### Lesson Plan for English Comprehension: Essay Writing (Informal Letters) - Letters to a Friend in Another Town
#### Target Audience: Senior Secondary 2 Students
#### Duration: 60 minutes
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#### Objective:
- Students will learn the structure and conventions of writing informal letters.
- Students will practice composing an informal letter to a friend in another town.
- Students will enhance their ability to communicate personal experiences and thoughts in a coherent and engaging manner.
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### Lesson Outline:
1. **Introduction (10 minutes)**
- **Greeting and Warm-up:**
- Greet the students and engage in a brief warm-up discussion about the importance of letter writing in today's digital age.
- Ask students if they have ever written or received a letter and what made it memorable.
2. **Lesson Presentation (20 minutes)**
- **Explain the Structure of an Informal Letter:**
- **Address:** Start with the sender’s address followed by the date.
- **Salutation:** "Dear [Friend's Name],"
- **Introduction:** Start with a friendly opening.
- **Body:**
- Paragraph 1: Introduction and purpose of the letter.
- Paragraph 2: Main content (share news, describe experiences, ask about the friend).
- Paragraph 3: Wrap up (invitations, future plans, concluding remarks).
- **Closing:** Use a friendly closing phrase such as "Best Wishes" or "With Love."
- **Signature:** Sign your name.
- **Discussion of Key Elements:**
- **Tone and Language:** Informal, conversational, and personal.
- **Content:** Sharing personal news, expressing emotions, and asking questions.
- **Example Letter:**
- Read an example of an informal letter to illustrate the points above.
3. **Activity - Writing Practice (20 minutes)**
- **Brainstorming:**
- Ask students to think of a friend in another town and what they would like to share with them.
- List topics (e.g., recent experiences, school events, family news, future plans).
- **Drafting:**
- Students will draft their own informal letter to a friend using the discussed structure.
- Encourage creativity and personal voice.
4. **Peer Review (5 minutes)**
- **Swap Letters:**
- Students swap letters with a partner.
- Provide simple guidelines for peer review (e.g., check for clear structure, engaging content, and friendly tone).
- **Feedback:**
- Students give and receive feedback from their peers.
5. **Class Sharing and Discussion (5 minutes)**
- **Volunteer Readings:**
- Ask a few volunteers to read their letters aloud.
- **Discussion:**
- Discuss what made the letters engaging and any improvements that could be made.
6. **Conclusion and Assignment (5 minutes)**
- **Recap:**
- Summarize the key points of writing an informal letter.
- **Assignment:**
- Ask students to polish their drafts based on peer feedback and submit a final version.
- Additionally, encourage them to write a real letter to a relative or friend and reflect on the experience.
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### Materials Needed:
- Example of an informal letter (printed or digital)
- Writing materials (notebooks, pens)
- Peer review checklist (optional)
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### Assessment:
- Participation in class activities.
- Quality and structure of the drafted letter.
- Ability to give and receive constructive feedback.
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### Reflection:
- Reflect on the lesson’s success and areas for improvement.
- Note any common challenges faced by students and plan for additional support or follow-up lessons as needed.