Using Formal

and Informal
Language
Appropriately
What language would you use in these
situations and why?
Tone
Tone is defined as the
writer’s attitude toward the
subject matter and his or
her readers.
Audience
The audience is your
reader or listener– the
recipient of your verbal or
written communication.
 Diction
• Diction is word choice
• Word choice is important in establishing
tone
• Three levels of diction:
– 1. high or formal diction
– 2. neutral diction
– 3. informal or low diction
Characteristic of Formal
and Informal Language
Formal Informal

serious light
objective humorous
impersonal personal
reasoned casual
controlled offhanded
reserved "loose"
plainspoken
simple
 Why does it even matter?
• Official or serious situations are often signaled
by the use of formal language, while ordinary or
relaxed situations are signaled by the use of
informal language.
– What determines formal or informal:
• public versus private occasion,
• The size of the audience,
• The relationship of the speaker/writer with the audience,
• The ability to vary your language according to
the situation is often considered a mark of an
educated person.
 Certain Situations
Formal Situations Informal Situations

job interview text message

principal’s office visit friendly letter
business letter “locker” conversation
class essay Journal-style writing
 What makes INFORMAL
language?
• Simple grammatical structure
• Personal evaluation
– Using first person
– Using forms of “you”
• Colloquial or slang
vocabulary
– Contractions are considered
slang
What makes FORMAL
language?
• Formal language, even when
spoken, is often associated with
the conventions expected of
written standard English.
• Although you generally don’t
worry as much about formality in
speaking, it is extremely
important in writing because of
the knowledge you are recording
through the written word.
Continued on next slide…
 Remember… when you are speaking,
What makes
writing formal
or analyzing language in a
language formal situation…
(continued)?
• Formal language does not use contractions
• Avoids personal pronouns such as: you, I, us,
me, and we
• Includes more polysyllabic words—BIGGER
words
• Complex, complete sentences
• Avoidance of colloquial or slang vocabulary
Remember… when you are speaking,
What tooravoid
writing inlanguage
analyzing formalin a
writing… formal situation…
• Exclamation marks
• Needless words like “well” and “you know”
• First and second person point of view
• Beginning sentences with coordinating
conjunctions
• Too many short, choppy sentences that
could be combined to make more complex
sentence structures
What to avoid in formal
writing…
• Avoid most shortenings in formal writing. In
formal English, you talk on the “telephone,” not
the “phone”
• Know what acronyms may be used in your
writing. In formal English, you should limit your
use of acronyms, abbreviations making use of
letters that stand for certain words
• Similarly, limit your use of absolute terms, such
as "everybody," "always," "never"
• Avoid cliché’s and colloquialisms
 Common Colloquialisms and
Informal Words
• A lot, alot • Cute
• Ain't • Fellow
• Alright, all right • For sure
• Anyways • Get, obtain
• Anybody, anyone • Get, understand
• As • Gonna, wanna
• Big, large great • Got
• Buy • How come
• Contraption • How do you do
• Could of, would of, should • Humongous
of • Kid
 Common Colloquialisms and
Informal Words Continued
• Kinda, kind of, sorta, sort • So
of • Thus, thusly
• Let • Until, till, ‘til
• Like • Use
• Most • Use to
• On the other hand • Yeah
• Pretty
• Real, really
• Shall, will, should, would
 INFORMAL LETTER

Greetings Dear + first name

Asking about them Hi! How are things? How’s it going?
Referring to the news Great news about… Glad to hear that…
Giving news Listen, did I tell you… You’ll never
believe
what…
Making suggestions Why don’t you..? Maybe you could…
Closing expressions Well, got to go now. See you soon.
Signing off Love, Lots of love, Yours,
Name your first name
 FORMAL LETTER

Greeting name unknown: Dear Sir/Madam

name known: Dear Mr../Dear Mrs…/Dear Ms…
Reason for writing I am writing to.. I am writing with regards to…

Asking questions I would be grateful if..

Referring to their letter As you stated in your letter..

Regarding/Concerning..

Closing expressions I look forward to hearing from you.

Signing off Yours sincerely,

Yours faithfully,
 A FORMAL LETTER

Dear Ms Turner,

I am writing in response to your advertisement for tour guides, which I

read in the ‘Reporter’ on 11th June. I would like to apply for one of the
advertised positions.
I am very interested ib modern art and would welcome the
opportunity to inform visitors to the gallery. I have previously worked in
a local museum, as you can see from my attached CV.
I also believe I have the personal qualities and qualifications
necessary for this position. I speak French as my first language and
recently passed the Cambridge First Certificate in English examination
with ‘A’ grade.
Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to
contact me. I am available for interview at your convenience.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Bishop
Reservations Manager
Calton Hotel
78 Park Lane
Bristol

June 16
Dear Jack/Sir or Madam
I am writing/This is just a note to confirm a reservation that was made/I
asked you for this morning by telephone. This reservation, for a couple of/two nights,
is for me/myself, David Cook.
I want/would like a room with a bathroom. I will be attending/I’m going to
pop into The Trade Fair that is being held/is going on in Bristol that week.
It is all right/Would it be possible for me to have a room at the back of the
hotel?
Thank you/Thanks for sending me the brochure about/regarding your
conference facilities. Unfortunately/I’m sorry I can’t give you/I am unable to
provide you with any definite dates at the moment/now,as/because we have yet to
finalize/sort out the details of our sales conference. But/However, I will contact/ I’ll
drop a line as soon as I can/possible.
I look/I’m looking forward to meeting you on 12 July.
Best wishes/Yours faithfully,
David Cook.
 CHECKING YOUR WRITING FOR LETTER OF
APPLICATION

• Always check that your writing is consistent with

your purpose. In your letter of application, check
that:
• You have painted a good picture of yourself
• Dates, qualifications, experience are consistent
• There is no irrelevant information included
• It is easy for the reader to follow
DOES THE LETTER FULFILL THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN
APPROPRIATE LEETER OF APPLICATION?
York
YK13 SNL
14th September
Dear Mr Willis,
I am writing to apply for the position of Part-Time Sales Assistant which I saw in the
newspaper I bought while I was walking my dog , Pedro, yesterday.
I am 16 years old, I am tall and I have got long brown curly hair. I have got one sister,
who I get on with very well.
Although I don’t have any experience of working in a shop, I want to work for you. I
have had a regular baby-sitting job for a year now. I am trustworthy and reliable, but I
can sometimes be a little impatient and moody.
I’m free to start from July. I finish my exams at the end of May so I can’t wait to hear
from you.
Yours sincerely,
A.Leary
Andrea Leary