Here’s the problem with most essay writing lessons: they tell you the rules but never actually show you a full essay built from those rules. This guide is different. For every essay type formal letter, informal letter, narrative, descriptive, argumentative, article, and speech you’ll get a simple template you can reuse, followed by a complete worked example you can study line by line. Think of this page as a template library you return to before every exam or assignment, not just an article you read once.
In my experience teaching students preparing for WAEC, NECO, JAMB, NABTEB, and even university assignments, I have noticed that essay fear almost always comes from one thing: not knowing what a finished, correct essay actually looks like. Once you see the shape of a good essay clearly, writing your own becomes far less frightening. Let’s go type by type.
1. The Formal Letter
Many people believe formal letters only matter for exams, but that is not correct you’ll write formal letters throughout NYSC, university, and your career, from requesting a transcript to reporting an issue to your employer.
Template
- Sender’s address (top right)
- Date
- Receiver’s address (left side)
- Salutation: “Dear Sir/Madam” or “Dear Mr./Mrs. [Name]”
- Subject heading, underlined
- Paragraph 1: State your purpose clearly
- Paragraph 2: Give necessary details
- Paragraph 3: Politely request action or close the matter
- Complimentary close: “Yours faithfully” + signature
Worked Example
15 Uyo Street,
Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
10th July, 2026.The Principal,
Government Secondary School,
Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.Dear Sir,
REQUEST FOR AN EXTENSION OF PROJECT SUBMISSION DEADLINE
I am writing to formally request an extension for the submission of my final year project, originally due on 15th July, 2026.
Due to an unexpected family emergency last week, I was unable to complete the data collection stage on schedule. I have since resumed work and expect to complete the project within an additional two weeks.
I would be grateful if you could grant this short extension. I assure you of my commitment to submitting quality work within the new timeframe.
Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
2. The Informal Letter
One mistake I see almost every day is students using formal language in an informal letter, making it sound stiff and unnatural. An informal letter should read like a real conversation with someone you know.
Template
- Sender’s address only (no receiver’s address needed)
- Date
- Salutation: “Dear [Name],” or “Dear [Relationship, e.g., Aunty]”
- Opening: Friendly greeting or reference to their last message
- Body: Your news or purpose, in a relaxed tone
- Closing: Warm sign-off (“Yours sincerely,” or “With love,”)
Worked Example
23 Aka Road,
Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
10th July, 2026.Dear Ifiok,
I hope this letter meets you in good health. It has been a while since we last spoke, and I have missed our long conversations about school.
I am writing to let you know that I passed my NECO exams and will be resuming at the university in September. I still remember how you encouraged me during our WAEC preparation, and I want to say thank you properly.
Please greet your family for me, and let’s try to see each other before I travel.
Yours sincerely,
[Signature]
3. The Narrative Essay
Over the years, I have noticed that narrative essays lose marks mostly through tense mixing. Decide your tense in the very first sentence, and keep the whole story in that tense.
Template
- Opening: Set the scene (where, when, who)
- Rising action: Build up events leading to the main moment
- Climax: The main turning point of the story
- Resolution: How the story ends and what was learned
Worked Example (Excerpt)
The Day I Almost Missed My JAMB Exam
It was a Saturday morning, and the sky was still dark when I woke up with a start. My phone showed 6:45 a.m., and my JAMB exam was scheduled for 8:00 a.m. at a centre I had never visited before. Panic rushed through me as I remembered how far the centre was from home…
[Story continues, building through the journey, a near-miss with transportation, and finally arriving just before the gate closed, ending with a reflection on the importance of preparing ahead of time.]
4. The Descriptive Essay
From classroom experience, descriptive essays reward specific sensory detail sight, sound, smell far more than general statements like “it was beautiful.”
Template
- Introduction: Introduce the subject and overall impression
- Body Paragraph 1: Visual details
- Body Paragraph 2: Sounds, smells, or atmosphere
- Body Paragraph 3: People or activity involved
- Conclusion: Overall feeling or final impression
Worked Example (Excerpt)
My Local Market on a Saturday Morning
Long before the sun fully rises, Itam Market is already alive with noise and colour. Traders arrange baskets of bright red tomatoes and green vegetables in neat pyramids, while the smell of fried akara drifts from a corner stall…
[Description continues, covering sounds of haggling voices, the movement of buyers, and closes with a reflection on the market’s energy and community feeling.]
5. The Argumentative (Discursive) Essay
Many people believe argumentative essays only need your opinion, but that is not correct — they need your opinion supported by clear reasons and, where possible, a brief acknowledgment of the opposing view.
