.jpg)
Informal Writing
Learning Intention
We are learning to:
Identify audience and purpose
Recognise features of effective informal writing
Write about a recent experience using informal language
🔹 Part 1: Analysing Example Texts
Example 1 – Poor Informal Writing
I went somewhere. It was good. I did stuff. Then I went home. It was fun.
Individual Thinking:
What is missing from this writing?
☐ Detail
☐ Clear order
☐ Interesting vocabulary
☐ Feelings
☐ Clear audience
What would you improve?
Example 2 – Good Informal Writing
Last weekend I went to the beach with my cousins. First, we played volleyball near the water. Then we swam in the sea, even though it was freezing! After that, we bought hot chips and sat on the sand watching the sunset. It was a really fun day.
What makes this better?
☐ Time connectives
☐ Clear events
☐ More detail
☐ Better vocabulary
Write one strong sentence from this example:
Example 3 – Very Good Informal Writing
You won’t believe how cold the water was last weekend! My cousins and I decided to go to the beach, even though the weather wasn’t great. First, we challenged each other to a volleyball game, and I actually won! Later, we ran straight into the ocean, screaming because it felt like ice. Even though we were freezing, we couldn’t stop laughing. It ended up being one of the best days of the holidays.
What makes this very effective?
☐ Engaging opening
☐ Personal voice
☐ Descriptive vocabulary
☐ Varied sentence structure
☐ Clear sequence
Write one word or phrase that makes it interesting:
🔹 Part 2: Pair Discussion
With a partner, discuss:
Which example is the most effective? Why?
What specific language features make it better?
How could Example 1 be improved?
Write one idea your partner shared:
🔹 Part 3: What Makes Informal Writing Effective?
As a class, discuss and complete:
Effective informal writing usually includes:
🔹 Part 4: Think–Pair–Share (Oral Rehearsal)
Before writing:
Think about a recent experience.
Tell your partner what happened.
Your partner asks you one question to help you add detail.
My partner asked:
This helped me because:
🔹 Part 5: Diagnostic Writing Task
Portfolio Piece 1 – “A Recent Experience”
Audience:
Write as if you are telling a friend.
Purpose:
To share and describe your experience.
Planning
Where did it happen? __________________________________
Who was there? __________________________________
What happened first? __________________________________
What happened next? __________________________________
How did you feel? __________________________________
Your Writing (8–12 sentences)
🔹 Part 6: Peer Feedback
Swap writing with a partner.
Your partner checks:
☐ Is the audience clear?
☐ Is the tone informal?
☐ Are events in order?
☐ Is there enough detail?
☐ Are sentences clear?
One thing I liked about my partner’s writing:
One suggestion for improvement:
✅ Teacher Answer Guide
Informal Writing – Purpose & Audience
🔹 Part 1: Analysing Example Texts
Example 1 – Poor Informal Writing
What is missing?
✔ Detail
✔ Clear order (very basic order only)
✔ Interesting vocabulary
✔ Feelings
✔ Clear sense of audience
What could be improved? (Sample answer)
Add specific details about where they went.
Use time connectives (first, then, after that).
Include feelings or reactions.
Use more interesting vocabulary instead of “good” and “stuff.”
Example 2 – Good Informal Writing
What makes this better?
✔ Time connectives (First, Then, After that)
✔ Clear events in order
✔ More detail
✔ Better vocabulary
Strong sentence example:
“Then we swam in the sea, even though it was freezing!”
Why? → It includes detail and shows feeling.
Example 3 – Very Good Informal Writing
What makes this very effective?
✔ Engaging opening (“You won’t believe…”)
✔ Personal voice
✔ Descriptive vocabulary (“screaming,” “felt like ice”)
✔ Varied sentence structure
✔ Clear sequence of events
Interesting word/phrase examples:
“You won’t believe…”
“felt like ice”
“we couldn’t stop laughing”
“one of the best days of the holidays”
🔹 Part 2: Pair Discussion
There is no single correct answer, but strong responses might include:
Most effective example: Example 3
Why?
It is more detailed and descriptive.
It sounds natural and engaging.
It includes feelings and personality.
Sentences are varied and interesting.
🔹 Part 3: What Makes Informal Writing Effective?
Sample answers:
Casual or conversational tone
Clear order of events
Personal voice and feelings
Interesting vocabulary
Time connectives
Contractions (I’m, didn’t, can’t)
(Students only need four.)
🔹 Part 4: Think–Pair–Share
There are no fixed answers here. Look for:
✔ Student added more detail after partner question
✔ Student clarified sequence
✔ Student expanded vocabulary
Example:
My partner asked: “Why was it exciting?”
This helped me because: It made me add more detail about how I felt.
🔹 Part 5: Diagnostic Writing Task
Since this is diagnostic, there are no fixed “correct” answers.
You are assessing:
Awareness of audience (informal tone)
Clear sequence of events
Sentence clarity
Use of time connectives
Emerging control of grammar
Vocabulary range
Ability to write connected sentences (8–12)
🔹 Part 6: Peer Feedback
Again, no fixed answers.
You are checking whether students can:
✔ Identify informal tone
✔ Recognise structure
✔ Notice clarity
✔ Give constructive feedback
Example feedback:
One thing I liked: “You described your feelings clearly.”
One suggestion: “Add more detail about what happened next.”