how to write a narrative essay in waec

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English Studies

Collection of Narrative Essay for WAEC

NARRATIVE EASSAY

What is Narrative Essay?

Narrative Essay is an aspect of writing concerned with re-telling a story or series of events that took place in the past. It could be sequencial or unsequencial (i.e. the writer has the prerogative/choice/decision to begin from whatever angle he or she chooses). Conversations can be introduced into the narration to make it bave a natural flow. Take note that when dialogue is introduced in a narration, it must be put in inverted commas. A well-organised story must have a beginning, climax, and a conclusion. It must have a good plot and the paragraphs should be well-developed and ideas properly linked. Also, the vocabulary used must reflect the right atmosphere. A good writer shouid make good use of suspense, and figurative expressions. Generally, the past forms of verbs are required in narrative compositions for they deal with past matters. The present forms are also appropriate especially when reporting participants’ actual utterances which make the composition real.

EXAMPLES OF NARRATIVE EASSAY

Below are collection of Narrative Essay from previous WAEC questions to guide you in constructing your own narratives as you begin preparations for WAEC and other examinations.

WAEC 2023: QUESTION 5: Write a story to illustrate the saying: Half a loaf is better than none.

HALF A LOAF IS BETTER THAN NONE.

Contentment is the essence of a harmonious life. When we are greedy, we wish to possess more things. In the process of acquiring it, we tend to loose what little we have with us and end up with nothing. When we have a bird at hand, it is better to be happy with it. There is no point in aiming for two birds in the bush which you may not be able to capture.

Once upon a time, there was a hunter who was very fond of hunting birds. He was very skilful in using his bow and arrow. He would often go into the forest and hunt down birds by the dozen and sell them all in the town market for a huge price. One day on one of his hunting expeditions, the hunter found a deer roaming around and wanted to hunt it down since it would fetch him a good price. So he came back the next day and set a trap for the deer. The unsuspecting deer got caught in the trap.

Meanwhile the hunter saw a few birds up in a nearby tree and went about hunting them. The deer knew that it had to do something before the hunter returned. Unfortunately, the hunter was not able to hunt even a single bird that day and was disappointed. He was however elated on seeing the deer caught in the trap and jumped of joy. The deer lay very still and pretended to be dead. The hunter came close to the deer and when it did not move he assumed that it had died. He wanted to carry the deer as soon as possible to the market so that he could sell its meat and make lot of money. He decided to fetch some logs to tie up the deer and carry it home. The deer lay very still waiting for the opportune moment to escape.

The hunter released the trap from the deer’s legs and was beginning to tie the deer on to the logs when he heard a rustling sound. He looked up and found a beautiful bird sitting atop a tree branch. The greedy hunter immediately wanted to shoot the bird down. Thinking that the deer was dead, he quietly stood up and took aim at the bird with his bow and arrow. When the deer realized that the hunter’s concentration was now on the bird, it leapt up and ran away into the forest at full speed. Hearing the noise, the hunter turned around and was shocked to find the deer disappearing into the forest. He blamed himself for his greediness, and realized that truly, “half a loaf is better than none”.

He missed his aim and the bird too flew away when it heard all the commotion. It was then that the hunter realized that his greed had made him lose both the deer and the bird and he had to return empty handed that day. He blamed himself for his greediness and immediately he realized that truly, “half a loaf is better than none”.

PAPER 2, QUESTION 5, WAEC 2022 Write a story to illustrate the saying: Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.

Solution UNEASY LIES THE HEAD THAT WEARS THE CROWN Ajewole was a palm wine tapper in a village called Ojaa. Every time he passed at the front of the palace, he always wondered what the king – King Adeoye- was doing with his three wives and nine children. How the king would sleep and wake up on his comfortable bed with numerous slaves at his command. He would think of the fat and delicious food the king had in his kitchen. Whenever other villagers discussed and pitied the king, Aiewole would not be moved but claimed that the king was the happiest and most extravagant person be had knew and that the king did not have any problem at all but to eat, have a meeting with his chiefs and sleep while the chiefs go around doing as the king commanded them. One day, the king and his servants disguised and went round the village to see how his people lived and their thoughts towards him. When he got to the village square, he met some men playing ‘ayo game. Then, he sat with them and told them that his name was Adeoye. He said he was from the neigbouring village. He further told them that he would love to know about their way of life that he is considering relocating to Ojaa village. Ajewole was the first to speak, he told the’stranger’ that he bore the same name as the king of Ojaa kingdom. He said further that he would love to become a king and enjoy has their king, King Adeoye. He told him of all his perception of the king. Then, King Adeoye revealed his identity. The men trembled and was afraid that they may be punished. But the king assured them that would not be punished. Then, the king said to Ajewole, ‘you shall be king for one day’. Ajewoie did not believe his ears, he thought the king was joking. The next morning, the king sent for him. King Adeoye told him to sit on the throne. Ajewole’s joy knew no bond. He thought he would be the happiest man on Earth. King Adeoye went away. Ajewole was dressed in royai apparels. He was surrounded by the servants, singing his praises. He saw himself as the happiest man on Earth. Has Ajewole felt relaxed on the throne, wishing he had more days to be the king, he heard a loud bang just above his head. It was a sharp sword hanging with a thin thread. He could no longer sit properly and he couldn’t stand. He started sweating profusely begging the servants near him to remove the sword from above his head. No one answered him. He sent one of the servants to call King Adeoye. You cannot leave the throne until the day is ended; you have gotten what you wanted’ was the reply the servant brought from King Adeoye. Ajewole remained on the throne, trembling. He thought he was the most unhappy person in the world. When it was dinner time, Ajewole was offered the best dishes in the palace but had no appetite for food. All he wanted was to go back home and enjoy his free life. He wished he could be one of the servants as he saw them moving freely in the palace with smile on their faces. He vowed never to see the king as the most carefree perSon. Later in the evening, King Adeoye came back into the palace. He saw how terrified and miserable Ajewole looked. He took pity on him and ordered the servants to take the sword away.He then warned him not to think that the king was the happiest person on Earth. Ajewole fell on his face and seek his forgiveness. He thanked King Adeoye and promised not to say l of the king ever. again. King Adeoye forgave him and let him go. The king taught Ajewole a useful lesson. He learnt that uneasy lies the Head that wears the crown’.

PAPER 2, QUESTION 5, WAEC 2021 Write a story which ends with the statement: Better late than never solution BETTER LATE THAN NEVER The story of my mum is very inspiring. Anybody who cared to listen always ended in disbelief of how it was possible for a woman of 65 years of age to return to school and obtain a degree in Law at the age of 70. My mum had unflinching passion for education and she still does. Ever since she left secondary school in 1949, her yearning for tertiary education had doubled, rather than fizzle out. My mum had a very humble background, born into an indigent family and being the sixth of nine children, her father had. She struggled through the public secondary school, hawking and doing menial jobs for the households as tender as the age of 10. I lost my dad at a tender age and started tasting what poverty looked like in my first year in high school’, she often reminded us whenever any of us, her children misbehaved as over-pampered spoilt brats. Poverty taught her some ‘street sense’. She and other older children of her own mnother-my grandma who was fondly called Iya Gbolahan, by the first name of her oldest son-would always dash home by 2pm after school hour, to pick up goods-bottled kerosene, nylon-tied groundnuts, nylon-tied water, bread or fufu-and rush to an open market far from home to sell. They would return separately and late in the night. And only then would they scramble for dinner from whatever was left on the trays of food vendors around their ghetto waiting for whoever would buy the leftovers, so they could call it a day. It troubled mum that, although she usually led the entire class in almost all subjects in spite of her family predicament, Iya Gbolahan couldn’t afford registering her for the West Africa Examination in her last class in secondary school. I burst into tears when lya Gbolahan told me she couldn’t afford the registration fe, burdened by so many mouths to feed’, mum once recounted. I was lucky to have my mathematics teacher, Mr. Ajiboye Kehinde (now of blessed memory) come to my aid. He sponsored my WASSCE, and I never disappointed; I finished with the best grades’, she added. As life continued to be hard on the family, mum had to abandon her academic ambition of becoming a lawyer. I sadly opted for tailoring. I only paused my ambition; I didn’t lose it’, she said. Coincidentally, mum got married to Barrister Bankole, my dad-a lawyer who usually encouraged her to get prepared to return to school after, Moyin, the third of their four children, had graduated from the university. I was the fourth and last child. Mum and I wrote the university matriculation exam in 2014, both of us chose different universities. Today, she isa lawyer. We both graduated in 2019. Whenever anybody asked her how she was able to get back on track at old age, she wouldn’t hesitate to tell them that it is better late than never.

PAPER 2, QUESTION 5, WAEC 2020 Write a story that ends with the statement: I had never felt so embarrassed in my life.

I HAD NEVER FELT SO EMBARRASSED IN MY LIFE I remember how I fell into the horrible hands of pickpockets. It was an incident I’d never forget in a hurry. I left home for Badagry. I had planned attending the yearly Arts Festival organized to promote arts and culture. As a lover of fictions, sculptures and movies, I wanted to enjoy myself to the brim. I wore the New African Regalia I had been gifted two months before. It was grandma who brought it from her trip to the outskirts of Nupe. It had sketches of the Nok rofters I had reserved it for the day; it would somewhat fit the tempo of the day. Mum had warned me to beware of snatchers in Lagos, especially piaces of crowded people-event centres, bus-stops. She had narrated her ordeal – how some unknown boys snatched her handbag at Ojuelegba and vanished into thin air, before she could say Jack Robinson. I had held that lesson tight, but never thought I woulá fall victim somehow. I had never gone about with a bag or pulse, except at school. And I had always moved about suspiciously, particularly when in a strange place. “Deji, make sure you return early, and use the ATM card on the table io withdraw N80,006 for ne while coming back. You know my usual pin right? Don’t take my money to the festival. You heard me?” Mum had instructed before leaving home that morning. At noon, I left home early enough, but felt I should ignore mum’s warning and withdraw her money before heading for Badagry. I had envisaged the event might end very late in the night. In that case, the ATM would have been emptied. And I did not want to leave in the heat of the show. I thought IIl be careful with the money. No one knows I’m here with something big”. I kept everything on me in the same nylon. The festival was strikingly enlivening- so many crafts, so many exhibitors, so many recreations. The premiered film was incredibly interesting. I was buried in the movie. I forgot time flew. What jotted me up was the chaos and mayhem that tormented after the first winner of the exhibition claimed a sumptuous prize of two million naira. Before I could realize anything. It was late, something big had been robbed off me. I could not find the nylon. I could not find the pickpocket.I lost everything except me. I regretted taking the money along. I was lost in thought ‘”how do I return home? Where do I get transportation fare?” I resorted into begging in public places. I begged for fare to return home. People avoided me. Nobody could believe my story; an able young man begging alms? It was ignominious. I received insults. I felt ashamed of my life. I had never felt so embarrassed.

