1. Writing a letter
Formal or informal

2. Writing a letter Greeting Paragraph 1 Reason(s) for writing
Development of the subject
Paragraph 4
Closing remarks
Name

3. Informal style Formal style Your address (without name)
Date
Your address (without name)
Date
Recipient’s address
Dear Jack,
Dear Auntie Clare,
……………………………..
Yours / Best wishes / Love / Best regards / See you
Name
P.S.
Dear Mr. Stone
Dear Sir(s) / Madam
Not Mr. John Stone
To whom it may concern
Yours sincerely
Yours faithfully
Full name

4. introductory letter phrases (textbook p. 91/3, 92/4,5,103/2,104/5)
formal
informal
I am writing to….(request, say, complain, inform you…)
I regret to inform you….
I was pleased to get your letter
I wish to apply for…
I would like to invite you/it is my pleasure to invite you( to inform you) …
Just thought Id drop you a line…
How are you doing?
This is just a note to tell you that…

5. Ending phrases (textbook p. 91/3, 92/4,5,103/2,104/5)
formal
informal
I look forward to recieving…, hearing from you.
I hope you will consider the matter pretty urgent/your priority…
Thank you in advance for your answer
Please, do not hesitate to contact …
Thank you for your kind attention.
Please reply at your earliest convenience.
Tha is all my news for now
Write back soon
Give my love to…, say Hi for me to….
Hope, we can get together soon/to hear from you soon
Give me a call/text me.. asap
Keep in touch

6. Formal style Informal style Passive voice
Formal language (complex sentences, no slang,…)
Long forms (no abbreviations)
Latinate verbs, compound linking words, impersonal form (we, one, they, passive)
Informal language and style (slang, idioms, colloquial English)
Abbreviated forms, (contractions), pronouns omitted
active voice, direct style, little use of conjuctions, phrasal verbs, personal form, no subjects sometimes.

7. after greeting – put a comma or nothing (not an exclamation mark)
in formal typewritten letter, add your full name typewritten after your handwritten signature
address (number first, then street)

8. Example 1: This is to inform you that your book has been rejected by our publishing company as it was not up to the required standard. In case you would like us to reconsider it, we would suggest that you go over it and make some necessary changes. Example 2: You know that book I wrote? Well, the publishing company rejected it. They thought it was awful. But hey, I did the best I could, and I think it was great. I’m not gonna redo it the way they said I should. 

9. Informal: May use colloquial words/expressions (kids, guy, awesome, a lot, etc.).
Formal: Avoid using colloquial words/expressions (substitute with children, man/boy, wonderful, many, etc.)
Informal: May use contractions (can’t, won’t, shouldn’t, etc.).
Formal: Avoid contractions (write out full words – cannot, will not, should not, etc.).
Informal: May use first, second, or third person.
Formal: Write in third person (except in business letters where first person may be used).
Informal: May use clichés (loads of, conspicuous by absence, etc.)
Formal: Avoid clichés (use many, was absent, etc.)
Informal: May address readers using second person pronouns (you, your, etc)
Formal: Avoid addressing readers using second person pronouns (use one, one’s, the reader, the reader’s, etc.)
Informal: May use abbreviated words (photo, TV, etc)
Formal: Avoid using abbreviated words (use full versions – like photograph, television, etc.)
Informal: May use imperative voice (e.g. Remember….)
Formal: Avoid imperative voice (use Please refer to.….)
Informal: May use active voice (e.g. We have noticed that…..)
Formal: Use passive voice (e.g. It has been noticed that….)
Informal: May use short and simple sentences.
Formal: Longer and more complex sentences are preferred (short simple sentences reflects poorly on the writer)
Informal: Difficulty of subject may be acknowledged and empathy shown to the reader.
Formal: State your points confidently and offer your argument firm support.

11. Stuff Things Items, Possessions
Folks Family Relatives
Kids (younger) Babies, Children Infants, Offspring
Kids (older) Teenagers Adolescents, Youths
Guy Man Male
Old people Elderly people Senior citizens, Retirees
- Boss, Manager Supervisor, Superior
Cops Police Law enforcement
Crooks Criminals Offenders, Lawbreakers
OK, Alright Fine Acceptable, Satisfactory
Great, Awesome Good Preferable, Desirable
Rubbish, Useless Bad, Poor Unsatisfactory, Unacceptable

12. -
Nice, Polite
Considerate, Agreeable
Kind, Friendly
Sociable, Neighbourly
Nasty, Cheeky (person)
Rude, Impolite
Abusive, Disagreeable
Stupid, Crazy, Dumb (idea)
Misguided, Questionable
Stupid, Crazy, Dumb (person)
Misguided, Mistaken
Happy (person)
Satisfied, Delighted
Happy (situation)
Satisfying, Delightful
Sad (person)
Regretful, Distressed
Sad (situation)
Regrettable, Distressing
Sick of, Fed up with
Tired of
Dissatisfied with
Poor (country)
Developing, Poverty-stricken
Poor (person)
In poverty, Underprivileged
Rich (country)
Wealthy, Developed
Rich (person)
Wealthy, Privileged

13. In what areas must you differentiate formal and informal
In what areas must you differentiate formal and informal? Are you good at both? Have you had any experience (awkward situation) when you misjudged the circumstances and dressed up/down or anything else?