Letter Writing: identify types of letters for JSS 1

Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 7
Age: 12 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: English Studies
Curriculum Theme: Writing
Focal competence: Writing informal and formal letters
Skills:

• Writing letters

Previous Lesson: Parts of Speech: Meaning, Types and Uses of Conjunctions
Topic: Writing Informal And Formal Letters
Subject Matter: Application

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify the types of letters (formal and informal).
• State the purpose of formal and informal letters.
• Differentiate between formal and informal letters.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of choosing the correct letter type for different situations.

Psychomotor Domain

• Sort given letter examples into formal and informal categories.

Social Domain

• Participate in discussions about appropriate communication styles.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Macmillan English for Junior Secondary Schools 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Audiobooks
• Interactive Videos
• Selected passages (examples of formal and informal letters)
• Pictorial aids (showing people writing letters, different letter formats)
• Various passage excerpts from letters
• Whiteboard and markers

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important as it equips students with the foundational knowledge of identifying different letter types, which is crucial for effective written communication. Understanding the distinction between formal and informal letters helps students choose the appropriate tone and structure for various situations, thereby enhancing their communication skills in academic and social contexts.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of writing simple sentences and understanding the concept of communication.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Writing Informal And Formal Letters

Types of Letters

Letters are a common way to communicate in writing. They can be broadly categorised into two main types:

1. Informal Letters: These are personal letters written to friends, family members, or close acquaintances. They are usually casual and friendly in tone.
2. Formal Letters: These are official letters written for professional or official purposes. They are addressed to people in positions of authority, organisations, or for business matters. An application letter, for example, is a type of formal letter.

Characteristics of Informal Letters

Informal letters typically have the following features:

1. Purpose: To share personal news, invite, thank, or express personal feelings.
2. Recipient: Friends, family, or close relations.
3. Tone: Casual, friendly, personal, and relaxed.
4. Language: Everyday language, contractions (e.g., “I’m,” “don’t”), slang, and informal expressions are common.
5. Layout: Less strict, often includes only the writer’s address and date, a casual salutation, and a friendly close.
6. Content: Focuses on personal matters and conversations.

Characteristics of Formal Letters (e.g., Application Letter)

Formal letters, such as application letters, have specific features that distinguish them:

1. Purpose: To apply for a job, request information, make a complaint, give official notice, or conduct business.
2. Recipient: People in authority, organisations, companies, or official bodies.
3. Tone: Respectful, objective, serious, and polite. Avoids emotional language.
4. Language: Formal vocabulary, complete sentences, and grammatically correct English. Contractions and slang are avoided.
5. Layout: Follows a strict format including:
   1. Writer’s address and date.
   2. Recipient’s address.
   3. Formal salutation (e.g., “Dear Sir/Madam,” “Dear Mr. Smith,”).
   4. Clear subject line.
   5. Body organised into clear, concise paragraphs.
   6. Formal complimentary close (e.g., “Yours faithfully,” “Yours sincerely,”).
   7. Writer’s signature and full name.
6. Content: Focuses on the specific official matter, presenting facts clearly and concisely.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Guided Practice, Group Work, Observation

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating prior knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them how they communicate with people who are far away. The teacher then introduces the topic of letter writing as a form of written communication.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Communication methods overview

Step 2: Explanation of Letters

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that letters are written messages sent to someone, and that there are different types depending on who you are writing to and why. The teacher then introduces the two main types: informal and formal letters.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and ask questions for clarification.

Learning Point: Two main letter types

Step 3: Identifying Informal Letters

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Description/Examples

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher describes informal letters, providing examples of scenarios where they are used (e.g., writing to a friend, a cousin). The teacher highlights characteristics like casual tone and personal content, using a sample informal letter excerpt.

Pupils’ Activity: Students identify informal letter characteristics and discuss examples.

Learning Point: Informal letter characteristics

Step 4: Identifying Formal Letters

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Description/Examples

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher describes formal letters, explaining their official purpose (e.g., applying for something, making a complaint). The teacher uses an application letter as a key example, highlighting its serious tone and structured layout. The teacher shows a sample formal letter excerpt.

Pupils’ Activity: Students identify formal letter characteristics and discuss official uses.

Learning Point: Formal letter characteristics

Step 5: Guided Practice – Identifying Types

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents several short excerpts of letters (some formal, some informal) on the board or using pictorial aids and asks students to identify the type of letter for each excerpt, explaining their reasons.

Pupils’ Activity: Students identify letter types in pairs and provide justifications.

Learning Point: Differentiating letter types

Step 6: Application and Reinforcement

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Question and Answer

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks students to suggest situations where they would write an informal letter and situations where they would write a formal letter.

Pupils’ Activity: Students provide various scenarios for each letter type.

Learning Point: Appropriate letter usage

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What are the two main types of letters we discussed today?
2. Give an example of when you would write an informal letter.
3. Give an example of when you would write a formal letter.
4. What is one key difference between a formal and an informal letter?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Letter types identification

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on types and characteristics of letters into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson information

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarisation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the key points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of identifying the correct type of letter for effective communication. The teacher encourages students to pay attention to the context when writing letters.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and ask any final questions.

Learning Point: Lesson summary and reinforcement

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Read the following scenarios and state whether you would write a formal or an informal letter, and why:

1. Writing to your grandmother to wish her a happy birthday.
2. Applying for a scholarship to attend a new school.
3. Inviting your best friend to your birthday party.
4. Writing a letter to the principal of your school to request a day off.
5. Thanking a company for giving you an internship opportunity.

Lesson Keywords

• Informal Letter – A personal letter to friends or family.
• Formal Letter – An official letter for business or official purposes.
• Application Letter – A type of formal letter used to apply for something.
• Recipient – The person or organisation receiving the letter.
• Tone – The general character or attitude of a piece of writing.

Differentiation

Support for weaker learners: Provide simpler letter excerpts with clear indicators of formality or informality. Use flashcards with keywords and their definitions. Pair them with stronger learners for guided practice.

Extension for faster learners: Challenge them to write a short paragraph explaining why a specific letter excerpt is formal or informal, identifying at least two characteristics. Ask them to brainstorm more scenarios for each letter type.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, search on YouTube for: types of letters formal informal JSS1 English

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have prepared clear examples of both formal and informal letter excerpts, either written on the board, printed, or displayed using pictorial aids. During the introduction, engage students by asking about their personal experiences with written communication. Clearly explain the distinct purposes and characteristics of formal and informal letters, using the board summary as a guide. Encourage active participation during the guided practice by having students explain their reasoning for identifying letter types. Pay close attention to common errors, such as confusing the tone or purpose of the two types. Students should copy the Board Summary notes into their notebooks during the designated note-taking step. Conclude by reinforcing the main learning points and setting appropriate homework to consolidate their understanding.