PAPER 2, QUESTION 5, WAEC 2019 write a story ending with the statement: I wish I had listed to my parents. solution I WISH I HAD LISTENED TO MY PARENTS It seemed my parents saw the womb of time; they knew that whatever an adult sees while sitting, a child won’t see it even if he climbs a tree. They know what might befall me if I kept being under the bad influence of Yetunde. They knew her case wasn’t just a youthful exuberance; she was completely wayward. My parents were sure that if I kept being in Yetunde’s company, it was only a matter of time for evil communication to corrupt good manners. But I thought they were only mean, and didn’t want me to enjoy my adolescence; I miscontained their intention to save me from danger ahead. I though they wanted to keep friends away from me; I though they were over protective. So, I would sneak out every weekend to Yetunde’s house. We would have luscious fun. we would drink, party and go out with weird boys and girls I have never known before. I attended a school that was a stone’s throw to Yetunde’s. I always looked forward to seeing her, during break, and I wouldn’t return to school to complete my lesson for the day. Yetunde was such a social enthusiast, talker and bad influencer. We would do all sorts of nasty things including smoking. I was naive and inquisitive; I wanted to try everything that would make me free from home.

Although she was two years older than me, both in age and in class, I always preferred to rapport and relate with older persons even much older. “would you give Uncle Wolexa chance to roll with you? You will enjoy him I swear! Just try him”, Yetunde said. Wolex was a neighbourhood uncle I didn’t know before. Since Yetunde had endorsed him, I started going out with him. His car was enticing, his outlook and fragrance, alluring. We would eat, party, kiss and sex. The first time my period ceased, I was afraid to call Uncle Wolex. I called Yetunde instead: she informed Wolex and we did something about it in a pearby clinic. My mum, being a mother, almost suspected my restlessness, but I pretended nothing had happened. My performance in school soon reduced to woes. I lost concentration. It is either my thought was filled with next outing, next fondling with Wolex or how to get rid of another abortion. We always did something about when it happened. It never occurred to me to question Yetunde why her boyfriend, Joe hadn’t got her pregnant. I was always the one visiting clinic. The last one I had messed my life up. It was on Sunday evening. My parents had gone for their usual extended family meeting. Wolex and Yetunde drove in to pick me up. We did it but it went wrong this time. I got home feeling weak and dying on the inside. I covered up so my parents wouldn’t notice when they return. I barely slept that night. Dad drove me to school the next, a Monday morning, though I was in distress unknown to him. Few hours later I passed out while lesson was ongoing. I was rushed to the school clinic from there to a hospital. My dad was contacted. The doctor rescued my life, but I lost my womb. My parents arrested Wolex and Yetunde, but that wouldn’t fix my shattered life. I wish my path had never crossed Yetunde’s. I wish I had listened to my parents.

PAPER 2, QUESTION 5, WAEC 2018 Write a story to illustrate the saying: A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

SOLUTION A BIRD IN HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH. Adebimpe is known for her intelligence, persistence and sense of dutifulness. She is undoubtedly a role model to her colleagues as they all look up to her. She is not only focused but determined and would not relax until a task is performed in a perfect manner. While everyone extols her virtues, values and strength, Adebimpe has a weakness, she has a rivalry and competitive spirit and this had a huge repercussion on her. From high school to college, Adebimpe was always topping the honour’s roll, she devises crafty means to outsmart her competitors. Unfortunately for her, it is a different ball game in the labour market. In her work place which is a multinational company, she realise that she cannot use the same tactics she used in school. Interestingly, her company is inundated with cluster of brains from different universities in the world. Rather than have a learning disposition, she continues to compete. On a beautiful Monday morning, the Human Resource Manager announced that some individuals will be sent abroad for a one-year course so as to strengthen their technical skills which they would utilise when they return. To Adebimpe surprise, her.name was not mentioned which embitter her greatly. She stormed into the HR’s office after the meeting. This is really unfair, after all I have done for this company. You decided to sideline me… Is it because I am a lady’. She said furiously. The Human Resource Manager who is a female responded ‘No Ms. Adebimpe, you are scheduled to go next year as we need you to train the newly recruit in the art of digital narketing’ she said convincing ‘It is not a matter of gender but the right timing, next year is your time just relax’ she said reassuringly. Adebimpe was unconvinced, she was enraged and could not imagine her colleagues coming back and been promoted to be her superior. She paced her office for ten minutes and went straight to the Managing Director’s office. ‘Sir, I would like to be considered for the same course with my colleagues’, she said confrontationally. I won’t mind to sponsor myself if the company is not disposed to, I just want an assurance that my job will remain when I return as I can’t stand to stay here while my colleagues blossom, for crying out loud, I am better qualified than them. My appraisals are excellent’, she Screamed. ‘Ms. Adebimpe, the management has decided you go next year, we want you to mentor the new recruits` the MD said. Adebimpe decided to resign her appointment and go for the course on her own bill. She thought she would top the class and come back and by then she would be wooed back but things did not turn as planned. She travelled to the United State of America and to her surprise the fees were tripled. She only paid the first installment, she borrowed to pay the second installment but unfortunately few days to her exams, she heard that her Mum had suffered an heart attack and she had to forfeit her studies and money, which was not refundable. By the time she cane back to Nigeria, she was totally insolvent as she had sold all she had. She went back to her company for reconsideration but she was refused bluntly. She then realised the saying that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

PAPER 2, QUESTION 5, WAEC 2017 Write a story ending with the expression: At last we arrived safely.

solution AT LAST, WE ARRIVED SAFELY Myself and my little brother Ope, wëre full of adventure. When Aunty Tosin came visiting, rather than burying ourselves with our respective house chores we were busy eaves-dropping. We heard Aunty Tosin describing her house to Mummy and we decided to pay hera visit unannounced. After Mummy left for her shop by 9:30am on this fateful Saturday morning, myself and Ade set out for the day event. No money, no phone, no description. All we knew was Clinton Street, a yellow bungalow at the extreme left. We trekked miles away from home, we kept asking for Clinton Street, no one seemed to know where it was. Until a young boy decided to play trick on us and pointed a huge house to us as the house we were looking for. Happily, we went straight to the gate and knocked and the gateman opened. We introduced ourselves and without thinking twice, he opened the gate and ushered us in. We said we were Aunty’s big sister children. The house helps treated us to a warm reception of fried chicken and jollof rice which we consumed hurriedly. We felt at home and was seeing the television when the owner of the house entered. Who are you? You this young rascals’ she asked terrifyingly. We were too shock to respond. You have been trying this your luck on people, today you will learn your lessons. She called the gateman who beat us mercilessly. We were restored to the kitchen where she brought out empty dishes for us to wash. As we were washing, she continues to shower courses at us. After the washing of the dishes, we swept the whole compound and fetch water into all the big containers inside the house. She shoved us out of her gate. We could not cry but walk tiredly and aimlessly. We were completely exhausted and we regretted our decision of going on a journey without adequate preparation. My little brother was already endearing and I was stranded as we could not afford to trek back home. I encouraged him and we continued trekking. I summoned courage to beg people for transport fare back home but received cold attitude. We resigned to fate and we sluggishly walked our way home. A car parked right before us, lo and behold it was Daddy Pelumi, Aunty Tosin’s husband. He asked us where we were going, decided not to wait for our response, told us to enter the car and took us straight to his house. We later saw the big sign post of Clinton Street and the yellow bungalow which was their home. At last, we arrived safely.

PAPER 2, QUESTION 5, WAEC 2016 Write a story to illustrate the saying: Pride goes before a fall.

solution A STORY ON HOW PRIDE GOES BEFORE A FALL She carried her shoulders high as she walked past the man and went straight into her class. That wasn’t the first time she would be walking out on teachers whenever she was corrected. Neither was it the second time. She wasn’t going to let herself be intimidated by anybody. She entered her class, smiling in triumph as her classmates, who had apparently been watching the scenario the whole time shouted in excitement, “Another crushing!”, “Shade, the big girl”, someone hailed from the back of the class. She smiled in return and resumed at her space at the back of the class. That was her favourite spot. Only big girls like her would prefer sitting there. Shade was the ‘biggest’ girl in school and would not hesitate proving that to anybody. She would not take any nonsense from any teacher, and would readily punish any junior student who crossed her path. Every student feared her, including her classmates, who would do anything to win her favour. If being proud would assume any degree, she was an emblem of it. She was a storyteller too, crooking stories that accentuate her pride. She told anyone who cared to listen how her father worked in an oil company and owned fifty gas stations across the country. “My father is so rich that the government often called to make business dealings with him,” she told Lola, her friend, one siesta afternoon. Everybody who listened to her story seldom doubted it. They were all boarders, and hardly would anyone attempt to investigate the veracity of her claim. Only Lola once questioned her. “Really? But why does he not allow his driver to drive you down every resumption? I noticed you come down to school through public transport struggling with your loads all alone”, “Well, my dạd once saidI would know the value of wealth and know how to manage it when I’ve experienced what suflering feels like,” she replied. Now, it was time for their third term examinations, and Shade had spent her time playing and gisting with the so-called ‘big boys’ in the hostel, instead of taking much time out to read. The next day was Maths, and she had not prepared well. She decided to write the formulae of some Maths equation on her laps before entering the exam hall. As the exam was going on, she started copying the equations from her thighs. All the while, she was oblivious a teacher was paying attention to her. It was Mr. Balla, the teacher she walked out on some couple of days eariier. “Shade! Stand up!!” he exclaimed. Shade knew she was now in trouble. She was caught red handed. She was suspended indefinitely from Divine Touch College and was publicly disagraced on the assembly. It was ignomitious. Her parents were notified. The shock that rocked the students the next day when her parents arrived was protound. The dad pleaded with the school management to reinstate his daughter. He was just a driver to a wealthy man, whom out of his (the rich man’s) magnanimity decided to sponsor his driver’s daughter. What would the rich man say if he heard that his driver’s daughter had been unserious in her studies, wasting all financial efforts put on her education? Her mun was a mere petty trader. Obviously, Shade was from an indigent family. She felt as if the ground should open up and swallow her. She really learnt it in a hard way; a lesson that pride goes berore a fall.

PAPER 2, QUESTION 5, WAEC 2015

Write a story ending with the statement: We apologized to each other and reconciled.

WE APOLOGISED TO EACH OTHER AND RECONCILED. Paul, a forty years old handsome and well-to-do man but had continued to be a source of sorrow to his parents when he failed to get married. “They wonder why would a man with a good job as a civil engineer af the Ministry of Works refuse to marry. Pressures were mounted on him, subtle persuasion from his mother, coercion from the father, all failed to make Paul tie the nuptial knot. On a sunny aftermoon in the month of July, Paul drove into a shopping mall to buy groceries as that was his usual practice for the past 15 years after he had secured employment with the ministry of works. He walked into the provision section and stopped to pick Bournvita, sugar, etc. there he bumped into me, his first love. He was speechless. As though he was dreaming, Paul walked towards hrme and said. “Hello” she turned to reply the greeting but was stunned and words came out of mouth slowly: Paul, I’m sorry, I’m really sorry”, I hurriedly went my way when Paul took me by my elbow and said: ‘why, as old friends can’t we at least talk, there’s a restaurant in this mall, we could just go there to catch up on things we have lost’. She nodded and they went to sit. In reminiscence, our past love life resurfaced. I and Paul had been lovers since our secondary school days, We used to be inseparable love birds whose love marvelled everyone that we came in contact with. The beginning of disaster in our relationship started when I went for my National Youth Service at Calabar, Paul who was studying a five-year course still had to wait a year before NYSC mobilization, I emerged Miss NYSC, and the Comimissioner for Youth and Sport who was the Chair of the occasion could not keep his eyes off me. I was taken to the city of Calabar unknown to me was the bait the commissioner used to lure me as I thought it was part of the incentive for being the winner. That night, the commissioner forces himself into me and was shocked to discover that I was a virgin. He apologised and poromised to marry me. Seven days before the end of the camping, we traveled to Dubai and got married. Paul I’m sorry, I didn’t want to break your heart that is why I refused to see you’ Ada said. Paul looked at her and said: ‘You did but I just have to move on although I promised myself not to marry anyone until I hear from you’ We apologised to each other and reconciled.

