Formal writing H5

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 5

FORMAL VERSUS INFORMAL WRITING - HAVO 5 

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

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

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.

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.

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.

 

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.

• Use adverbs and adjectives to make your writing come alive

do's and don'ts:
what is the 'DO' in formal writing?

1. contractions (can't, don't)
2. use linking words
3. gonna wanna gotta
4. start sentences with But / And

Study the language (left: informal right: formal)

Study the definitions of the words you did not know 

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Lay-out

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

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.

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

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

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Email 1

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Email 2

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Email 3

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

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

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

Today's lesson

1. intro 

2. goals

3. features of formal writing

4. practice 

5. wrap up 

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 ...

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. 

FORMAL

INFORMAL

Long sentences

Short sentences

Active voice

Passive voice

Email

Application letter

No contractions

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