Informal writing | Year 7

💡Understand

Informal writing is used in casual, personal contexts — texts to friends, casual blog posts, personal diary entries — and uses a relaxed, conversational register: contractions, everyday vocabulary, and sometimes informal punctuation (like exclamation marks or dashes) for emphasis. Crucially, 'informal' doesn't mean 'careless' — good informal writing is still a deliberate STYLE choice matched purposefully to its audience and purpose, not simply an absence of effort.

“Formal: 'I am writing to inform you that I will be unable to attend the meeting.' Informal: 'Hey, quick heads up — can't make the meeting today, sorry!'”

The informal version uses a contraction ('can't'), casual phrasing ('quick heads up'), and an exclamation mark for a friendly, direct tone — this is entirely appropriate for a message to a close colleague or friend, even though the exact same formal version would feel oddly stiff in that context.

🔍Spot it

Identify which version is written in an appropriately informal register.

Question 1

A text message to a close friend about weekend plans.

💡 This uses a casual greeting, contraction, and exclamation mark appropriate for a message between friends.

Question 2

A casual blog post about a weekend hiking trip.

💡 This uses conversational phrasing, capitalisation for emphasis ('STILL'), and a personal, relatable tone appropriate for a casual blog.

Question 3

A diary entry expressing excitement about a personal achievement.

💡 This uses repeated exclamation marks and casual repetition to convey genuine, spontaneous excitement, fitting for a personal diary.

🧠Think about it

Why might using multiple exclamation marks or informal punctuation (like a dash for emphasis) be an appropriate STYLE CHOICE in an informal text, even though the same punctuation might be considered incorrect or unprofessional in formal writing?

✍️Try it

Choose the appropriately informal way to express the idea.

You want to tell a friend, casually, that you're running late.

Question 1

Which is the most appropriately informal message?

💡 Look for the option using casual, conversational phrasing appropriate for a friend.

📝Practise

Choose the informal alternative for each formal phrase.

Question 1

Informal alternative to 'I would be grateful for your assistance'?

Question 2

Informal alternative to 'This is an excellent proposal'?

Question 3

Informal alternative to 'I regret to inform you of my inability to attend'?

Question 4

In one word, what should informal writing match closely, alongside audience? (the writer's intended feeling/attitude)

💡 Reread the lesson's 'What you'll learn' summary.

Question 5

Which is the most informal, casual greeting?

Question 6

Is informal writing the same as careless writing?

🎯Apply

Read the passage, then answer the questions below.

Okay so guess what happened today?! I finally got the part in the school play — I'm SO excited I could scream. I've been practising my lines for weeks and honestly wasn't sure I'd get it, but I did!! Can't wait to tell everyone. Anyway, talk later — need to go celebrate lol.

Question 1

What features make this passage clearly informal?

💡 Look at the overall style and specific word choices throughout.

Question 2

Why is repeated punctuation ('?!' and '!!') used effectively here?

Question 3

Quote the informal abbreviation used near the end of the passage.

💡 It's the very last word of the passage.

🏆Challenge

Explain in two or three sentences why this passage's informal style is appropriate for its likely audience and purpose (sharing exciting personal news with a friend), and why writing it in a formal register instead would feel wrong.

🔄Review

A quick mastery check — 3 questions.

Question 1

Informal writing is typically used for...

Question 2

Is informal writing the same as careless writing?

Question 3

Why might multiple exclamation marks be appropriate in an informal text?