Composition: Review of Types of Letters and Essays

JSS 2 Second Term Lesson Notes – Week 9

Lesson Details

• Subject: English Language
• Class: JSS 2
• Term: Second Term
• Week: 9
• Age: 11 – 13 years
• Topic: Review of Types of Letters and Essays
• Sub-topic: Identifying and Writing Different Types of Letters and Essays
• Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioural Objectives

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

1. Define and explain letters and essays.
2. Identify the different types of letters and essays.
3. Explain the structure and features of each type of letter and essay.
4. Write examples of different types of letters and essays.

Keywords

• Letter – A written message addressed to someone.
• Formal Letter – A letter written for official or professional purposes.
• Informal Letter – A personal letter written to family or friends.
• Essay – A piece of writing that discusses a topic in detail.
• Narrative Essay – A type of essay that tells a story.
• Expository Essay – An essay that explains or informs.
• Descriptive Essay – An essay that vividly describes a person, place, or thing.
• Argumentative Essay – An essay that presents arguments for or against a topic.

Set Induction (Entry Behaviour)

The teacher asks students:

• “Have you ever written a letter to a friend or an official?”
• “What was the purpose of the letter?”
• “What is the difference between a letter and an essay?”

This discussion will help introduce the topic.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Sample letters (formal and informal)
• Sample essays (narrative, expository, descriptive, and argumentative)
• Chart displaying the structure of letters and essays

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

Students have previously written letters and essays on various topics. This lesson serves as a review of their types, structures, and features.

Embedded Core Skills

• Writing skills
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking
• Logical sequencing of ideas

Lesson Content

Types of Letters

Letters are classified into two main types:

1. Formal Letters – These are official letters written for business, administrative, or academic purposes.

   • Examples:
     • Letter to the Local Government Chairman about bad roads
     • Application letter for a job
     • Letter to a school principal requesting permission

   Structure of a Formal Letter

   • Sender’s address
   • Date
   • Receiver’s address
   • Salutation (Dear Sir/Madam)
   • Title of the letter (optional)
   • Introduction (purpose of writing)
   • Body (details of the letter)
   • Conclusion (closing remarks)
   • Complimentary close (Yours faithfully)
   • Signature and full name

2. Informal Letters – These are personal letters written to friends, family, or close acquaintances.

   • Examples:
     • Letter to a friend about a school event
     • Letter to a cousin narrating a holiday experience

   Structure of an Informal Letter

   • Sender’s address
   • Date
   • Salutation (Dear [Name])
   • Introduction (greeting and purpose of writing)
   • Body (main details of the letter)
   • Conclusion (final thoughts and well wishes)
   • Complimentary close (Yours sincerely/Best regards)
   • Signature

Types of Essays

Essays are classified into four main types:

1. Narrative Essay – A story that describes an event or experience in chronological order.

   • Example: My Last Birthday

2. Descriptive Essay – Describes a person, place, or event in detail using sensory language.

   • Example: The Most Beautiful Place I Have Visited

3. Expository Essay – Explains or informs the reader about a subject.

   • Example: The Importance of Entrepreneurship

4. Argumentative Essay – Presents arguments for and against a topic to persuade the reader.

   • Example: Herbal Medicines are More Potent than Orthodox Medicines

Class Activity Discussion

10 FAQs with Answers

1. What is a formal letter?

   • A letter written for official or professional purposes.

2. What is an informal letter?

   • A personal letter written to friends or family.

3. What is an essay?

   • A piece of writing that discusses a topic in detail.

4. Name the four main types of essays.

   • Narrative, descriptive, expository, and argumentative.

5. What type of essay tells a story?

   • Narrative essay.

6. What type of essay describes a place or person?

   • Descriptive essay.

7. What type of essay explains a subject?

   • Expository essay.

8. What type of essay argues for or against a topic?

   • Argumentative essay.

9. What is the difference between a formal and informal letter?

   • A formal letter is for official purposes, while an informal letter is for personal communication.

10. Which type of essay would best fit the topic “The Effects of Social Media”?

• Expository essay.

Evaluation (Assessment Questions)

Fill in the blank with the correct option (a, b, c, or d):

1. A formal letter should begin with ___.
   a) A story
   b) The sender’s address
   c) A greeting like “Hello”
   d) A funny statement

2. What type of letter would you write to a friend?
   a) Formal letter
   b) Informal letter
   c) Business letter
   d) Application letter

3. Which type of essay tells a personal experience?
   a) Descriptive
   b) Argumentative
   c) Narrative
   d) Expository

4. What is an argumentative essay?
   a) A story about a past event
   b) A description of a place
   c) An essay that presents arguments on a topic
   d) A letter written to a friend

5. What is the main feature of a descriptive essay?
   a) Arguments and counterarguments
   b) Detailed sensory descriptions
   c) A list of rules
   d) A formal introduction

Conclusion

The teacher summarizes the lesson, emphasizing the importance of knowing the structure and purpose of different types of letters and essays. Students are given an assignment to write one formal letter and one expository essay.