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Lol
Can’t
Cause
I
think
He
was so
stupid
Formal and Informal Writing
Informal Usage
Formal
 every day
 Academic Setting
 Reports
 Essays
 Business Setting
 Letters
 Emails
 Reports
 casual
 Relaxed
 Friends/family
 Social media
 no strict rules (don't care
much about applying
grammar rules )
Informal-Words to Avoid
 1st Person or Personal Pronouns (We, I, You)
Instead use 3rd Person: A person, an individual, one
 Contractions ---I’m, didn’t, can’t
Instead use I am, did not, cannot
 Slang , Cliches, Text Lingo
Examples: Easier said than done, lol, Rosaline
friendzoned Romeo
 Abbreviations and Symbols
Examples: &, asap, cause
Example 1
Informal:
I think that it's really bad
that students have to do so
much homework all the time.
teacherweb.com/IL/.../6th-7th-8th.../Informal-vs-Formal-Language.ppt
Example 1
Formal:
Many people, specifically
students, feel that it is unfair
that they receive a surplus of
homework each day.
teacherweb.com/IL/.../6th-7th-8th.../Informal-vs-Formal-Language.ppt
Example 2
Informal:
When you look at bacteria through a
microscope, it might seem like
nothing, but its effects are really
bad if you're exposed to it directly.
Example 2
Formal:
If an individual observes bacteria
through a microscope, one might find
that it appears harmless. However,
individuals exposed to bacteria have a
higher likelihood of contracting the
harmful effects, such as an illness.
teacherweb.com/IL/.../6th-7th-8th.../Informal-vs-Formal-Language.ppt
Word Usage
Formal:
A formal tone uses more complex,
precise adjectives, nouns, verbs
Examples:
good
superior
use
utilize
some things
some reasons
Word Usage
Hesitation fillers:
well
let me think
hmm
Like
er
Informal
Well, this experience is one I will never forget.
Formal
Therefore, this is an experience I will never forget.
Example 3
Informal:
When you're thinking about how to solve a
geometry problem, that's your cerebrum in
action. It doesn't help you remember
things, it also contains your memory, both
long-term and short-term.
teacherweb.com/IL/.../6th-7th-8th.../Informal-vs-Formal-Language.ppt
Example 3
Formal:
For instance, when a person attempts to solve
a challenging question, the cerebrum is
processing, and retrieving, the information
necessary to solve the question. The
cerebrum does not only store prior
knowledge or information, it also contains a
person's memory, both long and shortterm.
teacherweb.com/IL/.../6th-7th-8th.../Informal-vs-Formal-Language.ppt
Try It Out
Review your essay. Find instances of informal language.
Change those examples to a formal style.
http://www.teachertube.com/video/formal-vs-informalwriting-what039s-the-difference-and-when-to-usethem-360551
Exit Slip:
List two to three things you
learned today about writing an
essay?