Jump to: Formal Letter Article Narrative Essay Comprehension Vocabulary Literature Pre-Exam Checklist
ClassMaster · Last Mile · English Language

Format templates &
examiner-backed advice

Every format, rule, and common error — drawn directly from the WAEC Chief Examiner's Reports for 2019, 2021, and 2023.

 ✉️ Section 1

Formal Letter Writing

The most predictable question in Paper 2 — and still one of the biggest mark-losers. Get the format exactly right before you walk in.

Candidates mixed features of formal letter writing and article writing. Many wrote the writer's name and address at the end — which belongs to an article, not a letter.

WAEC Chief Examiner, 2023
Formal Letter — Annotated Template CE-Verified Format
Your house/street, area✓ Sender address — top right Town / City 4th May 2026✓ Date — below address
The Principal / Mr Mensah✓ Recipient address — left Name of School / Organisation Town
Dear Sir/Madam,✓ Salutation The subject / purpose of your letterSubject line — underlined Opening paragraph — state clearly why you are writing. Body paragraphs — one main point per paragraph. Develop each point with detail. Closing paragraph — thank the recipient; state what you expect to happen next. Yours faithfully,✓ SubscriptionUse "sincerely" if you used their name [Your signature]⚠ Sign FIRST — then print name below [Your Full Name — printed]✗ Never write name BEFORE signing
Dear Sir / Dear Madam
Subscription: Yours faithfully,
Dear Mr Mensah / Dear Mrs Asante
Subscription: Yours sincerely,
Do
  • Put your address and date in the top right
  • Put recipient's address on the left, below the date
  • Write a clear subject line (underlined) after the salutation
  • Sign first, then print your full name below the signature
  • Keep language formal — no contractions, no slang
  • Use one paragraph per main point
Don't
  • Don't put your address at the bottom — that's article format
  • Don't write your name before your signature
  • Don't use a comma after the subscription
  • Don't use "Yours faithfully" when you named the recipient
  • Don't mix letter and article conventions in the same answer
  • Don't skip the subject line — it earns a mark
✗
Biggest mark-losing error — 2023

Candidates wrote their name and address at the bottom of the letter. This is article format. In a formal letter, your address is top right and is never repeated at the end.

 📰 Section 2

Article Writing

An article is not a letter. It has a completely different structure. Most candidates lose marks by importing letter conventions into an article.

Candidates omitted the writer's name and address at the end of the article. Some also forgot to write a heading at the top. These are required structural features of an article.

WAEC Chief Examiner, 2023
Article — Annotated Template CE-Verified Format
YOUR HEADING HERE — CENTRED AND BOLD ✓ Heading — top, required
Introduction — engage the reader immediately. State what the article is about. Body paragraph 1 — first main point, developed with explanation or examples. Body paragraph 2 — second main point, linked to the first with a connector. Conclusion — summarise your argument or call the reader to action.
Your Full Name✓ Writer's name — bottom Your Address / School✓ Writer's address — bottom
💡
The key difference between a letter and an article

Letter: your address at the top right. No name/address at the end.
Article: heading at the top centre. Name and address at the bottom. No salutation. No subscription.

Do
  • Write a clear heading — centred, underlined or bold
  • Use a strong opening sentence to engage the reader
  • Write in paragraphs — one idea per paragraph
  • Use linking words: Furthermore, However, In addition, As a result, Therefore
  • Write your full name and address at the bottom
  • Maintain a formal but engaging tone
Don't
  • Don't use a salutation ("Dear Sir…") — letters only
  • Don't use a subscription ("Yours faithfully…") — letters only
  • Don't forget the heading — it is a structural requirement
  • Don't omit your name and address at the end
  • Don't write your address at the top right — that's letter format
  • Don't start every paragraph with "I" — vary your sentence openings
 ✍️ Section 3

Narrative / Story Writing

Year after year, the examiner reports the same problem: no logical flow. A story needs a clear beginning, rising action, a climax, and a resolution.

Narrative essays had no logical flow — no clear beginning, no climax, and no proper ending. Many candidates simply "tagged on" the required ending without building up to it naturally through the story.

WAEC Chief Examiner, 2023 & 2021
Narrative Structure — 5-Part Framework Plan before you write
1
Setting & Characters (2–3 sentences)

Introduce who, where, and when. Put the reader in the scene immediately. Don't spend more than one short paragraph here — the story needs to move.

