1. Formal vs. Informal Language What is the difference?

2. Characteristics of formal language:
Serious
Objective
Specific vocabulary
No contractions
More complex sentences
Controlled
Impersonal
When do we use formal language?
Job interview
Principal's office
Class essay
Business letter

3. Characteristics of informal language:
Slang vocabulary
Funny
Casual
Simple
Plain spoken
Punctuation (exclamation points)
When do we use informal language?
Text message
Journal writing
Friendly letter
Jotting a note

4. When we are speaking to a principal we might say: “Good morning
When we are speaking to a principal we might say: “Good morning.” When we are speaking to our best friend we might say: “Howdy!” When we are speaking to an adult we might say: “I am confused.” When we are speaking to a friend we might say: “I don’t get it.”

5. When we are speaking to a teacher we might say: “Please show me where the cafeteria is.” When we are speaking to a classmate we might say: “Show me where it is.” When we are speaking to an adult we might say: “Will the nurse assist the doctor?” When we are speaking to a friend we might say: “Who helps the doctor?”

6. How do we know when to use formal or informal language
How do we know when to use formal or informal language? We need to think about…..
What is the event?
What is the size of the audience?
Who is the audience?
What is the relationship of the speaker to the audience?
What is the task you have been assigned?

7. Let’s compare words we might use in formal language and informal language.
Verbs
Formal Language
Informal Language
to depart
to go
to retain
to keep
to cease
to stop
to demonstrate
to show
to assist
to help
to create
to make

8. Formal Language Informal Language Hello. Hi. Goodbye. See you later.
How are you?
What’s up?
Sincerely,
From,
Dear ________,
To _______,
Good morning.
Hey!

9. Let’s practice… Read each sentence and tell whether it is a formal sentence or an informal sentence.

10. The project will be completed next year.
Formal

11. We’ll finish this job next year.
Informal

12. We did some experiments.
Informal

13. The students conducted an experiment.
Formal

14. Your decision will be expected by 9:00 AM.
Formal

15. You have to decide by 9:00!
Informal

16. Your idea is better than mine!
Informal

17. I think that your idea will help to solve this problem.
Formal

18. Please place all new items in the container near the door.
Formal

19. Put them by the door.
Informal