Formal VS Informal Messages

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EngelsMiddelbare schoolvmbo gLeerjaar 4

This lesson contains 38 slides, with interactive quizzes and text slides.

time-iconLesson duration is: 30 min

Items in this lesson

Slide 1 - Slide

Frequent mistakes
Capital Letters:

When you talk about "ik", "i" is wrong, it is always “I” 

Days of the week, months : Monday, Tuesday, August, October

Slide 2 - Slide

Slide 3 - Slide

Informal Writing 
Slang (dialect, streektaal)
Expressions (uitdrukkingen)
Personal tone (persoonlijk)
Simple language
, short sentences (simpel en kort)
Informal style (informele opbouw en stijl)
Contractions  are allowed
(You're, it's) (afkortingen toegestaan)
Expressing feelings (uitdrukken van jouw gevoelens en emoties)

Slide 4 - Slide

Informal Writing 


Informal writing consists of short sentences and is used in more personal settings, such as writing a letter to a friend or writing a diary entry. It is much more relaxed than formal writing.

 

Slide 5 - Slide

Formal Writing
Complex (ingewikkelder)
Longer sentences (langere zinnen)
Explain your points (uitleg, argumenten)

Formal style (formeel taalgebruik, netter)
No contractions (such as you're) (geen afkortingen)
No expressions or slang (geen uitdrukkingen of dialect)

No or hardly any emotions/feelings (niet te persoonlijk)
Diverse vocabulary usage (diverser taalgebruik)

Slide 6 - Slide

Formal Writing
Formal writing is written for an audience you do not know on a personal level. It is often the main style in academic writing (unless otherwise noted) and is more complex than informal writing. Formal writing is serious.

Slide 7 - Slide

Most importantly...
- Reread your essay! 
- Check your grammar!
- Check your spelling!
- Add some linking words / nicer vocabulary!

I often see too many mistakes that you could have seen yourself, because people want to quickly hand it in and leave. 

Slide 8 - Slide

Do:
- Do: add as many linking words as possibe
   (moreover, however, in addition, furthermore, firstly, secondly)

- Do: use linking words such as "However" and "Moreover" at 
   the beginning of your sentences, and "but" / "and" in the 
   middle of them. 

Slide 9 - Slide

Slide 10 - Slide

Vocabulary
- Think about words with similar meanings, even for simple
    words: "he says" > claims, argues, believes, states

- Think of alternatives in Dutch and translate those to English
   (so use your dictionary):
   boos > woedend, kwaad, gefrustreerd, vol haat, ...
   angry > furious, pissed off, frustrated, resentful, ...

Slide 11 - Slide

For more examples, 
check the vocabulary 
wheel, interner and use
your reader

Slide 12 - Slide

Linking Words
- Shows how your arguments / paragraphs are connected
- "Moreover, On the contrary, Nevertheless, Additionally"
- Check the list in your reader, also for other useful phrases

- Personal opinion: "In my view, To my mind, I believe that, ..."
- Concluding: "Finally, All in all, On the whole, In conclusion, ..."
- Etc. 

Slide 13 - Slide

Don't:
- Don't use abbreviations (etc. = etcetera, vs. = versus)

- Don't use contractions (don't = do not, won't = will not, 
   I'm = I am, can't = cannot, it's = it is, we'd = we had / we would)

- Don't switch between tenses too often. Try to stick mostly to 
   either the present or the past tense.

Slide 14 - Slide

Common Grammar Mistakes
- Their (their house), They're (they are), There (there is no water)
- We're (we are), where (where were you?)
- Than (= vergelijkingen, bigger than), then (= toen/daarna)
- Witch (= heks), which (= welke),

- Noun vs. Verb: Effect (= een effect), affect (= beïnvloeden)
- Plural: child/children    "New York and London are (not is)"

Slide 15 - Slide

Common Spelling Mistakes
- Capital letters: i > I , new york > New York   
- Verb instead of the noun: live = life , believe = belief  
- Missing letters: interpet = interpret , suprise = surprise 
- Added letters: aible = able , neccessary = necessary 
- Mixed up letters: maby = maybe , definetely = definitely 

When unsure, look it up! Especially if you have time left! 

Slide 16 - Slide

When to use
FORMAL or INFORMAL
writing?

Slide 17 - Slide

Use Informal Writing When:
  • Writing to a friend;
  • Sharing a story or writing a personal blog;
  • Writing creatively;
  • Instructed to do so (if in school);
  • Writing dialogue and conversations;
  • If you are unsure of whether to use informal or formal writing, it’s generally the rule of thumb to start out writing formally. Then, when you make the connection and you see how the other side responds, you can ease up on the formality.

Slide 18 - Slide

Use Formal Writing When:
  • Writing professionally (reaching out to a client or company);
  • Academic writings (essays, research papers, etc.);
  • Job applications (resume writing, CVs, and cover letters);
  • Reaching out to someone you do not know.

Slide 19 - Slide

Which Style is Appropriate?
Knowing the difference between formal and informal writing is only half the battle. The other important aspect is knowing which to use. On the next slides are some examples of both styles. Can you guess which one is which?

Slide 20 - Slide

Talk to you later!
A
Formal
B
Informal

Slide 21 - Quiz

I hope to hear from you soon.
A
Formal
B
Informal

Slide 22 - Quiz

I consider myself a team player
A
Formal
B
Informal

Slide 23 - Quiz

We visited Paris and I loved it!
A
Formal
B
Informal

Slide 24 - Quiz

I hope you'll feel better soon
A
Formal
B
Informal

Slide 25 - Quiz

I am looking forward to your reply
A
Formal
B
Informal

Slide 26 - Quiz

How are your parents doing?
A
Formal
B
Informal

Slide 27 - Quiz

Formal
Informal
A relative
A client
Your friend from school
Your boss

Slide 28 - Drag question

Match the sentences with formal or informal.
Hello Sabrina,
Dear Mrs Collins,
I'm writing to find out about ...
 I look forward to hearing from you.
 I apologise for not getting in contact with you ...
See you soon.
I'm not happy about ...
Sorry, I haven't written for ages, but ...
Formal 
Informal
I am writing to enquire about ...
 I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with ...

Slide 29 - Drag question

Match the formal expressions (right) with the informal expressions (left).
Obtain
Request
Inexpensive
Children
Reside 
Contact
Finally
Inform
Live
Ask for
Get in touch
Kids
In the end
Cheap
Tell 
Get 

Slide 30 - Drag question

Match the formal expressions (right) with the informal expressions (left).
Buy 
Try 
Take 
Family 
By accident 
Lucky 
Help
Look into
Accidentally 
Attempt 
Fortunate 
Relatives 
Assist 
Accept 
Investigate 
Purchase 

Slide 31 - Drag question

Match the formal expressions (right) with the informal expressions (left).
Big
Better
Change 
Call of
Put off
Put forward
But  
And 
Postpone 
Superior to
Propose 
Cancel
While 
Transform
As well as
Large

Slide 32 - Drag question

Match the formal expressions (right) with the informal expressions (left).
At first
Begin
Chance 
So
Seem like
Wrong
Show
Need
Appear 
Commence 
Incorrect 
Therefore 
Demonstrate 
Opportunity 
Require 
Initially 

Slide 33 - Drag question

In het kort:
Geef de belangrijkste verschillen tussen een formeel en informeel bericht.

Slide 34 - Mind map

Slide 35 - Slide


Hi Bianca,
Hello Bianca,
Dear Bianca,


Best wishes,
Cheers,
Many thanks,
Love,

Aanhef
Afsluiting

Slide 36 - Slide

Slide 37 - Slide

Slide 38 - Slide