H4 P3 - Lesson 5: Formal versus Informal writing

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Slide 1 - Diapositive

Defining Formal vs Informal Writing Styles

Slide 2 - Diapositive

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.

Slide 3 - Diapositive

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.

 

Slide 4 - Diapositive

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 - Diapositive

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.

Slide 6 - Diapositive

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 - Diapositive






Key Features of Formal vs. Informal Writing

Slide 8 - Diapositive

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'

Slide 9 - Diapositive

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'

Slide 10 - Diapositive

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 - Question de remorquage

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 - Question de remorquage

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 - Question de remorquage

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 - Question de remorquage

Study the definitions of the words you did not know 

Slide 15 - Diapositive

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 - Question de remorquage

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 - Question de remorquage

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 - Question de remorquage

Study the language (left: informal right: formal)

Slide 19 - Diapositive