Informal Letters and Emails - KS2 Text Types: Writing Planners and Model Texts

This pack contains a number of resources to support pupils when writing informal letters to a pen pal. The resources are based on two model texts with planning sheets to support pupils to write their own letters or emails.

The model texts could be used as part of a series of English lessons. In the final writing task, pupils can write their own informal letter or email, inspired by one of the idea cards included in this resource pack.

What is included in this informal letters KS2 resource?

• Model text 1 - Letter to a pen pal
• Model text 2 - Email to a friend
• Informal letter writing sheet - this contains success criteria as well as examples of informal vocabulary, question tags and contracted words
• Informal letter planning sheet - this worksheet allows pupils to note and organise ideas before writing.
• Informal letter idea cards - A set of PDF cards with a variety of suggested purposes for writing informal letters to inspire writing.
• Themed writing paper - the writing paper can be used for pupils to present their work.
• Teacher notes - guidance on how the resource could be used within the classroom

What is informal language?

Informal language is used in situations where you are more familiar with the person you are communicating with, for example a friend or family member.

National Curriculum English programme of study links

Year 3 / 4 Composition
Pupils should be taught to:

• plan their writing by discussing writing similar to that which they are planning to write in order to understand and learn from its structure, vocabulary and grammar
• plan their writing by discussing and recording ideas
• draft and write by composing and rehearsing sentences orally...

Year 5/6 Composition
Pupils should be taught to:

• plan their writing by noting and developing initial ideas...
• write and draft by selecting appropriate grammar and vocabulary, understanding how such choices can change and enhance meaning
• evaluate and edit by... distinguishing between the language of speech and writing and choosing the appropriate register

This resource is part of the WAGOLL: text types writing packs collection.
View more from this collection

• Model text 1 - Letter to a pen pal
• Model text 2 - Email to a friend
• Informal letter writing sheet
• Informal letter planning sheet
• Informal letter Idea cards
• Themed writing paper
• Teacher notes