Why is it so important to write?

Writing has been widely regarded as a crucially essential skill in the teaching and learning
of English as a Second Language (ESL) as it is a comprehensive skill that helps reinforce
vocabulary, grammar, thinking, planning, editing, revising, and other elements. Writing
also helps to improve all the other skills of listening, speaking and reading as they are all
interrelated

Informal Writing Style

Colloquial – Informal writing is similar to a spoken conversation.  Informal writing may
include slang, figures of speech, broken syntax, asides and so on.  Informal writing takes a
personal tone as if you were speaking directly to your audience (the reader). You can use
the first or third person point of view (I and we), and you are likely to address the reader
using second person (you and your).

Simple – Short sentences are acceptable and sometimes essential to making a point in
informal writing. There may be incomplete sentences or ellipsis(…) to make points.

Contractions and Abbreviations – Words are likely to be simplified using contractions

(for example, I’m, doesn’t, couldn’t, it’s) and abbreviations (e.g. TV, photos) whenever
possible.

Empathy and Emotion – The author can show empathy towards the reader regarding the
complexity of a thought and help them through that complexity.

Formal Writing Style

Complex – Longer sentences are likely to be more prevalent in formal writing. You need
to be as thorough as possible with your approach to each topic when you are using a
formal style. Each main point needs to be introduced, elaborated and concluded.

Objective – State main points confidently and offer full support arguments. A formal
writing style shows a limited range of emotions and avoids emotive punctuation such as
exclamation points, ellipsis, etc., unless they are being cited from another source.
 Full Words – No contractions should be used to simplify words (in other words use "It is"
rather than "It's").  Abbreviations must be spelt out in full when first used, the only
exceptions being when the acronym is better known than the full name (BBC, ITV or
NATO for example).

Third Person – Formal writing is not a personal writing style.  The formal writer is
disconnected from the topic and does not use the first person point of view (I or we) or
second person (you).

Source: https://www.skillsyouneed.com/write/formal-or-informal.html

Let´s practice

Write in front of the sentence (I) for informal writing or (F)for formal writing.

Example:1

How are you doing? F What´s going on? I

I am writing to inform you… Just a note to say…
Could you?... I was hoping that you could…
Please get back to me ASAP… I would be grateful if you could reaplay early …

I am afraid that I will not able to attend… Sorry, I cant make it …

I’m sorry for what happened I apologize for any incovenience …

What´s up?... Good afternoon , how have you been?

I regret to inform you of… I´m sorry to tell you that…

Activity1

Source: eslbuzz.org
 Activity to develop

According to the image above you will choose between and informal or formal “letter or e-
mail” writing, then in the box below make your own. Be creative and imaginative.

ABSENCE TO TRAINING
Bogotá D.C,13 de agosto de 2020

Dear mr GUILLERMO BARRERO

Instructor SENA

Good evening I apologize in advance for not having attended your classes for the last few days, but I have
had problems to attend due to a problem with my internet operator, I have been without this service until
almost noon this last week and I have called to my operator and she says that it is because my Reuter is
very old and until today 06/12/2020 they came to change it around 9:00 am, however I have done the
assigned work and I want to say that I will not desert, it was only a momentary problem that I hope will not
happen again. I wish to return to your classes with the best possible attitude.
I look forward to hear from you without delay,

kind regards