Letter Writing – JSS1 English Lesson Note (First Term)

Letter writing is the art of communicating by writing one’s requests, feelings, ideas, opinions and so on to someone, as if the person were physically present. There are three major types of letters: formal, informal and semi-formal. Each type is used for a different kind of reader and has its own features.

Behavioural objectives

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

• state what letter writing is;
• name the three major types of letters;
• say who each type of letter is written to;
• list the features of a formal letter, an informal letter and a semi-formal letter;
• use the correct salutation and complimentary close for each type.

What are the types of letter?

1. Formal letter
2. Informal letter
3. Semi-formal letter

What is a formal letter?

Another name for a formal letter is an official letter. It is a letter we write to people in their official positions.

Formal letters include applications for admission or employment, requests, official queries and replies to them, letters by students to the head of their schools, letters to the local government chairman, and letters to the commissioner or minister of Education.

Features of a formal letter

• Writer’s address: This is written at the top right corner of the page.
• Receiver’s address: This is written on the line following the date, on the left-hand side of the page.
• Salutation: This is the greeting that comes after the receiver’s address, for example:
  Dear Sir,
  Dear Madam,
• Heading, topic or title: This comes directly after the salutation, but not on the same line.
• Body of the letter: Here, go straight to what the question says you should do. There is no room for the exchange of pleasantries or personal matters.
• Subscript (complimentary close): For example:
  Yours faithfully,
  (Signature)
  Chioma Aloziem

What is an informal letter?

Informal letters are personal letters. We write them to people who are very familiar to us, such as our parents, relatives, friends, classmates and other people with whom we have close relationships.

Features of an informal letter

• Writer’s address: This is written at the top right corner of the page.
• Salutation: For example:
  Dear Peter,
  Dear Kemi,
  Dear Father,
• Body of the letter: This is the content of the letter.
• Subscript (complimentary close): For example:
  Yours sincerely,
  Audu
  or
  Yours affectionately,
  Peter

What is a semi-formal letter?

We write semi-formal letters to people who are not total strangers to us but are not close enough to deserve a personal letter. They include our teachers, distant aunties, uncles, family doctors and priests.

Features of a semi-formal letter

• Writer’s address: This is written at the top right corner of the page.
• Salutation: For example:
  Dear Mr Ninani,
  Dear Uncle Jude,
• Body of the letter: This is the content of the letter.
• Subscript: For example:
  Yours sincerely,
  Ibrahim Shethma

Evaluation

List the features of:

1. formal letters
2. informal letters
3. semi-formal letters

Assignment

Reading assignment: Letter writing.

Reference: College Essays for Basic 7, pages 81 to 83.