iodhaishfa

1. Formal or Informal?

2. Learning outcomes
• Use cognitive and communication skills to analyse and interpret the
effect of different writing styles
• Identify the features of formal and informal language use
• Reproduce the language and layout of a formal letter

3. Task
• Look at the two texts on the same subject.
1. Where do you think you would see them?
2. What are the main differences between them?

4. Text 1
• What should you wear when you start your first real job? Obviously, things are
different depending on whether you're a guy or a gal, but a lot of the decisions
are the same. You're probably worried about the interview and the first few
days at work. The interview, of course, is where they decide if they're actually
going to hire you. But also, you have to think about the trial period when you
and the employer look each other over. It's a two-way street, isn't it? Clothes are
a good way of seeing if you'll fit in. It's part of what they call the 'corporate
culture’.
1. Colloquial use of language - a guy or a gal / two-way street
2. Use of second person to give the feeling that the writer is talking to the reader
personally - You're probably worried about
3. Use of contractions - you’ll / they're
4. Use of direct questions - What should you wear when you start your first real
job?
5. Use of informal connecting words - But also

5. Text 2
• Many young people graduating from university are unsure about the
clothes they need when they embark on their chosen careers. The details
are different for men and women, but the principles are the same. In most
cases, the main concern is the job interview itself, and, secondarily, the
first week once hired. At the interview, the company assesses the
candidate and makes a decision on whether to offer a contract of
employment, usually on a probationary basis of six months. This is to see if
a candidate will fit in to the corporate culture.
1. use formal vocabulary- ex=graduation, university, principles, candidates
2. Not using contractions
3. Not using the second person / using third person = This is to see if a
candidate will fit in to the corporate culture
• Use of formal connective words - In most cases / secondarily

6. Answers - Where do you think you would see these texts?
The first text might be from a popular magazine, or it could
even be the transcript of an introduction to a TV or radio
programme.
The second sounds as if it is piece of academic writing, perhaps
from a student on a human resources course.

7. Answers - What are the main differences between them?
These are the main differences:
• The first text uses you to address the reader directly. The second has a more impersonal style, using the third
person, e.g. Many young people
• The first text uses informal language e.g. guy, gal, a lot of, look (each other) over, while the second uses
more formal vocabulary, such as embark (rather than start); assess (rather than look over); offer a contract
of employment instead of hire; and probationary basis rather than trial period.
• In the informal first text, the writer also uses contractions (e.g. you're, they're, it's) and direct questions; one
with a question tag (isn't it?), A formal writer tends to avoid contractions and direct questions.
• Much of the second text is based around nouns rather than verbs, which is characteristic of formal English;
the main concern is used, for example, rather than You're probably worried ..., and makes a decision instead
of they decide.
• The second text takes a more cautious approach, using expressions such as In most cases (rather than of
course ) and usually

8. What are the features of formal language?
• Impersonal style, including the use of structures that begin with it
and there, rather than personal pronouns (I, we ,you)
e.g. There needs to be a proper exploration of the causes of the riots.

9. What are the features of formal language?
• The use of formal vocabulary, such as resign from rather than
quit a job, and children rather than kids.

10. What are the features of formal language?
No contractions.
e.g. They’re are often shown as being socially isolated…
They are

11. What are the features of formal language?
• A preference for a cautious and objective approach, using techniques
such as hedging and avoiding emotive language.
e.g. We may require a different model of social mobility if we are to
achieve equality. (hedging)
e.g. It is shameful that refugees in genuine fear for their lives in their
home countries are being turned away by immigration services.
(emotive language)
It is necessary to question the moral values that underpin any
immigration service that turns away refugees in genuine fear for their
lives in their home countries. (less emotive)

12. Task – focus on language
• Read the following letter to written by the governing committee of a
netball association to the member clubs.
• What is the purpose of this letter?
• In pairs, identify errors in style, grammar, punctuation, cohesion and
vocabulary.

13. TO ALL MEMBERS
I wish to bring everyone's attention to the following.
Since the beginning of the season, individual people think
that they can complain about every little thing and expect
a committee member to run at their beckon call and cop
abuse because information is incorrect.

14. Committee members have been elected into their positions to work on a volunteer basis to
provide a safe and fun game for players to compete in. Some of them are down there at 7.30am
until 5.30pm setting up and cleaning up, others are using their valuable time at home to sort
fixtures and umpiring, dealing with outside bodies such as the City of _____________
and the NWA,which can be very time consuming. These committee members also coach and
umpire and all of these people have families, studies and jobs as well.
Please note that committee members have been elected into
their positions and work on a volunteer basis. Their goal is to
provide our netball players with a safe and fun environment to
compete in. Some of the volunteers start at 7.30 am and stay
until 5.30pm; setting up and cleaning up, while others use their
valuable time at home to sort fixtures and deal with outside
bodies such as the City of ____and the NWA. All of these
duties can be very time consuming, especially since the
committee members also coach and umpire. In addition, they
still have to fulfil personal obligations to their families, studies
and jobs.

15. Therefore I believe a little bit of consideration would go a long
way.
It is therefore, not unreasonable to expect club members to
treat volunteers with respect and courtesy.

16. As this has been ongoing every competition day, there will be
no more complaints taken at the office from general spectators
unless it is a safety issue. Any queries of such nature must be
addressed by the immediate club and if can't be sorted, the
President AND ONLY THE PRESIDENT of that club can
approach the committee for guidance.
As a result of this situation, it has been decided that
only complaints on safety issues will be taken at the
office from general spectators. Any other queries or
complaints must be addressed within individual clubs
and if the matter cannot be resolved, only the
President of the club may approach the association
committee for guidance.

17. Coaches are requested to teach your girls the full rules of the game
because if they continue to break the same rule the umpire is at liberty
to warn her and if it continues, she will be sent off the court and if
there is any abuse to an umpire because of this action or similar , the
club will be hit with a fine.
In addition, coaches are requested to teach players the
official rules of the game because if players continue to
break the same rule, an umpire is at liberty to provide a
warning and as a final step, to send a player off the
court. If an umpire is abused as a result of this action,
the club will be given a fine.

18. I would like to think that we encourage all our players, umpires and coaches
to do the right thing in the spirit of the game. Some teams might not be able
to win a game all season, but at least they hopefully have learnt something in
their journey and they are fit and healthy at the end of it all and have gained
some life skills.
Enjoy the rest of the
season.
I would like to think that we encourage all of our players,
umpires and coaches to conduct themselves appropriately
within the spirit of the game. Some teams may not be able to
win a match all season, but at least they have hopefully gained
some valuable life skills and are fit and healthy.
We sincerely hope you enjoy the remainder of the season.
Regards

19. Task – focus on layout
• Write your own formal letter of complaint
You recently had a short holiday organized by Travel Wise. The manager of the
company sent you a letter asking to state the problems which had occurred during
your vacation. Write a letter to the manager, explaining what the problems were
and telling them what you want them to do.
• Write your answer in 140- 190 words in an appropriate style on the separate
answer sheet
1. Terrible room service and untidy room
2. Terrible food
3. Travel guide was not helpful and he was mean
4. Tiny rooms with no windows and terrible AC
5. Hot water not working
6. Delays in picking up

20. Reflect
• What are the features of formal language?