1. Code Switching
When to say what

2. Code Switching
Code switching is the ability to change your use of language based on the unique situation
Three Codes
Informal
Semi-formal
Formal/Academic

3. Informal Writing This is anything that is going to just your friends
Includes friend-to-friend s, letters, love letters, texting, etc.
Things you can do here: text/IM-lingo, bad spelling, incomplete sentences, not capitalizing letters, bad punctuation, etc.
Pretty much anything you want

4. Example of Informal Writing
Late 2 class g2g, c u latr
Lol sum freshy fell tryin 2 get 2 class in 20 sec
2day is a gr8 day teachrs r in a good mood cuz passin times r shorter
I h8 the ppl that just stand around durin passin time & dnt move.
(Courtesy of Jackie Pfitzenmeier)

5. Semi-Formal Writing
Writing that will be seen by the general public but includes a lot of your own personal opinion
Example: opinion columns, editorials, you-to-teacher/boss s
Things you can do here: use the word I, you, we (all personal pronouns), properly spell and punctuate slang, use occasional sentence fragments, use a lot of short paragraphs
Things you may not do: texting/IM lingo, use bad spelling, use bad grammar, use bad punctuation

6. Example of Semi-Formal Writing
In my opinion, passing periods should be cut from 5 minutes down to 30 seconds. Why? Well, I’ll tell you. For one thing, students will have to tear around school to get to class on time. Tearing=Running. And running=getting in shape. Can you say, “Good-bye gym class?” I think so.

7. Formal/Academic Writing
Writing that will be seen by the general public and/or is written for an academic setting
Examples: school essays, research papers, professional journals, professional reports, etc.

8. Rules for Formal/Academic Writing
You must:
Use proper grammar
Use proper spelling
Use proper paper format
Type it
Use appropriate vocabulary
You must not:
Use 1st and 2nd person personal pronouns (I, we, us, you, your, etc)
Use slang words, phrases, or spelling

9. Example of Formal Writing
Passing periods between classes should be cut from five minutes to thirty seconds. At first, this might not seem like a good idea, but if one stops to consider the implications, one would see that this is a perfectly good idea. For one thing, if the school eliminates four minutes from each of the seven passing periods (twenty-eight minutes) then school could end a half an hour early.