Writing Home8: Formal and Informal Writing

We use formal language for:

• Writing to someone we don’t know

• Writing for a large audience such as in a newspaper article

• Writing non-fiction such as instructions, explanations or reports

• Writing important letters or making a complaint

Writing Home8: Formal and Informal Writing

We use informal language for:

• Writing to someone we know well

• Writing to friends and close family

• Writing emails and text messages to people we know

Writing Home8: Formal and Informal Writing

Formal letter

Dear sir or madam,

I am writing to inform you that I had a most enjoyable experience at your delightful restaurant last week.

My sister and I experienced impeccable service from your staff, who delivered heavenly food throughout the evening. Indeed, the chocolate fudge cake was divine…

Writing Home8: Formal and Informal Writing

Informal letter

Hi Daniel,

Just a quick letter to say how great it was to meet you on holiday. Did you get home safely? Our journey back was a NIGHTMARE!

It was great to meet your family too. Mum says you can come and stay with us at half term. I can’t wait to show you my pets – maybe you could meet some of my school friends, if we have time.

Writing Home8: Formal and Informal Writing

Think of some informal alternatives for the words below:

• Examine

• Explode

• Postpone

• Tolerate

• Permit

• Arrive

• Discover

• Increase

• Illustrate

• Establish

• Apologise

• Authorise

Writing Home8: Formal and Informal Writing

Formal / informal alternatives:

• Examine Look at

• Explode Blow up

• Postpone Put off

• Tolerate Put up with

• Permit Let

• Arrive Show up

• Discover Find out

• Increase Go up

• Illustrate Draw or show

• Establish Set up

• Apologise Say sorry

• Authorise Give the go ahead