FORMAL LETTERS

A formal letter is written to people who are in authority. They therefore demand a formal register. When writing a formal letter, you do not need to include an address, just begin with a salutation

Structure

Salutation– Dear Mr. Smith, Dear Prof. Nana, Dear Sir, Dear Madam, 

Introduction – Just go straight to the reason why you are writing.

Main body – Here, you need to cover the three bullet points. Each bullet point on its own paragraph. Explore about four to five points to cover each of the bullets.

Conclusion– the best way to conclude a letter, is by highlighting your expectations from the recipient.

Sign Off– Your sign off will be dictated by the salutation. It should be followed by a signature and then your name beneath it.

If your salutation was Dear followed by the recipient’s name then sign off with Yours Sincerely.

If your salutation did not indicate the recipient’s name then sign off with Yours Faithfully.

Sample iGCSE Question 👇👇

INFORMAL LETTER

An informal letter is written to people who are close to you. You could write it to your parents, relatives or even friends. These letters therefore demand a chatty and friendly register. When writing a informal letter, you do not need to include an address, just begin with a salutation

Structure

Salutation– Dear pet name/actual name 

Introduction – Begin by checking on your loved one. Check on their well being as you update them on yours. You can also briefly mention why you are writing.

Main body – Here, you need to cover the three bullet points. Each bullet point on its own paragraph. Explore about four to five points to cover each of the bullets. Be sure to incorporate a few language techniques.

Conclusion– the best way to conclude a letter, is by highlighting your expectations from the recipient.

Sign Off– Your sign off needs to be informal and chatty. Avoid Sincerely and Faithfully. You can go with Best wishes, Reply soon, Cheers, Yours Truly, Regards e.t.c.  you do not need to include a signature.

Sample iGCSE Question 👇👇

MAGAZINE ARTICLE

An article is a subjective piece of writing that discusses a given topic, mostly published in a magazine or a newspaper.

Structure

Catchy title– make it brief but interesting.

Byline– The author of the article.

Interesting introduction– a personal anecdote, rhetoric questions or even interesting statistics can make a great intro.

Main body – Here, you need to cover the three bullet points. Each bullet point on its own paragraph. Explore about four to five points to cover each of the bullets. Be sure to incorporate a few language techniques. It is advisable that you use subheadings to structure your work.

Conclusion– a summation of the ideas you have been discussing. It could also be a call to action for your audience.

Sample IGCSE Question 👇👇

SPEECH WRITING

A speech is simply an address or a talk abut a given topic delivered to an audience. Depending on who your target listeners are, you may need to use a formal or informal register.

Structure

A very interesting hook as your introduction– a personal anecdote, famous quote, shocking/interesting statistics make a great intro.

Main body – Here, you need to cover the three bullet points. Each bullet point on its own paragraph. Explore about four to five points to cover each of the bullets. Be sure to incorporate a few language techniques.

Conclusion– This is where you state a call to action and what you would want your audience to do.

Sample IGCSE Question 👇👇

NEWSPAPER REPORT

A newspaper report is a news story aimed at providing readers with information about a certain recent event. A newspaper report is very objective and only contains facts about the events without any subjective opinions.

Structure

Catchy title– make it brief but interesting.

Byline– The author of the report.

Introduction– the introduction should aim at briefly answering the 4W’s. What happened, where did it happen, who was involved and when did it all happen?

Main body – Here, you need to cover the three bullet points. Each bullet point on its own paragraph. Explore about four to five points to cover each of the bullets. Be sure to incorporate a few language techniques. Part of the main body should also include an expert comment and/or an eye witnesses comment to make your report more credible.

Conclusion– the parting shot should be written in present tense to show the current situation or a prediction for the future.

Sample IGCSE Question 👇👇

INTERVIEW WRITING

When asked to write an interview, you will be adopting the structure of a dialogue. The only difference is that, the conversation will not be evenly balanced. The interviewee will always speak longer compared to the interviewer. You will also be given the three questions to ask.

Structure

NO TITLE NEEDED

Introduction– Begin with the interviewer passing greetings to the interviewee. You can combine this with the first question.

Main body– Let the interviewee pose the first question. Use PEE to address 4-5 points.

Before posing the second question. Allow the interviewee to throw some starter words and phrases like Incredible, it must be worrying, you must be a gem etc. After that, pose the second question.

Starter word/phrase followed by the third question.

Conclusion– Finally, the interviewer can thank the interviewee at the end of the interviewer.

Sample IGCSE Question 👇👇

FORMAL REPORT

A formal report is more of findings after conducting an investigation tasked to you by someone in authority. It adopts a formal register with no room for exaggerations.

Structure

Headline– A title stating what the report is all about- nothing catchy or fancy.

An introduction– A brief of what the report contains.

Main Body– Here, you need to cover the three bullet points. Each bullet point on its own paragraph. Explore about four to five points to cover each of the bullets. Be sure to incorporate a few language techniques. It is advisable that you use subheadings to structure your work.

Make sure that your response includes, findings, recommended solutions and feedback gathered.

Conclusion– end your report by requesting the recipient to consider the proposals included in your report.

Sign off– A simple sign off to indicate who has compiled the report is necessary.

Sample IGCSE Question 👇👇

JOURNAL

A journal, just like a diary, is a personal account and a self-reflection on an event that has happened. A journal therefore is loaded with thoughts and feelings as well as self-question of the given event.

Structure

Date– Always begin with the date entry of when the event took place

An introduction– give a sneak peak of your thoughts and feelings regarding what you are writing about.

Main Body– Here, you need to cover the three bullet points. Each bullet point on its own paragraph. Explore about four to five points to cover each of the bullets. Be sure to incorporate a few language techniques.

Conclusion– This should be your parting shot on the whole issue you have been writing about. Let it be about your final thoughts.

Sample IGCSE Question 👇👇