Classwork 1 (Style, Tone, Register, Formal Language) PDF

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to check how the people are trying to learn and implying in real-life scenarios. It also explains how you shall not use the same language in every place....

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Classwork: 1 English 105 Business English Style/Register of Language

Summary: This handout will discuss what constitutes Business English, describe Style Tone and Register of everyday language and provide sample exam questions for practice Name_______________________________________ID________________ Section_____ Full Marks: 16 The difference between Business English and the English you've been learning for the past eight years lies primarily in the vocabulary (register) and in style (formality). In this introductory session we will be discussing what these two things mean.

1. Consider the situations pictured below, in which a man calls on his bank manager to ask for a personal loan. (They have never met before.) Then, in a small group, discuss and answer the questions below. marks)

a) How is the language the customer uses different in the two pictures? (Give examples.)

Business English 105 Introduction Handout

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b) What other differences are there in the way he presents himself (non-verbal communication), and what effect do they have?

Style/Formal and Informal Language Language style simply put, is the level of formality, politeness, and personal distance you use when you express yourself. Legal English, for example, is almost always formal and impersonal in style. At the other extreme is slang, which is generally only used in personal relationships (and pop music.) Extreme forms of slang are often accompanied by gestures, noises, and swear words. Look at the examples of different styles below, and then try the exercise. Very formal:

Attention. Visitors who wish to see the final performance of the film "My Word is My Bond" should make their way to the cinema on the first floor by way of the right staircase.

Impersonal / Formal:

To see the film, visitors should go up the stairs on the right to the cinema.

Polite:

Would you mind going up the stairs, please? The film will begin in a few minutes.

Casual / Friendly:

It's time you all went up to the cinema now. The film is just about to start.

Colloquial:

Time to get going. The film's starting.

Slang / Rude:

Get a move on! The film's starting.

2. Identify the style of the sentences below and then rewrite them in the style stated: (6 marks) (a) If you could possibly lend me $5 until the end of the week, I'd be extremely grateful. (Change to: Informal) (b) You're not supposed to give the lion's food. (Change to: Formal) (c) Passengers are advised to stand back from the doors as injury could otherwise result. (Change to: Informal) (d) Dude! Stop hogging that and gimme me the sugar. (Change to: Formal) (e) If you would kindly seat yourselves at the table, dinner will be served directly. (Change to: Formal) Business English 105 Introduction Handout

(f) This concert is a total ripoff, there’s not a hope in hell of getting your money’s worth with these terrible bands playing. (Change to: Formal)

(3) The language of the sentences below is inappropriate. Either the style is wrong or the register/formality is incorrect. Re-write these sentences in BUSINESS ENGLISH making any changes you need to keep the meaning. (5 marks) a. A Doctor talking to Mr. Hannan, his patient: Yeah, so, dude, you broke like, three pieces of the humerus bone on your arm, and it’s going to be set in those cast things, cause you totally need to keep the arm like, not moving, yeah, umm... keep it immobile, I guess you could say. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ b. One colleague to another colleague: “It's obvious that the office environment is now bad because of the new girl’s issues. She is a whiner; she is always nagging about others. It’s always about stupid stuff too, like what someone said to her in the lift. I really hate her!” ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ c, An Advertising agency executive, discussing a new client: “I think that the new client is just a strange guy. As he can’t guide us on the new ad campaign, we should leave him out of our plans. He doesn’t know how to sell his own product; can you imagine how dumb he is? If the maker isn’t sure about a product’s good points, how can us advertising guys sell it?” ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ d. One client referring a law firm to another: “I made a lot of illegal deals and bank loans over the last 5 years, but Rahim Law Firm took care of all my corruption and bribing legal work. If you have money you need to hide in some account outside the country, they are the best for illegal, corrupt activities. Go to them to get help hiding your black-market money!” ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Business English 105 Introduction Handout

__________________________________________________________________________ e. One worker requesting help from his colleague: “Can you stop being distracted with online surfing and face book actually help me with this project? You know that the boss gave both of us this work to do, right? Are you going to help me or are you going to be lazy and just not do your job?” ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

Business English 105 Introduction Handout...