What are we Studying Now? Think about this… when most adults sit

down with pen and paper or behind a computer they churn out thank you

notes, invitations, complaints to companies, notes to friends – all forms

of …

Letter Writing

Learner Outcomes:Grade 7 Identify the characteristics of different types of text Revise and Edit

Grade 8 Identify and use structural features of texts encountered

in everyday life Revise and edit using electronic editing functions

Grade 9 P.A.T.

Part 1: The Friendly Letter

Audience: close friends or acquaintance who shares common experiences

Purpose: communicate ideas and entertain

Key elements: casual language and few specific details

Format: specific format despite being casual

Friendly Letter Planner

Who will receive your letter ________________ Why are you writing this letter _____________ What details will you include (at least 3 with

specific details to support)

Friendly Letter: The Format

Heading Right justified The address of the sender and the date After heading skip 2 lines

50 Hogan RoadSt. Albert AB T8N 1M8

November 30, 2009

Friendly Letter: The Format

SalutationLeft justified followed by a COMMA

After salutation skip 1 line

Dear Joe,

Friendly Letter: The Format

Body Paragraphs 2 – 3 separate paragraphs First paragraph Second and third paragraph includes both

general ideas and supporting details Indent when written, skip a line when typed Be polite and ask the reader questions as well After body paragraphs, skip 2 lines

Friendly Letter: The Format

Closing Casual Followed by a comma Right justified

Examples:

Sincerely,

Your truly,

Your friend,

Friendly Letter: The Format

Signature Right justified Make sure it’s legible

Sandra

Friendly Letter: Practice

Task One As a class we will be writing a letter following the format

provided This letter will describe the key things you would like

someone to know about our school and the people who go here (generally speaking – no names)

This letter will be similar to a “Message in a Bottle” where we do not know the specific person who will receive it.

Friendly Letter: Practice

Task Two Write a letter to someone in this class. You must first

plan out your letter using the worksheet provided and then write a good copy

The student who receives your letter must then edit it for:

Spelling, punctuation, grammar, letter format and entertainment value.

They will write you a letter back explaining their editing, things you did well and things you need to work on

Friendly Letter: Practice

Task Three

Write a letter to Santa

I will mail them and hopefully we will get a response before Christmas break

Friendly Letters: AssessmentFan Mail Plan and write a fan letter to your favorite

author 3 body paragraphs Follow the rubric given in class

Friendly Letter: Final AssessmentFinal Task

Choose one of the following to write: Fairy Godmother explaining why Cinderella

shouldn’t have to go to the ball and should be able to pursue her own dreams

Prince should consider dating one of the step-sisters instead