PAPER 2, QUESTION 5, WAEC 2014

Write a story to illustrate the saying: The devil makes work for idle hands.

Solution THE DEVIL MAKES WORK FOR IDLE HANDS With tears streaming down my face. I moved slowly following other ‘newly-admitted’ inmates to the prison. This would be my new home for the next three years. What about my dream of studying Medicine and Surgery? What about my dream of being the youngest African dermatologist? Have I destroyed those dreams by my own carelessness? I can only imagine what my mum will be doing – crying and gnashing her teeth. My father has no need to worry because he has so many great sons so he could afford to lose an unserious black sheep child like me. I have brought shame to my mum. I just pray she would forgive me and do not harm herself because of my shameful act. A tall man with a baritone voice brought me back to life as he begins to address us. “This is not a prison, it is a reformation center where the broken pitches are fixed and are made something out of nothing”. This is a juvenile home meant to straighten the lives of young minds which have been twisted’. He concluded with a smile, “feel at home and live by the rules”. The next day, some counselors visited us, although some are social workers. There were series of sessions for us, the ‘newcomers’. As I walked fearfully into the counseling room, I was received with a warm pretty smile from this pretty young counsellor. She should be in her mid-twenties. Her appearance is simple. She nodded me to sit down and I complied sheepishly. She brought some chocolates from her bag and handed it over to me. I took it reluctantly because of her persuasive non-verbal clues. “I am Ronke Ajayi, I work with Jeroboam foundation. I am here to make friends with you. We might not say much about you today. Is it ok?” She asked I nodded shyly. She went further “Can I ask you a question?” I nodded involuntarily. “What is your career ambition?” With this question, I burst into tears and the memories of what brought me to this place came forcefully. We just concluded our S.S.2 third term examinations. My mum being a missionary had travelled to Kenya for missionary works and she entrusted me to the care of her younger sister. I lied to Mummy Dammy, my Aunty that we were compelled to return to school after one week for full intensive coaching for our WASCE and NECO examinations and that we were to stay in the school hostel all through the period. She complied because there were no reasons to doubt my sincerity because I had always been a ‘good boy’. I moved to Tade’s house, the oldest boy in our class who is twenty-four years old. Tade took interest in me because of my brilliance. Tade provided me with all that I needed, introduced me to smoking, cigarette and watching of pornography. We played cards, games; listened to music, danced from morning to night. We did nothing serious.

On this fateful day, Tade brought a girl to the house, he drugged the girl and raped her and told me to do likewise which I did since I saw it as a cheap and free opportunity. The girl woke up deflowered. She screamed and Tade threatened to kill her if she told anyone. Unknown to us, the girl’s father was a soldier who raided Tade’s house the next hour after she left and beat us mercilessly. Tade was sentenced to five years imprisonment while I was taken to the juvenile home because I am still an underage boy of fifteen years. She touched me and say “all will be well Ayo, it is only a mistake due to peer pressure and wrong companion and I believe you have learnt from it that the devil makes work for idle hands”.

PAPER 2, QUESTION 5, WAEC 2013 Write a story ending with the statement: Indeed it was the biggest lesson of my life. solution In fact, it was the biggest lesson of my life. As I boarded the taxi home, I was wondering why father had to call for all of us. He was just sixty-six years. What was so urgent that couldn’t wait? My two elder brothers came from their respective abode to answer the fatherly clarion call. I entered the house quietly and went straight into my room. The solemn knock at my door told me I had slept for long. It was my mum, she opened the door and told me it was time for the meeting. I greeted my brothers warmly and sat next to my mum. My father though still agile in his ageing physique said: “I am sorry for the stress I must have made you go through but I deemed it fit to tell you this because we don’t know what lies in the gold box of tomorrow. My children, what I want to tell you I want you to keep it and never lose it”. He preceded, “Myself and Tade had been friends since teenagers, we attended the same secondary school and university, worked in the same establishment. We married at the same time”. I could see hurt in my father’s eyes. He continued; “We kept no secret from each other as we constantly watched each other’s back”. I come naked before Tade and Tade always did likewise. There is nothing hidden. I loved him as my heart beat and that was my greatest mistake, as no one who is not your blood deserves more of your trust. He looked up to stare at each of our eyes. “After twenty years of hard service, we were paid our gratuity. Tade approached me that he wanted us to start up a business and that would require me giving him all my gratuity. I consented since he is my intimate, loyal and sincere friend. He came again that the money is not enough and would still require more. This made me to sell my other properties except the house we live now. I saw this as a rare privilege to be a business partner with my trusted partner. I gave him everything without a second thought or even informing my wife, your mother”. He turned quickly to my mum and whispered “please forgive me”. “Unknown to me, Tade never invested in any business as he used my money, my hard-earned money to relocate himself and his family off the country to save his face from the scandal of embezzling company’s funds. Unknown to me, Tade was dismissed one month to oar gratuity payment. My sons, no one, I mean no one”, his voice groaning in anger, “deserves your trust, no one deserves your transparency except your blood-brothers. I was able to rise again because of the helpmate God gave me in your mother who kept these things to herself and shoulder the responsibility of the family since that ugly incident”, he concluded. Indeed, it was the biggest lesson of my life.

PAPER 2 QUESTION 5: WAEC 2012 Write a story to illustrate the saying: Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Solution WHERE THERE IS A WILL, THERE IS A WAY My name is Nwankwo Joseph. I am twenty-six years old. I am the ninth son in a polygamous family of twenty sons and thirty daughters. I grew up in a village where the virility of a man is determined by how much sons a man can produce. While the man keeps testing his virility on any available woman, he is not perturbed about the welfare of the child as the mother is saddled with the responsibility of taking care of the children. My mother is the second wife of Obi, the village warrior I am the fourth child of seven from my mother’s side. My mother was just a petty trader who sells soap to the villagers.-Survival has been tough right from childhood. I learnt to fend for myself and not to rely on anyone since there is no one to rely on. I followed my friends to the forest to hunt small animals and sell to the village market woman for proceeds to keep body and soul together. I have never been to the four wall of a school before since I have no one to pay for ny tuition. But as fate would have it, some people came to evangelise to us in our house and I was fortunate to be there. The main speaker who preached took interest in me and asked my father wby I was not in schoot I was twelve years old by that time. My father smiled and said: “No money, my good friend but he is quite desirous of learning. I have watched him envy school children, peep into their books and admire tneir school uniform when they spread it but not all dreams come to pass, “abbi” my dear friend”. The main speaker who by the name Mr. Peter said he would be willing to pay for my schooling but I would have to be his houseboy. Learning in Mr. Peter’s house was hell, his children scared me, tormented and bullied me for my initial ignorance. I started primary one at the age of twelve. I was the ridicule of the class, I was tortured by my class mates and mocked by my teachers because I could not understand what they teach me. However, I have made a resolute decision that I would return back to my village educated and better. I finished primary six at the age of Eighteen and gained admission to a public secondary school while Mr. Peter’s children attended a private school. But my determination saw me through. I maintained a rare academic feat, teachers took notice of my exceptional brilliance and this attracted special coaching from them. By the time I was in SS2, I wrote G.C.E. and I had 4A’s and 5B’s but what brought me to limelight was my JAMB examination in which I scored the highest mark nation wide. I was given an automatic scholarship to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Calabar. I am currently in my third year and have been a recipient of six different scholarships. Money is never an issue. I am now the envy of others and people want to associate with me. I look back to that local poor young boy at the village with tears streaming down my eyes. I truly believe that where there is a will, there is a way.

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How To Write A Good Essay In WAEC and NECO

To be able to write a good essay in WAEC and NECO examinations is something that pleases the mind of the marker or an examiner. One wonders why writing a good essay can be so frustrating to some candidates. But it doesn’t have to be. If you know the steps and understand what to do, writing can be easy and even very interesting.

This is a must read post that will provide you the simplified steps to take that will teach students how to write a good essay and come out in flying colour in your WAEC and NECO.

A good essay therefore is a complete work that has the following features be it argumentative, narrative or expository or descriptive:

Good introduction
Body of the essay
Good and simplified diction or chosen language
Mechanical accuracy
A good conclusion
Introduction : Having a good introduction to an essay or letter writing is key to passing English language in your WAEC and NECO. You don’t jump into writing any topic without giving the examiner the insight or central idea of what you are writing on. It shows a focal point and directs the marker or the examiner’s mind towards a good end.
Body of the Essay : This tells the story or describes or argue in details events that happened with good diction or language otherwise referred to as good grammatical structures in sequence, that is, one good point linking the other.
Good and simplified diction : Otherwise referred to as simple and carefully selected words to build up your topic essay. In this wise, a candidate should avoid bombastic words; that is the use of big words that may complicate issues or defeat the whole write up. Employ good English in your explanation and avoid too long sentences to drive home your points or argument.
Mechanical Accuracy : Develop the idea invariably. The problem is that most students shift topics and lose focus within their paragraphs because they do not know how to adequately develop their ideas. They usually know the paragraph needs to be longer, but they don’t know how to expand their idea to fill that length. Indeed a paragraph should be at least half a page long. Good punctuations like coma, semi colon, invited comas, exclamation mark and full stops should be applied appropriately.
Conclusion : A good conclusion of any good essay should have an overview of the entire topic, elements of logicality, carefully selected words, brilliant technicalities and a brilliant end.

For instance, write an essay on the topic Night Rain you experienced, sometime ago, its damage and how you were able to salvage the situation.

A topic like this should take a good introduction which should show an unforgettable experience, date and time of such event.

The body of the essay should describe in detail how it all happened that faithful night, the psychological effect it had on you battling with the night rain. The narration should be simple, have good diction and of course laden with emotion and good English. For instance, I summoned up courage as a man to salvage the situation by ensuring that the flood that entered the house did not spread to other rooms. The paragraphs should be sequentially arranged with good English and a moderate length.

In addition, a good essay should have good punctuations with correct spellings. Above all, avoid too long sentences that will throw you off balance. Avoid repetition and remain accurate in your explanation.

A good conclusion of the topic for instance should have an overview of the entire essay with logicality and brilliant end. For instance, the Night Rain which occurred on that fateful date was an unforgettable experience in my life even if I become the President of Nigeria.

I tell you, nobody will begin to count the number of words you wrote with good introduction, good body of the essay, mechanical accuracy and a brilliant conclusion. The marker will joyfully read your work and give you a better mark that will make you to pass your English language in WAEC AND NECO without tears.

I URGEE YOU TO PLEASE Read how to pass English in WAEC and NECO. GOOD LUCK.

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The Ultimate Comprehensive Guide for Passing WAEC's Examinations

Steps To Write A Good Narrative Essay in WAEC, NECO or GCE

How to write a good narrative essay in waec, neco or gce exams.

Narration if as to be noted that every narrative essay is about accounting for event or happening that sometime took place.

In a simple form, every narration tells story.

Topic or questions that require writing story can include the following but is not limited to :

• The day I will never forget. • My last holiday. • Had I know.

It is therefore important to know that events in narration are to be expressed in past, to this end, one must not use present tense verb.

It is important to always emphasize that for any narration to be acceptable, it must look like a real story.

The story in a narration must not be the story of animals, it must be the story of human beings.

