Comparison of Formal and Informal Letters Primary 5 (Basic 5) First Term Week 9 English Studies

COMPARISON OF FORMAL AND INFORMAL LETTERS PRIMARY 5 (BASIC 5) FIRST TERM WEEK 9 ENGLISH STUDIES

ENGLISH STUDIES

FIRST TERM

WEEK 9

PRIMARY 5 (BASIC 5) 

THEME – WRITING 

TOPIC – DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FORMAL AND INFORMAL LETTERS 

LEARNING AREA

1. Introduction

2. Formal and Informal Letters

3. Differences Between Formal and Informal

4. Test Questions and Answers

5. Summary

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

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

1. explain the meaning of formal and informal letters.

2. identify differences between formal and informal letters.

3. list the features of both types of letters.

4. write simple formal and informal letters.

5. use correct format in letter writing.

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

The pupils already know how to write simple letters. This lesson helps them understand the difference between formal and informal letters.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The teacher will teach the lesson with the aid of:

1. Sample formal letter

2. Sample informal letter

3. Whiteboard and marker/chalkboard and chalk

4. English textbook

5. Flashcards showing letter formats

6. Pupils’ notebooks

METHOD OF TEACHING

Choose a suitable and appropriate methods for the lessons.

Note – Irrespective of choosing methods of teaching, always introduce an activities that will arouse pupil’s interest or lead them to the lessons. 

REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of Work

2. 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum

3. Course Book

4. All Relevant Material

5. Online Information

CONTENT OF THE LESSON

INTRODUCTION

A letter is a written message sent from one person to another to share information, ask questions, or give instructions.

There are two main types of letters:

• Formal letters

• Informal letters

FORMAL LETTER

A formal letter is a letter written to people in authority or people we do not know personally.

Examples:

• Letter to headteacher

• Letter to local government chairman

• Letter to a company manager

Features of Formal Letter:

• Writer’s address

• Date

• Receiver’s address

• Salutation (Dear Sir/Madam)

• Formal language

• No slang

• Closing (Yours faithfully/sincerely)

INFORMAL LETTER

An informal letter is a letter written to friends, family, or people we know personally.

Examples:

• Letter to a friend

• Letter to a brother or sister

• Letter to parents

Features of Informal Letter:

• Writer’s address

• Date

• Salutation (Dear friend, Dear mother)

• Friendly language

• Use of contractions (don’t, can’t)

• Closing (Your loving friend, Yours sincerely)

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FORMAL AND INFORMAL LETTERS

• Formal letters are official, while informal letters are friendly.

• Formal letters use serious language, while informal letters use casual language.

• Formal letters are written to authorities, while informal letters are written to friends and family.

• Formal letters follow strict rules, while informal letters are flexible.

PRACTICE EXERCISE/ASSIGNMENT/TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

A. Answer the Questions

1. What is a letter?

2. What is a formal letter?

3. What is an informal letter?

4. Mention one example of a formal letter.

5. Mention one example of an informal letter.

B. Identify the Type of Letter

Write Formal or Informal

6. Letter to your your old neighbour ______

7. Letter to your friend ______

8. Letter to the local government chairman ______

9. Letter to your mother ______

10. Letter to a company manager ______

C. Fill in the Blanks

11. A formal letter is written to people in ______.

12. An informal letter is written to ______ and family.

13. Formal letters use ______ language.

14. Informal letters use ______ language.

15. A letter is a ______ message sent to someone.

D. Make Simple Sentences

16. formal letter

17. informal letter

18. headteacher

19. friend

20. communication

ANSWERS

A. Answer the Questions

1. A letter is a written message sent from one person to another.

2. A formal letter is a letter written to people in authority or people we do not know personally.

3. An informal letter is a letter written to friends and family.

4. Example of a formal letter: Letter to the headteacher.

5. Example of an informal letter: Letter to a friend.

B. Identify the Type of Letter

6. Informal

7. Informal

8. Formal

9. Informal

10. Formal

C. Fill in the Blanks

11. authority

12. friends

13. serious

14. friendly

15. written

D. Make Simple Sentences

16. I wrote a formal letter to my headteacher.

17. I sent an informal letter to my friend.

18. The headteacher is in charge of the school.

19. My friend lives in my area.

20. Communication helps people share ideas.

SUMMARY

Pupils learned the meaning of formal and informal letters, their differences, features, and how to identify and write them correctly.

PRESENTATION

To deliver the lesson, the teacher adopts the following steps:

1. The teacher introduces the lesson by asking pupils:

• Have you ever written a letter before?

• Who did you write to?

• Was it to a friend or to an important person?

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils respond and share their experiences.

2. The teacher explains the meaning of a letter as a written message sent from one person to another.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils listen attentively and participate in the discussion.

3. The teacher explains the two types of letters: formal and informal letters.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils listen and identify the two types of letters.

4. The teacher explains formal letters with examples.

Examples:

• Letter to headteacher

• Letter to local government chairman

• Letter to manager

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils identify situations where formal letters are used.

5. The teacher explains informal letters with examples.

Examples:

• Letter to a friend

• Letter to parents

• Letter to siblings

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils identify situations where informal letters are used.

6. The teacher presents the features of formal letters.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils identify parts such as address, date, salutation, and closing.

7. The teacher presents the features of informal letters.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils identify friendly language, greetings, and closing expressions.

8. The teacher compares formal and informal letters using a chart.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils observe and state differences between both types.

9. The teacher guides pupils to give examples of formal and informal letters.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils give oral examples.

10. The teacher summarizes the lesson by revising the differences between formal and informal letters.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils respond to questions and participate in the summary.

CONCLUSION

To conclude the lesson for the week, the teacher revises the entire lesson and links it to the following week’s lesson.

LESSON EVALUATION 

Teacher asks pupils,

1. what is a formal letter?

2. what is an informal letter?

3. mention two features of a formal letter.

4. mention two features of an informal letter.

5. who do we write informal letters to?