Choosing the right level of formality
You wouldn't text a friend the way you'd write to a headteacher — knowing when to switch registers is a real writing skill.
Part of your national curriculum
- Writing: Consciously control levels of formality, including through the use of Standard English, and know when it is appropriate to use
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Consciously control levels of formality, including through the use of Standard English, and know when it is appropriate to use
Key learning points
- • What is register?
- • When formal is right
- • When informal is right
This lesson at a glance
- 22 minutes
- 17 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 17
Visual introductionPicture this
Choosing the right level of formality
You wouldn't text a friend the way you'd write to a headteacher — knowing when to switch registers is a real writing skill.
In a nutshell
Consciously control levels of formality, including through the use of Standard English, and know when it is appropriate to use
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · What is register?
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
What is register?
Register is the level of formality in language. 'Gonna check it out later' is informal; 'I intend to examine this further' is formal Standard English. Both are correct — the question is whether they suit the audience and purpose.
Reset break
Part 4 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 17
Learn
When formal is right
A witness statement for the police must use precise, formal Standard English: 'I observed the suspect leave the premises at approximately 9pm,' not 'I saw the guy leg it.' Formality signals seriousness and precision.
Quick check
Part 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
Reset break
Part 8 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · When informal is right
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
When informal is right
Dialogue in a story can be deliberately informal to show character and realism — a teenage character saying 'I ain't got a clue' sounds authentic, whereas Standard English there might sound stilted.
Quick check
Part 11 of 17
Reset break
Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 17
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 17
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
Register is the level of ____ in language.
'Gonna check it out later' is informal; 'I intend to examine this further' is formal ____ English.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
Which is a typical feature of spoken language?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Choosing the right level of formality
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Which is a typical feature of spoken language?
2. ‘We consider the proposal unworkable’ differs from ‘We reckon the plan won't work’ mainly in:
3. Which statement about regional dialects is accurate?
4. When is informal register the right choice?
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
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Ask LunaPart 1 of 17 · Watch & discover
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Consciously control levels of formality, including through the use of Standard English, and know when it is appropriate to use