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Formal and Informal

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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.

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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:

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Speaking formally

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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?

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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.

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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.

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Activity

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Writing formally

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Inappropriate

attitude

No address

Uses first name

Colloquial

Bad grammar

Slang

Spelling Weak

argument

Off the point Informal ending

Writing formally

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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.

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Writing informally