MUPIC COURSE

Definitions of formality by leading English language dictionaries:

Merriam-Webster

1: compliance with formal or conventional rules (CEREMONY)

2: the quality or state of being formal

3: an established form or procedure that is required or conventional (the interview was just a formality)

1: a thing that you must do as a formal or official part of a legal process, a social situation, etc. (Let's skip the formalities and get down to business.)

2: a thing that you must do as part of an official process, but which has little meaning and will not affect what happens  (He already knows he has the job so the interview is a mere formality.)

3: correct and formal behavior (Different levels of formality are appropriate in different situations.  She greeted him with stiff formality.)

1: a requirement of rule, custom, etiquette

2: the condition or quality of being formal or conventional

3: strict or excessive observance of form, ceremony

4: an established, proper, or conventional method, act, or procedure

Formality in language - Cambridge English

Everybody makes at least an intuitive distinction between formal and informal manners of expression. A prototype of formal language might be the sentence read out by a judge at the end of a trial. Prototypical informal speech would be produced in a relaxed conversation among close friends or family members. But a clear and general definition of "formality" is not obvious.

Formality in writing refers to how well you follow standard English conventions, how often you use slang or idioms, how objective you are about your topic, and how familiar or intimate you assume you are with readers.

A formal style is characterized by detachment and accuracy.  Formal language is less personal than informal language. It is used when writing for professional or academic purposes like university assignments. Formal language does not use colloquialisms, contractions or first person pronouns such as ‘I’ or ‘We’.

An informal style is more flexible, direct, and implicit, but less informative. Informal language is more casual and spontaneous. It is used when communicating with friends or family either in writing or in conversation. It is used when writing personal emails and text messages. The tone of informal language is more personal than formal language.

                                                                                  (Cambridge English)

Levels of formality

https://elt.oup.com/elt/students/result/pdf/brupp_formality.pdf

http://blog.writersdomain.net/should-you-say-that-4-levels-of-formality-in-writing/

https://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/how-did-that-register-five-levels-of-formality-in-language/

Formality Has a Place in the Diverse Workplace, Sondra Thiederman, Monster Contributing Writer

Compare two public appearances of President Obama and watch for typical signs of formal and informal ways of expression. Write down at least three manifestations of each.   

President Obama Appears on ‘Ellen DeGeneres Show’  

and President Obama Addresses the British Parliament  

Read the Politeness Theory article and think about the relationship between politeness and formality. Which of the concepts listed in the article can be helpful to you in your work and life?

Politeness Theory  https://www.universalclass.com/articles/business/communication-studies/politeness-theory.htm

Before Check Point 2

• Think about your own communicative styles in terms of formality and the influence of communicative styles on reaching the common goals.
  

Before Check Point 3