Formal Vs. Colloquial Voice & audience

Adapted from David Park designs & teaches Formal vs. colloquial What is colloquial language? Informal/familiar or popular English The everyday spoken English Examples of colloquial vocabulary: Stuff A lot Thing Sort of Adapted from David Park designs & teaches

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

Investigated/ studied Put up with Tolerated Kids children OK Formal vs. colloquial COLLOQUIAL FORMAL Ask for Request Find out Discover Deal with Handle Checked out Investigated/ studied Put up with Tolerated Kids children OK All right/ acceptable A lot Many / much Adapted from David Park designs & teaches

Formal vs. colloquial 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 e-mail. 1st e-mail: Let your professor know you will not make it to the meeting arranged. 2nd e-mail: Let your best friend know you will not be able to meet him/her for lunch as you had arranged. 3rd e-mail: Let a classmate know you will not be able to meet him/her for the group meeting arranged.

Adapted from David Park designs & teaches 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) Adapted from David Park designs & teaches

Adapted from the Practical English Handbook 11th edition audience 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. Adapted from the Practical English Handbook 11th edition

adapted from writers inc voice 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) adapted from writers inc

So… What is figurative language???? And how can we use it in our writing?

Overview Figurative language refers to words or phrases that add extra meaning or emotion to what we say or write. Figurative language uses words in other ways than their literal sense Figurative language can be used to suggest a picture (image), create a sensory reaction, or create other special effects like rhythm.

Examples of Figurative Language Think of some of the figurative language you already know. How do similes and metaphors add meaning or emotion to a story? How about personification? Alliteration? Imagery?

Examples of Figurative Language How do similes and metaphors add meaning or emotion to a story?  a creative way to express emotion  change the mood (lighten or darken)  reveal the attitude of the character  create an instant word picture  reveal age, locale, or character traits  reveal how a character thinks or feels Example: “I’m very happy.” vs. “I’m as happy as a flea at a dog show.”

Examples of Figurative Language How does alliteration add to a story?  creates rhythm  creates / effects mood  emphasizes words / phrases Example: "The sun for sorrow will not show his head" (The Prince, Act 5 Scene 3)

Examples of Figurative Language How does imagery add meaning or emotion to a story?  a creative way to express emotion.  develop the tone or mood  creates a picture in the reader’s mind  encourages use of other senses Example: “I'll tell you how the sun rose,-- A ribbon at a time. The steeples swam in amethyst, The news like squirrels ran. …” - Emily Dickinson

JARGON, DIALECT, AND SLANG Modified by M. Singleton

Jargon, Dialect, and Slang Jargon, dialect, and slang are types of figurative language. An author can use all of these to add meaning or emotion to the story he or she is telling. It can also be used to reveal important character traits.

Jargon Jargon refers to the language and technical terms used by people of the same profession or group. By profession, we mean:

Jargon Jargon refers to the language and technical terms used by people of the same profession or group. By profession, we mean: any vocation or business

Examples of jargon Many professions use words or phrases that an average person would not know the meaning of. Doctors and nurses use many phrases when talking to each other that an average person would not understand: Anterior Granuloma Subdural Pericardial effusion Renogram

Businessmen and businesswomen Examples of jargon Many other professionals often use jargon. Some common professions that use jargon: Police Lawyers Scientists Businessmen and businesswomen Athletes

B&E – Breaking and Entering DUI – Driving Under the Influence Examples of Jargon B&E – Breaking and Entering DUI – Driving Under the Influence

Dialect Dialect is language spoken by the people of a particular place, time or social group What are some examples of how people use different words now than they did two hundred years ago? What are some examples of how people in the Midwest use different words than people in the South? What are some examples of how wealthier people might use different words than less affluent people would?

Well, hey there, mates. You catch the game on the tele this evening? Examples of Dialect Look at the following two ways someone might say “Hi” to a group of friends when they walk into a room. Which speaker is most likely from America? Which speaker is most likely from England? Well, hey there, mates. You catch the game on the tele this evening? Hey guys, what’s up? Did you watch the Chiefs game last night?

Hey, do you all want to go to dinner tonight? Examples of Dialect Look at the following two ways someone might invite a group of friends to dinner. Which speaker is most likely from the Midwest? Which speaker is most likely from the South? Hey, do you all want to go to dinner tonight? Howdy there. Do y’all want to go grab some dinner?

Examples of Dialect Look at the following two passages. Which passage was most likely written recently? Which passage was probably written hundreds of years ago? It could have betokened nothing short of the anticipated execution of some noted culprit, on whom the sentence of a legal tribunal had but confirmed the verdict of public sentiment. From The Scarlet Letter The day was for the most part routine for Germany’s eighty-two million citizens. Train stations were buzzing, coffee shops busy, government offices going about their business. From The New York Times

hypos stimulus, burst of energy (hyper) gay happy What are some examples of how people use different words now than they did two hundred years ago? 200 years ago Now hypos stimulus, burst of energy (hyper) gay happy aforesaid said before molested disturbed, bothered “MANY years ago, I contracted an intimacy with a Mr. William Legrand. He was of an ancient Huguenot family, and had once been wealthy; but a series of misfortunes had reduced him to want. To avoid the mortification consequent upon his disasters, he left New Orleans, the city of his forefathers, and took up his residence at Sullivan's Island, near Charleston, South Carolina.” The Gold Bug by Edgar Allan Poe

Slang is informal words used in casual conversation. By informal, we mean:

Slang is informal words used in casual conversation. By informal, we mean: without formality; casual

Slang Below are examples of how we can turn formal sentences (left) into slang sentences (right). Yes. Yep. That was unusual. That was random. My parents are here to pick me up. My ride’s here. Our team needs to play Our team needs to take care our best tonight. of business tonight.