Letter Writing: Writing Formal and Informal Letters for JSS 1

Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 6
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, Features, Types and Uses of Verbs
Topic: Writing Informal And Formal Letters
Subject Matter: Practical skill

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify types of letters (formal and informal).
• State the purpose of writing formal letters.
• Describe the correct layout of a formal letter.
• Differentiate between suitable salutations and complimentary closes for formal letters.
• Explain how to organise the body of a formal letter into paragraphs.
• Identify appropriate formal vocabulary and tone.
• Outline the steps for drafting, editing, and presenting a formal letter.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of clear and formal communication.
• Develop an interest in writing effective formal letters.

Psychomotor Domain

• Draft a simple formal letter following the correct layout.
• Edit a given letter for formal tone and clarity.
• Present a neatly written formal letter.

Social Domain

• Collaborate with peers in identifying letter components.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

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

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Whiteboard or blackboard
• Markers or chalk
• Sample formal and informal letters (printed or on charts)
• Pictorial aids showing different parts of a letter
• Interactive videos (if available) demonstrating letter writing

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson equips students with essential communication skills necessary for academic, professional, and personal life. Understanding how to write formal and informal letters enables students to convey messages appropriately in different contexts, fostering effective written communication and critical thinking.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of sentence construction, parts of speech, and the ability to express ideas in writing.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Writing Informal And Formal Letters

Types of Letters

Letters are written messages sent to communicate with others. They are generally categorised into two main types:

1. Informal Letters: These are personal letters written to friends, family members, or close acquaintances. They use a casual tone and language.
2. Formal Letters: These are official letters written for professional or official purposes. They follow a strict format and use formal language and tone.

Formal Letters

Purpose and Intended Recipient

Formal letters are written for specific official purposes and are addressed to individuals or organisations in a professional capacity. The intended recipients are usually:

1. Employers or potential employers (e.g., job applications).
2. School principals, teachers, or administrators (e.g., requests, complaints).
3. Government officials or agencies (e.g., inquiries, petitions).
4. Business organisations (e.g., orders, complaints, inquiries).
5. Editors of newspapers or magazines (e.g., letters to the editor).

Correct Formal Letter Layout

A formal letter follows a standard layout to ensure clarity and professionalism. The key parts include:

1. Sender’s Address: Your full address, usually at the top right corner.
2. Date: The date the letter is written, placed below the sender’s address.
3. Recipient’s Address: The full address of the person or organisation you are writing to, placed on the left margin below the date.
4. Salutation: A formal greeting, such as “Dear Sir/Madam,” or “Dear Mr./Ms. [Surname]”.
5. Subject/Heading: A brief, clear statement of the letter’s purpose, usually underlined or bolded.
6. Body of the Letter: The main message, organised into clear paragraphs.
7. Complimentary Close: A formal closing, such as “Yours faithfully,” or “Yours sincerely.”
8. Signature and Name: Your signature followed by your full name printed below it.

Suitable Salutation and Complimentary Close

The choice of salutation and complimentary close depends on whether the recipient’s name is known:

1. If the recipient’s name is UNKNOWN (e.g., “The Manager”), use:
   1. Salutation: Dear Sir/Madam,
   2. Complimentary Close: Yours faithfully,
2. If the recipient’s name is KNOWN (e.g., “Mr. Adebayo”), use:
   1. Salutation: Dear Mr. Adebayo,
   2. Complimentary Close: Yours sincerely,

Organising the Body into Clear Paragraphs

The body of a formal letter should be organised logically into distinct paragraphs:

1. Opening Paragraph: State the main purpose of the letter clearly and concisely.
2. Middle Paragraph(s): Provide detailed information, explanations, or supporting points. Each new idea should start a new paragraph.
3. Closing Paragraph: Summarise your request or main point and state any expected action or next steps.

Formal Vocabulary and Tone

Formal letters require precise and respectful language. Key aspects include:

1. Vocabulary: Use formal words and avoid slang, contractions (e.g., “don’t,” “can’t”), and colloquialisms.
2. Tone: Maintain a respectful, polite, and objective tone. Avoid emotional language, sarcasm, or overly casual expressions.
3. Sentence Structure: Use complete sentences and clear, concise expressions.

