Mastering Informal Letter Writing for JSS 3 Students

Lesson Plan Presentation: Composition – Informal Letter

Subject:

English Composition

Class:

JSS 3

Term:

First Term

Week:

Week 5

Age:

14-15 years

Topic:

Informal Letter Writing

Sub-topic:

Understanding and Writing Informal Letters

Duration:

40 minutes

Behavioural Objectives:

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

Define informal letters and their purpose.

Identify the structure and format of an informal letter.
Write an informal letter using appropriate greetings and closings.
Provide reasons for their requests or sentiments in their letters.

Keywords:

Informal letter, personal letter, format, greeting, closing.

Set Induction:

Begin with a question: “Who have you written a letter to recently, and what was it about?” Allow students to share their experiences and thoughts on letter writing.

Entry Behaviour:

Students should have a basic understanding of communication methods and the significance of writing.

Learning Resources and Materials:

Whiteboard and markers
Handouts with examples of informal letters
Sample letters for group analysis

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

Review the previous lesson on types of written communication. Discuss how letters differ from emails and texts.

Embedded Core Skills:

Communication: Expressing thoughts and ideas clearly in writing.
Organization: Structuring letters logically.

Learning Materials:

Handouts containing the format and examples of informal letters.
Worksheet for practice.

Reference Books:

Lagos State Scheme of Work for JSS 3 English Composition
English Composition textbooks for JSS students

Instructional Materials:

Sample informal letters
Flashcards highlighting key terms and components

Content:

What is Letter Writing?

Letter writing is a means of communicating information, feelings, ideas, or opinions to someone who is not present.

Types of Letter Writing:

Informal Letter: Written to friends or family.

Semi-formal Letter: Written to acquaintances or people of a higher status but with whom you have a friendly relationship.
Formal Letter: Written for official purposes.

Informal Letter:

Also known as a personal letter, this is written to close relatives, friends, or loved ones.

Format of Informal Letter:

Address of the Writer and Date:
- Must be on the top right corner.
- Example:
  
  yaml
  
  19, Tapa Street, Abule-Egba, Lagos. 24th May, 2024.
Greeting/Salutation:
- Use “Dear” followed by the first name of the recipient.
- Example: “Dear Tolu,” or “Dear John,”
Body of the Letter:
- This contains the main message. Include details and reasons relevant to your letter.
Complimentary Close:
- Use a friendly closing, such as “Yours sincerely,” followed by the writer’s first name.
- Example:
  
  Yours sincerely, Dupe.

Evaluation:

Task: Write a letter to your father asking him to send you some money. Give him three reasons for your request.

Informal Letter

What is a Letter?

A letter is a way of sharing information, feelings, ideas, or opinions with someone who is not close by. When you write a letter, it should include all the details about what you want to say. This helps the reader understand your message as if you were talking to them in person.

Types of Letters

There are three main types of letters:

Informal Letter: Written to friends and family.
Semi-formal Letter: Written to people you know but with some level of formality.
Formal Letter: Written for official purposes, such as to organizations or businesses.

What is an Informal Letter?

An informal letter is also known as a personal letter. You write informal letters to close friends and family members. These letters are friendly and casual.

Format of an Informal Letter

Here’s how to write an informal letter:

Address of the Writer and Date:
- This should be at the top right corner of the page.
- For example:
  - 36, Adebayo Street,
  - Abule-Egba,
  - Lagos.
  - 24th May, 2023.
Greeting/Salutation:
- Start the letter with “Dear” followed by the person’s first name.
- Examples:
  - Dear Tolu,
  - Dear John,
Body of the Letter:
- This is where you write the main message. You can share news, ask questions, or express your feelings.
Complimentary Close:
- Use a friendly closing like “Yours sincerely,” followed by your first name.
- Example:
  - Yours sincerely,
  - Dupe.

Example of an Informal Letter

Here’s an example of an informal letter:

36, Adebayo Street,
Abule-Egba,
Lagos.
24th May, 2023.

Dear Tolu,

How are you? I hope you are doing well. I wanted to tell you about my school. I really love it here because the teachers are very nice, the classes are interesting, and I have many friends.

I miss you and can’t wait to see you again.

Yours sincerely,
Dupe.

Evaluation

Write a Letter: Now, it’s your turn! Write a letter to your father asking him to send you some money. Make sure to give him three reasons why you need it.

Assignment

Write a Letter: For homework, write a letter to your friend who lives in another country. Tell them three reasons why you like your school.

Class Activity Discussion:

Assignment:

Write a letter to your friend living outside the country, telling them three reasons why you like your school.

Guided Questions:

What reasons would you include in your letter to your father?
How would you express your feelings in the letter to your friend?

Teacher’s Activities:

Explain the importance of informal letters in personal communication.
Provide examples and guide students through the format of an informal letter.
Facilitate group discussions about reasons they might write to family or friends.

Learners’ Activities:

Write an informal letter based on the given evaluation task.
Share their letters in pairs or small groups for feedback.
Complete the assignment on writing to a friend.

Assessment:

Evaluation Questions:

Define an informal letter.
What are the key components of an informal letter?

Write a short address for an informal letter.
Provide an example of a greeting in an informal letter.
Why is it important to express feelings in a personal letter?
What is a complimentary close, and why is it used?
Who is the typical recipient of an informal letter?
List two reasons you might write to a friend.
How can you make your letter more personal?
What do you think is the most important part of an informal letter?

Conclusion:

Review the key points of informal letter writing. Distribute handouts and allow students to ask questions. Go around to mark and provide feedback on their letters. Encourage creativity and expression in their writing