Letter Writing: write informal and formal letters for JSS 1

Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 9
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 Interjections
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 purpose and intended recipient of informal and formal letters.
• Distinguish between the layout of informal and formal letters.
• Recall suitable salutations and complimentary closes for different letter types.
• Explain the importance of formal vocabulary and tone in official communication.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the need for clear and appropriate communication in writing.
• Value the process of drafting and editing for effective letter presentation.

Psychomotor Domain

• Draft an informal letter to a friend or family member.
• Write a simple formal letter, such as an application.
• Organise the body of a letter into clear paragraphs.
• Edit and present a written letter neatly.

Social Domain

• Communicate effectively in writing with different audiences.

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:

• Sample informal letters (e.g., to a friend, family member)
• Sample formal letters (e.g., application letter, letter of complaint)
• Whiteboard/Blackboard and markers/chalk
• Students’ notebooks and pens
• Audiobooks (for listening to letter examples)
• Interactive Videos (demonstrating letter writing)
• Selected passages (for comprehension related to letter content)
• Pictorial aids (showing different parts of a letter)
• Various passages (for analysis of tone)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important as it equips students with fundamental communication skills necessary for personal and official interactions. Mastering letter writing enables students to express themselves clearly and appropriately in various contexts, preparing them for future academic and professional demands. It also enhances their understanding of different writing styles and purposes.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of sentence construction, parts of speech, and paragraph development. They should also be familiar with common greetings and polite expressions in English.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Writing Informal And Formal Letters

What is a Letter?

A letter is a written message conveyed from one person to another, typically sent by mail or email. Letters serve various purposes, including sharing news, making requests, applying for positions, or expressing opinions.

Informal Letters (Friendly Letters)

Informal letters are personal letters written to people we know well, such as friends, family members, or close relatives. They are characterised by a relaxed and conversational tone.

Purpose and Recipients:

1. To share personal news or experiences.
2. To invite someone to an event.
3. To thank someone for a favour.
4. To express sympathy or congratulations.
5. Recipients are typically friends, family, or close acquaintances.

Layout of an Informal Letter:

1. Sender’s Address and Date: Usually written at the top right-hand corner.
2. Salutation: A friendly greeting, e.g., “Dear [Name],” “Hello [Name],”
3. Body: The main message, written in a friendly and conversational style, often across several paragraphs.
4. Complimentary Close: A friendly closing, e.g., “Yours truly,” “Best regards,” “Love,”
5. Signature: The sender’s name.

Tone and Language:

1. Casual and personal.
2. Use of contractions (e.g., “I’m,” “don’t”).
3. Informal vocabulary.
4. Can include slang or colloquialisms (if appropriate for the recipient).

Formal Letters (Official Letters)

Formal letters are official communications written for professional or official purposes. They are characterised by a respectful, objective, and precise tone.

Purpose and Intended Recipient:

1. To apply for a job or admission (application letter).
2. To make a complaint or request.
3. To inquire about information.
4. To address an official body or person (e.g., Principal, Manager, Editor).
5. Recipients are typically institutions, employers, officials, or individuals not personally known to the sender.

Correct Formal-Letter Layout:

1. Sender’s Address: Top right-hand corner.
2. Date: Below the sender’s address.
3. Recipient’s Address: Below the date, on the left-hand side.
4. Salutation: Formal greeting, e.g., “Dear Sir/Madam,” “Dear Mr./Ms. [Surname],”
5. Subject Heading: A concise phrase stating the letter’s purpose, e.g., “APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF…”
6. Body: The main message, organised into clear and concise paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on a specific point.
7. Complimentary Close: Formal closing, e.g., “Yours faithfully,” (if the recipient’s name is not known), “Yours sincerely,” (if the recipient’s name is known).
8. Signature: Sender’s full name and often their designation or contact information.

Organising the Body into Clear Paragraphs:

1. Introduction: State the purpose of the letter clearly and concisely.
2. Main Points: Develop each main point in a separate paragraph, providing necessary details and evidence.
3. Conclusion: Summarise the main points or state the desired action.

Formal Vocabulary and Tone:

1. Use precise and professional language.
2. Avoid contractions, slang, or colloquialisms.
3. Maintain a respectful, objective, and polite tone.
4. Be direct and to the point.

Drafting, Editing, and Final Presentation

The process of writing an effective letter involves several stages:

1. Drafting: Write a first version of the letter, focusing on getting all your ideas down.
2. Editing: Review your draft for clarity, coherence, grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Ensure the tone is appropriate.
3. Final Presentation: Write or type the corrected letter neatly. Ensure correct formatting and a clean appearance.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Pair Work, Individual Practice

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating prior knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks students if they have ever written a letter and to whom. The teacher then introduces the topic by explaining that letters are important for communication and come in different types.

