Formal vs. Informal Language

1. Formal vs. Informal Language Materials: worksheet, pen/pencil

2. DO NOT WORK AHEAD!

3. DIRECTIONS Fill in the blanks as you view the slides.

4. Remember… = eyes (look & listen) = write (worksheet)

5. Formal Language • Is used when you want to make a good impression on people in respected positions. You speak in a more traditional way and use longer forms of words when you want to be formal. Use formal language when writing research paper, essays, etc.

6. Formal Language WORKSHEET  Characteristics of formal language: no __________, no contractions, and complex sentences. • CHARACTERISTICS • No slang • No contractions (should’ve, can’t) • Complex, complete sentences • Avoid the use of personal pronouns (I, you, me) when writing essays, research papers, etc.

7. USE FORMAL LANGUAGE WITH… WORKSHEET  Who would use formal language with (two examples)? • Teachers • Principals • Counselors • Doctors • Firefighters • Police officers • Who else? *use in research papers, essays, business letters, etc.

8. Formal Language EXAMPLE This is to inform you that your book has been rejected by our publishing company as it was not up to the required standard. In case you would like us to reconsider it, we would suggest that you go over it and make some necessary changes.

9. Formal LanguageWORKSHEET  What words would you use to describe formal language? • Looks like • Standing or sitting straighter than usual • Sounds like • “Hello, Mrs. Smith” • “Please, may I…” • “Lovely to meet you.”

10. Informal Language • Is used when you talk to peers or well-known adults. You might speak in a more relaxed way by using slang and shorter forms of words.

11. Informal LanguageWORKSHEET  Characteristics of informal language: slang is allowed, ____________ are allowed, and simple sentences. • CHARACTERISTICS • Slang is allowed • Contractions are allowed (should’ve, can’t) • Simple grammatical structure

12. USE INFORMAL LANGUAGE WITH…WORKSHEET  Who would you use informal language with (two examples)? • Your best friend • Your sister • Your brother • Your cousin • Who else? *use in friendly letters, etc.

13. Informal Language EXAMPLE Ya know that book I wrote? Well, the publishing company rejected it. They thought it was awful. But hey, I did the best I could, and I think it was great. I’m not gonna redo it the way they said I should.

14. InformalWORKSHEET  What words would you use to describe informal language? • Looks like • Standing or sitting in a relaxed position • Sounds like • Using slang • “Hi” • “What are yadoin’?” • “What’s up?”

16. Change to FormalActivity 1 -- worksheet • Hi. • Okay! • Will ya? • Yagotta go! • What do you want? YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE! GO! Be prepared to share with a neighbor!

17. Change to FormalAct. 1 – worksheet POSSIBLE ANSWERS • Hi. Hello. • Okay! That sounds delightful! • Will ya? Would you like to participate? • Yagotta go! It is a requirement that you attend! • What do you want? May I help/assist you?

18. Change to InformalActivity 2 - worksheet • I would be delighted! • I certainly am grateful for this. • It has been a pleasure meeting you. • Could you possibly assist me with this assignment? YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES! GO! Be prepared to share with a neighbor!

19. Change to InformalAct. 2 – worksheet POSSIBLE ANSWERS • I would be delighted! I’d like to! • I certainly am grateful for this. Appreciate it. / Thanks. • It has been a pleasure meeting you. It’s been real. • Could you possibly assist me with this assignment? Can you help me out?

20. Formal or Informal?Activity 3 – OUT LOUD Is the statement formal or informal?

21. Formal or Informal? Activity 3 • You call your mom at work and her boss answers the phone. formal • You are talking to your friend after school. informal • You are talking to your teacher about a low grade you do not think you deserve. formal • You are trying to convince your father to let you spend the summer in England with your friend’s family. formal

22. Practice 4 – OUT LOUD multiple-choice practice questions (A, B, C, or D)

23. ACTIVITY 4 OUT LOUD 1. Choose the sentence that would be appropriate in a letter to a friend but NOT appropriate in a formal report. • A Most of them live in water, but a few species make their home on land. • B More than four thousand different types of crabs exist around the world. • C This is cool because crab claws are a favorite food of everyone I know. • DDepending on a crab’s habitat, the size of its claw can vary considerably. • ANSWER - C