To write a story that will be acceptable to every reader, such a story must contain three aspects or parts.

1. The beginning : This is usually the point where the story takes off. At this point, the writer must be able to take or make the reader understand what happens that lead to the beginning of action that started the story.

To do this very well, the writer must introduce the story very well to the reader.

If a reader does not understand the beginning of a story, it is going to affect the understanding of the entire story.

2. The middle : It is the heart of the entire story, most of the events and actions usually occur at this point.

No matter how real and sweet a narration essay is if it is full of expression errors, such a story is still bad.

To this end, narration should not be destroyed with errors that can be avoided.

Our expression must not be in long sentences.

Every writer must know that short sentences are easily controlled.

3. The final (End) : Every story that has a beginning must have an end. The story must be concluded well.

At this point, the writer allows the reader to know how the conflicts in the story line are resolved.

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How To Answer Questions on Essay and Letter Writing In WAEC & NECO – Tips and Strategies

Essay and Letter Writing In WAEC and NECO in English language pose a lot of challenges to most students who do not know the skills, tips and strategies of passing this part in the theory section. WAEC and NECO examiners made this paper compulsory for all candidates to attempt because they know if candidates are given as an option, 90% would skip this part.

I will give you some key-points to note which would aide you in answering Essay writing as well as letter writing questions with ease in your exam. Also, i will put you through on how to count the words to ensure you are on track because when faced with writing an essay or letter writing of about 450 words, you need to be sure much time isn’t wasted on this section because there are other questions that need to be attempted with the limited time awarded to you.

Points To Note

1) Ideally, English language paper 1, section A allocates 50 minutes for you to choose just one (1) question among five questions set, be it an essay or letter writing topic, to prove your ability to communicate in writing.

2) The one question to be answered carries 50 marks, distributed thus;

Content (substance) of your work and relevance to the set question – 10 marks
Organization (including use of correct formats and paragraphing) – 10 marks
Expression (Effective use languages) – 20 marks
Mechanical accuracy (avoidance of grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors) – 10 marks

3) You are required to prove your ability to communicate in writing in not less than 450 words. That is, if you are to write 10 words in a line, you should be able to produce an essay of not less than 45 lines long; if 9 words per line – 50 lines; if 8 words – 56 lines; if 7 words – 64/65 line; If 6 words – 75 line; if 5 words – 90 lines, etc.

Always ensure you start from the beginning of the first paragraph of your word (be it an essay or letter writing) to count.

By now you ought to have known the average number of words you write on a line. If not, start practicing now.

How To Count The Number of Words In Essay and Letter Writing In WAEC & NECO Exam

Write up a page, pick 6 lines at random and count the number of words each contains. The number of words that appear most frequently should be taken as the number of words you write on a line. For example, if line 1 contains 7 words, line 2 – 8 words, line 3 – 6 words, line 4 – 7 words, line 6 – 6 words and line 6 – 7 words; then you write 7 words in a line. You already know that 7 words in a line will give you 65 lines. Count out 65 lines before you begin to answer your questions and put a dot at the margin of your answer sheet to remind you to start rounding off as you approach 65 lines.

4) The five questions usually set are drawn from essay and letter writing type. They include;

Letter writing – Formal, informal and semi formal
Narrative essay
Descriptive essay
Argumentative essay – Debates/Speeches
Expository essay – Explanations and Directions.
Creative writing

Questions are set on Article and Report Writing. Article writing falls into any of the types listed above, except letter writing. Report writing equally falls into any of the listed types, except argumentative essay. The question asked will specify whether your report writing will be in letter or essay form.

Guidelines on Essay and Letter Writing – Tips and Strategies

1) Read through all the questions with an open mind. Give each some thoughts, the select the one you understand properly and have sufficient points to write on. For instance, some candidates wrongly make up their minds before entering the examination hall, that they will answer any question asked for informal letter writing . A case in point is that of informal letter writing asking a candidate to write ‘explaining how a relationship with a friend went sour’. Many candidates dabble into that question without knowing the meaning of ‘sour’. The result is that they wrote out of point and lost all their marks in both content and organization (20 marks out of 50 marks).

2) Know your limitations and choose an appropriate question. If you are not good at creating a story or managing the past tense, definitely you cannot write well on a narrative essay topic, etc. Remember you have a wide choice as you are required to answer only one question out of five.

3) Note the appropriate format to use in answering the question you have carefully chosen. For instance, if you have chosen a question on Article Writing, do not use a letter writing format. Write only the topic and start your introductory paragraph. You will lose marks under organization if a letter writing format is used.

4) Jot down the points you want to use as they come to your mind. Number them sequentially, as you intend to bring them into your work. The few minutes devoted to planning your work are extremely useful as they help you produce organized work with full control.

5) Just incase you have jotted too many points down, select 4 good written points to expatiate on. Dwelling on them at length and convincingly while remembering your essay should not be more than 450 words long. At the same time, a short essay will earn you low scores in organization and mechanical accuracy .

6) Pay good attention to paragraphing. The first word of each paragraph should begin about three centimetres away from the left-hand margin. Each paragraph should begin with a new idea, so begin a new paragraph as you move to a new idea. However, two similar ideas that are brief can be merged into one paragraph. The content of the introductory and concluding paragraph must be appropriately chosen to match the format of the topic chosen.

7) Do not write on either margin of your answer sheets. The instructions there even tells you not to. Ensure you obey it. Number your questions you have chosen and are writing on, as well.

8) Devote the last 5 minutes of the time allotted for this section to reading over your work carefully, with the intention of detecting errors, misspelt words and incorrect punctuation that can cost you marks under Mechanical Accuracy.

9) After effecting corrections of detected errors, read through your work once more before finally moving to other sections of English language paper 1.

N.B: Try and limit or avoid the use of big words, especially the ones you cannot spell correctly nor use appropriately. Use simple English that takes you straight to the point without rigmarole. Use British spellings, not American spellings, as they are the ones commonly used in West Arica.

The points, tips, strategies explained above are the current WAEC and NECO recommended approach in Essay and letter writing from the examiners point of view. Using the guidelines and approach would fetch you a good score in essay and letter writing in WASSCE and NECO as well.

I hope this helps? Remember you can reach me via the comment section below should you have any question as regards letter and essay writing tips , approach, strategies and guidelines for English language exam in WAEC or NECO and I will be glad to assist.

Literature-In-English

The resources below on Literature-In-English have been provided by WAEC to assist you understand the required standards expected in Literature-In-English final Examination. Students performance in examination under review was done by the Chief examiner, this you will see while exploring links like General Comment, Performance, Weaknesses, Strength and Observation to respective Questions.

+ MAY/JUN. WASSCE 2008

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How to write an excellent WAEC essay II

Last week, we started this discussion and mentioned that to write a WAEC essay, the student needs two things, a strategy and a template. Can…

Last week, we started this discussion and mentioned that to write a WAEC essay, the student needs two things, a strategy and a template. Can you remember the strategy? The strategy is to choose the questions which afford the student an opportunity to argue. And usually out of the five essay questions, four of them satisfy this condition. Now that we have our strategy, the next thing is to use a template. This template can help you not only in WAEC, but also after, when you need to write something in the university or at work. It’s a tool you can carry with you that will yield benefits for a very long time.

Here’s the template: Point, Prove, Perform, Naysayer and Conclusion. Let me explain each part of the template.

Point: This is your claim, the point you want to make and upon which the rest of the essay revolves. Let’s take an example from last year’s (2017) WAEC. Question number two says: “Write an article suitable for publication in a national newspaper, discussing two major problems facing the country and suggesting ways of solving them.”

You can attack the question by going straight to the point by stating your point like this: “Since the turn of the century, Nigeria has suffered from many problems which came as a result of the new democracy, some of these are the mutations of the old problems but most of which we’d survived up to this point. Two problems, however, threaten to kill us all if nothing is done about them. The problem of farmers-herders clashes has snowballed to such an extent that it gives birth to many dimensions and theories which by themselves lead to more crisis. The second spot of bother is the vexing issue of kidnapping which is now being practiced in almost every region of the country.”

Prove: The second step is to prove your point or claim. In rhetoric, it’s called premises i.e. the reasons that support your claim. And what’s your claim? In step one above, you claimed that two problems of kidnapping and the problems between herders and farmers will consume us all. Step two is where to give reasons to support that claim. How do you do that? If you have statistics available to you, using them is going to help. If not, just strongly state the reasons why you think these are major problems.

For example: “These two problems are united in the kind of adverse effects they cause. The kidnappers have proven they are not overly concern about age or socio-economic status. Accordingly, government ministers, school children, old people, business men, security personnel, poor villagers and even toddlers have been kidnapped and hundreds of millions have been paid in ransom.

“Some of these victims died in the process. And the degenerates are everywhere, they are no longer restricted to our highways. The criminals have kidnapped their own neighbours and even their own family members. The result is that there’s suspicion everywhere; no society can survive this quantum of suspicion for long, because then we’re no longer free. We can’t travel, we can’t go to recreational areas and can’t even allow our children to play in the neighborhood. When that moment comes, as humans, we would device mechanisms for survival such as stereotypes so that we know who poses danger to us and our loved ones; this is already happening in the case of farmer-herder crisis. The Fulani race is now being demonized because most herders are Fulani. This is stereotype thinking.”

Perform: The third steps will show how to solve the problem. You will give steps or ideas on how the problem can be resolved; this WAEC question actually requires that.

Example: “Before a discussion of solutions, we must first account for the causes of these problems. Although Nigeria has almost one million square kilometers of land, according to the World Bank 2016 estimates, Nigeria’s population has grown to 186 million people. The increase in population and the devastating effect of global warming has led to more competition for critical resources including land. Therefore, we should see this as an economic problem. And the problem can be solved by the cattle ranches which the government is now proposing. But even this solution is not new. My uncle told me that Audu Bako, a former governor of Kano State, implementedthis solution successfully in Kano in the 1970s. One of his approaches was to provide artificial insemination and medical services free of charge for the cattle herders. The government may want to revisit his policy so that it could be scaled up nationwide.

“As for the kidnappers, it’s time to employ technology to solve the problem. One such technology is the dash cam – a camera fitted on cars to record incidents on the road. Some nations have made such cameras compulsory for car owners. That way, when road users are being waylaid on the road, the camera can record the incident which will prove valuable to security agencies. We can also use analytics as done in other countries such as the United States to fight crime. Because of the patterns and insightsgain by predictive analytics, the police can tell – within a reasonable probability – where and when a crime will occur.

Naysayer: This is the step where you introduce a naysayer i.e. can you think of what someone opposed to your idea thinking? If you can, don’t forget to mention it. Doing so will give your essay credibility and makes it scholarly. Because scholars always take into consideration those opposed to their ideas.

Example: “Many may disagree that these are the biggest problems we have. Some will count corruption and Boko Haram as our biggest problems. Although I concede that these are huge problems too but the efforts of the government in bringing about resolution of these problems are yielding relative success. However, the two problems I’ve highlighted appear to have befuddled the government and state actors.”

Conclusion: You should close your essay by stating the implications of your argument and suggestions by answering the question “so what?” Here you’ll mention those who are going to benefit or put your ideas into action such as the policy makers, researchers and citizens.

Example: “Solving the problems of the farmers-herders clashes and the tricky case of kidnapping must be solved before our citizens can achieve happiness and peace of mind. Accordingly, the government should take into consideration the ideas expressed here such as employing technology to solve our security problems. Doing so would yield maximum benefits for all concerned.”

