Look at these four text extracts and decide which register types you would classify them in (formal/informal). Underline key stylistically marked words which help you decide the register. Guess what kind of text these extracts are taken from. Find examples of stylistically colored words: terminologies, colloquial/slang words, bookish/poetic words, officialese/literary words, etc. 1) Dear Mr Brown, Because Mr. Jones is out of the office for the next two weeks I am acknowledging receipt of your letter dated May 20, l983. It will be brought to his attention immediately upon his return. If I may be of any assistance during Mr. Jones’ absence, please do not hesitate to call. 2) Jim’s dad enters with Nadia. She’s in sweats and a leotard, carrying a duffel bag over her shoulder. Jim’s dad is delighted, fidgety, almost giddy. JIM’S DAD: Son. This lady’s here for you. JIM: I know. Hey Nadia. NADIA: Hello James. Ready to study? JIM’S DAD: Oh, you bet he is. Jim’s quite the bookworm. JIM: Dad... JIM’S DAD: Oh, no, not too much of a bookworm. He’s a good little kid. Er, guy. Man. JIM: Dad!! JIM’S DAD: Okay, okay. I’ll let you hit those books. 3) Bacteria have a thick, rigid cell wall, which maintains the integrity of the cell, and determines its characteristic shape. Since the cytoplasm of bacteria contains high concentrations of dissolved substances, they generally live in a hypotonic environment (i.e. one that is more dilute than their own cytoplasm). There is therefore a natural tendency for water to flow into the cell, and without the cell wall the cell would fill and burst (you can demonstrate this by using enzymes to strip off the cell wall, leaving the naked protoplast). 4) A Red, Red Rose Robert Burns • O, my Luve’s like a red, red rose That’s newly sprung in June; O, my Luve’s like the melodie, That’s sweetly play’d in tune. • As fair art thou, my bonnie lass, So deep in luve am I; And I will luve thee still, my dear, Till a’ the seas gang dry. • Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear, And the rocks melt wi’ the sun; I will luve thee still, my dear, While the sands o’ life shall run. • And fare-thee-weel, my only Luve! And fare-thee-weel, a while! And I will come again, my Luve, Tho’ twere ten thousand mile!