CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.3a
The Standard
Compare formal and informal uses of English.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
What This Standard Means
Students need to notice that people use different kinds of language in different places. They should be able to tell when words sound polite, school-ready, or more casual. They should also practice changing a message to fit the audience, like a principal, a friend, or a family member.
Mastery looks like choosing words that match the situation and explaining why one version fits better. Students often get stuck thinking informal language is wrong. Help them see it is about fit, not good or bad. They may also need support with greetings, contractions, slang, and complete sentences.
Ways to Teach It
- Hands-on activity: Sort sentence cards into two piles, one for talking to a friend and one for talking to the principal.
- Discussion prompt: Ask, “How would you ask for help from your teacher compared with your best friend?”
- Quick assessment: Give two short messages and have students label each as formal or informal, then change one to fit a new audience.
- Real-world connection: Compare a birthday party invitation text with a note sent home from the school office.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.3a
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.6
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, using formal English when appropriate to task and situation.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.3c
Differentiate between contexts that call for formal English (e.g., presenting ideas) and situations where informal discourse is appropriate (e.g., small-group d...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.6
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.6
Differentiate between contexts that call for formal English (e.g., presenting ideas) and situations where informal discourse is appropriate (e.g., small-group d...