Bonfire Night Non Fiction - Lesson 5 - Formal and Informal Letters PowerPoint

In an English teaching resource focused on Bonfire Night, students are introduced to the differences between formal and informal letters. The lesson begins by setting the context: the Bonfire Night event was successful but has led to complaints from local residents about issues such as parking, noise, and litter. The task for the students is to write a formal letter to the local newspaper addressing the grievances of a particularly upset resident. This exercise provides a practical application of formal writing skills and requires students to not only acknowledge the problems but also propose resolutions in a respectful and structured manner.

The lesson continues with an exploration of formality in writing. Students are asked to differentiate between formal and informal language through examples, such as text messages versus job applications. They learn the importance of using Standard English and presenting their letters neatly without any spelling, punctuation, or grammar mistakes. The lesson also covers the layout of a formal letter, including the sender's and recipient's addresses, the date, salutation, body, and closing. To reinforce the concept, students are presented with a poorly written informal letter full of errors and slang, which they must critique to understand why such language and presentation are inappropriate for formal correspondence. This activity not only reinforces the rules of formal letter writing but also highlights the necessity of clear and error-free communication in formal contexts.