Standard: 7.W.2e – Establish and maintain a formal style.
Grade level: Grade 7
Subject: English Language Arts
Domain: Writing
Teacher Overview
This standard focuses on helping students establish and maintain a formal style in their writing. This skill is crucial for academic and professional success as it enables students to communicate effectively and appropriately in various formal contexts. Students should understand the differences between formal and informal writing and have experience writing structured essays and paragraphs.
Students will be able to apply formal writing styles in various contexts, enhancing their ability to communicate effectively in academic and professional settings.
Common Misconception 1
A common misconception is that formal writing must be overly complex and filled with jargon. This is incorrect because formal writing should be clear, precise, and accessible to the intended audience.
Intervention 1
Provide students with examples of well-written formal texts that are clear and concise. Encourage them to practice writing formal pieces with a focus on clarity and precision.
Common Misconception 2
Another misconception is that formal writing is impersonal and lacks the writer’s voice. This is not true; formal writing can still reflect the author’s unique style and perspective.
Intervention 2
Show students examples of formal writing that maintain the author’s voice. Have them practice writing formal texts that still convey their personal style.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should have a basic understanding of different writing styles and purposes. They should be familiar with informal and formal language, and have experience writing structured paragraphs and essays.
Subsequent Knowledge
After mastering this standard, students will be able to apply formal writing styles in more complex and varied contexts, such as persuasive essays, technical writing, and advanced research papers. They will also develop a stronger ability to adapt their writing style to suit different audiences and purposes.
Instructional Activities
- Analyze examples of formal and informal writing.
- Write a formal letter to a local politician about a community issue.
- Draft a research paper on a chosen topic, focusing on maintaining a formal style.
- Peer review classmates’ essays, providing feedback on the use of formal style.
- Create a formal email to a fictional company requesting information.
