A formal letter follows a specific layout that WAEC examiners check against a marking scheme. Get the format right and you start with presentation marks in the bank.
The correct format
1. Writer's address (top right): Your address, NOT your name. Write it in 3-4 lines. 2. Date: Written out in full: '11 July 2026' or '11th July, 2026' 3. Recipient's address (left): The name/title and address of the person you're writing to. 4. Salutation: 'Dear Sir/Madam,' or 'Dear Mr. Adekunle,': note the comma. 5. Subject heading: Short, clear, underlined. e.g. 'Application for the Post of Librarian' 6. Body: 3-4 paragraphs. 7. Complimentary close: 'Yours faithfully' (if you used 'Dear Sir/Madam') OR 'Yours sincerely' (if you used the person's name). 8. Your signature and full name.
Faithfully vs Sincerely
This is the rule students get wrong most often: • 'Dear Sir/Madam' → 'Yours faithfully' (you don't know the person by name) • 'Dear Mr. Okafor' → 'Yours sincerely' (you know the name) Mixing these up costs presentation marks in the exam.
The body paragraphs
Paragraph 1: State your purpose clearly. Paragraph 2: Develop your main points. Paragraph 3: Additional points or evidence. Paragraph 4: Closing: request for action, expression of hope for a reply. Keep the language formal: avoid contractions (don't → do not), slang, and personal language like 'I feel like...'
Key points
- Writer's address top right, recipient's address top left
- Faithfully = Dear Sir/Madam; Sincerely = Dear [Name]
- Subject heading is underlined
- No slang, no contractions in the body
- Formal close: Yours faithfully / Yours sincerely
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WAEC tip
WAEC gives marks for format (layout), content (ideas), and expression (language). A perfect format with weak content still passes. Weak format loses free marks.
Practise this
Write a letter to the Principal of your school requesting permission to use the school hall for a graduation party. Use the correct format.
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