Language Register

• The level of formality which one’s write or speak

• Determines the vocabulary, structure and some grammar that should

be used

• Formal, Informal, and Neutral Language Register

1.) Formal Language Register
 Impersonal and written without emotion

Examples:
Business Letters, Professional Emails, Essays
 Rules of the Formal Language
Register
• Do not use contractions • Avoid abbreviations and acronyms
• Spell out numbers less than one • Do not start sentences with words
hundred like and, so, but, also
• Write in third person point of view • Always write in complete sentences
• Avoid using too much passive voice • Write longer, more complex
sentences
• Avoid using slang, idioms,
exaggeration (hyperboles) and
clichés
2.) Informal Language Register
• is written in the way we talk to our friends and family. We use
informal writing when we are writing to someone we know very
well.
• Some kinds of writing can be written in an informal style.

Examples:
Personal E-mails, Phone texts, Short notes, Friendly letters,
Most Blogs, Diaries and Journals
 With informal writing, you can
include things such as:
• Slang and clichés • First person, second person,
• Figurative language and third person

• Symbols and abbreviations • Paragraphs or no paragraphs

• Acronyms • Jokes

• Incomplete sentences • Personal opinions

• Short sentences • Extra punctuation

• Passive and active voice
3.) Neutral Language Register
• We use the neutral language Writing in the natural language
register with non-emotional topics register includes:
and information.
• Neutral writing is not necessarily • Articles
formal or informal. It is not usually
positive or negative. A neutral
• Some letters
register is used to deliver facts. • Some essays
• Some writings are written in a • Technical writing
neutral register. This means they
are not specifically formal or
• Reviews
informal.