Chapter 11: Write or Wrong? Teaching Writing Lessons 167
As a general habit, indicate the register of an expression by writing (f) or
(inf), that is formal and informal, after it on the board so that students are
aware of how to use it.Additionally, it is best to highlight expressions which are restricted to writ-
ing. For example, a very old lady who is not used to many of the advances
in technology left me a telephone message ending with ‘Yours sincerely,
Winnie’. Although a native speaker, she had not worked out the appropriate
use of register nor whether the language of messages is transferable from
letter to telephone. Do not let your students make this mistake.Table 11-2 shows some basic differences between formal and informal writing
to help you get started. In their notebooks, you could get students to set up a
table of equivalent formal and informal expressions which they could fill in as
they learn them throughout your course.Table 11-2 Standards for Formal and Informal Writing
Formal Writing Informal Writing
Never use contractions. Write the whole
word.Use contractions.Use verbs derived from Latin. Use phrasal verbs.
Use passive constructions (eg it is done) Use active constructions (eg he does it)
Never use slang Use appropriate slang and common
words.Table 11-3 shows some formal and informal language to share with your
students.
Table 11-3 Formal and Informal Phrases
Formal Informal
Dear Sir/Madam Hi!
I appreciate... Thanks
I would be grateful if you could... Please could you...
Approximately About
Due to Because of
A great deal of A lot of
Sufficient Enough
Yours sincerely/faithfully Best wishes