LETTER OF INQUIRY || Modals| Interrogative Sentences|| GRADE 8| MATATAG|| QUARTER 4|| WEEK 2

Summary

This lesson on formal letter writing focuses on letters of inquiry, teaching Grade 8 students how to structure and analyze such letters. Key topics include identifying parts of the letter (heading, recipient’s address, body, salutation, closing, and signature), understanding the use of modals for politeness (e.g., can, may, would), and applying interrogative sentences to ask clear questions. Students will also explore examples from a text about social issues, using modals and structured questions to enhance their writing skills and understanding of formal communication.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video teaches Grade 8 students how to write a formal letter of inquiry, focusing on its parts and structure.
• 😀 The lesson emphasizes understanding and using modals (can, could, may, etc.) in both polite requests and interrogative sentences.
• 😀 The lesson’s target competencies include analyzing the features of formal and informal correspondence and identifying their purpose.
• 😀 Students will learn to examine the clarity of the sender's purpose and meaning, especially through sentence structure.
• 😀 The letter of inquiry example discusses a social issue involving unreliable public utility service and requests clarification.
• 😀 Modals are used in formal writing to convey necessity, possibility, permission, and politeness in a precise manner.
• 😀 Students will be introduced to the play *Bones* by Sadru Kasam as a prerequisite to understanding related social issues in the letter of inquiry.
• 😀 The key parts of a formal letter of inquiry include the heading, recipient’s address, salutation, body, closing, and signature.
• 😀 The video explains the difference between interrogative sentences and other sentence types, focusing on how questions are structured in formal letters.
• 😀 The lesson helps students identify words in bold or underlined in the sample letter, which are mostly modals, to understand their function in context.
• 😀 Interrogative sentences in formal letters are politely embedded into longer sentences, often using past tense modals for politeness.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of today's lesson in English?

The primary focus of the lesson is on modals, sentence structure, and writing formal letters of inquiry. The lesson aims to help students understand how to express politeness and use interrogative sentences in formal writing.

What are the target learning competencies for this video lesson?

The target learning competencies include analyzing distinguishing features of informal and formal correspondences, examining the sender's voice for clarity, identifying the purpose in writing letters, and using modals to express politeness and interrogative sentences.

What text should students have read prior to this lesson?

Students should have read the play *Bones* by Sadru Kasam, as it deals with social issues and presents an opportunity to relate those issues to a formal letter of inquiry.

What is the structure of a formal letter of inquiry as discussed in the video?

The structure includes: Heading (sender's address and date), Recipient's Address (name, position, company), Salutation (polite greeting), Body (the purpose of the letter), Closing (formal ending), and Signature (full name of the sender).

What are modals and how are they used in formal writing?

Modals are auxiliary verbs like 'can,' 'could,' 'may,' 'might,' 'should,' 'would,' 'will,' and 'must.' They express various meanings such as possibility, necessity, permission, obligation, and ability. In formal writing, modals help convey politeness and precision.

Can you provide examples of modals used in formal writing?

Examples include: 'Should' for recommendation (e.g., 'Students should submit assignments on time'), 'Would' for polite requests (e.g., 'I would appreciate your response'), 'Could' for possibility (e.g., 'The changes could improve efficiency'), and 'May' for permission (e.g., 'Applicants may need to undergo a background check').

What is the importance of interrogative sentences in formal letters of inquiry?

Interrogative sentences are crucial in formal letters of inquiry because they allow the writer to politely request information or clarification. These sentences follow a specific structure and ensure the message is clear and respectful.

What are some examples of interrogative sentences from the sample letter?

Examples include: 'May I know why there are disruptions in electricity?' (HV + S + AV), 'Will it be possible to discuss the matter next week?' (HV + S + AV + complement), and 'Could the discussion be conducted virtually?' (HV + S + passive AV).

How are modals used in the sample letter to show politeness?

In the sample letter, modals such as 'May I know' and 'Would it be possible?' are used to ask questions politely. The use of 'May' and 'Would' adds a layer of respect and softness to the request, making it more formal and courteous.

What social issue is highlighted in the sample letter of inquiry?

The social issue addressed is the problem of unreliable public utility services, specifically frequent electricity disruptions despite increasing fees, which affects the community's daily life.