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How To Identify Essay Types in Waec Examination

How To Identify Types Of Essays In Waec Examination will be one of the best things that will happen to any students. It is just like getting the main point or reaching the examiner’s goal. In an examination, you can identify the type of essay by looking at the prompt or question. Here are some common types of essays and how to identify them:

1. Narrative Essay: The prompt will ask you to tell a story or recount an event. Look for words like “tell,” “describe,” or “narrate.”

2. Descriptive Essay: The prompt will ask you to describe something, such as a person, place, object, or experience. Look for words that indicate description, like “describe,” “paint a picture,” or “depict.”

3. Expository Essay: The prompt will ask you to explain or inform about a topic. Look for words like “explain,” “define,” “describe,” or “inform.”

4. Persuasive Essay: The prompt will ask you to argue for or against a position or claim. Look for words like “argue,” “persuade,” “convince,” or “justify.”

5. Compare and Contrast Essay: The prompt will ask you to compare and/or contrast two or more things. Look for words like “compare,” “contrast,” “differences,” “similarities,” or “both.”

6. Cause and Effect Essay: The prompt will ask you to discuss the causes and/or effects of a particular event, phenomenon, or situation. Look for words like “cause,” “effect,” “reasons,” or “consequences.”

7. Analytical Essay: The prompt will ask you to analyze a topic, text, or issue. Look for words like “analyze,” “interpret,” “evaluate,” or “critique.”

Understanding the specific task or objective outlined in the prompt will help you identify the type of essay you are being asked to write.

There are other ways listed for students to always look out for when trying to identify the types of essay in an England Language examination.

DISCUSSIONS: How To Identify It

(i) Any question that asks for the causes, or effects or the solutions to a problem calls for a discussion.

(ii) If a topic does not expressly ask for the causes, effects or solutions but cannot be treated without talking about the causes or the effects or solutions, that topic will be one that calls for a discussion. A discussion usually takes one of the following forms:

General Discussions

A question that does not specifically restrict you to an aspect of a discussion (causes, effects or solutions) is a general discussion. In these types of discussions equal attention should be given to all the aspects e.g. You have been invited to participate in an essay competition and the topic is ‘Inflation in my country’. Write your entry.
Questions that call for only the causes of a problem e.g. Write an article for publication in a National Newspaper on some of the causes of the yearly mass failure in public examinations.
Questions that call for only the effects of a problem e.g. Write an essay on: ‘The effects of drug abuse on the People of my country.’
Questions that call for only the solutions to a problem e.g. Write a letter to the Minister of Education suggesting ways of checking examination malpractice in Nigeria.
Questions that combine any two causes, effects and solutions e.g. Write an article for publication in a foreign magazine on some of the causes of infant mortality and the probable solutions to the problem. Note: Although all the questions above call for discussions, the steps to be followed will be different. Therefore, we shall take the forms of a discussion one after the other and the steps to be taken in each form.

How To Identify Essay Types in Waec Examination

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS: Steps To Follow

State the problem
Define the topic before discussing it, but if you are not sure of your definition do not define it. In lieu of a definition, give a statement that will inform the examiner the angle from which you intend to view the topic or a statement that will reveal the dimension that the topic has taken.
Discuss a minimum of three causes of the problem in well-linked paragraphs.
Discuss the effects of the problem in well-linked paragraphs.
Suggest solutions to the problems you have identified.
Draw your conclusion.

Note: The simple formula for these steps is SC – ESC meaning: S -State the Problem; C -causes; E -effects; S -Solutions and C -Conclusion.

QUESTIONS THAT CALL FOR ONLY THE CAUSES OF A PROBLEM: Steps To follow

State the problem in the first paragraph.
Discuss five causes of the problem (a minimum of three causes) in separate paragraphs and in detail.
Discuss briefly the effects of the problem in one short paragraph (let the examiner know the reason for including the effects since the question calls for only the causes). e.g.
Although the question bothers essentially on the causes of inflation, I think a discussion of this nature would be incomplete if I failed to mention briefly the effects of this problem.
Suggest solutions to the problem in one short paragraph (Give the reason for bringing in the solutions to the problem).

Note: When a question restricts you to the causes of a problem, while it is necessary to bring in the effects and solutions briefly for the purpose of completeness, the bulk of the discussion should be centred on the causes.

QUESTIONS THAT CALL FOR ONLY THE EFFECTS OF A PROBLEM: Steps To follow

State the problem and its causes in one paragraph (Give the reason for bringing in the causes before the question you are asked, which is the effects).
Discuss five of the effects of the problem in separate paragraphs. (A minimum of three effects).
Suggest the probable solutions to the problem in one paragraph. (This is for the purpose of achieving a complete discussion).

QUESTIONS THAT CALL FOR ONLY THE SOLUTIONS TO A PROBLEM: Steps To Follow

Briefly state the problem in one short paragraph.
Discuss briefly the causes and effects of the problem in a short paragraph. Do not forget to give the reason for including the causes and effects since the question calls for only the solutions. e.g. A cursory look at this question reveals that it calls for the solutions to a problem. However, a discussion of it will be a difficult one if not an impossible task if the causes and effects of the problem are unknown.
Discuss five of the solutions to the problem in separate or distinct paragraphs.
Conclusion.

Note generally that every discussion must have statement of the problem, causes, effects, solutions and conclusion. However, in approaching these questions, emphasis should be laid on the aspects that the candidate is restricted to.

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Guidelines to answering comprehension passages in waec examination, steps to follow when writing narrative and argumentative essay in waec, related articles.

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WAEC Letter Writing Questions and Answers

Notes on waec letter writing questions and answers.

WAEC often repeats questions.
If you can study all the letters and essays here, you will surely come across one or two in the examination.
Every year, each of the five questions in Section 1 of the Theory Paper comes from these areas:
Formal letter
Informal letter
Story telling
Article writing
Argumentative essay
They are assigned equal marks so you can pick any one to write on.
This means that you can make a choice now to write an informal letter on the examination day. So, you can keep practicing informal letters until you get all the rules to perfection.
If you can perform well in the WAEC letter writing section, that is section one of the Theory Paper, as well as comprehension and summary, you will be halfway to passing the WAEC English Language examination with a good grade.

Question: A nagging problem in your family has so far defied all solutions. Write a letter to an uncle of yours stating what the problem is and giving reasons why he should intervene.

35 West Avenue

Yaba

Lagos

21 st February, 2000

Dear Uncle Jide,

I hope my letter meets you well. How is Jide Jnr’s performance at school? Please tell him that I am expecting a very high score in the forthcoming end-of-year examinations. I will buy the Maltese dog he has been asking for as a pet. I have been saving continuously for it and I won’t break my promise to him.

Uncle Jide, the purpose of my letter is to bring a certain problem in the family to your notice. I know you are aware of the issue but you may not know that this nagging problem has defied all solutions in the past five years when the family first mediated on it.

As you know, my grandfather, your father, left a big house to his sons comprising my father, you, and Uncle Yemi. While you were away studying in the United Kingdom, the house fell into ruins. Since my father was the one sponsoring your education, he could not also raise the funds required to renovate the house. Therefore, Uncle Yemi took it upon himself to rebuild and restructure it to modern standards.

As the new house has been unoccupied for several years, my father being the eldest son, decided that the house should be leased out to tenants. However, Uncle Yemi declined, claiming that the house belongs to him now. My father offered to reimburse the amount Uncle Yemi spent but he refused.

Many uncles and aunties from the extended family have come to appeal to Uncle Yemi to accept my father’s offer and allow peace to reign. But Uncle Yemi has remained adamant that the property is his to dispose of as he sees fit.

This has caused a lot of bad blood within the family with people forced to take sides with either my father or Uncle Yemi. It has been five years and still no solution. Uncle, although you are the youngest of the siblings, everyone knows how responsible and collected you are. Uncle Yemi adores you because he was the one who helped your mother by being your babysitter. He listens to you and prefers not to make you unhappy.

Therefore, I appeal to you to call and talk to him on this issue. This is because he is threatening to go to court on the matter.

Thank you and best wishes to my aunt, your wife, and my cousins.

Your nephew,

Ola.

You may also like to read the answer to this question from WAEC 2023 English theory: YOUR SISTER IS COMING BACK FROM ABROAD. WRITE A LETTER TO HER TELLING HER ABOUT THE HARDSHIP/PROBLEMS OR LATEST STORIES IN THE COUNTRY.

View more letters and essays from other WAEC questions over the years.

Example of a formal letter (WAEC 2000 question)

Write a letter to the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency in your country complaining about the environmental pollution of your area and requesting urgent action be taken to improve the situation.

How to Write a Perfect Narrative Essay (Step-by-Step)

By Status.net Editorial Team on October 17, 2023 — 10 minutes to read

Understanding a Narrative Essay Part 1
Typical Narrative Essay Structure Part 2
Narrative Essay Template Part 3
Step 1. How to Choose Your Narrative Essay Topic Part 4
Step 2. Planning the Structure Part 5
Step 3. Crafting an Intriguing Introduction Part 6
Step 4. Weaving the Narrative Body Part 7
Step 5. Creating a Conclusion Part 8
Step 6. Polishing the Essay Part 9
Step 7. Feedback and Revision Part 10

Part 1 Understanding a Narrative Essay

A narrative essay is a form of writing where you share a personal experience or tell a story to make a point or convey a lesson. Unlike other types of essays, a narrative essay aims to engage your audience by sharing your perspective and taking them on an emotional journey.

To begin, choose a meaningful topic . Pick a story or experience that had a significant impact on your life, taught you something valuable, or made you see the world differently. You want your readers to learn from your experiences, so choose something that will resonate with others.
Next, create an outline . Although narrative essays allow for creative storytelling, it’s still helpful to have a roadmap to guide your writing. List the main events, the characters involved, and the settings where the events took place. This will help you ensure that your essay is well-structured and easy to follow.
When writing your narrative essay, focus on showing, not telling . This means that you should use descriptive language and vivid details to paint a picture in your reader’s mind. For example, instead of stating that it was a rainy day, describe the sound of rain hitting your window, the feeling of cold wetness around you, and the sight of puddles forming around your feet. These sensory details will make your essay more engaging and immersive.
Another key aspect is developing your characters . Give your readers an insight into the thoughts and emotions of the people in your story. This helps them connect with the story, empathize with the characters, and understand their actions. For instance, if your essay is about a challenging hike you took with a friend, spend some time describing your friend’s personality and how the experience impacted their attitude or feelings.
Keep the pace interesting . Vary your sentence lengths and structures, and don’t be afraid to use some stylistic devices like dialogue, flashbacks, and metaphors. This adds more depth and dimension to your story, keeping your readers engaged from beginning to end.

Part 2 Typical Narrative Essay Structure

A narrative essay typically follows a three-part structure: introduction, body, and conclusion.

Introduction: Start with a hook to grab attention and introduce your story. Provide some background to set the stage for the main events.
Body: Develop your story in detail. Describe scenes, characters, and emotions. Use dialogue when necessary to provide conversational elements.
Conclusion: Sum up your story, revealing the lesson learned or the moral of the story. Leave your audience with a lasting impression.