24. Activity 4 -- OUT LOUD 2. Read the following paragraph from a formal report. Choose the sentence in which the language is inappropriate. (1) In a nuclear reaction, changes occur in the nucleus, or center, of an atom. (2) When two nuclei join in a nuclear reaction, the nucleus of a larger atom forms. (3) In this process that we call nuclear fusion, lots and lots of energy is released. (4) A high temperature and extreme pressure are necessary for nuclear fusion to occur. A Sentence 1 -- B Sentence 2 -- C Sentence 3 -- D Sentence 4 • Answer - c 

25. Activity 4 -- OUT LOUD 3. Choose the sentence that would be most appropriate in a formal paper. • AJellyfish are a kind of simple animal with two layers of cells and jelly stuff in between. • BJellyfish are simple animals with two layers of cells having a jelly-like substance between them. • C If you look carefully at jellyfish, you’ll find two layers of cells with jelly in between. • DJellyfish are these simple animals with two layers of cells with a jelly substance between them. • Answer - B

26. MORE PRACTICE!Complete the remaining activities.You may work with a partner.TEST SOON!NOTE – ANSWERS ON REMAINING SLIDES

27. TASK 1. Can you think of a formal way of saying these words or phrases? -new -phone you back -get your money back -pay your bill -TV - buy

28. POSSIBLE ANSWERS -- TASK 1. Can you think of a formal way of saying these words or phrases? innovative return your phone call receive a refund submit payment television purchase -new -phone you back -get your money back -pay your bill -TV - buy

29. TASK 2. Can you think of an informal way of saying the following words or phrases? -grandfather -sincere -child -accept -a great deal of -communication -bravery -retail outlet -spectacles -satisfactory

30. POSSIBLE ANSWERS TASK 2. Can you think of an informal way of saying the following words or phrases? paw paw honest/frank take kid a lot talking guts store clothing good -grandfather -sincere -child -accept -a great deal of -communication -bravery -retail outlet -attire -satisfactory

31. TASK 3. Circle the correct answer. 1. Choose the sentence that is appropriate in a research paper. • ANebulae perform like magicians to turn stardust into human beings. • BNebulae are vast clouds of gas where stars are forming. • CNebulae may look like seashells, turtles, even butterflies. • Answer - B

32. TASK 3. Circle the correct answer. 2. Identify the sentence that would be inappropriate for a formal course catalog. • AInsect relationships to habitats are recorded and interpreted. • BAn introduction to the ethnic diversity of American literature is presented. • CAn in-depth exploration of history, technique, and everything you need to know about filmmaking is offered. • Answer - C

33. TASK 4. Match the informal word/phrase to its formal version. C 1____ If you are late 2____ Hi 3____ Why don’t you...? 4____ Could you...? 5____ It’s just not cool! 6____ Hang on a minute 7____ Just wanted to let you know that... 8____ What’s up? F A H E B G D Task 5. - List THREE slang words/phrases and their definitions. ANSWERS WILL VARY. A. I strongly recommend you to... B. Wait for one moment C. In the event of any delay D. How are you? E. I find the situation unacceptable F. Good morning G. I am writing with reference to... H. I wonder if it would be possible to…?

34. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES - Use your own paper! • Activity A -Write the formal version of each slang word/phrase defined in Activity A. • Activity B - Circle the informal words in the sentences. Then, rewrite each sentence more formally. • 1. We’re driving the kids to the park. • 2. Can I hang at your crib until my rents get home? • 3. He was ogling the chicks. • 4. The play was wicked. • 5. You’re lame if you like doing that sort of thing. • 6. Kyle is heading over to John’s place. • 7. He’s starting to tick me off. • 8. I ain’t got no time for this. • 9. Are you gonna give me a ride? • 10. Sue doesn’t wanna go to the mall this Friday. • 11. Heather looked for the silly kid. • 12. Hang on to my glasses for me.