Style and Register
What is style in writing?
= the way something is said or written, as opposed to the meaning of what is said or written.
What is the most important thing about a CV or resume?
True or false, you have to indent (einrücken) your paragraphs in a letter?
False! You used to though and it's not forbidden, just gone out of fashion.
What exactly is an essay?
Dictionary.com: ‘a short literary composition on a
particular theme or subject, usually in prose and
generally analytic, speculative, or interpretative.’
What is register?
= the level at which you say something. (Sprachniveau)
He said, that he had seen me before, but I did not believe him.
Achtung! German comma! He said that..... it's 1 clause. The second comma ', but' is a conjunction is ok but many people don't observe it!
Name 3 things that must be mentioned on a CV.
Personal details, a personal statement, qualifications and education, work experience.
What do you write in British style letters for ‘Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren’ if you don’t know the person’s name?
Dear Sir, Madam / Dear Madam or Sir (no comma after the name)
What is the most important thing you have to do when writing the essay?
Answer the f**king question! (Excuse my French).
What is good style in writing?
= clear, concise and in the appropriate register.
Dear Sir, Madame
with reference to your advertisement in The Times Online last week, I would like like to appy for the post of.......
Spelling! Madame est francais! :-)
The first line after the salutation must be capitalized!What is a personal statement?
A short explanation of who you are and what you do (where are you in your life right now? What have you got to offer?)
Should you have a reference line in your letter?
Yes! If it is a formal, business letter. Otherwise, no.
What is a paragraph for? When would you start a new one?
To start a new point or argument.
Can you put the following in the right order from vulgar - low - neutral - high? (British register, not American!)
public convenience, loo, bog, toilet
I will eventually be available for an interview next week, but I am not one-hundred per cent certain at the moment.
Achtung! False friend! eventuell = possibly
How long should a V CV and resume be roughly?
Resume max 1 page, CV max 2-3 pages.
Where do you put the reference line?
Directly above the salutation or between salutation and main text.
What's the best way to improve your essay writing?
Read and write!
Can you put this into good, formal style?
'Dear Smithy!
How you doing mate? I saw your job ad the other day. I reckon I'd be well good for it!
Cheers, Carl.'
Dear Mr Smith
[I hope you are well.] I am writing to apply for the position advertised in the ________ on March 1, 2018. I feel I would be the ideal candidate for this post.
Yours sincerely
Carl Jenkins.'
Can you put in the correct punctuation?
Ever since george w bush jr went to war against iraq in 2003 there have been a lot of debate about whether or not this step has been legitimate or not.
Ever since George W. Bush Jr. went to war against Iraq in 2003, there has been a lot of debate about whether or not this step has been legitimate.
Should you include as many details about yourself as possible? Why, why not?
No! Your CV must be tailor-made and focused on the job ad!
Can you give us 3 formulaics from letter writing? (NOT Dear Sir, Madam)
Anything like: I would be most grateful if you would be so kind as to consider me for this position - I am well-suited for this position - I look forward to hearing from you in the near future, etc. etc.
Can you come up with a good introduction for this essay: 'Alcohol is more dangerous than smoking, Discuss'.
1. Hook (statistics on alchohol vs smoking deaths). 2. Contextualize it (so why does everyone think of smoking?). 3. Thesis: yes and no. 4. Outline: what you're going to look at.