Features of an Informal Letter with Sample Model – JSS1 English Lesson Note (First Term)

An informal letter is a friendly, casual letter written to someone close to you, such as a family member or friend. It is never official or excessively polite. It asks about the person’s well-being and that of their family and friends, and it often recalls shared memories, secrets, humorous moments and dreams.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. State the tone of an informal letter.
2. Explain how an informal letter differs from a formal letter in tone.
3. List the main features of an informal letter.
4. Identify these features in a sample informal letter.

What are the features of an informal letter?

1. Casual tone. Informal letters are very friendly and casual in their tone. Their greatest distinction from a formal letter is this casualness of tone. Informal letters are never official or excessively polite, nor do they contain much terminology.
2. Questions about well-being. Informal letters always contain questions about the person’s well-being, as well as that of those around him, like his family and friends.
3. Shared experiences. Informal letters also rely a lot on memories, shared secrets, humorous moments of the past, and shared dreams or conversations.

What does a sample informal letter look like?

Below is an example of an informal letter, written by a son to his mother. This will help you understand the tone of an informal letter.

43, Princess Street,
Surulere,
Lagos.
27th Oct., 2017

Dear Ma,

How are you? How’s Dad? And Ben? Is Ben alright? Has he tripped and broken his leg yet again? I can just imagine poor clumsy Ben falling and crying his eyes out. The poor lad does need to be more careful in his wandering. Very soon he’ll turn ten and start calling himself a big boy!

I’m feeling quite excellent here. The academic requirements keep me so busy! I hardly have time to miss you. Though, sometimes, I do miss eating with you people very much. I can’t wait for vacations to begin! I’m going to gorge on all your dishes like there’s no tomorrow!

I’ve started to develop a keen interest in the English Language and I’ve been taking an introductory course in it this term. Who knows, I might even major in it! Hopefully, though, my interest in English shouldn’t wane, the way it did for Civic Education, remember, Ma?

I hope Dad’s doing well. And please don’t skip your meds, Ma. I miss you guys a lot and I cannot wait to see you.

Your loving son,
Samson

Evaluation

1. What is the greatest difference between an informal letter and a formal letter?
2. Why does an informal letter contain questions about the person’s well-being?
3. Name two things an informal letter often recalls from the past.
4. In the sample letter, which people does Samson ask about?
5. Pick one sentence from the sample letter that shows a casual tone.

Assignment

Write a short informal letter to a friend or relative. Ask about the person’s well-being and that of their family, and mention one shared memory or humorous moment.