Formal vs. Formal vs. Informal Informal LanguageLanguageWhen to use which?When to use which?

Use both knowledge and Use both knowledge and

wisdom to decide!wisdom to decide!

What Is Formal What Is Formal Language?Language?

Is used when you want to make a good Is used when you want to make a good impression on people in respected positions. impression on people in respected positions.

You speak in a more traditional way and You speak in a more traditional way and use longer forms of words when you want to use longer forms of words when you want to be formal.be formal.

No contractions, slang, or text language is No contractions, slang, or text language is used (it’s, yeah!, or OMG, etc).used (it’s, yeah!, or OMG, etc).

Is used when asking or requesting Is used when asking or requesting something.something.

Is used when making a formal complaint. Is used when making a formal complaint.

DICTIONDICTION

Diction is word choice or choosing the Diction is word choice or choosing the correct words appropriately for each correct words appropriately for each situation.situation.

Word choice is important in establishing Word choice is important in establishing tonetone

Three levels of diction:Three levels of diction: 1. high or formal diction – formal language1. high or formal diction – formal language 2. neutral diction2. neutral diction 3. informal or low diction – informal 3. informal or low diction – informal

languagelanguage

Use Formal Language Use Formal Language with:with:

TeachersTeachers PrincipalsPrincipals CounselorsCounselors NeighborsNeighbors Firemen, Policemen, and other civil Firemen, Policemen, and other civil

servantsservants

Who else?Who else?

Use Formal Language Use Formal Language with (contin.)with (contin.)

Formal Situations Formal Situations

************************************************job interviewjob interview

PrincipalPrincipal’’s office visits office visit

business letterbusiness letter

school/class essayschool/class essay

What makes FORMAL What makes FORMAL language?language?

Formal language does not use contractionsFormal language does not use contractions Avoids personal pronouns such as: you, I, Avoids personal pronouns such as: you, I,

us, me, and weus, me, and we Includes more polysyllabic words—BIGGER Includes more polysyllabic words—BIGGER

wordswords Uses complex and/or complete sentencesUses complex and/or complete sentences Avoids using colloquial or slang vocabularyAvoids using colloquial or slang vocabulary

What Is Informal What Is Informal Language?Language?

Is used when you talk to peers or Is used when you talk to peers or adults whom you feel close to. adults whom you feel close to.

You might speak in a more relaxed You might speak in a more relaxed way, by using slang and shorter way, by using slang and shorter forms of words, when you want to be forms of words, when you want to be informal. informal.

You should continue to be respectful You should continue to be respectful when being informal.when being informal.

Use Informal Language Use Informal Language with:with:

Your best friend and other friendsYour best friend and other friends Your sister or brotherYour sister or brother Your girlfriend or boyfriendYour girlfriend or boyfriend Your cousin, etc.Your cousin, etc.

Who else?Who else?

Use Informal Language Use Informal Language with: (contin.)with: (contin.)

Informal SituationsInformal Situations

********************************************text messagetext message

friendly letterfriendly letter

““lockerlocker”” conversation conversation

Journal-style writingJournal-style writing

What makes INFORMAL What makes INFORMAL language?language?

Simple grammatical structure Simple grammatical structure Personal evaluationPersonal evaluation Colloquial or slang vocabulary Colloquial or slang vocabulary

Informal Language Informal Language Examples:Examples:

HiHi Sure!Sure! Will ya?Will ya? Ya gotta do it!Ya gotta do it! What do you want?What do you want?

Formal Language Formal Language Examples:Examples:

I would be delighted!I would be delighted!

I certainly appreciate this.I certainly appreciate this.

It has been a pleasure meeting you.It has been a pleasure meeting you.

Could you possibly give me a hand Could you possibly give me a hand with this project?with this project?

Formal or Informal?Formal or Informal?What do you think?What do you think?

You call your father at work and his You call your father at work and his boss answers the phone.boss answers the phone.

You are asking someone out on a You are asking someone out on a date.date.

You are talking to your parents at the You are talking to your parents at the dinner table.dinner table.

You are trying to convince the You are trying to convince the assistant principal to change the date assistant principal to change the date of the detention you were given.of the detention you were given.

Formal Language: Body Formal Language: Body Language and DictionLanguage and Diction

Body Language Looks like:Body Language Looks like: Standing or sitting straighter than usualStanding or sitting straighter than usual

Sounds like:Sounds like: ““Hello, Ms. FountainHello, Ms. Fountain”” ““Please, may I…Please, may I…”” ““It is so nice to meet you.It is so nice to meet you.””

Informal Language: Body Informal Language: Body Language and DictionLanguage and Diction

Body Language Looks like:Body Language Looks like: Standing or sitting in a relaxed positionStanding or sitting in a relaxed position

Sounds like:Sounds like: Using slangUsing slang

““HiHi”” ““What are ya doinWhat are ya doin’’??”” ““WhatWhat’’s new?s new?””

Formal vs. InformalFormal vs. InformalWhen to use which?When to use which?

Wisdom is knowing Wisdom is knowing what to do next; what to do next; success means success means using it. using it.

David Starr JordanDavid Starr Jordan