Dimensions of Language

Subject PurposeAudience The Writing Triangle

1. Formal \ Informal 2. Standard \ Nonstandard 3. General \ Specific Word Categories

Formal: I am applying for the receptionist position advertised in the local paper. I am an excellent candidate for the job because of my significant secretarial experience, good language skills, and sense of organization. Formal \ Informal

Informal: Hi! I read in the paper that ya'll were looking for a receptionist. I think that I am good for that job because I've done stuff like it in the past, am good with words, and am incredibly well organized.

Formal: I am applying for the receptionist position advertised in the local paper. I am an excellent candidate for the job because of my significant secretarial experience, good language skills, and sense of organization. Formal \ Informal Informal: Hi! I read in the paper that ya'll were looking for a receptionist. I think that I am good for that job because I've done stuff like it in the past, am good with words, and am incredibly well organized.

FormalInformal Correct and effective use of words Academic writing Business letter Job application Journal entries Personal letter Narratives Formal \ Informal

Standard \ Nonstandard Overview Standard refers to common words. Nonstandard refers to slang, jargon, dialectal words, obsolete words, and idiomatic expressions.

Standard \ Nonstandard Examples Standard Nonstandard am not, is not, has not very good very to play a trick you all ain’t cool damn to pull one’s leg ya’ll

StandardNonstandard Correct and effective use of words Closely related to formality Academic writing Business letter Job application Written Journal entries Personal letter Narratives Spoken Standard \ Nonstandard

General \ Specific Overview Generality makes reference to words that involve, relate to, or apply to every member of a class, kind or group. Specificity makes reference to words that are encompassed by a more general catergory.

Examples General \ Specific General Specific animal laugh big scientist tiger, horse, fox chuckle, giggle, roar huge, large, vast physicist, chemist, biologist

Correct and effective use of words General \ Specific General Specific Summary Generalization Description Explanation