Register And Audience
Overview
Register is the level of formality of your language, and matching it to the reader is one of the most rewarded skills in ESL writing. The same idea can be written in many ways: 'Hey, fancy coming along?' for a friend, or 'Members are warmly invited to attend' for a public notice. Choosing the right one, and holding it steadily, is what tells the examiner you understand who you are writing to.
This lesson teaches how to read a task for its audience and purpose, pick the right point on the register scale, and keep your tone consistent from the first word to the last. You will see how a mixed or mismatched register loses marks, and how a controlled one earns them.
Objectives
- Match formal or informal register to the audience, purpose and form.
- Choose vocabulary, tone and openings and closings that fit the reader.
- Keep register consistent across a whole piece of writing.
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Flashcards
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Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Register And Audience. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- What does 'register' mean in writing? A. The order in which you write your paragraphs B. The level of formality of language, chosen to suit the reader C. The number of words you write D. The title of the piece Answer: B
- A task asks for a report to the school council. Which register fits? A. Informal and chatty, like a message to a friend B. Formal and neutral, suited to an official body C. A mix of slang and jokes D. No register is needed for a report Answer: B
- Which opening could only go to a close friend (so is clearly informal)? A. Dear Members of the Committee B. Hi Priya, you'll never guess what happened! C. This report sets out the findings of the survey D. All students are warmly invited Answer: B
- An article opens formally but its last line reads 'Anyway, it'd be totally awesome, right?'. What is the fault? A. The article is too long B. The register is inconsistent, slipping into slang C. The article has no title D. There is nothing wrong Answer: B
- Why can a grammatically perfect answer still lose marks on register? A. It cannot; perfect grammar always scores full marks B. Because the wrong register shows the writer has misread the audience and purpose C. Because long answers are penalised D. Because register only matters in speaking Answer: B
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