Welcome to the course in Writing Fluency in English. This is the very first session of the course but I advise you to start with a careful reading of the previous session in this interactive syllabus called Introduction. Pay special attention to course requirements.

This session is the shortest one. You will introduce yourselves and then look at some differences between formal and informal writing. You will alway get full number of points for each task if you follow all instructions (for example if I ask you to write at least 5 sentences, you will get zero points for 4 sentences and less, full number of points for 5 and more sentences). 

Writing task 1: Introductions (8 points)

Formal and Informal Writing

There are differences between formal and informal writing, and in a similar way that there are differences between what is usually written and what is usually said. Here you can see some differences between formal and informal writing:

Informal: May use colloquial words/expressions (kids, guy, awesome, a lot, etc.)
Formal: Avoid using colloquial words/expressions (substitute with children, man/boy, wonderful, many, etc.)

Informal: May use contractions (can't, won't, shouldn't, etc.).
Formal: Avoid contractions (write out full words - cannot, will not, should not, etc.).

Informal: May address readers using second person pronouns (you, your, etc)
Formal: Avoid addressing readers using second person pronouns (use one, one's, the reader, the reader's, etc.)

Informal: May use abbreviated words (photo, TV, etc)
Formal: Avoid using abbreviated words (use full versions - like photograph, television, etc.)

Informal: May use short and simple sentences.
Formal: Longer and more complex sentences are preferred (short simple sentences reflects poorly on the writer)

These are just some of the differences between formal and informal writing. The main thing to remember is that both are correct, it is just a matter of tone and setting. Formal English is used mainly in academic writing and business communications, whereas Informal English is casual and is appropriate when communicating with friends and other close ones. Choose the style of writing keeping in mind what you are writing and to whom. But whichever style you write in - formal or informal - be sure to keep it consistent, do not mix the two.

(source: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Difference-Between-Formal-and-Informal-Writing&id=594208)

 It's also important to realize that there aren't only two types of writing (only formal vs. informal), but that there is a range of formality, from writing to your partner, to a distant relative, to a business colleague, to someone you have never met, and so on. As this course focuses on writing as an academic skill, try to use formal style in all your contributions. 

Activity 1: formal and informal writing (2 points)

My comments on your introductions and formal writing:

1) When writing a cover letter/motivation letter, be specific when you mention your skills and qualities that make you a perfect candidate for the position you are applying for. Check Veronika Čevelová’s, Barbora Adamová’s, Barbora Pencová’s or Mariia Kurash’s letters  for listing specific examples that connect with the position they apply for.

2) Do not start sentences with "and", "so", "but". You can simply omit "and" and "so" and the meaning of the sentence remains the same. Instead of "but" use "however" or "nevertheless"

3) Informal terms for people of different ages are: kids, teens, grown-ups. In formal writing, you can use: children, teenagers, adolescents, adults

3) Do not use exclamation marks in formal writing. 

From now on, try to use formal style in all your contributions.

Please use this forum to ask any questions you have about this course, to share your tips, to brainstorm about tasks