S Formal versus Informal writing

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Slide 1: Tekstslide
EngelsMiddelbare schoolhavoLeerjaar 4

In deze les zitten 19 slides, met interactieve quizzen en tekstslides.

time-iconLesduur is: 50 min

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Slide 1 - Tekstslide

Defining Formal vs Informal Writing Styles

Slide 2 - Tekstslide

Formal
 

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 3 - Tekstslide

Informal
 

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 4 - Tekstslide

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 when you would use formal vs informal writing.

Slide 5 - Tekstslide

Use Formal Writing When:


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

Slide 6 - Tekstslide

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
  • Writing an outline
-> 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 7 - Tekstslide






Key Features of Formal vs. Informal Writing

Slide 8 - Tekstslide

Formal writing tends to include the following:

  • Long and complex sentences: Sentences tend to be compound and contain commas to link two ideas or use transitions like “Furthermore” and “To exemplify,”
  • Does not use contractions: Would use “cannot” instead of “can’t”
  • Objective: Does not offer personal opinions
  • Doesn’t use colloquial language: You won’t see any slang or common everyday vocabulary
  • Diverse vocabulary words: Vocabulary is of a higher level
  • Use of words that are subject-specific: For example, if you are writing about biology, you’d use words like “epithelial cells” instead of “skin cells”
  • Use of third person: Does not use first person pronouns like “I” or “me”

Slide 9 - Tekstslide

Informal writing includes the following:


  • Can use first person, second or third: You can use any type of pronouns, including “I”
  • Can use slang: The use of everyday language and slang terms can be used, such as “It was cool that…”
  • Active voice: Sentences tend to be written with a subject acting on the verb, such as “We chilled the drinks and went out to the sea” instead of “The drinks were chilled…”
  • Personal emotional tone can be detected: Since the writing is personal, it can include feelings and the sharing of emotions
  • Contraction and abbreviation: It’s okay to use “can’t” instead of “cannot” or “it’s” instead of “it is”
  • Empathy: You can put yourself in the shoes of your audience and address their problems directly. This shows the author as coming from a place of understanding their situation.

Slide 10 - Tekstslide

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

Slide 11 - Sleepvraag

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

Slide 12 - Sleepvraag

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

Slide 13 - Sleepvraag

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

Slide 14 - Sleepvraag

Study the definitions of the words you did not know 

Slide 15 - Tekstslide

Match the expressions on the left with the paragraphs on the right.
Yours sincerely,
Yours,
I was wondering if I could ask you a favour?
 I regret to advise you that ...
Signing off (informal letter)

Giving bad news (formal letter)
Asking for help (informal letter)
Signing off (if you begin with a name, formal) 

Slide 16 - Sleepvraag

Match the expressions on the left with the paragraphs on the right.
Dear Sir,
Please contact me if you have any further questions.
Dear Peter,
I would be grateful if you could ...
Closing (formal letter)
Asking for help (formal letter)
 Beginning (informal letter)
Beginning (formal letter)

Slide 17 - Sleepvraag

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 18 - Sleepvraag

Study the language (left: informal right: formal)

Slide 19 - Tekstslide