Part 3 Narrative Essay Template

1. Introduction : Set the scene and introduce the main characters and setting of your story. Use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture for your reader and capture their attention.
Body 2. Rising Action : Develop the plot by introducing a conflict or challenge that the main character must face. This could be a personal struggle, a difficult decision, or an external obstacle. 3. Climax : This is the turning point of the story, where the conflict reaches its peak and the main character must make a critical decision or take action. 4. Falling Action : Show the consequences of the main character’s decision or action, and how it affects the rest of the story. 5. Resolution : Bring the story to a satisfying conclusion by resolving the conflict and showing how the main character has grown or changed as a result of their experiences.
6. Reflection/Conclusion : Reflect on the events of the story and what they mean to you as the writer. This could be a lesson learned, a personal realization, or a message you want to convey to your reader.

Part 4 Step 1. How to Choose Your Narrative Essay Topic

Brainstorming ideas.

Start by jotting down any ideas that pop into your mind. Think about experiences you’ve had, stories you’ve heard, or even books and movies that have resonated with you. Write these ideas down and don’t worry too much about organization yet. It’s all about getting your thoughts on paper.

Once you have a list, review your ideas and identify common themes or connections between them. This process should help you discover potential topics for your narrative essay.

Narrowing Down the Choices

After brainstorming, you’ll likely end up with a few strong contenders for your essay topic. To decide which topic is best, consider the following:

Relevance : Is the topic meaningful for your audience? Will they be able to connect with it on a personal level? Consider the purpose of your assignment and your audience when choosing your topic.
Detail : Do you have enough specific details to craft a vivid story? The more detail you can recall about the event, the easier it’ll be to write a compelling narrative.
Emotional impact : A strong narrative essay should evoke emotions in your readers. Choose a topic that has the potential to elicit some emotional response from your target audience.

After evaluating your potential topics based on these criteria, you can select the one that best fits the purpose of your narrative essay.

Part 5 Step 2. Planning the Structure

Creating an outline.

Before you start writing your narrative essay, it’s a great idea to plan out your story. Grab a piece of paper and sketch out a rough outline of the key points you want to cover. Begin with the introduction, where you’ll set the scene and introduce your characters. Then, list the major events of your story in chronological order, followed by the climax and resolution. Organizing your ideas in an outline will ensure your essay flows smoothly and makes sense to your readers.

Detailing Characters, Settings, and Events

Taking time to flesh out the characters, settings, and events in your story will make it more engaging and relatable. Think about your main character’s background, traits, and motivations. Describe their appearance, emotions, and behavior in detail. This personal touch will help your readers connect with them on a deeper level.

Also, give some thought to the setting – where does the story take place? Be sure to include sensory details that paint a vivid picture of the environment. Finally, focus on the series of events that make up your narrative. Are there any twists and turns, or surprising moments? Address these in your essay, using vivid language and engaging storytelling techniques to captivate your readers.

Writing the Narrative Essay

Part 6 step 3. crafting an intriguing introduction.

To start your narrative essay, you’ll want to hook your reader with an interesting and engaging opening. Begin with a captivating sentence or question that piques curiosity and captures attention. For example, “Did you ever think a simple bus ride could change your life forever?” This kind of opening sets the stage for a compelling, relatable story. Next, introduce your main characters and provide a bit of context to help your readers understand the setting and background of the story.

Part 7 Step 4. Weaving the Narrative Body

The body of your essay is where your story unfolds. Here’s where you’ll present a series of events, using descriptive language and vivid details.

Remember to maintain a strong focus on the central theme or main point of your narrative.

Organize your essay chronologically, guiding your reader through the timeline of events.

As you recount your experience, use a variety of sensory details, such as sounds, smells, and tastes, to immerse your reader in the moment. For instance, “The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the room as my friends and I excitedly chattered about our upcoming adventure.”

Take advantage of dialogue to bring your characters to life and to reveal aspects of their personalities. Incorporate both internal and external conflicts, as conflict plays a crucial role in engaging your reader and enhancing the narrative’s momentum. Show the evolution of your characters and how they grow throughout the story.

Part 8 Step 5. Creating a Conclusion

Finally, to write a satisfying conclusion, reflect on the narrative’s impact and how the experience has affected you or your characters. Tie the narrative’s events together and highlight the lessons learned, providing closure for the reader.

Avoid abruptly ending your story, because that can leave the reader feeling unsatisfied. Instead, strive to create a sense of resolution and demonstrate how the events have changed the characters’ perspectives or how the story’s theme has developed.

For example, “Looking back, I realize that the bus ride not only changed my perspective on friendship, but also taught me valuable life lessons that I carry with me to this day.”

Part 9 Step 6. Polishing the Essay

Fine-tuning your language.

When writing a narrative essay, it’s key to choose words that convey the emotions and experiences you’re describing. Opt for specific, vivid language that creates a clear mental image for your reader. For instance, instead of saying “The weather was hot,” try “The sun scorched the pavement, causing the air to shimmer like a mirage.” This gives your essay a more engaging and immersive feeling.

Editing for Clarity and Concision

As you revise your essay, keep an eye out for redundancies and unnecessary words that might dilute the impact of your story. Getting to the point and using straightforward language can help your essay flow better. For example, instead of using “She was walking in a very slow manner,” you can say, “She strolled leisurely.” Eliminate filler words and phrases, keeping only the most pertinent information that moves your story forward.

Proofreading for Typos

Finally, proofread your essay carefully to catch any typos, grammatical errors, or punctuation mistakes. It’s always a good idea to have someone else read it as well, as they might catch errors you didn’t notice. Mistakes can be distracting and may undermine the credibility of your writing, so be thorough with your editing process.

Part 10 Step 7. Feedback and Revision

Gathering feedback.

After you’ve written the first draft of your narrative essay, it’s time to gather feedback from friends, family, or colleagues. Share your essay with a few trusted people who can provide insights and suggestions for improvement. Listen to their thoughts and be open to constructive criticism. You might be surprised by the different perspectives they offer, which can strengthen your essay.

Iterating on the Draft

Once you have collected feedback, it’s time to revise and refine your essay. Address any issues or concerns raised by your readers and incorporate their suggestions. Consider reorganizing your story’s structure, clarifying your descriptions, or adding more details based on the feedback you received.

As you make changes, continue to fine-tune your essay to ensure a smooth flow and a strong narrative. Don’t be afraid to cut out unnecessary elements or rework parts of your story until it’s polished and compelling.

Revision is a crucial part of the writing process, and taking the time to reflect on feedback and make improvements will help you create a more engaging and impactful narrative essay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i create an engaging introduction.

Craft an attention-grabbing hook with a thought-provoking question, an interesting fact, or a vivid description. Set the stage for your story by introducing the time, place, and context for the events. Creating tension or raising curiosity will make your readers eager to learn more.

What strategies help develop strong characters?

To develop strong characters, consider the following:

Give your characters distinct traits, strengths, and weaknesses.
Provide a backstory to explain their actions and motivations.
Use dialogue to present their personality, emotions, and relationships.
Show how they change or evolve throughout your story.

How can I make my story flow smoothly with transitions?

Smooth transitions between scenes or events can create a more coherent and easy-to-follow story. Consider the following tips to improve your transitions:

Use words and phrases like “meanwhile,” “later that day,” or “afterward” to signify changes in time.
Link scenes with a common theme or element.
Revisit the main characters or setting to maintain continuity.
Introduce a twist or an unexpected event that leads to the next scene.

What are some tips for choosing a great narrative essay topic?

To choose an engaging narrative essay topic, follow these tips:

Pick a personal experience or story that holds significance for you.
Consider a challenge or a turning point you’ve faced in your life.
Opt for a topic that will allow you to share emotions and lessons learned.
Think about what your audience would find relatable, intriguing, or inspiring.

How do I wrap up my narrative essay with a strong conclusion?

A compelling conclusion restates the main events and highlights any lessons learned or growth in your character. Try to end on a thought-provoking note or leave readers with some food for thought. Finally, make sure your conclusion wraps up your story neatly and reinforces its overall message.

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Scriptwriting

How to Write a Narrative Essay — A Step-by-Step Guide

N arrative essays are important papers most students have to write. But how does one write a narrative essay? Fear not, we’re going to show you how to write a narrative essay by breaking down a variety of narrative writing strategies. By the end, you’ll know why narrative essays are so important – and how to write your own.

How to Write a Narrative Essay Step by Step

Background on narrative essays.

Narrative essays are important assignments in many writing classes – but what is a narrative essay? A narrative essay is a prose-written story that’s focused on the commentary of a central theme .

Narrative essays are generally written in the first-person POV , and are usually about a topic that’s personal to the writer.

Everything in a narrative essay should take place in an established timeline, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

In simplest terms, a narrative essay is a personal story. A narrative essay can be written in response to a prompt or as an independent exercise.

We’re going to get to tips and tricks on how to write a narrative essay in a bit, but first let’s check out a video on “story.”

How to Start a Narrative Essay • What is a Story? by Mr. Kresphus

In some regards, any story can be regarded as a personal story, but for the sake of this article, we’re going to focus on prose-written stories told in the first-person POV.

How to Start a Narrative Essay

Responding to prompts.

Many people wonder about how to start a narrative essay. Well, if you’re writing a narrative essay in response to a prompt, then chances are the person issuing the prompt is looking for a specific answer.

For example: if the prompt states “recount a time you encountered a challenge,” then chances are the person issuing the prompt wants to hear about how you overcame a challenge or learned from it.

That isn’t to say you have to respond to the prompt in one way; “overcoming” or “learning” from a challenge can be constituted in a variety of ways.

For example, you could structure your essay around overcoming a physical challenge, like an injury or disability. Or you could structure your essay around learning from failure, such as losing at a sport or performing poorly on an important exam.

Whatever it is, you must show that the challenge forced you to grow.

Maturation is an important process – and an essential aspect of narrative essays... of course, there are exceptions to the rule; lack of maturation is a prescient theme in narrative essays too; although that’s mostly reserved for experienced essay writers.

So, let’s take a look at how you might respond to a series of narrative essay prompts:

How successful are you?

This prompt begs the writer to impart humility without throwing a pity party. I would respond to this prompt by demonstrating pride in what I do while offering modesty. For example: “I have achieved success in what I set out to do – but I still have a long way to go to achieve my long-term goals.”

Who is your role model?

“My role model is [Blank] because ” is how you should start this narrative essay. The “because” is the crux of your essay. For example, I’d say “Bill Russell is my role model because he demonstrated graceful resolve in the face of bigotry and discrimination.

Do you consider yourself spiritual?

For this prompt, you should explain how you came to the conclusion of whether or not you consider yourself a spiritual person. Of course, prompt-givers will differ on how much they want you to freely express. For example: if the prompt-giver is an employee at an evangelizing organization, then they probably want to see that you’re willing to propagate the church’s agenda. Alternatively, if the prompt-giver is non-denominational, they probably want to see that you’re accepting of people from various spiritual backgrounds.

How to Write Narrative Essay

What makes a good narrative essay.

You don’t have to respond to a prompt to write a narrative essay. So, how do you write a narrative essay without a prompt? Well, that’s the thing… you can write a narrative essay about anything!

That’s a bit of a blessing and a curse though – on one hand it’s liberating to choose any topic you want; on the other, it’s difficult to narrow down a good story from an infinite breadth of possibilities.

In this next video, the team at Essay Pro explores why passion is the number one motivator for effective narrative essays.

How to Write a Narrative Essay Step by Step • Real Essay Examples by Essay Pro

So, before you write anything, ask yourself: “what am I passionate about?” Movies? Sports? Books? Games? Baking? Volunteering? Whatever it is, make sure that it’s something that demonstrates your individual growth . It doesn’t have to be anything major; take a video game for example: you could write a narrative essay about searching for a rare weapon with friends.

