you know the name; otherwise “Yours faithfully” |
| Writing addresses incorrectly | Always put your address at the top-right and the recipient’s address at the top-left |
| Using slang words in a formal letter | Avoid slang words like “cool”, “guy”, “y’all” in formal letters |
🟨 Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Formal Letter
You are the Senior Prefect. Write a letter to your Headteacher requesting permission to organize a clean-up exercise in the school.
✅ Points to include:
Purpose of the clean-up
Proposed date and time
How students will be involved
How it will benefit the school
Exercise 2: Informal Letter
Write a letter to your friend describing your new school and your experiences so far.
✅ Points to include:
Description of your school
New friends you’ve made
Subjects you enjoy
Fun activities/events
Exercise 3: Letter to the Press
Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper suggesting ways to improve sanitation in your community.
✅ Points to include:
Problems faced
Suggested solutions (community bins, public education, penalties)
🟨 Quick Revision Table: Phrases You Can Use
| Context | Formal Letter | Informal Letter |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | I am writing to inform you… | How have you been? |
| Body | I would like to request… | Guess what happened! |
| Closing | I look forward to your favorable response. | Write back soon! |
🔁 Recap
Today, we learned:
What letters are and why we write them.
The difference between formal and informal letters.
The structure and features of each type.
How to avoid common mistakes.
How to confidently approach any letter-writing question in BECE!
🪞 Reflection Prompt
Imagine your school plans to start a new library.
Would you write a formal letter or an informal letter to ask for donations?
Why would you choose that type?
Write a short plan (2-3 sentences) explaining your choice.
