V4_6.5

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Would you wear this on a regular schoolday?

Would you wear this on a regular schoolday?

f

In pairs, discuss:

• What could be the focus of today's class with regard to language?

Why would register (formal/informal) be important?

Formal vs informal

The purpose of formal and informal writing is different. 

Formal = less personal, used for professional and academic settings, and when you are addressing someone you don't know. 

Informal = casual and spontaneous. Think of texting your friends. 

Give two examples of formal language

Work it

By yourself:

• Choose a topic of interest (recycling, nitrogen policy, LGBTQ+ rights, international affairs, etc.) and look on google for articles about this topic (BBC, The Guardian, The New York Times, CNN, etc.)
• --> one formal one
• --> one informal one
• What is the purpose of both texts?
• How can you tell? 
• For what audience are the texts written?

Formal or informal?

Formal

Informal

really 

very 

Extremely

Acceptable

It can´t

Much

Also

We do not

Additionally

Do you want

Inform

Tell

like

such as

Formal vs informal

Formal vs informal

In pairs, compare the introductions of the open letters, answer the following questions:

• Which one is formal, which one is informal? 
• Which words indicate (in)formality? --> write down

Which words indicate (in)formality?

Now it's up to you!

Rewrite one paragraph of the informal article you found into a formal paragraph.

• Decide what audience you are addressing it to. 
• Look at the rubric, and use it to rewrite.

Formal writing checklist	Comments on the text (what is good/missing)	Suggestions for improvement
Avoid contractions (can't --> cannot, don't --> do not)
Avoid constructions like: count on, make up, blow up, let down, dive into, etc.
Avoid 'I' and 'you'
Avoid emotive language

What did you pay attention to when rewriting? What changes did you make?

Give feedback to each other

Formal writing checklist	Comments on the text (what is good/missing)	Suggestions for improvement
Avoid contractions (can't --> cannot, don't --> do not)
Avoid constructions like: count on, make up, blow up, let down, dive into, etc.
Avoid 'I' and 'you'
Avoid emotive language

Compare the videos

Video #1: Teacher                                                                                      Video #2: Doctor

Which of the two videos did you find more convincing, why?

What if: you don't know much about the topic you are writing about, what do you do to still convince your reader?

Convincing techniques

Confidence:

• Schools should start later
• It might be good that schools start later 

Repetition of the problem

Use logic:

• Schools should start later, because teenagers like to sleep in.
• Schools should start later, because the biological rhythm of teenagers starts two hours later than that of adults, which causes them to not function properly if they have to get up early.

Which is more convincing?

Which is more convincing?

Time to Do It Yourself!

You don't know much about the topic, but you want to write a letter to a newspaper to convince them that your letter is important and that people should know about it.

Choose a topic of interest (recycling, nitrogen policy, LGBTQ+ rights, international affairs, etc.) and look on google for an article about this topic (BBC, The Guardian, The New York Times, CNN, etc.).

• Use this article to write an open letter to that newspaper/editor/etc. about that subject

First, plan!

• What is your argument?
• Why is it important?
• How will you convince them? 

Open letter

Write the letter about your chosen topic

1. Open with salutation, 'dear sir/madam/reader'
2. Explain why you are writing, open with a compelling sentence
3. Address the importance of the issue
4. Use evidence to back up your claim
5. State your final opinion and recommendations (what should be done in the future?)
6. Sign off with your full name (first + last name)

Write at least 150 words

Use what you have learned the last few lessons (framing, formal/informal, word choice, knowing your audience, convincing techniques, etc.)

Peer feedback

Review the letter of your neighbor:

• Are you convinced? 
• Did they use evidence to back up their claim?
• What could be improved?
• What is already really good?

Use what you have learned the last few lessons (framing, formal/informal, word choice, knowing your audience, convincing techniques, etc.)

What do you take from these last few lessons in your 'letter to the editor'?