Writing Wishes and Messages – English Standard Four

1. Meaning of Writing Wishes and Messages

Writing wishes and messages means putting words on paper to communicate information, feelings, good wishes or requests to another person. A wish expresses something good that we hope will happen to someone. A message is a short piece of written information sent to another person.

2. Common Vocabulary

Word	Meaning in Kiswahili
Wish	Kutakia mtu jambo jema
Message	Ujumbe
Birthday	Siku ya kuzaliwa
Congratulations	Hongera
Thank you	Asante
Welcome	Karibu
Friend	Rafiki
Teacher	Mwalimu
Parents	Wazazi
Health	Afya
Success	Mafanikio
Receive	Kupokea
Write	Kuandika
Send	Kutuma

3. Types of Wishes

A. Birthday Wishes

We write birthday wishes to someone celebrating a birthday.

Example: Happy birthday, Amina! I wish you happiness and success.

B. Get Well Soon Wishes

We write these wishes to someone who is sick.

Example: Get well soon, John. I hope you feel better.

C. Congratulations Wishes

We write congratulations to someone who has achieved something good.

Example: Congratulations, Mary! You have passed your examination.

D. Thank You Messages

We write thank-you messages to show appreciation.

Example: Thank you, Teacher, for helping me with my studies.

4. Parts of a Written Message

A simple written message may contain the name of the person receiving it, the main information, and the name of the person writing it.

To: My friend, Juma
Message: I will visit you tomorrow. Please be at home.
From: Ali

5. Writing Messages to Different People

A. A Message to a Parent

Dear Mother,
I will be home after school. Please do not worry about me.
Your child,
Asha

B. A Message to a Teacher

Dear Teacher,
I was absent yesterday because I was sick. I am feeling better now.
Your pupil,
Peter

C. A Message to a Friend

Dear Rehema,
Please come to my house on Saturday. We shall do our homework together.
Your friend,
Neema

6. Steps for Writing a Good Message

1. Know the person you are writing to.
2. Decide what you want to communicate.
3. Use simple and clear sentences.
4. Use correct spelling and punctuation.
5. Write your name at the end when necessary.

7. Guided Writing Activities

Activity A: Complete the wishes.

1. Happy __________, Amina!
2. Get well __________, John.
3. __________ on passing your examination.
4. __________ you for helping me.

Activity B: Rearrange the words to make correct sentences.

1. birthday / Happy / you / to
2. soon / Get / well
3. Teacher / Thank / you

Activity C: Write a message. Imagine your friend is sick. Write a short message wishing him or her a quick recovery.

8. Assessment Questions

Choose the correct answer.

1. Which expression is used to wish someone on a birthday?
   A. Good night   B. Happy birthday   C. Goodbye   D. See you
2. Which expression shows appreciation?
   A. Thank you   B. Get well soon   C. Happy birthday   D. Good morning
3. What should we use when writing a message?
   A. Unclear sentences   B. Simple and clear sentences   C. Wrong spelling   D. No punctuation
4. Which message is suitable for a sick friend?
   A. Happy birthday!   B. Congratulations!   C. Get well soon!   D. Good luck in your examination!
5. What do we normally write at the end of a personal message?
   A. The writer’s name   B. The school timetable   C. A shopping list   D. A story title

9. Answers

Activity A: 1. Birthday 2. Soon 3. Congratulations 4. Thank

Activity B: 1. Happy birthday to you. 2. Get well soon. 3. Thank you, Teacher.

Assessment: 1. B 2. A 3. B 4. C 5. A

10. Support for Slow Learners

• A teacher to provide pupils with examples of short wishes and messages.
• A teacher to guide pupils in writing one sentence at a time.
• Pupils to practise completing simple messages using given words.
• Pupils to copy and read short messages before writing their own.

11. Learning Outcome

A pupil should be able to write simple and appropriate wishes and messages to parents, teachers and friends using correct vocabulary, spelling and punctuation.