Basic 7 · English Language

Voice and Eye Contact, Conjunctions, Formal Letters and Facts versus Opinions

In this topic you will use voice modulation and eye contact to speak effectively, join words and clauses with conjunctions, write a formal letter using the right format and language, and distinguish facts, opinions, attitudes and bias in non-fiction texts.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

Use voice modulation, eye contact and body language when speaking to an audience
Use coordinating, subordinating and correlative conjunctions correctly
Write a formal letter using the appropriate format and formal language
Distinguish facts from opinions and identify attitudes and bias in a text

What you already know

Register and informal letters
Cohesive devices and features of non-literary texts

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Lesson 1

Strand: Oral Language
Sub-strand: Conversation and Everyday Discourse
Indicator: B7.1.1.1.5 – Use techniques such as voice modulation and eye contact for effective oral communication

Introduction

Two people can say the same words, but one keeps the audience listening while the other loses them. The difference is often in how they use their voice, eyes and body.

1. Voice Modulation

Voice modulation: Changing the pitch, pace, volume and tone of your voice to make speech clear and interesting.

Elements of voice

Element	Meaning	Tip
volume	how loud or soft	speak loudly enough for the back row to hear
pitch	how high or low	raise or lower it to show questions and feelings
pace	how fast or slow	slow down for important points
pause	a short silence	pause before and after key ideas
stress	emphasis on a word	"We must act NOW."
tone	the feeling in the voice	warm, serious, excited or sad

2. Eye Contact

Eye contact means looking at the members of your audience while speaking. It shows confidence, honesty and respect, and it keeps listeners engaged. Do not stare at one person or at the floor. Instead, look slowly around the room, resting your eyes on different people for a few seconds each.

3. Body Language

Good and poor body language

Good	Poor
standing upright and relaxed	slouching or leaning on the wall
natural hand gestures	hands in pockets or fidgeting
smiling when suitable	frowning or looking bored
facing the audience	turning your back to read notes

A student speaking confidently to an audience

Figure 1: Public speaking Write three tips for good eye contact.

4. Practising a Short Speech

Read this opening of a speech aloud, using modulation: "Good morning, teachers and fellow learners. (pause) Every day, thousands of plastic bags are thrown into our gutters. (slow down) Every rainy season, our streets flood. (louder) Today, I ask you: will you be part of the problem, or part of the solution?" Notice how pauses, pace and volume make the message powerful.

5. Overcoming Nervousness

Most speakers feel nervous. Prepare well, practise in front of a mirror or a friend, take a few deep breaths before starting and focus on your message, not on yourself. Remember that the audience wants you to succeed. With practice, confidence grows.

6. Speaking at Different Occasions

Different occasions need different styles. A welcome address at a speech day should be warm and formal. A debate speech should be confident and persuasive, with strong stress on key points. A vote of thanks should be short and sincere. A funeral tribute should be slow, calm and respectful. Matching your voice and body language to the occasion shows respect for the audience.

New words

voice modulation: Changing pitch, pace, volume and tone when speaking.
eye contact: Looking at the audience while speaking.
body language: Messages sent by posture, gestures and facial expressions.

Summary

Use volume, pitch, pace, pauses, stress and tone to make speech clear and interesting.
Good eye contact and body language show confidence and keep the audience engaged.

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. Speaking slowly for important points is an example of changing your…
- A. pace
- B. pitch
- C. posture
- D. volume
Show answer
Answer: paceSpeed of speech.
2. A speaker should look only at the floor.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseLook around the audience.
3. Changing the pitch, pace and volume of your voice is called voice ______.
Show answer
Answer: modulationVarying the voice.
4. Give two ways to overcome nervousness before a speech.
Show answer
Answer: Prepare and practise well; take deep breaths (or focus on the message).Any two.

Lesson 2

Strand: Grammar
Sub-strand: Conjunctions
Indicator: B7.3.1.1.6 – Use conjunctions appropriately in speaking and writing

Introduction

Conjunctions are joining words. They connect words, phrases and clauses so that our sentences show clearly how ideas are related.

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions join words, phrases or clauses of equal importance. The seven coordinating conjunctions can be remembered as FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

Coordinating conjunctions

Conjunction	Use	Example
for	reason	She stayed home, for she was sick.
and	addition	Kofi and Ama are friends.
nor	negative choice	He does not drink, nor does he smoke.
but	contrast	I called, but no one answered.
or	choice	Would you like tea or coffee?
yet	unexpected contrast	It was late, yet he kept working.
so	result	It rained, so the match was cancelled.

2. Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions join a dependent clause to a main clause. The dependent clause cannot stand alone. Common ones are because, although, when, while, if, unless, since, before, after and until. "Although it was raining, we went to school." "We will win if we train hard." When the dependent clause comes first, put a comma after it.

3. Correlative Conjunctions

Pairs of conjunctions

Pair	Example
either... or	You can either walk or take a taxi.
neither... nor	Neither Kofi nor Yaw was late.
both... and	Both the teacher and the learners clapped.
not only... but also	She is not only clever but also kind.
whether... or	I do not know whether he will come or not.

Metal chain links joined together

Figure 2: Joining ideas Write five sentences using different conjunctions.

4. Using Conjunctions Correctly

Do not use two conjunctions for one link: "Although it rained, but we played" is wrong; use either "Although it rained, we played" or "It rained, but we played." With "neither... nor" and "either... or", the verb agrees with the nearer subject: "Neither the boys nor the girl was late." Avoid starting too many sentences with "And" or "But" in formal writing.

5. Combining Sentences

Combine sentences with conjunctions

Combine: "Ama studied hard. She passed the examination." / "The road was bad. The bus arrived on time."

First pair shows result: Ama studied hard, so she passed the examination.
Or use a subordinating conjunction: Because Ama studied hard, she passed the examination.
Second pair shows unexpected contrast: The road was bad, yet the bus arrived on time.

Answer: Ama studied hard, so she passed. Although the road was bad, the bus arrived on time.

New words

conjunction: A word that joins words, phrases or clauses.
coordinating conjunction: A conjunction joining equal parts (FANBOYS).
subordinating conjunction: A conjunction joining a dependent clause to a main clause.

Summary

Coordinating (FANBOYS), subordinating and correlative conjunctions join ideas in different ways.
Use one conjunction per link, punctuate correctly and make verbs agree with "either... or" and "neither... nor".

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. Which is a coordinating conjunction?
- A. but
- B. because
- C. although
- D. unless
Show answer
Answer: butFANBOYS.
2. "Although it rained, but we played" is correct.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseUse only one conjunction.
3. ______ Kofi nor Yaw came to the party.
Show answer
Answer: NeitherCorrelative pair.
4. Join with "unless": "You will fail. You study hard."
Show answer
Answer: You will fail unless you study hard.Condition.

Lesson 3

Strand: Writing
Sub-strand: Formal Writing
Indicator: B7.4.2.2.2 – Compose formal writing on given topics using the appropriate format

Introduction

Formal letters are written to people in authority or to organisations: the headteacher, the District Chief Executive, a company or a newspaper editor. They must follow a strict format and use formal language.

1. Format of a Formal Letter

Parts of a formal letter

Part	Example
writer's address and date	top right: Asanteman JHS, P. O. Box 45, Kumasi. 15th October, 2025.
recipient's title and address	left, below the date: The Headteacher, Asanteman JHS, Kumasi.
salutation	Dear Sir, / Dear Madam,
heading (title)	REQUEST FOR A SCHOOL LIBRARY (underlined or in capitals)
introduction	state the purpose of the letter
body	give reasons and details in paragraphs
conclusion	sum up and make a polite request
subscription	Yours faithfully,
signature and full name	(signature) Ama Serwaa Boateng
position (if any)	Class Prefect, JHS 1A

2. Model Formal Letter

Asanteman JHS, P. O. Box 45, Kumasi. 15th October, 2025.

The Headteacher, Asanteman JHS, Kumasi.

Dear Sir,

REQUEST FOR A SCHOOL LIBRARY

I write on behalf of the learners of JHS 1A to request that a library be established in our school.

At present, we have no place to read or borrow books. Many of us cannot afford storybooks and reference books, so we depend only on our textbooks. A library would help us to improve our reading, prepare for examinations and develop a love for books.

We suggest that the empty room near the staff common room could be used. Our class is willing to clean and paint it, and some parents have promised to donate shelves and books.

We would be very grateful if you could consider our request. Thank you.

Yours faithfully, (signature) Ama Serwaa Boateng, Class Prefect, JHS 1A

Students reading in a school library with bookshelves

Figure 3: School library Write a heading for a formal letter on a school problem.

3. Formal Language

Use formal words and complete sentences. Avoid contractions ("do not" instead of "don't"), slang and emotional language. Be polite even when complaining: "I wish to draw your attention to..." rather than "You have failed to...". Keep paragraphs short and focused.

