1. Formal and Informal Writing Considering Your Audience

2. “ Skilled writers know how to switch and adapt tone and delivery to meet the requirements of a particular style” (Strunk and White 2.12). Work Cited Strunk, William, Jr. and E. B. White. The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition. Needham Heights: Allyn & Bacon, 2000.

3. Formal Essays DODON’T Include a thesisUse slang (“kid”) Follow formal structure (intro, body, and conclusion) Use first and second person pronouns- I, You, We, Us, Me, My, etc. Vary voice depending on the purpose for writing and audience State the obvious: “This essay/paragraph,” “honesty,” “in conclusion,” “first,” “second,” etc. Contains a formal voiceUse contractions

4. So how do you know when to use formal or informal style? Ask yourself these questions: ▫WHO IS MY AUDIENCE? ▫WHAT IS MY PURPOSE FOR WRITING? The level of formality depends upon whom your audience is and your purpose of writing. Who are some of the audiences you might write for?

5. Activity: What kinds of assignments/writing would fall under the following formality levels? Very FormalFormal using first person (I, Me, My) Informal *If you are ever unsure of the formality level, ASK YOUR TEACHER! Persuasive essay Analytical essay Research essay Informative essay Autobiographical essay Personal speech Journal Entry Narrative essay Poem Song Note to a friend

6. Let’s Practice: You will be given a card with the following information: ▫Speaker/Writer ▫Type of Writing ▫Audience ▫Purpose Based on the assignment you received, choose a level of formality and write it on the top of a piece of composition paper ▫Formal, Formal using first person, or Informal Compose 2 paragraphs for the assignment you received. You have 7 minutes.