Writing: Informal Letter Format and Features for JSS 3

Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 9
Age: 13 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: English Language Studies
Curriculum Theme: Writing
Previous Lesson: Reading: Summarising Main Points on Road Traffic and Safe Food Storage
Topic: Writing
Subject Matter: Informal letter writing using one address, salutation, body and closing

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Describe the format and features of an informal letter.
• Identify the correct address, date, salutation, body, and closing for an informal letter.
• Explain the appropriate tone, organisation, and language for an informal letter.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of clear communication in informal letters.
• Show interest in writing well-structured informal letters.

Psychomotor Domain

• Write a short informal letter applying the correct format and features.

Social Domain

• Engage in peer review of informal letters to identify areas for improvement.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2014 Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable English Language textbook for JSS 3
• FCT ERC/NAPPS Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Whiteboard or chalkboard
• Markers or chalk
• Sample informal letters (written or printed)
• Chart showing the format of an informal letter

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because informal letter writing is a fundamental communication skill used in everyday life to connect with friends and family. Mastering its format, tone, and language helps students express themselves clearly and appropriately in personal correspondence. It also builds a strong foundation for understanding other forms of writing.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of sentence construction, paragraph writing, and general letter writing concepts.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Writing

Informal Letter Format and Features

An informal letter is a personal letter written to friends, family members, or close acquaintances. It is usually written in a friendly and casual tone, without strict adherence to formal rules of language, although good grammar and clear expression are still important.

Format of an Informal Letter

An informal letter typically follows a simple structure:

1. Sender’s Address and Date: This is written at the top right-hand corner of the page. It includes the writer’s address and the date the letter is written.
2. Salutation/Greeting: This is the opening greeting, written on the left-hand side, below the address and date. It is usually personal and friendly, e.g., “Dear [Name of friend/family member],” or “My Dearest [Name],”
3. Body of the Letter: This is the main content of the letter, divided into paragraphs. It contains the message the writer wishes to convey. The tone is conversational and friendly.
4. Closing/Subscription: This is the polite ending of the letter, written on the right-hand side, below the body. Examples include “Yours affectionately,” “Your friend,” “Best regards,” “Love,” etc.
5. Signature: The writer’s first name or nickname follows the closing.

Example of Informal Letter Format

[Sender's Address]
No. 5, Adeola Street,
Garki, Abuja.
15th October, 2024.

Dear Tunde,

How are you doing? I hope this letter finds you well. I was so happy to receive your last letter...
...
...
I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours affectionately,
Chiamaka

Features of an Informal Letter

Informal letters have distinct features that differentiate them from formal letters:

1. Tone: The tone is personal, friendly, and conversational. It reflects the close relationship between the writer and the recipient.
2. Language: The language used is usually simple, direct, and casual. Contractions (e.g., “I’m,” “don’t”), slang, and colloquialisms may be used, depending on the closeness of the relationship.
3. Organisation: While there is a standard format, the organisation of ideas within the body can be more flexible. Paragraphs flow naturally from one idea to another.
4. Purpose: Informal letters are written for various personal reasons such as sharing news, asking about well-being, inviting someone, thanking someone, or simply maintaining contact.
5. Personal Details: They often contain personal anecdotes, feelings, and opinions.
6. No Recipient’s Address: Unlike formal letters, the recipient’s address is not usually included on the letter itself, only on the envelope.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Modelling, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Individual Practice

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 to a friend or family member. The teacher then asks what kind of information they usually include in such letters.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions, sharing their experiences with writing personal letters.

Learning Point: Introduction to informal letters

Step 2: Explanation of Informal Letter Concept

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what an informal letter is, its purpose, and to whom it is typically written. The teacher highlights that it is a personal and friendly form of communication.

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

Learning Point: Meaning of informal letter

Step 3: Detailing Informal Letter Format

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modelling/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays a chart showing the format of an informal letter or writes it on the board. The teacher explains each component: sender’s address and date, salutation, body, closing, and signature, pointing to their positions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the chart/board, listen to the explanation, and copy the format into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Informal letter format components

Step 4: Discussing Tone, Organisation, and Language

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussion/Elaboration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the appropriate tone (friendly, casual), organisation (natural flow of ideas), and language (simple, direct, personal) for an informal letter. The teacher provides examples of suitable phrases.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion, suggesting examples of friendly language and appropriate topics for informal letters.

Learning Point: Tone and language features

Step 5: Modelling Informal Letter Writing

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modelling/Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher models writing a short informal letter on the board, demonstrating how to apply the format, tone, and language discussed. The teacher thinks aloud, explaining choices made.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s modelling, noting the application of the rules.

Learning Point: Application of letter features

Step 6: Guided Practice – Planning and Writing

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher instructs students to plan a short informal letter to a friend or family member, outlining the main points they wish to convey. The teacher moves around to provide guidance.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils plan their informal letters, jotting down ideas and a simple outline.

Learning Point: Planning informal letters

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 main parts of an informal letter?
2. Where do you write the sender’s address and date in an informal letter?
3. What kind of tone is appropriate for an informal letter?
4. Give an example of a suitable salutation for an informal letter.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Informal letter understanding

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on Informal Letter Format and Features into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarises the key points of informal letter writing, reminding students of the importance of practice. The teacher encourages students to write informal letters regularly to improve their skills.

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

Learning Point: Reinforcement of informal letter writing

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Write an informal letter of about 100-120 words to a friend describing your favourite holiday experience. Pay attention to the correct format, tone, and language.

1. Include your address and the date.
2. Use a friendly salutation.
3. Organise your thoughts into clear paragraphs.
4. End with an appropriate closing and your first name.

Lesson Keywords

• Informal letter – A personal letter written to friends, family, or close acquaintances.
• Format – The arrangement or layout of a letter.
• Salutation – The greeting at the beginning of a letter (e.g., Dear Tunde).
• Body – The main content or message of the letter.
• Closing – The polite ending of a letter (e.g., Yours affectionately).
• Tone – The general character or attitude of a piece of writing.

Differentiation

For students who need support: Provide a partially completed informal letter template for them to fill in, focusing on the body content. Encourage them to work in pairs.
For advanced students: Challenge them to write an informal letter from a specific perspective (e.g., a letter from a Nigerian student studying abroad to their family) and to use more descriptive language and varied sentence structures.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, students can search YouTube for “Informal letter writing JSS 3” or “How to write an informal letter for junior secondary”.