4. Formal and Informal Letters Compared

Differences

Feature	Formal letter	Informal letter
addresses	writer's and recipient's	writer's only
salutation	Dear Sir / Madam	Dear Kwesi
heading	yes	no
language	formal, no contractions	friendly, contractions allowed
subscription	Yours faithfully (or Yours sincerely if named)	Your loving friend
name	full name and signature	first name

New words

formal letter: A letter to a person in authority or an organisation.
recipient: The person who receives the letter.
heading: The title of a formal letter stating its subject.

Summary

A formal letter has two addresses, the date, a formal salutation, a heading, introduction, body, conclusion, "Yours faithfully" and full name.
Use formal, polite language without contractions or slang.

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. Which subscription is used in a formal letter beginning "Dear Sir"?
- A. Yours faithfully
- B. Your loving friend
- C. Bye
- D. See you
Show answer
Answer: Yours faithfullyFormal closing.
2. A formal letter includes the recipient's address.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueBelow the writer's address and date.
3. The title of a formal letter is called the ______.
Show answer
Answer: headingStates the subject.
4. Write a suitable opening sentence for a letter to the District Chief Executive about a bad road.
Show answer
Answer: I write to draw your attention to the poor state of the road leading to our school. (any suitable answer)Formal opening.

Lesson 4

Strand: Reading
Sub-strand: Comprehension
Indicator: B7.2.1.2.2 – Interpret non-fiction texts by identifying attitudes opinions biases and facts

Introduction

Newspapers, adverts and speeches mix facts with opinions. A careful reader can tell them apart and notice when a writer is being one-sided.

1. Facts and Opinions

Facts and opinions

Fact	Opinion
can be proved true or false	a belief or feeling that cannot be proved
"Accra is the capital of Ghana."	"Accra is the best city in Ghana."
"The match ended 2–1."	"It was a boring match."
uses numbers, dates, records	uses words like best, worst, should, I think, beautiful

2. Attitude

Attitude: The writer's feeling or point of view about a subject, shown through word choice.

A writer's attitude may be positive ("The new hospital is a wonderful gift to the community"), negative ("The so-called improvements have done nothing"), or neutral ("A new hospital was opened on Monday"). Look at the adjectives, adverbs and verbs a writer chooses.

3. Bias

Bias: Presenting only one side of an issue, or favouring one side unfairly.

Signs of bias include giving only positive or only negative information, using emotional words, leaving out important facts and quoting only people who agree. A fair (balanced) text presents more than one side and supports claims with evidence.

4. Reading Passage: Two Reports

Report A: "The Kumasi Youth Football Club yesterday opened its new training ground at Abuakwa. The ground, built at a cost of 500,000 cedis, has a grass pitch and changing rooms. About 200 people attended the ceremony."

Report B: "Finally, the magnificent new training ground of Ghana's greatest youth club has opened! Every true football lover agrees that this brilliant project will produce the stars of tomorrow. Only jealous critics complain about the cost."

Newspapers displayed at a newsstand

Figure 4: Newspapers Underline the facts and circle the opinions in Report B.

5. Comparing the Reports

Analysis

Feature	Report A	Report B
facts	date, place, cost, facilities, attendance	almost none
opinions	none	"magnificent", "greatest", "brilliant"
attitude	neutral	very positive
bias	balanced	biased; dismisses critics as "jealous"

Report A gives facts that can be checked. Report B uses emotional words and ignores real concerns about the cost. A careful reader trusts facts and evidence more than strong feelings.

6. Questions to Detect Bias

Who wrote this, and what might they gain?
Does the writer give evidence for their claims?
Are other points of view mentioned?
Are emotional or exaggerated words used?
Is any important information missing?

New words

fact: A statement that can be proved true or false.
opinion: A personal belief or feeling.
bias: Unfairly favouring one side.

Summary

Facts can be proved; opinions express beliefs and feelings.
Word choice shows the writer's attitude, and one-sided texts that ignore evidence are biased.

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. Which statement is a fact?
- A. Ghana gained independence in 1957.
- B. Ghana is the most beautiful country.
- C. Jollof is the best food.
- D. Football is boring.
Show answer
Answer: Ghana gained independence in 1957.Can be proved.
2. "It was a boring match" is an opinion.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueA feeling.
3. Unfairly favouring one side of an issue is called ______.
Show answer
Answer: biasOne-sided.
4. Give one opinion word from Report B and explain why it shows bias.
Show answer
Answer: "Greatest", because it praises the club without evidence. (or "brilliant", "magnificent", "jealous")Emotional word choice.

Homework

Write a formal letter of about 250 words to your Assembly Member about a problem in your community.
Find a newspaper article and list three facts and three opinions from it.