Objectives (5 - 10 minutes)
- To understand the concept of maintaining a formal style in English writing, including the use of appropriate academic language, proper grammar, and structure.
- To explore the importance of maintaining a formal style in various contexts, such as academic writing, professional communication, and official documents.
- To apply the learned concept in a practical activity, where students have to write a formal letter or an official email, using the appropriate style, format, and language.
Secondary Objectives:
- To enhance students' writing skills, particularly in the area of formal writing.
- To improve students' understanding of the English language, including grammar and vocabulary, and their ability to apply this knowledge in a formal context.
- To develop students' critical thinking skills, as they analyze different contexts for the use of formal writing style.
Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)
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The teacher begins the lesson by reminding the students of the importance of maintaining a formal style in English writing. They explain that while informal writing, such as texting or social media posts, has its place, there are situations where a more elevated, formal style is necessary. The teacher provides examples of when this might be the case, such as in academic essays, professional emails, or when writing to an authority figure.
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The teacher then presents a problem or a real-life context to engage the students' interest. For instance, they could share a story about a student who missed out on a job opportunity because their email to the employer was too casual or poorly written. Another example could be a situation where a person's complaint letter to a company was not taken seriously because of its informal tone.
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The teacher then contextualizes the importance of maintaining a formal style by discussing its real-world applications. They explain that in many professions, effective communication is crucial, and using a formal writing style can help convey professionalism and respect. They could also mention that in academic settings, using a formal style is a requirement for many assignments and can affect a student's grades.
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To grab the students' attention, the teacher can share interesting facts or stories related to formal writing. For example, they could share that some companies have a policy of not responding to emails that are not written in a formal style. They could also share a story about a historical figure or a famous author known for their impeccable use of formal language.
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Finally, the teacher introduces the topic of the day: "Maintaining a Formal Style in English Writing". They explain that the students will learn how to write in a formal style using appropriate academic language, proper grammar, and structure. The teacher also tells the students that they will be applying what they learn in a practical activity, where they will have to write a formal letter or an official email.
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The teacher concludes the introduction by encouraging the students to actively participate in the lesson and reminding them that mistakes are part of the learning process. They also remind the students that the skills they learn today will not only help them in their academic and professional lives but also in their everyday communication.
Development (20 - 25 minutes)
Activity 1: Formal vs. Informal (5 - 10 minutes)
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The teacher prepares two sets of cards, each containing sentences. One set will consist of formal sentences, and the other set will contain the same sentences rewritten in an informal manner.
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The class is divided into small groups of 4-5 students. Each group is given one set of cards to work with.
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The teacher explains that the task is to match each formal sentence with its corresponding informal sentence. The teacher emphasizes the importance of correctly identifying the appropriate formal and informal language used in each sentence.
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The students are required to discuss and justify their choices within their groups.
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After the groups finish, the teacher goes over each sentence, discussing the correct answers and the reasons behind them. This step should help students understand the differences between formal and informal language use.
Activity 2: Correcting the Style (10 - 12 minutes)
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The teacher provides each group with a short paragraph or a letter written in an informal style. The paragraph should contain a mix of grammatical errors, slang, and overly casual language.
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The teacher explains that the task is to rewrite the paragraph in a formal style, correcting the grammatical errors and replacing the informal language with appropriate academic language. The teacher emphasizes the importance of maintaining the paragraph's original meaning while making the necessary changes to the style.
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The students are required to work as a group to revise the paragraph. They should discuss the changes they want to make and the reasons behind each change.
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Once the groups have finished, the teacher asks for volunteers to read their revised paragraph to the class. The teacher then provides feedback, discussing the changes made and why they are appropriate for the formal style.
Activity 3: Writing a Formal Letter (5 - 7 minutes)
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The teacher distributes a scenario to each group. The scenario could be a complaint letter to a company, an email to a professor, or a request for information from a government office.
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The students are required to write a formal letter based on their given scenario. They should apply what they learned about formal style, grammar, and structure in this letter.
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The teacher reminds students of the key elements that should be included in a formal letter: a clear introduction stating the purpose of the letter, a body explaining the details or reasons, and a conclusion summarizing the main points and requesting action if necessary.
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As the students write, the teacher walks around the classroom, providing assistance and answering any questions.
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Once the letters are finished, a representative from each group is asked to read their letter aloud to the class. The teacher provides feedback and corrections as necessary, emphasizing the correct use of formal language and structure.
By the end of these activities, students should have a better understanding of what it means to maintain a formal style in English writing, and they should be able to apply this knowledge in their own writing.
Feedback (10 - 15 minutes)
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The teacher initiates a class-wide discussion, asking each group to share their solutions or conclusions from the activities. This gives students the opportunity to learn from each other and see different approaches to the tasks. (3 - 4 minutes)
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The teacher then assesses what was learned through the group activities and how it connects with the theory. They ask probing questions to encourage students to reflect on their learning. For example, "Can anyone explain why it's important to maintain a formal style in certain contexts?" or "How did the activities help you understand the concept of formal writing better?" (3 - 4 minutes)
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The teacher then asks the students to reflect on their learning by answering the following questions:
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What was the most important concept learned today? (1 - 2 minutes)
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What questions do you still have about maintaining a formal style? (1 - 2 minutes)
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The teacher collects the students' responses to the reflection questions and reviews them after class. This will provide valuable feedback on the effectiveness of the lesson and identify any areas that may need further clarification or reinforcement. (2 - 3 minutes)
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To conclude the feedback session, the teacher reiterates the importance of maintaining a formal style in English writing and encourages the students to continue practicing this skill in their assignments and everyday communication. They remind the students that the more they practice, the better they will become at writing in a formal style. (1 minute)
Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)
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The teacher begins the conclusion by summarizing the main points of the lesson. They remind the students that maintaining a formal style in English writing means using appropriate academic language, proper grammar, and structure. They also reiterate the importance of maintaining a formal style in various contexts, such as academic writing, professional communication, and official documents. (1 - 2 minutes)
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The teacher then explains how the lesson connected theory, practice, and application. They highlight how the initial discussion and activities helped students understand the theory of formal writing. The activities provided the students with opportunities to practice what they learned, and the application of the formal style in writing a letter allowed them to apply their new knowledge in a real-world context. (1 - 2 minutes)
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The teacher suggests additional materials for students who want to further develop their understanding and skills in maintaining a formal style. This could include recommended books or websites that provide guidelines and examples of formal writing. The teacher could also suggest that students read newspapers or academic papers to further familiarize themselves with formal language use. (1 minute)
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Finally, the teacher emphasizes the importance of maintaining a formal style in everyday life. They remind the students that effective communication is a key skill in many aspects of life, and using a formal style can enhance this skill. They also stress that practicing formal writing can improve their overall writing skills, which will be beneficial in both academic and professional settings. (1 - 2 minutes)
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The teacher concludes the lesson by thanking the students for their active participation and reminding them that learning is a continuous process. They encourage the students to continue practicing and applying what they have learned in their future writing tasks. (1 minute)