Answer to Question #307344 in English for Mthoga

Question

You would like to teach Grade 9 learners to write a letter to the press. Explain in detail how you will

take the learners through the writing process to teach them to write a good letter to the press. (50)

To answer this question, you must do the following:

• Refer to each phase, (stage or step) in the process approach to writing.

• Explain how you will take the Grade 9 learners through each of the phases, stages or steps

of the writing process when teaching them to write a good letter to the press.

Answer 1

Letter writing is an essential skill. Despite the prevalence of emails and text messages, everyone has to write letters at some point. Letters of complaint, job applications, thank you letters, letters requesting changes or making suggestions the list goes on and on. Encouraging children to write letters from an early age will improve their communication, social and handwriting skills, and teach them what they need to know about writing and structuring letters.

Ask the children to put their hands up if they have ever received a personal letter. Ask for one or more volunteers to talk about how they felt to receive the letter. Here are some initial questions that may help:

• What was in your mind as you read the letter?
• Did you keep the letter to read again?
• Did you share your letter with anyone?
• Did you write back?

And some questions for whole class or group discussions:

• Can the class describe any differences between the handwritten letter and an email?
• Do the children think there is ever a time when only a handwritten letter will do?

Ask the class to interview each other to find out each individual's experiences of writing and sending letters. This can be recorded in a chart.