Formal vs. Informal writing

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1-4

Formal vs. Informal writing

What are we going to do today?

• Writing prompt
• Writing uitleg video 
• Uitleg formal vs informal writing 
• Opdracht
• Afsluiting

Writing Prompt – Mysterious Cookie

One day you come into work and find a cookie mysteriously placed on your desk. Grateful to whoever left this anonymous cookie, you eat it. The next morning you come in and find another cookie. This continues for months until one day a different object is left – and this time there's a note.

Write down what you think is written on the note. Use an opening and a closing. What object has been left and why?

Use between 120 and 150 words.

Use at least one of these three words in your note: leap - to move quickly and suddenly, designate - to officially choose something to be something, reported - having been formally or officially announced or described.

Writing prompts 

Write your story. You can use your own idea or one of the following ideas. Make sure you use atleast 200 words!

1. A girl goes missing in the woods, and her parents find only a scary doll left behind. They soon learn that the doll is actually their daughter. And she's alive.

2. A family dog runs away from home. He returns a year later to the delight of his family. But there's something different about him. Something demonic.

3.  A man reads a novel, soon realizing that the story is his very own — and according to the book, a killer is looming.

4. Your own! 

Formal 

• When writing to someone you do not know, a company or someone of status (like a manager). 
• Formal language use, such as: Dear Sir/Madam, Kind Regards, 
• Examples: cover letter (motivatiebrief), writing an e-mail to a company. 

Informal

• When writing to someone you know (friend, family member, acquaintance, etc.).
• Informal language use: Dear [name], Hello [name], Bye!, See you soon, Best wishes, 
• Examples: personal letter, a postcard. 

Formal writing

Opening phrases: 

- When you do not know the last name of the person you're writing to, use "Dear Sir/Madam,"

- When you know the last name of the person you're writing to, use "Dear Mister ...,  / Dear Mr. ...," for a man and "Dear Miss ...,/Dear Ms. ...," for a woman. 

Giving a reason for writing

After greeting the person you're writing to, you're going to explain why you're writing. For example, use:

I am writing .... (to ask you/to inform you/to respond to/ in response to, etc.)

I am writing in response to your job posting on LinkedIn.

Formal writing

Closing phrases: 

- Kind Regards, 

- Yours Faithfully, 

- Sincerely, 

Personally, I always use "Kind Regards". It's easiest to try to memorize one option and use that one. 

Informal writing

Opening phrases:

- Dear ...,

- Hello ...,

- Hi ..., 

Closing phrases: 

- Best wishes, ... 

- Bye, ... 

- See you soon, ...

Start your letter/e-mail with sentences like: 

- How are you? I hope you're doing well. 

- It was great to see you last week. 

- Thank you for sending me an e-mail.

Test your knowledge: How do you open a formal letter when you don't know the last name of the person you're writing to?

1. Hello Sir/Madam,
2. Dear Sir/Madam,
3. Dear Mr. ... / Ms. ...
4. Hello Mister ... / Miss ...

Test your knowledge: How do you close an informal letter?

1. Kind Regards,
2. Yours Faitfully,
3. Sincerely,
4. Best wishes,

Test your knowledge: you're writing a formal letter. What do you do after writing "Dear Sir/Madam,"

1. You explain why you're writing (reason for writing)
2. You give the main information (body of the letter/e-mail)
3. You ask how they're doing
4. Nothing special

Test your knowledge: True or False - When writing a formal letter, it's best not to use abbreviations (afkortingen)

1. True
2. False

Test your knowledge: True or False - the tone of an informal letter is similar to the way you would speak to the person you're writing to.

1. True
2. False

Is it EVER okay to use abbreviations like "wanna", "gonna", "bc", "cause" and "u"?

1. YES! ALWAYS!
2. NO! NEVER!
3. Only when writing an informal letter/e-mail
4. Only when writing a formal letter/e-mail

What are you going to do?

Your company is about to set up a branch in a town in Canada and needs to find suitable staff. You have been asked by your manager to write an email to an employment agency in the town. Your email should explain:

• What your company does
  
• what kind of staff you are looking for
  
• the advantages of working for your company.
  

Write your email in 220 – 260 words in an appropriate style.

Individual work: Exam prep/workbook