Conceptualising letter-writing and understanding the letter form
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why people might use letter writing and understand how to structure a letter.
Key learning points
- We might use formal letters for professional matters relating to employment or complaints.
- We might use informal letters for emotional matters such as thank you notes.
- We might use letters because it shows a personal touch and a certain level of care and attention.
- Formal letters have a specific form.
- A formal letter should include your address, the date, the recipient’s address, a salutation and sign off.
Keywords
Recipient - a person who receives something
Salutation - a greeting in words or actions, or the words used at the beginning of a letter or speech
Sign off - conclude a letter, broadcast or other message
Formal - done in accordance with convention or etiquette; suitable for something official
Informal - having a relaxed, friendly or unofficial style, manner or nature
Common misconception
Some people might think that letter writing has no place in modern society.
While other forms of communication have overtaken letter writing in popularity, letter writing is still necessary for many professional purposes.
Teacher tip
You might draft the main body of the letter for Task B together if you feel that would be helpful for the class and then they can add in the rest of the structure to show their understanding of the form.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'A written, typed, or printed communication, sent in an envelope by post or messenger' is the definition of a ...
Q2.When applying for a job is traditional to include a __________ letter.
Q3.'Done in accordance with convention or etiquette; suitable for something official' is the definition of which word beginning with 'f'?
Q4.'Having a relaxed, friendly, or unofficial style, manner or nature' is the definition of which word beginning with 'i'?
Q5.Which of the following is a situation that might require a formal letter?
Q6.'A person who receives something' is the definition of which of the following?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In a formal letter, the recipient's address goes ...
Q2.In a formal letter, the date goes ...
Q3.'A greeting in words or actions, or the words used at the beginning of a letter or speech' is the definition of which word beginning with 's'?
Q4.Which of the following is a salutation that you might use in a formal letter if you know the name of the recipient?
Q5.'To conclude a letter, broadcast or other message' is the definition of which two-word phrase beginning with 's'?
Q6.Which sign off would you use in a formal letter where you used the name of the recipient?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Conceptualising letter-writing and understanding the letter form, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Conceptualising letter-writing and understanding the letter form, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Non-fiction: letter writing unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.