Rent Party Jazz Author's Craft

Rent Party Jazz Author's Craft

by JESSICA JACKSON

​Language

When people talk, they use different kinds of language. Their language depends on what they are doing and who they are with. Authors also use different kinds of language when they write. The chart below explains formal and informal language. These two types of language are used by authors to help readers better understand characters in a story.

Multiple Choice

Which picture is formal

Poll

Which phrase would you use at home?

• Hello mother what are we going to eat today?

• Hey mom what we gonna eat tonight?

Poll

Which phrase would you use at school?

• Hello Mrs. Jackson, do you what know what is on the lunch menu today?

• Aye what's fo lunch today?

​Formal language

​• The way people speak in important situations or with people they don’t know well

• Complete sentences with standard grammar and vocabulary

​

​Where is it used?

• ​Newspaper articles

• • Speeches

• • School reports

​

​Example: The music was lively and rhythmic.

​Informal language

​• The way people speak at relaxed events with family or friends

• Sentence fragments, irregular grammar, and slang vocabulary

​

​Where is it used?

​- At home with family

- Conversations with friends

​

​Example: I sure am lovin’ that music!

Multiple Choice

Which example is informal?

• The music was lively and rhythmic.

• I sure am lovin’ that music!

Let's look at the text!​

​Rent Party Jazz

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Da2iw59ErU

​

Open Ended

What does the word mah mean as it is used in this sentence?

Multiple Choice

Is mah formal or informal?

• formal

• informal

​Why do you think the author chose to include this sentence in the story?

The author chose to include mah in the sentence because....​

Multiple Choice

"These are some hard times, and folks aren’t buyin’ much fancy fish."

• informal

• formal

Wrap up!

When people talk, they use different kinds of language. Their language depends on what they are doing and who they are with. Authors also use different kinds of language when they write. The chart below explains formal and informal language. These two types of language are used by authors to help readers better understand characters in a story.