letters
4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.
Lesson Overview
Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA
Learning Objectives
- Explain the key ideas of letters
- Apply letters to exam-style questions
- Develop independent study skills
- Build cross-topic connections
Prerequisites
- Read the revision notes for letters first (GCSE Revise summary)
- Key vocab to pre-teach: Two main types, Salutations, Sign-offs
- Basic skills: reading the summary notes and answering the practice questions there
Materials & Equipment
- Exercise book, coloured pens
- Ruler
- Printed revision notes (link below)
- Internet for videos (see Resources)
Lesson 1: Introduction: letters
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Quick Recall
Write down everything you already know about letters. Then check against the key terms: Two main types, Salutations, Sign-offs. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: Two main types, Salutations, Sign-offs.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: Two main types, Salutations, Sign-offs.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: letters. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of English Language because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: letters. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of English Language because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look
Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: When should you use "Yours faithfully" versus "Yours sincerely"?
Plenary (5 minutes)
Check Out
Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about letters.
Lesson 2: Core Concepts: letters
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Review Previous Lesson
Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on letters. Check them against the notes below.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Two main types: Formal letters (to officials, businesses, newspapers) and Informal letters (to friends and family). The exam usually requires formal letters.
Salutations: Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [Surname] - if you know the name Dear Sir/Madam - if you don't know the name To the Editor - for letters to newspapers
Sign-offs: "Yours sincerely" - if you used a name (Dear Mr Smith) "Yours faithfully" - if you used Dear Sir/Madam
Top Tip: In exams, you're almost always asked to write a formal letter. Avoid contractions and slang. Use sophisticated vocabulary appropriately.
Purpose: To express an opinion, agree/disagree with an article, or raise awareness about an issue.
Examiner's Tip: Get the format right straight away. Write your address, skip a line, write the date, then the recipient's address. This sets up your letter correctly and shows you understand the conventions.
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary | Sophisticated, precise | Everyday, casual |
| Contractions | Do not, cannot, it is | Don't, can't, it's |
| Sentences | Complex, varied | Shorter, simpler |
| Tone | Respectful, objective | Personal, emotional |
| Sign-off | Yours sincerely | Best wishes, Love from |
| Wrong sign-off | "Sincerely" with Sir/Madam is incorrect | Use "faithfully" with Sir/Madam |
| Using contractions | Too informal for formal letters | Write "do not" instead of "don't" |
| Forgetting addresses | Loses marks for format | Include sender and recipient addresses |
Practice (10 minutes)
Q: When should you use "Yours faithfully" versus "Yours sincerely"?
Answer: "Yours faithfully" with Dear Sir/Madam; "Yours sincerely" when using a specific name (Dear Mr Smith).
Plenary (5 minutes)
Explain Back
Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.
Lesson 3: Application: letters
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Quick Recall
Recall the key terms: Two main types, Salutations, Sign-offs. Define each in one sentence.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.
Q1: When should you use "Yours faithfully" versus "Yours sincerely"?
Answer: "Yours faithfully" with Dear Sir/Madam; "Yours sincerely" when using a specific name (Dear Mr Smith).
Q2: What is the correct order for a formal letter's components?
Answer: Sender's address, date, recipient's address, salutation, content, sign-off, signature.
Q3: Write the opening of a letter to your local council about litter in your area.
Answer: Your opening should include: sender's address, date, council's address, "Dear Sir/Madam", and a clear statement of purpose.
Q4: Why should you avoid contractions in formal letters?
Answer: Contractions are too informal for formal writing. Writing "do not" instead of "don't" maintains a professional, respectful tone.
Plenary (5 minutes)
Error Review
Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.
Lesson 4: Exam Practice: letters
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Command Words
Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).
Main Content (35 minutes)
Exam-Style Question
Attempt a past-paper style question on letters from the exam board past paper finder (see Resources), then mark it against the scheme.
Exam Tips: Always check if formal or informal is required | Set out addresses correctly - they're easy marks | Never use contractions in formal letters | Match your sign-off to your salutation | State your purpose clearly in the first paragraph | Use persuasive techniques appropriate to your purpose | Keep paragraphs focused - one main idea each
Common Errors: Watch Out! Students often use the wrong sign-off. Wrong: "Yours sincerely" after "Dear Sir/Madam" — this is an error that examiners always spot. Correct: "Yours faithfully" with Dear Sir/Madam; "Yours sincerely" with Dear Mr Smith / Dear Dr Jones — use "faithfully" when you don't know the name. Students often use contractions in formal letters. Wrong: "I can't accept this. It's not fair and I don't think you should've done it." Correct: Write contractions in full — "I cannot accept this. It is not fair, and I do not believe you should have done it." Formal letters demand full forms throughout. Students often omit addresses and date. Wrong: Starting immediately with "Dear Sir/Madam" and no ad
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
- Synoptic links: explain how letters connects to another English Language topic you have studied
- Real-world: research one real-world use or example of letters
- Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in letters?"
Plenary (5 minutes)
Assessment Criteria
- Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
- Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
- Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2
Homework & Consolidation
- Consolidation: Re-answer any Lesson 3 practice questions answered incorrectly (20 mins)
- Retrieval: Write flashcards for the key terms: Two main types, Salutations, Sign-offs (10 mins)
- Exam practice: One past-paper question on letters from the board websites (15 mins)
- Extension: Explain letters to someone else in your own words (10 mins)