Year 6 · SPaG · Spring: Formal and informal writing
Year 6 writing in a formal style worksheet and PowerPoint
To write in a formal style by choosing formal vocabulary, avoiding contractions and slang, and using polite, impersonal phrasing.
A formal style
To write formally, change how you say things as well as the words: avoid contractions and slang, use polite requests, and use the passive or the subjunctive where it suits.
| full words | do not, cannot, I am (not don’t, can’t, I’m) |
|---|---|
| polite requests | Could you please...? I would be grateful if... |
| impersonal | The form must be submitted by Friday. (passive) |
| serious words | assist, obtain, regret, unfortunately, request |
Examples
- I’m writing to ask if you can sort out the heater. → I am writing to request that the heater be repaired.
Key words
- formal style
- careful, polite, serious writing
- passive
- the subject has the action done to it
- request
- to ask politely
- impersonal
- not chatty or personal
What is on the worksheet
Every sheet for this lesson has a short teaching box and 12 questions that get gradually harder: 8 fluency questions, then 4 reasoning questions that ask pupils to explain or choose. A writing challenge follows. The questions use the same styles as the key stage 2 grammar and punctuation test (circle, underline, tick, fill the gap, add punctuation, rewrite, explain). They are written for this website, not copied from past papers.
All the answers are on the last page of the same editable Word file. New questions are made every time, so you can print a different sheet for every group or for homework. The same sheet code always gives the same sheet.
Writing challenge: Write a formal letter to your local council asking for a new crossing near your school. Use no contractions, at least four formal words and one passive sentence.
Pupil target: I can write in a formal style.
The PowerPoint
A 20-slide lesson deck for the same lesson: a starter that revisits earlier learning, key words, an I do and a You do question on each slide with a countdown timer, answers that appear one click at a time, and a challenge. Download the writing in a formal style PowerPoint.
Where this lesson fits
This is lesson 46 of 72 in the Year 6 SPaG scheme, in the Spring term, block “Formal and informal writing”. It is taught before the SATs grammar test in May.
Other lessons in this block
- Formal and informal writing
- The subjunctive in formal writing
- Question tags
- Formal vocabulary
- Standard English
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