Assignment 1 - ENGBL 1, Language Proficiency

1)
Style in the context of Academic writing is how you present your information; by different tones, vocabulary and syntax.

2)
Informal text

Just a quick post before we have to go. This is todays makeup. It's kind of "Breakfast at Tiffany's"-inspired. I'll take better photos when we get back, photobooth isn't too great... And just as a bonus you get photos of Mr M goofing with me when I tried to take these. He's normally a very handsome fella. I swear.

http://linnekholm.blogspot.com/2009/07/look-of-day.html

Formal text

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has won Sri Lanka's first election since Tamil Tiger rebels were defeated after 25 years of civil war, state TV reports.

Although the final results are yet to be declared, Mr Rajapaksa appears to have won more than half the votes cast.

About 100 armed troops have surrounded the Colombo hotel where his election rival, Gen Sarath Fonseka, is staying.

A government spokesman told the BBC they did not intend to hold Gen Fonseka but were looking for army deserters.

The BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan, who is in the same central Colombo hotel as Gen Fonseka and other opposition leaders, says the troops' presence has created a very tense atmosphere.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8482270.stm

Some differences between the informal text and the formal text:

Informal:
The use contractions (it’s, I’ll, isn’t, He’s)
Addresses readers using second person pronouns (you, your, etc)
Uses colloquial words/expressions (fella, goofing, photobooth)
Uses abbreviated words (photo)

Formal:
Avoids contractions (write out full words: who is, etc)
Longer and more complex sentences are preferred (short simple sentences reflects poorly on the writer)
Uses passive voice
Uses third person

3)
Cats – Informal

I love cats, since they’re cosy and independent. Also the way they sneak around outside in the grass, looking for mice always warms my heart. My mom’s got three cats, they’re all fluffy and old. I also believe that I understand my mom’s cats, since they speak to me when they meow. When the cats want to go outside the either jump on the door or sit and stare at the door, and when they want to go inside again it’s the same way. Since these cats are all male they often get into fights with other cats, this has been a problem to Firbie (as he’s called), since he now has only one ear. But when they don’t hunt, fight, talk or eat, they just hang around and sleep. A cat must live a comfy life!

Cats - Formal

Cats weigh about 4 and 5 kilograms, are 23–25 centimetres in height, 46 centimetres in head/body length and their tails are, in average, 30 centimetres in length. Humans often appreciate cats for their companionship, and for their talent to hunt mice. Cates communicate with each other and with humans by meowing, purring, trilling etc. When sleeping, the cats conserves energy, especially as they grow older, this is also the reason to why a cat can sleep as much as 20 hours a day. The most common reason for cat fighting is that they compete on who is going to mate with the female cat, but another reason is that they protect their territories.

Welcome

Hello and welcome to my brand new blog!
This is the first time ever I've started a blog, and it is going to be used to present school assignments, at least to begin with. Please feel free to comment about assignments and what so ever.

xoxo Vicky