Post on 28-Mar-2018
© Boardworks Ltd 2003 1 of 12
Formal and Informal
This icon indicates that detailed teacher’s notes are available in the Notes Page.
For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation.
This icon indicates the slide contains activities created in Flash. These activities are not editable.
© Boardworks Ltd 2003 2 of 12
Formal and informal
We vary the language we use, when speaking and
writing, depending on our audience and purpose.
Formal language is used when:
we need to be serious
the subject is important
we don’t know the audience very well
the audience/reader is somebody in authority.
Informal language is used when we feel more relaxed
about the topic or the person we are writing/speaking to.
© Boardworks Ltd 2003 3 of 12
Style conventions
INFORMAL language
will probably use…
FORMAL language
will probably use…
the active voice
colloquial language
a friendly tone
jokes, gossip, cartoons
the passive voice
standard English
a reserved/polite tone
longer sentences
Each language style has its own conventions:
© Boardworks Ltd 2003 4 of 12
Speaking formally
© Boardworks Ltd 2003 5 of 12
Speaking formally
Dinner at a formal restaurant BBQ with friends
Would you mind passing me
the salt?
Would it be possible to see
the dessert menu?
Excuse me, I wish to make a
complaint. This fish is cold.
Can you pass the salt?
This is yummy!
I’m stuffed.
Fill in the opposite side of the table with a suitably
formal/informal alternative. The first one has been
done for you. Can you think of any more?
© Boardworks Ltd 2003 6 of 12
Speaking informally
At precisely ten-thirty this morning a sabre-toothed tiger
was spotted in a lane just outside Ipson, Hampshire. It is
believed the tiger may have escaped from a a local zoo
although police have not yet confirmed this. Members of the
public are urged not to approach the tiger should they
encounter it. Residents of the village have already taken
some precautionary measures against the wild animal, with
many refusing to leave their houses until such time as they
receive weapons with which to defend themselves in case
of attack.
How has you language changed to suit your audience?
Imagine you hear this news report on your way to school.
Retell the story to your friends, speaking informally.
© Boardworks Ltd 2003 7 of 12
Speaking formally
Your friend Stephanie is complaining about a CD she bought.
Right, you’re not going to believe this. I went
down to Rockin’ Records, like I said yesterday.
You know, to get the new Justin CD anyway,
‘coz Trace said it was wicked. So I went all the
way into town after school so I could listen to it
at the weekend. Anyhow I only got the CD
home. I put in my Discman like. And was it
Justin? No! I’d only gone and bought One True
Voice hadn’t I! Typical. So I want me money
back but I dunno what to say in the shop.
Roleplay the conversation Stephanie should have
when she complains formally in the shop.
© Boardworks Ltd 2003 8 of 12
Activity
© Boardworks Ltd 2003 9 of 12
Writing formally
© Boardworks Ltd 2003 10 of 12
Inappropriate
attitude
No address
Uses first name
Colloquial
Bad grammar
Slang
Spelling Weak
argument
Off the point Informal ending
Writing formally
© Boardworks Ltd 2003 11 of 12
Reg hasn’t really tried to convince the council that it
would be in their own interests to keep the club open.
For example, they could have said that having a club
for teenagers reduced the amount of vandalism in the
community.
He hasn’t thought about the purpose of the letter (to
persuade people in authority to reconsider) or the
audience (councillors who have authority and power).
Writing formally
Write a formal letter which might persuade the
council to at least think again about their plans.
© Boardworks Ltd 2003 12 of 12
Writing informally