This lesson contains 49 slide, with interactive quiz, text slide and 2 video.
Items in this lesson
FORMAL VERSUS INFORMAL WRITING - HAVO 5
Slide 1 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
Slide 2 - Slide
Dear Student,
We are writing you this “email” to explain the details of your next school exam for English.
During your exam you will be asked to write a formal email that adheres to basic guidelines set out in this reader. The reader begins by explaining the value of being able to write a formal email. Subsequently, it will provide you with theory and practice in the form of exercises. If you follow the reader step by step and if you ask your teacher for help when things are unclear, we are confident that you will pass this exam.
In the final weeks before the test week you will be asked to write a number of practice emails for which you shall receive feedback from your teacher. Our advice is to use this feedback to revise each email before starting on the next one.
We hope that you will find this module useful and that you will pass your exam with flying colours.
Yours faithfully,
Your English teachers
Slide 3 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Formal writing is used when...?
Give at least 3 examples.
Slide 4 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Introduction
Did you know that the average professional worker spends 28% of the work day reading and answering email? (source: Harvard Business Review).
So you never know.. In an increasingly internationally oriented world it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary if some of you end up working with English speaking professionals.
In any case, we could safely say that, whatever your future career will have in store for you, being able to a write formal or business e-mails in English is a valuable skill to have. Here are a few key contexts where this skill proves useful:
1. Global Communication
As English is spoken by 1.35 billion people, being able to write English e-mails allows you to communicate effectively in an international context, whether for business, education, or travel.
2. Job Applications
When applying for jobs, a well-written cover letter can set you apart from other candidates. Employers appreciate clear and professional communication, which can enhance your chances of landing an interview.
3. University and Scholarship Applications
Many universities and scholarship programs require formal letters as part of the application process. Being able to articulate your motivations and qualifications in writing can greatly impact your chances of acceptance.
4. Networking
Building professional relationships often involves written communication. Whether reaching out to a mentor, a potential employer, or a colleague, knowing how to write a formal letter can help you make a positive impression.
5. Resolving Issues
Formal letters can be used to address complaints or request information. Being able to express your concerns clearly and respectfully can lead to quicker and more satisfactory resolutions.
Slide 5 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
2. Job Applications
When applying for jobs, a well-written cover letter can set you apart from other candidates. Employers appreciate clear and professional communication, which can enhance your chances of landing an interview.
3. University and Scholarship Applications
Many universities and scholarship programs require formal letters as part of the application process. Being able to articulate your motivations and qualifications in writing can greatly impact your chances of acceptance.
4. Networking
Building professional relationships often involves written communication. Whether reaching out to a mentor, a potential employer, or a colleague, knowing how to write a formal letter can help you make a positive impression.
Slide 6 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
5. Resolving Issues
Formal letters can be used to address complaints or request information. Being able to express your concerns clearly and respectfully can lead to quicker and more satisfactory resolutions.
Slide 7 - Slide
Slide 8 - Video
Use adverbs and adjectives to make your writing come alive
Slide 9 - Slide
do's and don'ts: what is the 'DO' in formal writing?
A
contractions (can't, don't)
B
use linking words
C
gonna wanna gotta
D
start sentences with But / And
Slide 10 - Quiz
Slide 11 - Slide
Slide 12 - Slide
Study the language (left: informal right: formal)
Slide 13 - Slide
Study the definitions of the words you did not know
Slide 14 - Slide
Slide 15 - Video
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Lay-out
Slide 16 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 17 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 18 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
3. Reason for Writing:
Underneath your greeting separated from it by a white line (see example on page 2) you will state your reason for writing the email.
Exercise 2: Translate the Dutch 'reasons for writing' to English. Use Appendix 1 as well as a Dutch-English dictionary.
Slide 19 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 20 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 21 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 22 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 23 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 24 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 25 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Exercise 4: Study appendix 2 and fill in the correct signal words from the lists below for email 1-3
Slide 26 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Email 1
Slide 27 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 28 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Email 2
Slide 29 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 30 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Email 3
Slide 31 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 32 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 33 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 34 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
I am also curious / I would also like to know (ligt aan voorgaande zinnen: vermijd repetition) about / I would also appreciate more details about the duration of the projects. Are there shorter options / shorter-term projects available for volunteering if I cannot commit to a full year?
your first name and surname
Slide 35 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 36 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 37 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 38 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 39 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 40 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 41 - Slide
Today's lesson
1. intro
2. goals
3. features of formal writing
4. practice
5. wrap up
Slide 42 - Slide
Slide 43 - Slide
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 44 - Drag question
Formal
Informal
I am writing to inform you that a pizza I had the misfortune to order at your restaurant was not what I had hoped for.
I am writing to let you know that a pizza I got to order at your restaurant was disgusting.
The cheese was gross, the tomatoes rotten, and the base chewy as rubber.
The cheese was flavourless, the tomatoes gone off, and the base impossibly tough.
Never will I eat at your establishmentt again.
Never will I eat at your place again.
I don't think they enjoy their work.
I do not think they enjoy their work.
I believe a refund would be in place.
I want a refund.
Slide 45 - Drag question
FORMAL
INFORMAL
Long sentences
Short sentences
Active voice
Passive voice
Email
Application letter
No contractions
Slide 46 - Drag question
Slide 47 - Slide
Slide 48 - Slide
Match the formal expressions (right side) with the informal expressions (left side) .