Formal vs. Informal writing

Formal vs. Informal writing
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Formal vs. Informal writing

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Slide 2 - Vidéo

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. 

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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. 

Slide 8 - Diapositive

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.

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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. 

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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.

Slide 11 - Diapositive

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?
A
Hello Sir/Madam,
B
Dear Sir/Madam,
C
Dear Mr. ... / Ms. ...
D
Hello Mister ... / Miss ...

Slide 12 - Quiz

Test your knowledge: How do you close an informal letter?
A
Kind Regards,
B
Yours Faitfully,
C
Sincerely,
D
Best wishes,

Slide 13 - Quiz

Test your knowledge: you're writing a formal letter. What do you do after writing "Dear Sir/Madam,"
A
You explain why you're writing (reason for writing)
B
You give the main information (body of the letter/e-mail)
C
You ask how they're doing
D
Nothing special

Slide 14 - Quiz

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

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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.
A
True
B
False

Slide 16 - Quiz

Is it EVER okay to use abbreviations like "wanna", "gonna", "bc", "cause" and "u"?
A
YES! ALWAYS!
B
NO! NEVER!
C
Only when writing an informal letter/e-mail
D
Only when writing a formal letter/e-mail

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What are you going to do?
Go to our Teams page and pick an exercise (reading, listening or writing). Do these exercises. 

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