Success or failure, you’ll be able to demonstrate growth.

Here’s something to consider: writing a narrative essay around intertextuality. What is intertextuality ? Intertextuality is the relationship between texts, i.e., books, movies, plays, songs, games, etc. In other words, it’s anytime one text is referenced in another text.

For example, you could write a narrative essay about your favorite movie! Just make sure that it ultimately reflects back on yourself.

Narrative Writing Format

Structure of a narrative essay.

Narrative essays differ in length and structure – but there are some universal basics. The first paragraph of a narrative essay should always introduce the central theme. For example, if the narrative essay is about “a fond childhood memory,” then the first paragraph should briefly comment on the nature of the fond childhood memory.

In general, a narrative essay should have an introductory paragraph with a topic sentence (reiterating the prompt or basic idea), a brief commentary on the central theme, and a set-up for the body paragraphs.

The body paragraphs should make up the vast majority of the narrative essay. In the body paragraphs, the writer should essentially “build the story’s case.” What do I mean by “build the story’s case?”

Well, I mean that the writer should display the story’s merit; what it means, why it matters, and how it proves (or refutes) personal growth.

The narrative essay should always conclude with a dedicated paragraph. In the “conclusion paragraph,” the writer should reflect on the story.

Pro tip: conclusion paragraphs usually work best when the writer stays within the diegesis.

What is a Video Essay?

A video essay is a natural extension of a narrative essay; differentiated only by purpose and medium. In our next article, we’ll explain what a video essay is, and why it’s so important to media criticism. By the end, you’ll know where to look for video essay inspiration.

Up Next: The Art of Video Analysis →

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150+ WAEC English Essay Past Questions (PDF)

Discover both the oldest and the latest WAEC English essay past questions in this mega list.

Are you a teacher or student of High School English Language? This collection of past questions on WAEC English composition will be of great help to you.

Old WAEC English essay past questions from “ancient” times like 1997 or 2002 are no longer relevant. Right?

Past questions are past questions. Trust WAEC to, at any time, repeat word for word some of their past questions from either distant years in the past or from a relatively recent year.

Sometimes too, all the WAEC examiners do is to slightly modify the wording of the same English Language essay past question. Then they present it to you as if it were completely new.

What Smart Students/Teachers Do With Past Questions

This is why the smartest students who keep getting the best WAEC/NECO/JAMB grades for essay writing are the ones who spend quality time studying and practicing WAEC English essay past questions. They and their teachers don’t really care whether the WAEC past essay question is coming from 1990 or 2020.

Because the ideas have always been the same. The aspects of life on which the examiners base their WAEC English essay past questions remain almost unchanged.

In another post on this site, I share with you the secrets behind how the guys at WAEC set their essay questions.

Trust me, the smartest move to make, as you prepare for the English or any other General Arts essay paper, is to study and practice as many WAEC past essay questions as possible.

The results have always proven this strategy to be very effective. So this approach can work the magic for you too.

PDF Download – Premium

Would you prefer to download this document for future use? I think you should. You can start downloading the PDF version of the WAEC past essay questions by clicking here.

Now, are you ready to take seriously both the oldest and the newest WAEC English essay past questions? Then come with me as I give you some of the most relevant English composition past questions from GCE and SSCE to WASSCE.

WAEC/NECO SSCE/ WASSCE/ GCE ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMPOSITION PAST QUESTIONS

Please note that this post is a living document. Expect me to add more English essay past questions that matter to you most as time goes on. Thank you!

Top 10 Features of A High-Grade Essay

Free Essays for Schools and Colleges

NOVEMBER 1997

1. Your close friend missed an interesting event that took place in your school when he was on admission at the hospital. Write a letter to him describing what happened.

2. Armed robbery has become rampant in your locality. Write a letter to your Member of Parliament giving at least three reasons for this state of affairs and suggesting ways of solving the problem.

3. As the out-going sports prefect write a report for publication in your school magazine on sporting activities during your term of office.

4. As the principal speaker at an inter-school debate, write your contribution for or against the motion. ”The youth of today have more opportunities than their predecessors.”

5. Describe a political rally you recently attended.

6. Write a story, which ends with, “One gets such an opportunity once in a lifetime.”

NOVEMBER 1998

1. Your friend has written to tell you that he has decided to learn a trade after his senior secondary school course. Write a reply to him giving at least three reasons why you support or disagree with his decision.

2. Examination malpractice has become rampant in schools in your country. Write a letter to the Minister of Education discussing at least three causes of this problem and suggesting ways of solving it.

3. As part of the activities of the 40 th Independence Anniversary Celebration of Ghana, the Ministry of Education is organizing an essay competition on the topic Ghana’s Independence: a blessing or a curse? Write your entry.

4. Describe a schoolmate you would nominate as “The Best Student of the Year.”

5. As the principal speaker at an inter-school debate, write your contribution for or against the motion: ”Money and possessions do not necessarily bring happiness.’

6. Write an article for publication in a national newspaper on the topic “The problems of street children and how to solve them.

NOVEMBER 1999

1. Your pen pal has written to inform you that he will like to pay you a one-week visit in your country. Write a reply stating the programme you have drawn up to cover the visit.

2. Your school is celebrating its speech and Prize Giving Day. As the school prefect, you have been asked to give a speech on the topic: The achievements of my school in the last academic year. Write your speech.

3. You were standing at a bus stop when two taxis collided. The drivers got out of their cars and after a heated argument, a fight ensued. Write a description of the incident.

4. As the principal speaker in a debate, write your contribution for or against the topic: The disabled can make a meaningful contribution to national development.

5. You have been asked to give a talk to a group of foreign tourists on the role of traditional healers in your area. Write out your speech.

NOVEMBER 2000

1. Write a letter to a friend in another school giving at least three reasons why you support the establishment of private Universities in the Country

2. You are totally opposed to corporal punishment in your school though your teachers administer it. Write a letter to the District Director of Education, suggesting at least three better ways of punishing students.

3. As the principal speaker at an inter-school debate, write your contribution for or against the motion: we do not need the extended family in a changing Ghanaian society.

4. Write a story entitled “The Haunted House”.

5. The national Commission on Culture (NCC) is organizing an essay competition on the topic, the installation of a chief in Ghanaian society. Write your entry, using your traditional area as a reference.

You are a speaker in a debate on the topic: Official visits abroad by a Head of state are beneficial to a country. Write out your speech for or against the motion.
Write a story ending…… It was not a pleasant experience.
The rate at which teenage girls are becoming pregnant is alarming. Write a letter to the editor of a national newspaper discussing at least three factors responsible for this problem and suggesting solutions.
Your school is celebrating its silver jubilee. As the current school prefect, write the speech you will deliver, outlining the achievements of your school, the problems you encounter as students and your hopes for the future.
You have returned to your hometown after a long absence. Describe at least three changes you have noticed and their effects on the lives of your people.

NOVEMBER 2001

Your elder brother living abroad has alleged that the youth in your area are unemployed because they are lazy. Write a letter to him giving at least three reasons why you disagree.
Write a speech to be delivered during the Minister of communication’s visit to your school, giving reasons why you need an FM radio station in your area.
As the out- going Dining Hall Prefect, write a report on your tenure of office.
The Ministry of Education is organizing an essay competition on the topic: “Music should be made a core subject in the senior secondary school”. Write your entry.
Describe in detail a memorable occasion during which an eminent personality in your town was honoured
There has been an upsurge in AIDS cases in your country recently. Write a letter to the Minister of Health discussing the issue and suggesting at least three ways by which the disease can be prevented.
You have accompanied your father on his transfer to a new town. Describe this new environment, stating what you like or dislike about it
Write a story that illustrates the saying “ Birds of the same feather flock together”
Some people argue that rapists should be executed. In an article suitable for publication in a national newspaper, express your opinion on this controversy.
Your school is organizing a debate on the motion: “The media have done the society more harm than good”. As a principal speaker, write your contribution for or against the motion.

NOVEMBER 2002

Write an article, suitable for publication in a national newspaper, on the topic: The changes I would like to see in my country.
Your sister is separated from her husband leaving you and her children with their father. Write a letter to her pleading that she should return, giving at least three reasons why she should.
Write a story to illustrate the saying, Experience is the best teacher
The Chief Executive of your district has failed to fulfill his/her promises to develop your town. As a delegate of your youth club, write out the speech you would deliver at a meeting of the District Assembly complaining about at least two of such unfulfilled promises, and stating the effects of the failure to do so.
You are speaker in a school debate on the topic: Our elders may no longer be active but they are still very useful to our society. Write your contribution for or against the motion.
Write a story beginning: It is great to be young”.
To commemorate your school’s 20 th Anniversary, you have been invited to contribute to a debate on the motion: Ghana should continue to borrow money for development. Write your speech for or against the motion.
The head of your school is going on retirement. Write out the speech you would deliver as the school prefect at the farewell party organized for him
The Ministry of Transport in your county is organizing an essay competition on the topic: the bicycle a very useful means of transport. Write your entry.
Write a letter to the chairman of the Board of Governors of your school describing an alarming situation in the school. Give at least three reasons why immediate action should be taken to put things right.

NOVEMBER 2003

Write a letter to a friend who lives in a neighboring country, explaining why you like or dislike certain advertisements on you local radio.
You spent your last holidays with a friend in another part of the country. Describe what you saw and experienced, stating the effects they have had on you.
Write an article for publication in a national newspaper, on the topic: Some of our customs and traditions must be maintained.
Write a story to illustrate the saying: “Once bitten, twice shy”
You are a speaker in a debate on the topic: Drivers should be blamed for the accidents on our roads. Write your speech for or against the motion.
As the school prefect, write a letter to the newly-appointed Headmaster congratulating him and stating at least three urgent needs of the school.
A foreign magazine is organizing an essay competition among secondary school students on the topic: The virtues of traditional foods. Write your entry.
As part of a campaign to increase the number of students in your school, your Headmaster has asked you as School prefect to convince a gathering of junior secondary school pupils in your district to choose your school. Write the speech you would deliver
You are a speaker in a school debate on the topic; in a developing country, it is more useful to study science than business.
Narrate a story, which illustrates the saying, “Look before you leap”

NOVEMBER 2004

In an article suitable for publication in a national newspaper, discuss why capital punishment should not be abolished in the country.
You are a speaker in a debate on the topic: Abstaining from sex is the best way to avoid HIV/AIDS. Write your speech for or against the motion
In a letter to a pen-friend abroad narrate an event that has had a far-reaching effect on your country.
Write a story to illustrate the proverb: Make hay while the sun shines.
You want to be elected School Prefect. Write the speech that will persuade the students to vote for you.

1. Write an article suitable for publication in a national newspaper advocating the use of a Ghanaian Language as the lingua franca of your country.

2. You have been invited by the police as an eyewitness to a brawl between two factions in a dispute. Write a report stating exactly what you saw.

3. As Senior Prefect of your school, write a speech to be delivered at a youth forum on the prevention of drug abuse among students.

4. You are the main speaker in an inter-school debate on the topic: Science is the greatest threat to life in the world. Write out your contribution for or against the motion.

5. The parent-teacher association of your school has decided to introduce a new school uniform. Write a letter to the Chairman giving at least three reasons why you disagree.

NOVEMBER 2005

1. You are a speaker in a debate on the topic: Discipline is the key to good academic performance. Write your speech for or against the motion.