Drafting, Editing, and Final Presentation

To ensure a high-quality formal letter:

1. Drafting: Write a first version, focusing on getting your ideas down.
2. Editing: Review the draft for clarity, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and adherence to formal tone and layout. Check for any missing information.
3. Final Presentation: Ensure the letter is neatly written or typed, free from errors, and presented professionally.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

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

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating prior knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them if they have ever written a letter or received one. The teacher then introduces the topic: Writing Informal and Formal Letters.

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

Learning Point: Introduction to letters

Step 2: Types of Letters

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the two main types of letters: informal and formal, giving examples of when each is used. The teacher models identifying the type of letter from short examples (e.g., a letter to a friend vs. a letter to the principal).

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, ask questions, and identify types of letters from examples provided by the teacher.

Learning Point: Formal and informal letters

Step 3: Purpose and Layout of Formal Letters

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the purpose of formal letters and identifies common recipients. Using a sample formal letter (chart/printout), the teacher demonstrates and explains each part of the correct formal letter layout (sender’s address, date, recipient’s address, salutation, subject, body, complimentary close, signature, name).

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the sample letter, listen to the explanations, and ask questions about the layout and purpose.

Learning Point: Formal letter structure

Step 4: Salutation and Complimentary Close

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students through choosing appropriate salutations and complimentary closes based on whether the recipient’s name is known or unknown. The teacher provides scenarios for students to practice.

Pupils’ Activity: Students participate in guided practice, suggesting appropriate salutations and closes for given scenarios.

Learning Point: Correct formal greetings

Step 5: Organising the Body and Tone

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains 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, providing examples of formal vs. informal language.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, discuss, and identify examples of formal and informal language.

Learning Point: Formal body and tone

Step 6: Drafting and Editing

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Application/Group work

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides students into pairs or small groups and gives them a simple scenario to draft a short formal letter (e.g., requesting permission to use the school library). The teacher emphasizes the importance of drafting, editing for errors, and neat presentation.

Pupils’ Activity: Students work in groups to draft a short formal letter, focusing on layout, tone, and organisation. They also practice editing.

Learning Point: Letter drafting and editing

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?
2. Mention three purposes of writing a formal letter.
3. List five essential parts of a formal letter layout.
4. When do you use “Yours faithfully” as a complimentary close?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding letter writing

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 writing informal and formal letters into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarises the key points of the lesson, reminding students of the importance of writing clear and correct formal letters for various official purposes.

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

Learning Point: Summary of formal letter writing

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Write a formal letter to the Principal of your school requesting permission to start a new club (e.g., Reading Club, Science Club). Ensure you follow all the correct layout rules and use appropriate formal language.

1. Include your full address and the date.
2. Address the Principal correctly.
3. State the purpose of your letter clearly in the first paragraph.
4. Explain the benefits of the club in the middle paragraphs.
5. Conclude with a polite request for approval.
6. Use a suitable complimentary close and sign your name.

Lesson Keywords

• Formal letter – An official letter written for professional or official purposes.
• Informal letter – A personal letter written to friends, family, or close acquaintances.
• Salutation – The greeting at the beginning of a letter (e.g., Dear Sir/Madam).
• Complimentary close – The polite ending of a letter (e.g., Yours faithfully).
• Layout – The arrangement of the different parts of a letter.
• Tone – The attitude or feeling conveyed in writing.

Differentiation

For weaker learners: Provide partially completed formal letter templates for them to fill in. Offer simpler scenarios for practice and provide a list of formal vocabulary they can use. Pair them with stronger learners for group activities.
For faster learners: Challenge them to write a formal letter on a more complex topic or to a more specific official. Ask them to identify and correct errors in a poorly written formal letter, explaining their corrections.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, search on YouTube for:
JSS1 formal and informal letter writing nigeria

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have clear, legible samples of both formal and informal letters, preferably on charts or printed handouts, to serve as visual aids. Begin by engaging students with their prior experiences with letters to build a connection to the topic. Systematically go through the types of letters, then focus on each component of the formal letter layout, purpose, appropriate language, and tone. Model each step clearly, using the sample letters to point out features. During guided practice, circulate among groups to provide immediate feedback and correct errors. Emphasise that students should copy the Board Summary notes neatly after the main teaching points have been covered and understood. Encourage students to ask questions throughout the lesson to clarify any misconceptions. For the homework, remind students to pay close attention to the structure and formality.