How to Write a Formal Letter to the Local Government Chairman | JSS 3 Composition English Grammar JSS 3 First Term Lesson Notes Week 4

Lesson Plan: Formal Letter Writing – A Letter to the Local Government Chairman

Subject: English Language (Composition)
Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 4
Age: 13–15 years
Topic: Formal Letter Writing
Sub-topic: Writing a Letter to the Local Government Chairman on the Need to Tar the Road to Your School
Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioural Objectives:

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

1. Define and understand the structure of a formal letter.
2. Write a formal letter addressing the need for tarring the road to their school.
3. Use appropriate language, format, and tone in formal writing.

Keywords:

• Formal letter
• Local Government Chairman
• Road condition
• Tarring
• Hazards

Set Induction:

The teacher will ask students to share their experiences of travelling to school on bad roads. This will engage their attention and lead into the topic of the lesson.

Entry Behaviour:

Students are familiar with informal letters and basic sentence construction.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Printed examples of formal letters
• Whiteboard and markers
• Sample addresses and letter formats

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

The teacher will remind students of the differences between formal and informal writing, which they have learned in previous classes.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Writing skills
• Problem-solving
• Communication

Instructional Materials:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Formal letter templates

Content:

Formal Letter Writing
A formal letter is a written communication following a set format used for professional or official purposes. Below is a sample structure of a formal letter:

1. Sender’s Address: The address of the person writing the letter, positioned at the top right of the letter.
   • Example:
     Edu Delight Tutors
     Ikorodu Campus,
     Lagos State.
     25th August, 2020
2. Receiver’s Address: The address of the person receiving the letter, positioned on the left after the sender’s address.
   • Example:
     The Chairman,
     Apapa Local Government Area,
     Lagos,
     Lagos State.
3. Salutation: A formal greeting.
   • Example: Dear Mr. Chairman,
4. Subject: Briefly states the purpose of the letter.
   • Example: The Poor Condition of Roads in Our Area
5. Body of the Letter: The main content, divided into paragraphs. It includes the reason for writing, the issue at hand, and possible solutions.
   • First paragraph: State the purpose of writing.
   • Second paragraph: Explain the problem in detail.
   • Third paragraph: Suggest solutions and conclude.
6. Complimentary Close: A polite way to end the letter.
   • Example: Sincerely,
     Your name

Board Summary:

• Sender’s Address
• Receiver’s Address
• Salutation
• Subject
• Body (Introduction, Problem, Conclusion)
• Complimentary Close

Teacher’s Activities:

1. The teacher revises the difference between formal and informal letters, focusing on their format.
2. The teacher presents the sample letter:
   • Sender’s Address: Edu Delight Tutors, Ikorodu Campus, Lagos State.
   • Receiver’s Address: The Chairman, Apapa Local Government Area, Lagos State.
   • Salutation: Dear Mr. Chairman,
   • Subject: The Poor Condition of Roads in Our Area
   • Body:
     • Introduction: Explain the purpose of the letter.
     • Problem: Describe the poor condition of the road and its effects.
     • Conclusion: Request for the road to be tarred to ensure safety and ease of travel.
   • Complimentary Close: Sincerely, Your name
3. The teacher reads the letter aloud, explaining the format and language.

Learners’ Activities:

1. Students will draft their own formal letters following the structure given.
2. Students will exchange letters with their peers and review them for proper format and content.

Evaluation Questions:

1. What is a formal letter?
2. List the main parts of a formal letter.
3. How should the sender’s address be positioned in a formal letter?
4. What is the purpose of the subject line in a formal letter?
5. Why is the tone of a formal letter important?
6. Write a salutation for a formal letter.
7. Write an example of a complimentary close.
8. In the body of a formal letter, how many paragraphs should be used?
9. What is the significance of the introductory paragraph in a formal letter?
10. Why is it important to proofread a formal letter before sending?

Class Activity Discussion:

1. What makes a formal letter different from an informal letter?
2. Why do we need to be polite when writing to government officials?
3. How does the road condition near your school affect students and teachers?
4. What are some reasons why the local government should take action on poor roads?
5. What would you do if you don’t receive a response to your formal letter?
6. Why is it important to explain problems clearly in formal letters?
7. How can tarring the road improve safety for everyone?
8. What challenges might the local government face in addressing your request?
9. How can you follow up on your letter after sending it?
10. Why is the date important in a formal letter?
11. Can you use slang or informal language in a formal letter? Why or why not?
12. How can formal letter writing help students improve their communication skills?
13. What other situations might require you to write a formal letter?
14. How can students ensure their formal letters are taken seriously?
15. What should be done if the letter doesn’t follow the correct format?

Conclusion:

The teacher will go around the class, mark the students’ letters, and provide feedback on the format, language, and tone.