Pupils’ Activity: Students share their experiences with letter writing and listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Introduction to letters

Step 2: Understanding Informal Letters

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what an informal letter is, its purpose, and typical recipients. The teacher then displays a sample informal letter (using pictorial aids or a written example) and points out its key parts: sender’s address, date, salutation, body, complimentary close, and signature.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, observe the sample letter, and ask questions for clarification.

Learning Point: Informal letter components

Step 3: Understanding Formal Letters

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Comparison

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what a formal letter is, its purpose (e.g., application), and typical recipients. The teacher displays a sample formal letter, highlighting its distinct parts: sender’s address, date, recipient’s address, formal salutation, subject heading, body, formal complimentary close, and full signature. The teacher also compares its layout and tone with an informal letter.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, compare the layouts, and note the differences in tone and purpose.

Learning Point: Formal letter structure

Step 4: Formal Letter Content and Tone

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on how to organise the body of a formal letter into clear paragraphs (introduction, main points, conclusion). The teacher also discusses the importance of using formal vocabulary and maintaining a respectful tone, using examples from selected passages or interactive videos.

Pupils’ Activity: Students participate in the discussion, identifying formal vocabulary and discussing appropriate tone.

Learning Point: Formal letter tone

Step 5: Guided Practice – Drafting

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Pair Work

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher gives students a scenario for writing a simple informal letter (e.g., inviting a friend to a party) or a simple formal letter (e.g., requesting permission from the Principal). Students work in pairs or small groups to draft the letter, focusing on the correct layout and content for the given type.

Pupils’ Activity: Students collaborate to draft a letter based on the given scenario.

Learning Point: Letter drafting practice

Step 6: Editing and Presentation

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Correction

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to review their drafted letters, checking for correct layout, grammar, spelling, and appropriate tone. The teacher emphasises the importance of neat presentation. Some students may be asked to read out parts of their drafts for peer review.

Pupils’ Activity: Students edit their drafts and prepare for final presentation, providing feedback to peers.

Learning Point: Editing and presentation

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 is the main difference between an informal and a formal letter?
2. Mention three parts of an informal letter.
3. What kind of salutation would you use for a formal letter to someone whose name you do not know?
4. Why is it important to organise the body of a formal letter into clear paragraphs?

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 informal and formal letters, their layouts, and purposes into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarises the main points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of knowing when and how to write informal and formal letters effectively for different purposes and audiences. The teacher encourages students to practice writing different types of letters.

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

Learning Point: Letter writing reinforced

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Complete the following tasks in your English notebook:

1. Write an informal letter to your best friend, telling them about your holiday plans.
2. Write a formal letter to your class teacher, requesting permission to miss school for a day due to a family event.
3. Underline all the formal vocabulary you used in your formal letter.

Lesson Keywords

• Informal Letter – A personal letter written to friends or family.
• Formal Letter – An official letter written for professional or official purposes.
• Salutation – The greeting used at the beginning of a letter.
• Complimentary Close – The polite ending before the signature in a letter.
• Layout – The arrangement of the parts of a letter.
• Drafting – The process of writing a first version of a letter.
• Editing – The process of correcting and improving a written letter.

Differentiation

For weaker learners: Provide partially completed letter templates for both informal and formal letters, allowing them to fill in the blanks. Offer sentence starters for the body paragraphs. Focus on identifying the key parts of a letter rather than drafting a full one initially.

For faster learners: Challenge them to write a formal letter of complaint or a letter to the editor on a current school issue. Encourage them to use a wider range of formal vocabulary and complex sentence structures. They can also act as peer tutors during the drafting and editing stages.

Suggested Lesson Videos

Search on YouTube for: “JSS 1 informal and formal letter writing lesson”

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have clear, legible examples of both informal and formal letters to display. These visual aids will greatly help students understand the structural differences. Begin by engaging students with their prior experiences of writing or receiving letters to build relevance. During the lesson development, explicitly compare and contrast the features of informal and formal letters, paying close attention to purpose, layout, and tone. Encourage active participation during the discussion on formal vocabulary. For guided practice, circulate among students, providing immediate feedback on their drafts. Emphasise the importance of the editing stage for clarity and correctness. Students should copy the Board Summary notes after the evaluation to ensure they have a correct record. Remind students that neatness and correct presentation are vital for all written communication.