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

INFORMAL languagewill probably use…

FORMAL languagewill 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:

Speaking formally

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?

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.

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

Inappropriate attitude

No address

Uses first name

Colloquial

Bad grammar

Slang

SpellingWeak argument

Off the pointInformal ending

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).

Writing formally

Write a formal letter which might persuade the council to at least think again about their plans.

Writing informally