Activities to Teach Students Which Text Is Most Formal
As students progress in their academic studies, they will encounter various types of texts, including formal and informal writing. Formal writing is a type of writing that is used in professional settings, academic writing, and serious communication. To help students determine which text is most formal, educators can incorporate several activities into their lesson plans.
Identify Formal and Informal Words
One of the simplest ways to introduce students to formal and informal language is by asking them to identify formal and informal words. For instance, “gonna” is informal, while “going to” is formal. Have your students come up with a list of formal and informal words and share them with the class to discuss their differences.
Analyze Tone and Style
Another approach to teaching students which text is most formal requires them to analyze the tone and style of different texts. Provide students with a range of texts, such as news articles, academic papers, and personal emails, and ask them to analyze each text’s tone and style. Encourage them to identify the words, sentence structure, and overall tone of each text to determine which one is more formal.
Teach Appropriate Greetings and Salutations
Greeting and salutation are an integral part of professional communication. Teach your students how to greet their superiors and colleagues formally by using the appropriate language and tone. Model the appropriate way to begin a letter or email and help students to practice using formal greetings.
Use the Right Vocabulary
Using the correct vocabulary is essential when writing in a formal style. Educators should teach students to use sophisticated vocabulary and phrases that convey professionalism. Students can learn to use a thesaurus to find synonyms for the words they commonly use in everyday language to help them transition to more formal language.
Practice Writing
After introducing students to formal writing conventions, it’s important to give them ample time to practice writing. Provide them with writing prompts that follow the conventions of formal writing and require them to write a formal letter, essay, or report. During the writing process, encourage students to use all the skills they’ve learned in previous activities to create a formal text.
In conclusion, teaching students how to differentiate formal and informal language requires a combination of different activities and strategies. Educators should encourage active participation and practice to help students master the conventions of formal language. By developing these skills early, students will build the foundation to communicate effectively and professionally throughout their academic and professional careers.