page 1 of 5
STUDY AND WRITING SKILLS
84
8.5
STUDY SKILLS
RECOGNISING FORMAL AND INFORMAL LANGUAGE
1
a
Look at the extracts from different pieces of
correspondence. Match them with the types below.
report email note minutes SMS message
1
b
Is each piece of correspondence formal or
informal? Why?
2
a
Recognising register
Which of the following are
features of formal/informal writing?
1
use of contractions, e.g.
I’m
2
no contractions, e.g.
I am
3
passive constructions, e.g.
It is designed
4
phrasal verbs, e.g.
call back
5
longer words instead of shorter, more common ones,
e.g.
assistance
(not
help
),
information
(not
facts
),
reserve
(not
book
),
receive
(not
get
)
6
direct questions, e.g.
Can you …?
7
missing out words, e.g. subject pronouns
8
use of imperatives, e.g.
tell me
(like an order)
9
abbreviations, e.g.
thx
(=
thanks
)
2
b
Find examples of the features in the extracts.
3
Beginning and ending correspondence
Look again
at the emails in extracts 3 and 4 below. Underline the
phrases used to begin and end them.
WRITING SKILLS
FORMAL AND INFORMAL CORRESPONDENCE
4
Put the procedure into a logical order for writing
emails. (Tip: the answer should spell a word.)
T
ype …
(type a draft)
W
ho …
is the email to? (the reader(s) and your
relationship with them)
S
end …
(add any attachments and send)
E
dit …
(edit and check)
R
egister …
(is the email formal/neutral/informal?)
I
nformation … (brainstorm the content/functions,
and think of the information you need
to include)
1
3
4
Agenda Item
Discussion
Action
Marketing Plan
The budget
for this was
approved.
Martin
Schwarz will
prepare in
detail for next
meeting.
MS to
prepare
detailed
budget by
21 Feb.
5
6
ETA 14.30 pls send taxi cu l8r.
Hi Carlos,
Great news: got the contract! Let me know if you
want to work with us on this one. I’ll be in touch in
the next couple of days to firm up our needs.
Best wishes,
Nils
Dear Mr McLennan,
Further to your invitation of 15 March, I am
notifying you that I will unfortunately be unable
to attend the conference on Friday, due to a
prior engagement. However, I would be very
grateful if you could send me a copy of the
post-conference report.
Yours sincerely,
Elena D’Angelo
Jane,
Mr Forster called. I’ll get back to him
tomorrow about the details of his visit. Can
you find out what stuff he needs for his
presentation? Time tbc. Also wants some
help with booking a hotel. Let me know what
info you get asap.
Thanks,
Dan
Conclusion
Although there are cost benefits of using
Achieve, it is clear that Team Spirit is a much
more professional organisation and therefore
the best option to help improve staff morale.
Recommendations
It is recommended that Team Spirit are
contacted as soon as possible and informed
of our requirements.
If possible a staff teambuilding weekend
should be arranged for March/April.
2
