As you prepare to write the WASSCE English Language paper, especially the essay or letter, take note of the following ideas, as they will go a long way to enhance what you write.
First, be careful how you use cut-offs or contracted forms (isn’t, can’t, won’t, I’ve, couldn’t, etc.).
Use these cut-offs in your informal letters (letters to people you know very well, such as siblings, friends, schoolmates, classmates, pen pals, etc.)
Indeed, you are encouraged to use cut-offs in your informal letters to give the letters that chatty flavour, as if you are speaking with the recipient face to face or on phone.
So write things such as: I’ve received your letter dated….; I can’t make it to your party......; Isn’t it interesting that you’ve …..; I’m looking forward to hearing from you...., etc.
But avoid cut-offs in your formal letters and articles meant for publication in newspapers and magazines, reports, narrative essays (apart from dialogues), etc.
Such formal writings have no room for cut-offs.
For these formal writings, write cannot, not can’t; is not, not isn’t; I am, not I’m; you have, not you’ve, etc.
Second, many candidates have the tendency to use slang or terms in their essays and letters.
I am referring to words used among social groups such as students, apprentices, etc. which are not understood by those who are not members of those social groups.
For instance, among the youth, chick is used for girlfriend, chilling for enjoyment, apo for leaked examination questions, etc.
Here again, use these terms only in your informal letters, especially when you write to classmates, schoolmates and former classmates.
The examiners will understand that these groups will understand the terms, since they are in your social group.
Note, however, that terms, whether they are English words or not, should be put in inverted commas for the examiners to know that you are using them in a special way.
For instance, write: We went to the party to ‘chill’ all night long; Your ‘chick’ sends her greetings; They continue to serve ‘bolus’ in the dining hall, etc.
Imagine what this sentence will look to an examiner: He didn’t have doma roll when he went to doma.
