Revision Writing: Informal, Formal, and Semi-Formal Styles - JSS3 English language Lesson Note
Writing: Informal, Formal, and Semi-Formal Styles
Informal Writing
Context: Used in casual or familiar settings such as writing to friends, family, or close acquaintances.
Characteristics:
- Conversational tone
- Use of contractions (e.g., I'm, don't, can't)
- Personal pronouns (e.g., I, you, we)
- Slang and colloquial expressions
- Shorter sentences and simple structure
Example:
Email to a Friend:
```
Hey John,
Hope you're doing great! Just wanted to let you know about the awesome weekend I had. We went hiking in the mountains and it was so much fun. The view from the top was incredible!
Catch up soon?
Cheers,
Mike
```
Practice:
Write an email to your friend telling them about a recent movie you watched.
Formal Writing
Context: Used in professional, academic, or official settings such as business letters, academic essays, or official documents.
Characteristics:
- Polished and respectful tone
- Full forms (e.g., I am, do not, cannot)
- Third-person perspective is often preferred
- No slang or colloquial language
- Complex sentences and structured paragraphs
Example:
Formal Letter:
```
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Email Address]
[Date]
[Recipient's Name]
[Recipient's Title]
[Company's Name]
[Company's Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
Dear [Recipient's Name],
I am writing to express my interest in the Marketing Manager position advertised on your company's website. With over five years of experience in marketing and a proven track record of successful campaigns, I am confident in my ability to contribute to your team.
I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my application further. Thank you for considering my application.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
```
Practice:
Write a letter to the principal of your school requesting permission to organise a cultural event.
Semi-Formal Writing
Context: Used in situations that are neither completely casual nor entirely formal, such as emails to colleagues, school applications, or communication with someone you respect but know fairly well.
Characteristics:
- Respectful but friendly tone
- Limited use of contractions
- Mix of personal pronouns and third-person perspective
- Minimal use of slang
- Balanced sentence structure
Example:
Semi-Formal Email:
```
Dear Mr. Smith,
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to inquire about the upcoming project meeting scheduled for next Monday. Could you please provide the agenda and any preparatory materials that we need to review beforehand?
Thank you for your assistance.
Best regards,
Jane Doe