Can someone explain the difference between a formal and informal register?

Thanks for all your 5 paragraph essays.

I am hoping to get the marked versions back to you by this evening,

Fór those of you who are using word/open office I will try to make the correcting a bit easier by using some colour coding:

Corrected

spelling

grammar

tense= brown

^^= missing words

swenglish= purple

X = surplus to requirements!

I hope that will help. For those using google docs I will use the comment button. Don't forget when you share your document to give me the editing option (får redigera)!

As a follow-up to your 5 paragraph essay there is an excellent section on 

Paragraphing ( p. 89)

The opening sentence (p. 90) using different techniques to grab the reader's attention (grabbers)

 Sentence length and how to vary it (p.91)

Linking words and expressions (p. 92-93)

Structuring argumentative essays (p. 93-94) by expressing yourself using ready-to-go phrases

All of these strategies can help you become a more confident writer.

However, there is one key question which must always be addressed when writing- the question of "register"
On the "Yahoo answers" website  the question was asked which is the title of today's blog.
With regard to writing it is the most important question of all.

Here is how one of the people who answered the question expressed himself:

The difference between formal and informal English is not a difference between correct and incorrect, but a difference of what is known as register. A register is a variety of language related to a particular subject matter or area of activity, a set of words and expressions as well as syntactical features that may be said to characterise that specific area of language. There are many registers: technical, academic, mathematical, scientific, etc. Very broadly speaking, we can also speak of a “formal” and “informal” register in English. In writing academic reports and the like, it would be normal to draw most of the vocabulary and expressions from the formal register, and few, if any, from the informal. This entails avoiding colloquial (everyday) or slang expressions in your writing assignments. The question of register is far more complicated than indicated here; for example, there are many degrees of formality and informality 

This is reflected in the curriculum and grade guidelines for our course where it talks about:

Bearbetning av språk och struktur i egna och andras framställningar, i formella och komplexa sammanhang, och för att skapa anpassning till genre, stilnivå och syfte

and for the "E" grade it says:

I muntlig och skriftlig interaktion i olika, även formella och komplexa, sammanhang kan eleven uttrycka sig tydligt, relativt ledigt och med flyt samt med anpassning till syfte, mottagare och situation. 

 There is a clear distinction made between "formal" English and other registers.

I want you to start off today by discussing Section A on page 95 in the "English C" book.

What conclusions did you reach in the group?

 Look at the picture of the gardens- Formal or informal?

Now look together at Section B on page 95-96.


What characterises "Formal" and "Informal" writing?

Today we are going to concentrate on formal English..

In what circumstances do we use it and why?

The first hand-out today is about the use of formal English in science...

The guidelines which are presented are relevant even for non-scientific writing.

The same hand-out contains a definition of formal English and some of the areas of usage.

It also gives a comparison of levels of spoken and written English.

Your task today is to do a piece of formal writing.

You can choose Task D on page 98 in "English C" or one of the following:-

Examples of Formal English:

Report writing

Obituary

Academic essays (or parts thereof)

Minutes of a meeting

Business Letters

-Covering letter (job/course application)

-Enquiries

-Ordering

-Complaint

-Resignation

Serious Press article

  
Now you may begin writing!