Formal versus Informal Writing

This resource is both for Formal vs. Informal Language, as well as Sophisticated Language.

In a two-page handout that explains how to write formally, or more specifically, how to recognize and eliminate informal diction from writing. In a table format, informal writing is labelled and exemplified, a more formal (replacement) wording is provided, and (most importantly) a brief explanation as to why is provided.

This is a great two-page reference guide for students to use all year. I give it to every student, every class, every time I teach English. If you teach writing, or simply want your students to elevate their level of writing, I pretty much guarantee you will use this product over and over, year after year.

Informal Writing Topics Covered:

slang

colloquialism

clichés

word slurrying (e.g., gonna)

contractions

double-negatives

abbreviations

capitalization

Additionally, there is a one-page handout on Sophisticated Language, and two pages of worksheets that follow from that, where students read a text written in informal prose and must edit or rewrite the text to an elevated formal register. (Full Answer Key is provided.)

The first part of this resource (Formal vs. Informal Language) has students learn, understand, and recognize informal writing (both when reading it third-party, but also when looking at their own writing), an the second part of this resource (Sophisticated Language) has student increase their diction and learn how to express themselves using an elevated vocabulary.