H4 P3 - Lesson 5: Formal versus Informal writing

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4

Defining Formal vs Informal Writing Styles

Formal

 

Formal writing is written for an audience you do not know on a personal level. 

It is usually the style you use for school assignments and tests (unless otherwise noted), and it is more complex than informal writing. 

Formal writing is serious.

Informal

 

Informal writing consists of short sentences. 

It is used in more personal situations, such as writing a letter to a friend or writing a diary entry. 

It is much more relaxed than formal writing.

 

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.

Use Formal Writing When:

• Writing professionally (reaching out to a client or prospect).
  
• School assignments (essays, research papers, etc.).
  
• Job applications (resume writing, CVs, and cover letters).
  
• Communicating with someone you do not know personally.
  

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.

Key Features of Formal vs. Informal Writing

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 'Although the idea was suprising, the group were very happy with it.'
• Transitions are used to link sentences: the relationship between sentences is illustrated by words such as “Furthermore, ...” or “For example, ....”, "However, ...."
  
• Does not use contractions: Would use “cannot” instead of “can’t”
  
• Objective: Does not offer personal opinions
  
• Does not use 'street language': You won’t see any slang or common everyday vocabulary: use 'children', not 'kids', or 'objects', not 'stuff'.
  
• A variety of words: Vocabulary is of a higher level, do not use the same word but think of other ways to say the same thing, i.e. 'like', 'enjoy', 'am fond of', 'prefer'
• Use of third person: Does not use first person pronouns like 'I', 'you' or 'we'

Informal writing includes the following:

• Can use first person, second or third: You can use any type of pronouns, including 'I', 'ou' and 'we'
  
• 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'

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 

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 

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 

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

Study the definitions of the words you did not know 

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) 

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)

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 ...

Study the language (left: informal right: formal)