2
Rising Action (1–2 paragraphs)

Introduce the problem or conflict. Tension should build with each sentence. Use vivid verbs and describing words — show, don't just tell.

3
Climax (1 paragraph — the highest point of tension)

The turning point. The most intense moment of the story. Everything you've written has been leading here. If the question gives you a required ending statement, your climax must lead naturally into it — don't drop it in suddenly.

4
Falling Action (1 short paragraph)

Things begin to resolve. Show the consequences of the climax. Tie up loose ends before the final resolution.

5
Resolution / Ending (2–3 sentences)

Close the story with purpose. If a specific ending line is required by the question, it should feel like the natural conclusion of the events — earned, not forced. Show what the character learned or how things changed.

Required ending — wrong vs right
✗ Tagging on the ending (wrong)

One day I was walking home. It started raining. I ran inside and sat down. Then I realised that honesty is always the best policy.

✓ Building toward the ending (right)

I stood there, the stolen coins heavy in my palm, my mother's eyes searching mine. The silence was unbearable. The words came before I could stop them — I told her everything. As she pulled me into a long, quiet hug, I finally understood that honesty is always the best policy.

Do
  • Spend 2–3 minutes planning before writing — sketch the 5 parts
  • Write consistently in the past tense
  • Use vivid verbs and adjectives to bring scenes alive
  • Start a new paragraph for each new event or time shift
  • Build toward any required ending phrase — earn it
  • Use dialogue sparingly to show character
Don't
  • Don't start writing without a plan — the lack of structure shows
  • Don't switch between past and present tense mid-story
  • Don't "tag on" the required ending — it must flow naturally
  • Don't repeat the same words throughout — vary your vocabulary
  • Don't end abruptly with one sentence after pages of action
  • Don't make your climax happen in the first paragraph
 📖 Section 4

Comprehension Passage

Worth a large portion of marks — and almost entirely lost by one mistake: copying the passage. Never copy. Always answer in your own words.

Candidates copied directly from the passage instead of using their own words. Implied questions were poorly handled — many candidates could not infer meaning from context. Read the questions first, then read the passage with purpose.

WAEC Chief Examiner, 2023 & 2019
How to Attack a Comprehension Passage CE Strategy
1
Read the questions FIRST

Before reading the passage, skim all the questions. Know exactly what you are hunting for before you start. This turns passive reading into active searching — you will find answers faster and not miss anything.

2
Read the passage carefully once

Read for overall meaning. As you read, note where answers to your questions might be. Don't stop to write answers yet — understand the full passage first.

3
Answer in your OWN words

Find the relevant section of the passage. Understand what it means. Then close your eyes and rephrase it in your own language. Copying earns very low marks or zero — the examiner can see it immediately.

4
For IMPLIED questions — infer, don't search

Implied questions ask what the passage suggests, not what it states outright. They often say: "What does the writer suggest…?" or "What can we infer…?" — Look at the surrounding context and ask: "What does this tell me?" Write what you can reason out, not what you can find word-for-word.

5
Write in complete sentences

Unless the question says "list" or "name two words", every answer should be a full sentence. Each answer must make sense on its own — the examiner should not need to read the question to understand your answer.

Copying vs answering in own words
✗ Copying from passage (wrong)

Q: Why was the boy afraid?

The boy was afraid because "his heart pounded and his legs trembled as the dark figure emerged from the alley."

✓ Own words + inference (right)

Q: Why was the boy afraid?

The boy was afraid because he suddenly saw a mysterious stranger coming out of a dark, narrow passage, which startled and frightened him greatly.

💡
Recognising "implied" questions

Implied questions use phrases like: "What does the writer suggest…?", "What does this tell us about…?", "What can we infer from…?", "Why do you think…?" — The answer is not written anywhere in the passage. You must read between the lines and write what the context implies.

 🔤 Section 5

Vocabulary Substitution

Replace the underlined word with one that means the same thing — but always match the tense, part of speech, and number of the original. This is where most marks are thrown away.

Wrong verb tenses and wrong parts of speech were the main errors in vocabulary questions. Candidates substituted "see" for "saw", or used a noun where a verb was required. The replacement word must fit grammatically into the original sentence.