Template
- Introduction: State the topic and your position
- Body Paragraph 1: First reason with an example
- Body Paragraph 2: Second reason with an example
- Body Paragraph 3 (optional): Acknowledge the opposing view briefly, then respond to it
- Conclusion: Restate your position and summarise briefly
Worked Example (Excerpt)
Should University Education Be Made Free in Nigeria?
University education should be made free in Nigeria, as this would significantly reduce the number of talented students unable to further their studies due to financial constraints…
[Essay continues with two supporting reasons access for low-income families and long-term national development briefly acknowledges the cost concern, and concludes by restating support for free education with conditions for sustainable funding.]
6. The Article
This mistake is extremely common in Nigeria: students confuse articles with essays and forget the catchy title and personal, engaging tone that magazine or newspaper articles need.
Template
- A short, catchy title
- Introduction: Hook the reader with a question or bold statement
- Body: Develop the issue with examples and, where relevant, your opinion
- Conclusion: A recommendation or call to action
Worked Example (Excerpt)
Why Nigerian Youths Must Take Skill Acquisition Seriously
Can a university degree alone guarantee a job in today’s Nigeria? For many graduates, the honest answer is no…
[Article continues, discussing the value of vocational skills alongside formal education, using NABTEB and apprenticeship examples, and concludes urging youths to combine both paths.]
7. The Speech
I have explained this to hundreds of students: a speech is written to be spoken aloud, so it needs a greeting to the audience and an appreciation at the end features essays don’t need.
Template
- Greeting: “Good morning esteemed guests, fellow students…”
- Introduction: State the topic and why it matters
- Body: Main points, ideally three, each clearly explained
- Conclusion: Summary and a strong closing statement
- Appreciation: “Thank you for listening.”
Worked Example (Excerpt)
A Speech on the Importance of Reading
Good morning esteemed teachers and fellow students. Today, I want to speak to you about something simple, yet powerful the habit of reading…
[Speech continues with three main points on reading’s benefits for exams, vocabulary, and career success, closing with an encouraging call to build a daily reading habit.]
Thank you for listening.
Common Mistakes Across All Essay Types
| Mistake | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong format for the essay type | Rushing without identifying the type first | Spend one minute confirming the type before writing |
| No paragraphing | Writing everything as one long block | Start a new paragraph for each new idea |
| Weak conclusions | Running out of time or ideas | Plan your conclusion point before writing the body |
| Repetitive vocabulary | Limited word range under pressure | Build a small synonym bank while studying |
A Simple Essay Practice Plan
My advice is simple: don’t try to master all seven essay types in one week. Practise one type per week, using the template above, then compare your own attempt against the worked example here to see what’s missing.
For exam-specific essay expectations, see our guides for WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB English Language. For grammar support while writing, our Ultimate English Skills Guide covers the rules behind these templates in more depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which essay type is most commonly tested in Nigerian exams?
Formal letters and narrative essays appear most frequently across WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB, though argumentative essays and articles also appear regularly.
How long should an exam essay be?
There’s no fixed word count requirement, but aim for enough paragraphs to fully develop your points usually four to six well-organised paragraphs is sufficient for most exam essays.
Can I use the same template for university assignments?
The formal letter and argumentative essay templates transfer well to university writing, though academic assignments often require more detailed referencing and analysis.
What’s the fastest way to improve my essay writing?
Write one full essay weekly using these templates, get it marked by someone else, and focus your next attempt on correcting the same one or two recurring mistakes.
Conclusion: You Now Have a Reusable Essay Toolkit
You now have a template and a worked example for every major essay type tested in Nigerian schools and exams. This is not something to read once practise this every day, even one paragraph at a time, and return to this page whenever you need to refresh a specific essay format.
This mistake is easier to fix than you think, and with regular practice, you will improve steadily and confidently. Bookmark this page, share it with a classmate who fears essay writing, and continue learning with our Ultimate English Exam Preparation Guide, our English for Jobs and Career Guide, or explore more lessons on our homepage.
Reference: British Council- LeranEnglish
Written by Tr. Edidiong Sunday
About Author
Edidiong Sunday is an English educator, communication specialist, and the founder of ExamGuideNG. She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication and a B.Ed. in English Education from the University of Uyo, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in English Education. With years of experience teaching English Language, Diction, and Public Speaking in reputable schools in Uyo, she creates practical, accurate, and learner-focused content to help students, job seekers, and professionals improve their English skills. Edidiong also runs a JAMB English tutorial centre in Uyo and has professional experience in journalism, broadcasting, and public speaking. Every article she publishes is guided by a commitment to clarity, accuracy, and helping learners achieve lasting success in academics, examinations, and everyday communication.