Make it Formal
Convert the phrasal verbs 'look at' to a formal word
observe, view, admire, ponder, reflect
Meaning of ‘To cost an arm and a leg’ with Example:
Something is very expensive. “Fuel these days costs and arm and a leg.”
Stuff, Things, A lot of, Sort of
Informal Language
You have recently joined a fitness centre and are very satisfied with the facilities and the instruction. You want to recommend it to teenagers living in your city. Write a text in which you present the fitness centre and explain why you recommend it.
a.) Article b.) Email c.) Review
c.) Review
Name three distinct text features of a Presentation/Speech/Debate:
1. Rhetorical Questions
2. Repetition
3. Parallel Structures
4. Imagery
5. Ethos and Pathos
6. Speaking directly to the audience
7. Alliteration and Assonance
Convert the words 'bad and good' to formal words:
Bad: disgusting, second-rate, poor, inferior, unpleasant, unfavorable, inadequate, subpar
Good: exemplary, superior, acceptable, favorable, of high standard, amazing
Meaning of 'To cut corners' with Example:
To do something badly or cheaply.
“They really cut corners when they built this bathroom; the shower is leaking.”
Phrasal Verbs: take away, keep out, look out
Informal
You believe that the increase in online shopping is threatening the existence of smaller shops and markets in your neighbourhood. You want to raise awareness of this issue amongst the local community. Write a text in which you outline why the closing of smaller shops and markets is a problem and offer some practical solutions to avoid this from happening.
a.) Blog b.) Pamphlet c.) Review
b.) Pamphlet
Name three features of a Blog:
1. Eye-catching Title and Subheadings
2. Tips
3. Topical and Relevant
4. Personal and Opinionated
5. Voice, Engaging, Interesting
6. Interact with Readers
Conver the word 'get' to a formal word:
obtain, acquire, gain, earn, receive
Meaning of To add insult to injury’ and Example:
To make a situation worse.
“To add insult to injury the car drove off without stopping after knocking me off my bike.”
Vocabulary: masticate, purchase, procure, cease, remove....
Formal
You recently listened to a podcast which suggested that supportive friendships make a major contribution to teenagers’ well-being. This made you reflect on your own friendships. Write a text to a good friend summarizing the ideas expressed in the podcast, comparing them to your own experience and stating the extent to which you agree with them.
a.) Email b.) Set of Guidelines c.) Social Media Posting
A.) Email
Name 4 Features of an Essay:
1. 5-paragraph structure
2. Thesis Statement
3. Topic Sentences to Introduce each paragraph
4. Evidence and Support
5. Hook in the Introduction
6. Clear Conclusion
Convert the words 'for sure' to formal wording:
certainly, without a doubt, undoubtedly, concretely, no question, without question, surely, unquestionably
Meaning of 'Bite the Bullet' and Example:
Decide to do something unpleasant that you have avoiding doing.
Vocabulary: buy, get, stop, chew, nice, bad, good
Informal
Bonus points: Give sophisticated and formal synonyms of each word
You belong to an online group interested in languages. One member has said that they feel different when speaking English to speaking in their home language. You wish to express your opinions to the group. Write a text to summarize the member’s ideas, compare them to your own experiences, and express your own ideas about the relationship between language and identity.
a. Email
b. Interview
c. Online Forum Posting
c. Online Forum Posting
1. Straightforward Title
2. Subheadings: Break down into sections
3. Rationale: Opening Paragraph indicates the need for Guidelines
4. Consequences and Repercussions
5. Two-Columned, if desired
6. Passive voice and impersonal structures
7. Present Tense, typically used
8. Cautions, Warnings, if needed
Convert the word 'stop' to a formal synonym:
cease, end, conclude, pause, halt, terminate, finish
Meaning of 'To steal someone's thunder' and example:
Taking credit for someone else achievements.
Bonus: Are idioms formal or informal? In what writings can they be used and in which ones shouldn't they?
Passive Voice and impersonal forms
Formal
You read an article which claims that cities are responsible for most of the world’s carbon emissions. You feel your city could be doing more. Write a text for your fellow citizens in which you describe one source of carbon emissions within your city, present measures to reduce the pollution it causes, and explain why the measures would benefit the population.
a. Interview
b. Online Forum Posting
c. Set of guidelines
c. Set of guidelines
Name 5 features of Editorials / Opinion Columns:
1. Stimulate Public Debate
2. Engaging and Powerful Title
3. Opinion based but never writing 'I think'
4. Introduction with dramatic opening, hook
5. Written for a publication
6. Evidence and facts to support opinion
7. Logos: appeal to logic
8. Written by experts or people of the publication staff