Match Language to Purpose and Audience

Choose precise wording, punctuation for effect, and formal or informal English appropriate to context.

How the lesson starts: Match Language to Purpose and Audience

Tico goes on air
Tico the toucan hosts the school morning show. On air, she sounds polished and clear. Backstage, she jokes with her friends. Same Tico, two voices. Good writers switch too!
Who is listening?
Before Tico speaks, she asks one question. Who is my audience? The principal, or a talk to the class? Go formal: exact words, full sentences, no slang. A friend at recess, or a text to your cousin? Informal and chatty is fine.
Same news, two ways
Tico shares one science result two ways. Texting a friend: the beans in the sun totally won, so cool! On the show: our results show that the beans grew tallest in sunlight. The situation picks the sentence.