Continuous Writing: Semi Formal Letters – SS1 English Lesson Note (Second Term)

A semi-formal letter is a letter we write to people who are not strangers to us, such as our teacher, family doctor or priest. It is closer to an informal letter than to a formal letter. It has a writer’s address with the date, a salutation, an introduction, a body, a conclusion, a subscript and the writer’s full name.

Behavioural objectives

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

• explain what a semi-formal letter is;
• name the people to whom a semi-formal letter can be written;
• list the features of a semi-formal letter;
• write a semi-formal letter in the correct layout.

What are the features of a semi-formal letter?

1. Writer’s address with the date
2. Salutation, e.g. Dear Mr Eze, Dear Mrs Osho, Dear Dr John.
3. Introduction
4. Body of the letter
5. Conclusion
6. Subscript (usually Yours sincerely)
7. Writer’s full name

Note

A semi-formal letter does not require the writer’s signature.

Sample of a semi-formal letter

Evaluation

1. What is a semi-formal letter?
2. Give three examples of people to whom a semi-formal letter can be written.
3. List the features of a semi-formal letter.
4. Write two examples of a salutation in a semi-formal letter.
5. Which kind of letter is a semi-formal letter closer to, the formal or the informal letter?

Assignment

Write a semi-formal letter to your teacher. Use the features of a semi-formal letter listed in this lesson.