What is the difference?
Dear Sir/Madam, Hi Kerry,
I am writing to inform you of my You know the lucky dip bag I
upset when I opened the lucky bought when we went into town
dip bag I had recently purchased yesterday? Well, you’ll never
with my own pocket money. believe what happened when I
opened it – there was a broken,
I was disappointed to find that copy of the toy instead of the
my favourite toy brand had been real thing!
replaced with an inadequate
copy, which even had pieces I was so shocked and annoyed
missing. that I’ve emailed the company
to tell them what I think.
I shall expect to be fully
compensated for the distress and I hope they send me a new one
inconvenience this experience ASAP so I can complete the set.
has caused me and hope that
you send a replacement Was your pack ok? I hope so.
promptly. formal C u soon, inform
Frankie al
Yours sincerely,
Miss F. James
Formal and Informal
Language
Learning Objectives:
• differentiate between formal and informal language uses
• apply appropriate language in various contexts
• recognize the impact of using appropriate language in
communication
Success Criteria:
• Discuss the definition of formal and informal language.
• Provide examples of formal and informal language and
explain the contexts in which they are used.
• Use formal and informal language appropriately.
• Rewrite informal phrases into formal language and vice
versa.
What is Formal
and Informal Language?
Do you know what the difference between formal and informal
language is?
Formal Language
Formal language is used for more official and serious purposes.
The correct grammar and standard English should always
be used.
Informal Language
Informal language is used for more casual and less
serious purposes. Slang words and chatty language
can be used.
Task 1: Breakout Rooms
Research and discuss as a group the following assigned topics. Be
ready to present them in class.
1. I am writing to complain about the unsatisfactory service that
Group 1: Features of formal language
I received in your shop yesterday afternoon.
2. It is vitally important that all children walk on the left hand
Group 2: Different purposes of using formal language
side of the corridor.
3. I guarantee that your journey will be an enjoyable
Group 3: Features of informal language
experience.
4. You are
Group 4: Different
not permitted
purposes
to enter
ofthe
using
staffinformal
room. language
What is Formal
and Informal Language?
Talk to your partner and decide which of the following are features
of formal language and which are features of informal language:
uses correct grammar
uses a serious tone
and punctuation
can use contractions and
abbreviations e.g. ‘it’s’ or uses correct vocabulary
‘TV’
can use ‘text’
uses a ‘chatty’ tone
language and slang.
What is Formal
and Informal Language?
formal informal
uses a serious tone uses a ‘chatty’ tone
uses correct grammar can use ‘text’
and punctuation language and slang
can use contractions and
uses correct vocabulary abbreviations e.g. ‘it’s’ or
‘TV’
Task 1: Formal or Informal?
Formal and informal language should be used for different
purposes.
Can you decide which sort of language you should use in the
following situations; formal or informal?
talking to friends talking to the headteacher
writing a job application sending a text to a friend
writing a letter to The
writing a letter to gran
King
Formal or Informal?
Formal and informal language should be used for different
purposes.
Can you decide which sort of language you should use in the
following situations; formal or informal?
informal formal
talking to friends talking to the headteacher
talking to friends talking to the headteacher
formal informal
writing a job application sending a text to a friend
writing a job application sending a text to a friend
formal
informal writing a letter to The
writing a letter to gran writing a letter to The
writing a letter to gran Queen
King
Task 2:
Formal and Informal
Vocabulary
formal informal
imagine ta
wonderful ain’t
we have ASAP
as soon as possible reckon
are not wicked
thank you tomoz
tomorrow we’ve
Task 3: Highlight the
difference
Read the following emails and highlight the phrases which made
it formal or informal.
Dear Sir/Madam, Hi Kerry,
I am writing to inform you of my upset You know the lucky dip bag I bought
when I opened the lucky dip bag I had we
when went into town yesterday? Well,
recently purchased with my own pocket never
you’ll believe what happened when I
money. it – there was a broken, copy of the toy
opened
I was disappointed to find that my instead of the real thing!
toy brand had been replaced with an
favourite I was so shocked and annoyed that I’ve
inadequate copy, which even had emailed the company to tell them what
missing.
pieces Ithink.
I shall expect to be fully compensated I hope they send me a new one ASAP
distress
for the and inconvenience this can
so I complete the set.
has caused me and hope that you send
experience Was your pack ok? I hope so.
replacement promptly.
a
Yours sincerely, C u soon,
Miss F. James Frankie
Task 3: Highlight the
difference
Formal Informal
Dear Sir/Madam,
Sir/Madam Hi Kerry,
Kerry
I am writing to inform you of my upset You know the lucky dip bag I bought
when I opened the lucky dip bag I had we
when went into town yesterday? Well,
you’ll
recently purchased with my own pocket never
you’ll believe what happened when I
money. it – there was a broken, copy of the toy
opened
I was disappointed to find that my !
instead of the real thing!
toy brand had been replaced with an
favourite I was soshocked
shockedand
andannoyed
annoyed that
I’ve I’ve
inadequate copy, which even had emailed the company to tell them what
missing.
pieces Ithink.
I shall expect to be fully compensated I hope they send me a new one
ASAP ASAP
distress
for the and inconvenience this can
so I complete the set.
has caused me and hope that you send
experience Was your pack ok? I hope so.
replacement
a promptly
promptly.
Yours sincerely
sincerely, C u soon
soon,
Miss F. James Frankie
Plenary: Copy and answer
Write each of these sentences in a more informal or formal style:
1. IChope
1. u soonthat
hopefully.
I will see you soon.
2.
2. The
The TV
television
was rubbish,
wasitinadequate;
didn’t even turn
it did
on.not even turn on.
3. That
3. That was
wasso
very
funny
amusing;
lol! I laughed out loud.
3. I guarantee that your journey will be an enjoyable
4. I’m sure your journey is gonna be brilliant!
experience.
5. You
5. You’re
are not
notpermitted
allowed to
to enter
go in the
thestaff
staffroom.
room.
Writing Task:
Write a short paragraph describing a recent experience using
formal language and another paragraph using informal language.
Reflect on the differences in tone and impact in each
communication style.
Success Criteria:
• Discuss the definition of formal and informal
language.
• Provide examples of formal and informal language
and explain the contexts in which they are used.
• Use formal and informal language appropriately.
• Rewrite informal phrases into formal language and
vice versa.
