Formal and Informal

Formal and Informal
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.
Style conventions
Each language style has its own conventions:
INFORMAL language FORMAL language
will probably use…
the active voice
colloquial language
a friendly tone
jokes, gossip, cartoons
will probably use…
the passive voice
standard English
a reserved/polite tone
longer sentences
Speaking formally
Speaking formally
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?
Dinner at a formal restaurant
BBQ with friends
Would you mind passing me
the salt?
Can you pass the salt?
This is yummy!
Would it be possible to see
the dessert menu?
I’m stuffed.
Excuse me, I wish to make a
complaint. This fish is cold.
Speaking informally
Imagine you hear this news report on your way to school.
Retell the story to your friends, 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?
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.
Activity
Writing formally
Writing formally
No address
Uses first name
Bad grammar
Colloquial
Slang
Weak
argument
Spelling
Informal ending
Inappropriate
attitude
Off the point
Writing formally
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).
Write a formal letter which might persuade the
council to at least think again about their plans.
Writing informally

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