WAEC Chief Examiner, 2023
The 3-Step Substitution Rule Do all 3 steps every time
Step 1 — Match the Part of Speech
  • If original is a verb → your answer must be a verb
  • If original is a noun → your answer must be a noun
  • If original is an adjective → your answer must be an adjective
  • If original is an adverb → your answer must be an adverb
Step 2 — Match the Tense & Number
  • Past tense original → past tense answer (saw → noticed)
  • Present tense original → present answer (see → notice)
  • Singular original → singular answer (house → building)
  • Plural original → plural answer (houses → buildings)
✓
Step 3 — The Quick Test

After choosing your word, put it back into the original sentence. Does the sentence still make sense grammatically? If yes, you are done. If the sentence sounds wrong, adjust the form or choose a different word.

Original word in sentence Wrong answer Correct answer Why
She saw the accident. see witnessed / noticed / observed Past tense required
He realised his mistake. realise recognised / discovered / understood Past tense required
The children were happy. happiness joyful / delighted / pleased Original is an adjective — not a noun
He spoke with great courage. courageous bravery / boldness / determination Original is a noun — not an adjective
The work was difficult. difficulty challenging / demanding / hard Original is an adjective
She walked quickly to school. quick swiftly / rapidly / briskly Original is an adverb — not an adjective
They ran through the market. run sprinted / rushed / dashed Past tense required
⚠
Build your vocabulary before exam day

Read one short article or passage every day. When you see an unfamiliar word, find a synonym and write both down. Target 5 new word pairs a day for the next three weeks — that is over 100 synonyms before BECE.

 📚 Section 6

Literature (Set Book)

At least 2 questions come from the set book every year. Many candidates score zero simply because they never read it. That is free marks lost.

There was clear evidence that many candidates had not read the set book. They left Literature questions blank or wrote irrelevant answers. Attempt ALL questions — a blank scores zero, but a partial attempt may earn method marks.

WAEC Chief Examiner, 2023 & 2019
What to know from your set book
  • Full names of all main characters — correct spelling
  • Each character's role, personality, and key decisions
  • The main themes — e.g. honesty, courage, family, ambition, justice
  • Key events and their causes and consequences
  • Important settings (places, time period, atmosphere)
  • 2–3 short quotations to support your analysis
How to answer a Literature question
  • State your point clearly in the first sentence
  • Give evidence — refer to an event or character behaviour from the book
  • Explain how the evidence supports your point (the "so what")
  • Use the character's actual name — not "the man" or "the main character"
  • Quote briefly in quotation marks if you can recall the exact words
  • Attempt every Literature question — partial marks beat zero
✓
The PEE method for Literature answers

P — Point: state your argument in one sentence.
E — Evidence: refer to what happens in the book.
E — Explain: say why this evidence proves your point. Aim for at least 3 sentences per Literature answer.

 ✅ Section 7

Pre-Exam Checklist

Go through this the night before — and again on the morning of the English Language paper.

Formal Letter
  • Sender address and date at the top right
  • Recipient address on the left, below date
  • Correct salutation (Dear Sir/Madam or name)
  • Subject line written and underlined
  • Body developed in clear paragraphs
  • Correct subscription (faithfully / sincerely)
  • Signature FIRST, then full name below it
  • No name or address at the bottom of the letter
Article
  • Heading written at the top (centred / bold)
  • No salutation at the top
  • Introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion
  • Linking words used between paragraphs
  • No subscription (Yours faithfully…)
  • Writer's full name at the bottom
  • Writer's address at the bottom
Narrative Essay
  • Planned my 5-part structure before writing
  • Clear beginning, rising action, and climax
  • Required ending flows naturally from climax
  • Consistent past tense throughout
  • New paragraph for each new event / time shift
  • Varied vocabulary — no repeated phrases
  • Clear resolution — story does not end abruptly
Comprehension & Vocabulary
  • Read the questions BEFORE reading the passage
  • All answers in my own words — nothing copied
  • Implied questions answered with inference
  • All answers written in complete sentences
  • Vocabulary: matched tense and part of speech
  • Ran the "put it back in the sentence" test
✓
Universal rule from the Chief Examiner — every year

Read each question at least twice before writing your answer. Most errors come from answering a question that was not asked. Take your time on the question — that is where marks are won and lost.

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