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Formal vs Informal Language

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Formal vs Informal Language

Formal vs Informal Language

Students writing formal and informal messages

📱 Part 1: Identifying Language Registers

1. Read each sentence below and circle whether it is FORMAL or INFORMAL:

a) "Hey mate, can u help me with homework?"

Formal

Informal

b) "Dear Mr Smith, I would appreciate your assistance with this matter."

Formal

Informal

c) "Thanks heaps! You're a legend!"

Formal

Informal

d) "I am writing to formally request an extension for my assignment."

Formal

Informal

2. Which features make language INFORMAL? (Check all that apply)

Contractions (can't, won't, you're)

Slang words (mate, heaps, awesome)

Complete sentences with proper grammar

Abbreviations (u, ur, 2moro)

Casual greetings (Hey, Hi there)

✍️ Part 2: Register Flip Writing Task

3. You need to ask for an extension on your science project that's due tomorrow. Write TWO different messages about the same request:

INFORMAL MESSAGE: Write a text message to your best friend asking them to help you get an extension:

FORMAL MESSAGE: Write a polite email to your teacher requesting the same extension:

🔍 Part 3: Language Feature Analysis

4. Compare your two messages above. Fill in the differences:

Greetings:

Informal: _________________ Formal: _________________

Sign-offs:

Informal: _________________ Formal: _________________

5. Circle the FORMAL vocabulary choices:

request

ask

assistance

help

appreciate

thanks

6. Match the informal phrases with their formal equivalents:
1. Can u help me?
2. Thanks heaps!
3. Hey there!
4. I'm gonna be late
A. Dear Sir/Madam
B. I will be delayed
C. I would appreciate your assistance
D. Thank you very much

🎯 Part 4: Choosing the Right Register

7. For each situation, would you use FORMAL or INFORMAL language? Circle your choice:

a) Texting your cousin about weekend plans

Formal

Informal

b) Writing a letter to the Prime Minister

Formal

Informal

c) Emailing your teacher about homework

Formal

Informal

d) Chatting with friends at lunch

Formal

Informal

8. Explain why it's important to use the right language register for different audiences:
9. Rewrite this informal sentence in formal language:

"Hey, I can't come to class 2moro coz I'm sick. Can u tell me what we're doing?"

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