INGL 3202 – Spring 2011

What is colloquial language?  Informal/familiar or popular English  The everyday spoken English  Examples of colloquial vocabulary:  Stuff  A lot  Thing  Sort of FORMAL VS. COLLOQUIAL ADAPTED FROM DAVID PARK DESIGNS & TEACHES

FORMAL VS. COLLOQUIAL What is formal language?  Uses a respectful and academic tone.  Uses more complex vocabulary than everyday speech.  Usually used in writing such as textbooks and university essays.  Examples of formal vocabulary (multi-syllable words):  Compensate  Interrogate  Establish ADAPTED FROM DAVID PARK DESIGNS & TEACHES

FORMAL VS. COLLOQUIAL COLLOQUIALFORMAL Ask forRequest Find outDiscover Deal withHandle Checked outInvestigated/ studied Put up withTolerated Kidschildren OKAll right/ acceptable A lotMany / much ADAPTED FROM DAVID PARK DESIGNS & TEACHES

Situation: You arranged a meeting/lunch, and you will not be able to make it. The form you will use to let the other person know, is an . 1 st Let your professor know you will not make it to the meeting arranged. 2 nd Let your best friend know you will not be able to meet him/her for lunch as you had arranged. 3 rd Let a classmate know you will not be able to meet him/her for the group meeting arranged. FORMAL VS. COLLOQUIAL

When writing an academic essay, use formal language and avoid:  Contractions (isn’t, don’t, won’t, they’re, can’t, shouldn’t)  Colloquial English or slang (gonna, wanna, ain’t)  Avoid abbreviation words (yrs, hrs) FORMAL VS. COLLOQUIAL ADAPTED FROM DAVID PARK DESIGNS & TEACHES

As a writer, it is of the outmost importance to be aware of your reader (audience). Try not to offend your reader.  Concentrate on a general readership (broader audience)  Be sensitive to your audience’s feelings (controversial topics)  Resist the temptation and AVOID writing to a single reader, the instructor.  Ideally use the third person (it for an object, he she for a person, and they for plurals).  The first person (I, We) is preferred for autobiographies, narratives, and memoirs.  The second person is tricky and difficult to manage. It may seem personal and even threatening. AUDIENCE ADAPTED FROM THE PRACTICAL ENGLISH HANDBOOK 11TH EDITION

Let YOUR voice and style be heard in your writing  Be purposeful, clear, and sincere  Tips:  Using Anecdotes (“slices of life”)  Using Metaphors (My family is a strong ray of sun that brings light and warmth to my heart)  Using Repetition (We were very tired, and were very hungry, yet we were very happy) VOICE ADAPTED FROM WRITERS INC