Contextualization

In the world of writing, two essential styles that often come into play are Formal Style and Objective. These styles of writing are not only important in academic settings but also in professional and real-life situations. They are the guiding principles in writing essays, reports, business letters, and even news articles.

Formal style is characterized by a serious tone, a focus on facts and information, and the use of precise language. It is often used in academic papers, official documents, or any situation where professionalism and seriousness are essential. Objective style, on the other hand, involves presenting information in a neutral and unbiased manner. It avoids personal opinions and emotional language, making it ideal for news reporting, scientific writing, and academic research.

Mastering these styles of writing is a crucial skill that will not only help you excel in your academic journey but also in your future professional life. In academic settings, it will be useful in writing your research papers, essays, and reports. In the professional world, it will be invaluable in crafting business letters, proposals, and even in communicating effectively with colleagues and superiors.

Understanding how to use these styles effectively will not only improve your writing but also enhance your ability to convey your thoughts and ideas in a clear and organized manner. It will make your writing more credible and reliable, ensuring that your message is understood in the way you intend it to be.

Furthermore, these styles of writing are not just about the words you use but also the structure and organization of your writing. Therefore, it is important to include a section on how to structure your writing in a formal and objective manner.

Resources

1. Formal and Objective Writing by Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
2. Formal and Informal Writing by BBC Bitesize
3. Objective Writing: Definition & Examples by Study.com
4. The Difference between Formal and Objective Writing by Education Seattle PI
5. Objective vs Subjective Writing: Understanding the Difference by Scribbr

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Formal Style and Objective in the News"

Objective of the Project

The purpose of this project is to help students understand the concepts of Formal Style and Objective Writing and to apply these principles in a real-world context. The students will be tasked to create a news article using a Formal Style and an Objective tone about a current event or a topic of their choice.

Detailed Description of the Project

In groups of 3 to 5, students will be required to research a current event or a topic of their choice. They will then create a news article about this event or topic, ensuring that they use a Formal Style and an Objective tone throughout the article. The article should be approximately 500 words long and must include a clear headline, an engaging lead, a thorough and informative body, and a concise conclusion.

The project will be divided into two main parts: Research and Writing. In the Research phase, students will be required to gather information about their chosen event or topic from reliable sources. In the Writing phase, they will use this information to create their news article, applying the principles of Formal Style and Objective Writing.

Necessary Materials

1. Internet access for research.
2. Reliable sources for gathering information (books, articles, etc.).
3. Microsoft Word or any other word processing software for writing the news article.

Detailed Step-by-Step for Carrying out the Activity

1. Form Groups and Choose a Topic (1 hour) Form groups of 3 to 5 students. Each group should then choose a current event or a topic of their choice that they are interested in researching and writing about.

2. Research (2-3 hours depending on the complexity of the topic) The groups will then conduct research on their chosen topic. They should gather information from reliable sources like books, articles, and reputable news websites. Make sure to take note of the key facts, figures, and any interesting angles about the event or topic.

3. Outline the News Article (1 hour) With the information gathered, the group should then create an outline for their news article. The outline should include the headline, lead, body, and conclusion.

4. Write the News Article (2-3 hours) Using the outline as a guide, the group will then write their news article. They should ensure that they use a Formal Style and an Objective tone throughout the article. The article should be approximately 500 words long.

5. Peer Review and Revision (1 hour) Once the news articles are written, each group will peer review another group's article. The feedback should be constructive and aimed at helping the group improve their article. The groups will then revise their articles based on the feedback received.

6. Finalize and Submit (30 minutes) The groups will then finalize their news articles and submit them.

Project Deliverables and Project Report

At the end of the project, each group will submit their news article along with a detailed project report. The report should include the following sections:

1. Introduction The introduction should provide background information about the chosen topic, its relevance in the real world, and the objective of the project.

2. Development The development section should detail the theory behind Formal Style and Objective Writing. It should also describe the steps taken to complete the project, the research conducted, the method used to write the article, and the results obtained.

3. Conclusion The conclusion should revisit the main points of the project, explicitly stating the learnings obtained, and the conclusions drawn about the project.

4. Bibliography The bibliography should list all the resources used in the project, including books, articles, websites, etc.

Remember, the goal of this project is not only to create a news article but also to understand and apply the principles of Formal Style and Objective Writing. Therefore, the report should not only detail the process of creating the news article but also reflect on the students' understanding and application of these writing styles.