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Subject: English
Semester: 1
Period: 3
Week: 14
School Name:
Teacher’s Name:
Subject: English Language
Grade Level: Grade 9
Date:
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Week & Period: Week 14, Period 3
Topic: Composition: Writing Inquiries and Requests
Sub-topic: Inquiry, Request, and Order Letters
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- Differentiate between inquiry, request, and order letters.
- Compose letters using the appropriate formal structure and tone.
- Apply correct grammar, punctuation, and formatting in letter writing.
Previous Knowledge
Students already know:
• Basic letter writing conventions
• Structure of business and application letters
Instructional Materials
• Textbook: English Language textbooks for Grade 9
• Teaching aids: Sample inquiry, request, and order letters
• Students' notebooks and writing materials
Lesson Development – ABC Model
A – Anticipation (Warm-up / Starter)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Activity: The teacher will ask the class:
• Have you ever needed to request information from a company or person? How did you do it?
• What are the differences between asking for information and making a request?
The teacher will record responses on the board.
Teacher’s Role: Guide brainstorming and clarify differences between inquiry and request letters.
Learner’s Role:
• Share personal experiences with making requests or inquiries.
• Participate verbally in discussion.
B – Building Knowledge (Main Lesson Body)
Time: 25–30 minutes
Teacher’s Role
- Introduce the three letter types with clear definitions and uses:
• Inquiry letters → written to obtain information (e.g., a student writing to a secondary school asking about admission requirements).
• Request letters → written to seek permission, assistance, or services (e.g., a community group asking the Ministry of Health to provide mosquito nets).
• Order letters → written to place orders for goods or services (e.g., a school ordering uniforms from a tailoring shop). - Explain the universal structure:
• Sender’s address + date
• Receiver’s address
• Formal salutation (“Dear Sir/Madam,”)
• Body (clear, polite, organized paragraphs)
• Closing (“Yours faithfully,” / “Sincerely,”)
• Signature + name - Emphasize tone: must be formal, polite, respectful, and precise.
- Model letters on the board/projector:
- Inquiry Letter Example (Liberia): Asking the University of Liberia about admission requirements for Grade 12 graduates.
- Request Letter Example (Liberia): Requesting permission from the Ministry of Youth & Sports to use the community field for an inter-school match.
- Order Letter Example (Liberia): Ordering 50 copies of English textbooks from a Monrovia bookstore.
Learners’ Activities (Expanded)
- Group Analysis: Students, in groups of 4–5, analyze the model letters. They label sections (salutation, body, closing, etc.) and discuss the tone.
- Guided Drafting:
• Individually, learners draft one inquiry letter (e.g., asking a government office about voter registration).
• In pairs, they draft one request letter (e.g., asking the principal to allow a debate competition).
• In small groups, they draft one order letter (e.g., ordering chalk, registers, and pens for the school). - Peer Review: Exchange drafts with another group/pair. Each group checks for:
• Correct structure (all essential parts included).
• Formal and polite tone.
• Grammar and spelling accuracy.
Assessment Checks
- Observation: Teacher moves around during group analysis to check if learners can identify structure correctly.
- Written Work: Collect one sample from each learner (inquiry letter) and one group draft (order letter) to evaluate:
• Clear subject matter.
• Proper format.
• Conciseness and politeness. - Oral Review Questions:
• “What makes an order letter different from a request letter?”
• “Why must inquiry letters be concise?”
• “What happens if you leave out the receiver’s address?”
Notes (Expanded & Detailed)
- Inquiry Letters:
• Must ask specific, clear questions.
• Example: “What are the requirements to transfer to Grade 10 at your school?” - Request Letters:
• Polite and persuasive, but never demanding.
• Example: “We kindly request your assistance in providing chairs for our graduation program.” - Order Letters:
• Include item names, quantities, price (if known), and delivery date.
• Example: “We would like to order 100 exercise books (80 pages each), to be delivered before October 15.”
Extra Practice / Homework Assignments
- Write an inquiry letter to a school in another county asking about boarding facilities.
- Write a request letter to the Liberia Electricity Corporation asking them to extend electricity to your community.
- Write an order letter to a stationery shop for 10 dozen pens and 20 mathematical sets.
C – Consolidation (Conclusion & Assessment)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Summary:
• The teacher will ask students to summarize the differences between inquiry, request, and order letters.
Evaluation Method (Expanded):
• Exit slip: Write one sentence explaining the type of letter they would use to get information versus making a request.
• Teacher will review for understanding and provide oral feedback.
Assignment (Expanded): Follow-up Activity:
• Write one full inquiry letter and one request letter (minimum 8–10 sentences each), ensuring proper format, tone, and clarity.
Differentiation / Inclusive Strategies
• Struggling Learners: Provide letter templates and sentence starters.
• Advanced Learners: Encourage including persuasive elements or polite negotiation in letters.
• Students with Disabilities: Offer printed examples, enlarged text, or assistive tools for drafting.
Teacher’s Reflection (After Class)
• What worked well? ______________________________________________________
• What needs improvement? _________________________________________________
• Students’ engagement level: □ High □ Medium □ Low