Letter Writing: Types: Informal for JSS 1

Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 4
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: Identifying nouns, verbs and adjectives in texts
Topic: Writing Informal And Formal Letters
Subject Matter: Types

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify types of letters.
• Differentiate between informal and formal letters.
• State the purpose of informal and formal letters.
• Outline the basic layout of an informal letter.
• Outline the basic layout of a formal letter.
• Identify suitable salutations and complimentary closes for both types.
• Identify appropriate vocabulary and tone for both types.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of clear communication in letter writing.
• Develop an interest in writing different types of letters correctly.

Psychomotor Domain

• Draft a simple informal letter.
• Draft a simple formal letter.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable English Studies textbook for JSS 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Audiobooks
• Interactive Videos
• Audio-visual materials
• Course books
• Various passage
• Examples of informal and formal letters (on chart, projector, or whiteboard)
• Writing materials (notebooks, pens)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because letter writing is a fundamental communication skill used in various aspects of life, both personal and official. Understanding the different types of letters and their appropriate formats helps students communicate effectively, clearly, and respectfully in different contexts. It also builds their confidence in written expression.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of sentence structure, paragraphing, and general written communication.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Writing Informal And Formal Letters

Types of Letters

There are two main types of letters:

1. Informal Letters: Also known as friendly letters, personal letters, or social letters.
2. Formal Letters: Also known as official letters, business letters, or professional letters.

Informal Letters

Purpose and Intended Recipient

Informal letters are written to friends, family members, or close acquaintances. Their purpose is usually personal communication, such as sharing news, expressing feelings, inviting someone, or thanking someone.

Layout of an Informal Letter

1. Writer’s Address and Date: Usually placed at the top right corner of the page.
2. Salutation: A friendly greeting to the recipient (e.g., Dear [Name], My Dearest [Name], Hi [Name]).
3. Body: The main message, organised into clear paragraphs. The language is conversational and personal.
4. Complimentary Close: A friendly closing phrase (e.g., Yours sincerely, Yours affectionately, Best regards, Love, Cheers).
5. Signature: The writer’s first name or a familiar nickname.

Tone and Language

The tone of an informal letter is casual, personal, and friendly. Contractions (e.g., I’m, don’t, you’ve) and slang can be used. The language is relaxed and reflects the close relationship between the writer and the recipient.

Formal Letters

Purpose and Intended Recipient

Formal letters are written to people in official capacities, institutions, or businesses. Their purpose is usually official communication, such as job applications, complaints, requests, inquiries, or official invitations.

Layout of a Formal Letter

1. Writer’s Address: Placed at the top right corner of the page.
2. Date: Written directly below the writer’s address.
3. Recipient’s Address: Placed on the left side of the page, below the date.
4. Salutation: A formal greeting (e.g., Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. [Surname], To Whom It May Concern).
5. Title/Subject: A clear, concise heading that states the main purpose of the letter (e.g., APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION, COMPLAINT ABOUT PRODUCT).
6. Body: The main message, organised into clear, concise paragraphs. Information is presented formally, directly, and objectively.
7. Complimentary Close: A formal closing phrase (e.g., Yours faithfully, Yours sincerely, Respectfully yours).
8. Signature: The writer’s full name, often followed by their designation or title.

Tone and Language

The tone of a formal letter is formal, respectful, and objective. It avoids contractions, slang, and overly emotional language. The vocabulary should be precise, polite, and professional.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Group Work, Individual Practice.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Engagement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks students how they communicate with people far away or with their school principal. The teacher then introduces the topic of letter writing and its different types.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond by mentioning various communication methods like phone calls, emails, and letters. They listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Modes of communication.

Step 2: Types of Letters

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Classification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that there are two main types of letters: informal and formal. The teacher further explains the general purpose and intended recipients for each type, providing simple examples.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and identify the two main types of letters. They suggest examples of people they would write informal or formal letters to.

Learning Point: Informal and formal letters.

Step 3: Informal Letter Layout

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Visualisation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays an example of an informal letter (on a chart or projector) and guides students through its layout, pointing out the writer’s address, date, salutation, body, complimentary close, and signature.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the example and identify the different parts of an informal letter as explained by the teacher.

Learning Point: Informal letter structure.

Step 4: Informal Letter Tone

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussion/Language Analysis

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the appropriate tone and language for informal letters, encouraging students to think about how they speak to friends and family. The teacher provides examples of suitable phrases.

Pupils’ Activity: Students participate in the discussion, suggesting words and phrases suitable for friendly communication.

Learning Point: Informal letter tone.

Step 5: Formal Letter Layout

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Comparison

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays an example of a formal letter and explains its distinct layout, including the writer’s address, date, recipient’s address, salutation, subject/title, body, complimentary close, and signature. The teacher highlights the differences from an informal letter.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the formal letter example, identify its parts, and note the differences in layout compared to an informal letter.

Learning Point: Formal letter structure.

Step 6: Formal Letter Tone

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Vocabulary Building

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the formal, respectful, and objective tone required for formal letters. The teacher provides examples of appropriate vocabulary and advises against using contractions or slang.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and identify suitable formal words and phrases. They understand the importance of a respectful tone in official communication.

Learning Point: Formal letter tone.

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. Mention the two main types of letters.
2. Who do we write an informal letter to?
3. State two differences between the layout of an informal and a formal letter.
4. What kind of language should you use in a formal letter?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Letter writing understanding.

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 the types, purpose, layout, and tone of informal and formal letters into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Board summary notes.

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly reminds students of the importance of knowing how to write both informal and formal letters correctly for effective communication in different situations.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and acknowledge the importance of the lesson.

Learning Point: Importance of letter writing.

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Complete the following tasks in your English notebook:

1. Write a short informal letter to your best friend, telling them about your holiday plans.
2. Write a short formal letter to your school principal, requesting permission to use the school library after school hours for a project.

Lesson Keywords

• Informal letter – A friendly letter written to family or friends.
• Formal letter – An official letter written to institutions or people in authority.
• Salutation – The greeting at the beginning of a letter.
• Complimentary close – The polite ending of a letter.
• Layout – The arrangement of parts in a letter.
• Tone – The general character or attitude of a piece of writing.
• Recipient – The person who receives the letter.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, provide templates with blanks to fill in for both informal and formal letters, focusing on the correct placement of each part. For faster learners, challenge them to write letters on more complex scenarios or to identify common errors in poorly written letters and correct them.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, search on YouTube for:

• JSS 1 informal and formal letter writing
• How to write a friendly letter for JSS
• Formal letter writing JSS students

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have clear, legible examples of both informal and formal letters ready to display. These visual aids are crucial for demonstrating the correct layouts. During the lesson, encourage active participation by asking students to identify parts of the letters and suggest appropriate language. Pay close attention to their understanding of the distinct purposes and tones. Guide students carefully during note-taking to ensure they capture the key differences and structures. For the practical writing activity, circulate around the classroom to provide individual feedback and correct common errors related to format, salutation, and complimentary close. Emphasise that for formal letters, precision and politeness are key, while informal letters allow for more personal expression.