2. The Ghana Tourist Board is organizing an essay competition on: The need to improve tourism in the country. Write your entry.

3. Write a story that illustrates the saying: All that glitters is not gold .

4. There has been an increase in motor accidents recently. Write to the Chairman of the National Road Safety Committee stating the causes and suggesting measures to prevent these accidents.

5. You are unhappy about the unsanitary conditions in your area. Write an article suitable for publication in a national newspaper, in which you explain the causes and suggest ways of improving sanitation.

NOVEMBER 2007

1. Insufficient student accommodation in tertiary institutions affects admissions each year. . Write an article for publication in a national newspaper discussing this problem and suggesting at least three ways of solving it.

2. You are a speaker in a debate on the topic: traditional rulers have no place in a modern democratic nation. Write your speech for or against the motion.

3. Your year group has been on an educational tour of one of the regions of the country. Describe to your friends your impressions of the tour.

4. There was a disagreement between your class and one of the teachers. As the class prefect, write a report to the head of your school on the incident.

5. Two of your brothers had a bitter quarrel just before you left home for the boarding school. Write a letter to your father pointing out where both were at fault and requesting him to intervene.

1. Write an article suitable for publication in an international magazine on the topic: The problems associated with environmental pollution and suggested solutions.

2. You are the principal speaker in a debate on the motion: the national health insurance policy can solve all the health problems of the country. Write your arguments for or against the motion.

3. In recent times there have been protests over poor conditions of service for workers. Write a letter to the minister of employment identifying three areas where you think the government should make efforts to bring more prosperity to workers.

4. Write a story ending with the statement: As you can see circumstances beyond my control compelled me to do such a thing.

5. You recently participated in a local festival. Write a letter to your pen pal describing three exciting experiences which you had during the festival.

Write a letter to the headmaster of your school suggesting what can be done to reduce the spate of indiscipline among the students of your school in response to a request by the school authorities.
Write a letter to your elder brother in Europe or America telling him about what you want to do after leaving school and why. You may also ask for his advice.
Write an account of an exciting trip you made to one of the principal towns in your country where you spent a week with your best friend and his or her family. Your piece should be suitable for publication in your school magazine.
The Students’ Union of your district is organizing a symposium on the need to plant trees. Write the speech you would give.
Describe what happened during and after a natural disaster that you have experienced or heard about, for publication in one of your local newspapers.

NOVEMBER 2009(A)

1. Write an article for publication in a cultural magazine on what traditional rulers should do to promote peaceful co-existence in their communities.

2. The members of the old students association of your school have expressed the desire to offer assistance to the school. As senior prefect, write a letter to its president identifying three areas where the school needs immediate help.

3. Write a story ending with the statement: We forgot the past and became friends once more.

4. The ministry of agriculture is organizing an essay competition on the topic: every senior high school must have a school farm. Write your entry.

5. You are the principal speaker in a debate on the motion: inter-school sports and games promote friendship and unity among students . Write your speech for or against the motion.

NOVEMBER 2009(B)

1. You are the principal speaker in a debate on the motion: living overseas has more advantages than living in your own country. Write your arguments for or against the motion.

2. Write an article for publication in a national newspaper discussing at least three measures which your community has taken to bring development to your area.

3. Write a letter to your friend who is coming to live in your area informing him about the advantages of living there and the risks he is likely to encounter.

4. The national commission for civic education hopes to make people aware of their responsibilities as good citizens of the country. Write a letter to the chairman expressing your views on what should be done to achieve this noble objective.

5. Write a story that ends with the expression: caught red-handed .

NOVEMBER 2010

1. As the sports prefect of your school, write a letter to the Chairman of your school’s board of Governors, giving at least three reasons why you think games and sports should be given more encouragement in schools.

2. Your friend intends to transfer to your school. Write a letter to him/her telling him/her about the facilities in your school which help students to achieve their goals.

3. You are the principal speaker in a debate on the motion: Advertisements are no longer useful . Write your arguments for or against the motion.

4. Various concerns have been raised about the security situation in your area. As a concerned citizen, write an article for publication in one of your national newspapers expressing your views on the matter

5. Write a story ending with the expression:

We regretted venturing into it.

NOVEMBER 2011

You took part in an excursion organized by the wildlife club of your school. Give a vivid account of your experience.
Your school will soon celebrate its speech and prize-giving day. As the senior prefect of the school, write the speech you will deliver on that occasion
There has been an outpouring of criticism against the Head of your school. You think that some of these criticisms are rather insulting. Write an article for publication in your school magazine expressing your views on the matter.
Write a story that ends with the following words: The man stood there for a long time, holding his jaw in his left hand.
Your friend is attending school in a different part of your country. Write a letter to him telling him about three things which have made your school famous

MAY/JUNE 2012

1 . Write an article for publication in a national newspaper on the topic:

Tourism can be of great benefit to the country and should be encourage by the government.

2. Writ e a letter to the minister of education, suggesting three waysofmakingpublic secondary schools in deprive communities more attractive to students.

3 . Write a letter to your friend in another school recounting the experiences you went through when you visited the city for the first time.

4 . Write a story that ends with the words:

That experience was one of the best things that ever happened to me.

5. The social Life Club of your school is organizing a symposium on the topic:

The role of the youth in a rapidly changing society. As a speaker, Write your speech.

NOVEMBER 2012

1 . Your uncle who has been living abroad for the past twenty years suddenly arrived home for Christmas. Write a letter to your friend, telling him/her how much your uncle’s visit made your Christmas enjoyable.

2. Write an article for publication in a national newspaper on the topic: The indiscipline of drivers on the road.

3. Write a story that illustrates the saying: One good turn deserves another.

4. You are the principal speaker in a debate on the motion: Tribal associations should not be allowed in public secondary schools . Write your speech for or against the motion.

5. As a youth leader in your community, write a letter to the Minister of Youth Affairs identifying, with reasons, three areas where you think the government should concentrate efforts to bring about rapid development to the country.

May/June 2013

1. Write an article for publication in a national newspaper on the topic: The menace of hawking on the street and how to deal with it.

2. As a senior prefect of your school, write the speech you would deliver to first-year students on how to manage their time.

3. Your sick grandmother has been admitted to hospital. Write a letter to your brother describing the state of her health when you visited her.

4. Write a story to illustrate the saying: The lazy man goes to bed hungry.

5. The Society for the Improvement of Living Conditions is organizing a debate on the motion: The rapid development of a country depends solely on politicians. Write your argument for or against the motion.

S.C./G.C.E. JUNE 1993

Write a letter to your headmaster or headmistress describing three unwholesome practices going on in the school, which the authorities are unaware of and show the dangers they may lead to.
You have just seen the name and address of somebody abroad who wants a pen pal from your country. Write your first letter to him or her, introducing yourself and family and discussing anything else you consider significant.
Describe to your friends a day in your life when everything went wrong.
As the outgoing senior prefect in your school, write a speech for delivery at your Speech and Prize-Giving Day Celebrations showing the successes and failures recorded during your term of office.
Write an article for publication in your school magazine discussing the view that extra or private classes should be abolished in your country

S.C./G.C.E. JUNE 1994

A committee has been set up to investigate a riot which occurred during a recent inter-schools sports competition. As the Sports Prefect of your school, write a letter to the Chairman of the Committee giving an account of what happened.
Write a letter to your friend in another town telling him about the preparations your school is making towards her forthcoming silver jubilee celebration.
The high rate of unemployment among school leavers poses a serious problem in your country. Write an article for publication in one of your national newspaper suggesting ways of remedying the situation.
As one of the main speakers in a debate, write your speech for or against the topic, “Scientific advancement is a curse to mankind”
On your way home from a film show you were attacked by thugs. Write a report for the police to help them in their investigations.
Write a story that illustrates the saying: “A bird in hand is worth two in the bush”

S.C./G.C.E. NOVEMBER 1995

Write a letter to your friend abroad describing a recent special family event.
Write a letter to the chairman of your District Council complaining about the lack of recreational facilities in your area and suggesting how the situation can be remedied.
Describe in detail a naming ceremony you recently attended for publication in a foreign newspaper.
Write a story which ends with the proverb, ‘A stitch in time saves nine’.
You are the principal speaker in a debate on the motion ‘The participation of Women is Essential for Nation – Building’. Write your contribution for or against the motion.
A peace-making committee has been set up to solve a conflict that has begun in a district of your country. Write your suggestions for consideration by the committee.

S.C./G.C.E. NOVEMBER 1996

Your cousin has just completed his course overseas and would like to return home to get a job. Write a letter to him or her describing the present state of employment opportunities.
Write a letter to the editor of one of your national newspapers, complaining about at least three problems caused by the recent increase in transport fares, and suggesting ways of solving these problems.
As part of your English composition lesson, your teacher took you to the market last week. Write an account of what you saw as classwork.
There is an inter-school debate on the motion, ‘The prefect should always be on the side of the school authorities’. As the main speaker of your school, write your contribution for or against the motion
Write a story entitled, ‘Look before you leap’.
A fire has destroyed the Health Centre of your locality. As the Chairman of the Youth Movement, you have called a meeting to rally members for communal labour at the site. Write your speech.

S.C./G.C.E. JUNE 1997

Your sister who has been abroad for five years is planning to come home. Write a letter to her describing three important changes that have taken place in the country.
A non-governmental organization is willing to help your district carry out a project. Write a letter to the head of the organization suggesting the project and stating at least three benefits your people will derive from it.
Write an article for publication in your school magazine on the need to improve discipline in the school
You are the main speaker in a debate on the topic, ‘Women can never be equal to men’. Write your speech for or against the motion.
Write a story beginning with: “Ayo was supposed to by my friend but”……..
Give an account of an incident that occurred on your way to school in which your timely intervention saved the situation.

S.C./G.C.E. JUNE 1998

Write a letter to the Editor of one of your local newspapers supporting or contradicting the view that school examinations should be abolished.
Your cousin who has been studying abroad is planning to come home for Christmas. Write a letter to him or her about the preparations the family is making towards the visit.
You are one of the speakers of your school in a debate on the motion: “Girls are to blame for teenage pregnancy in our country” Write your contribution either for or against the motion.
Write a story that ends with it was indeed my lucky day.
Write an article for publication in a local newspaper on recent changes that have taken place in the educational system of your country. State how these changes have affected you personally and your school in general.
The Environmental Club of your school has just ended a clean-up campaign in a nearby village. As president of the club, write the address you will give to the people on the need to keep their surroundings clean.

Bonus: CEGAST ACADEMY WASSCE MOCK EXAM QUESTIONS

Write a letter to the editor of a national newspaper explaining at least three reasons why you agree or disagree with the view that all citizens of your country living abroad should be allowed to vote in general elections.
Write a letter to your best friend in another school giving reasons why you think that it is necessary for every student to be computer literate.
You are the principal speaker in an inter-school debate on the motion: Only public school pupils should benefit from fee-free basic education”. Write your speech for or against the motion.
You have been invited by a voluntary society in your school to speak about the role the youth are expected to play in the economic and social development of your country. Write your speech.
Describe how you helped to rescue a man/woman who had been mistaken for an armed robber.
Write a story that illustrates the saying: “A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.”

IMPORTANT: More recent WAEC past essay questions will be added in due course. So keep coming back for more.

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11 thoughts on “150+ waec english essay past questions (pdf)”.

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You were standing at a bus stop when two taxis collided. The drivers got out of their cars and after a heated argument, a fight ensued. Write a description of the incident.

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