Definition  

"A particular configuration of field, tenor, and mode choices, in other words, a language variety functionally associated with particular contextual or situational parameters of variation and defined by its linguistic characteristics" (Lee). 

The Importance of Language Register

Understanding language register, more importantly, the difference between them is significant to use the correct form for certain situations. Considering the location, audience, topic, and purpose while researching as well as writing supports an objective argument that is logical. Finding credible and unbiased sources allows the reader to not become alienated from the topic of the essay. In addition to interpreting the assigned pages, reading books in one’s free time is beneficial for expanding vocabulary, ultimately leading to more professional essays. Knowing when to best utilize an informal or formal tone will provide a stronger argument, essay flow, and overall success in English 145.

The slang word “extra” hard should be avoided in formal writing. Replacing the phrase with “difficult” makes the writing formal. The second sentence in the chart is an example of a metaphor, which is considered informal. “Blown up” is a phrasal verb and to change the sentence to formal, an alternative could be “inflated” as seen above. Simple verbs such as “got” are used in casual language, but for formal writing, more advanced verb choices are recommended. “Received” instead of “got” makes the writing more professional. The fifth sentence shows  generalization. By stating that the student never eats breakfast, does not account for the times where the student may have a meal for breakfast on occasion. The sixth example presents that the doctor is assumed to be male, even though no information about the doctor is stated. Formal writing should not include inappropriate language. Pronouns used in a sentence are casual and informal. The last example in the chart presents how not including pronouns can produce direct writing and make the sentence clearer for the reader.

Examples:

Student A Essay Excerpt #1 (Argument of Fact ): 

With timely and proper methods of educating as many people as possible that are willing to learn, voting and the government may have a considerably different outlook on the topic. Immigrants affect supply and demand chains in many ways that aren't talked about as well. In the same book, "Immigrants increase local labor demand by spending income on local goods and services. That is, Say's Law may apply to immigration because immigrants, as consumers, demand their own labor." (561)

The essay exceprt cited above exhibits numerous errors in both formatting and formality. The author has employed contractions and phrasal verbs which deviate the level of formality as they present a more casual tone. Instead of using contractions such as "aren't"  the author should use the complete form, "are not." The author also utilizes general verbs like "talked about" which should be changed to "discussed" or "mentioned."  Formal and unidentifiable phrases like "in the same book" must be changed to the book and author unless stated previously. Additionally the excerpt also has MLA 9 formatting issues. For example, the quotation written at the end of the excerpt finishes the quote with a period inside the quote instead of after the page number.

Student A Essay Excerpt #2 (Argument of Fact Rewrite ):  Revised

With timely and proper methods of educating as many people as possible that are willing to learn, voting and the government may have a considerably different outlook on the topic. Immigrants affect supply and demand chains in many ways that are not analyzed. Örn B. Bodvarsson, Hendrik F. Van den Berg, and Joshua J. Lewer explain, “Immigrants increase local labor demand by spending income on local goods and services. That is, Say's Law may apply to immigration because immigrants, as consumers, demand their own labor" (561). 

Student B Essay Excerpt #1 (The Gross Practices of Apple And What To Do About It )

In Impoverished Women With Children and No Welfare Benefits: The Urgency of Researching Failures of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program by Eugenie Hildebrandt and Patricia Stevens, “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) was structured to move parents off welfare and into the workforce with basic work-related skills.[…] At least 250000 cases have been closed because of state or federal time limits rather than because recipients had achieved work readiness and financial independence within the program’s federally mandated 5-year lifetime limit" (793). Low-income families are not receiving help during times of need from their government because it is too expensive. The American government only gives a “5-year lifetime limit” to each person, which would not be enough for a lot of people.

 In this excerpt, there are many mistakes such as the inclusion of a long title of text, the use of pronouns, and the use of vague verbs. Including the entire title of the work suggest word padding. According to Cambridge Online Dictionary, word padding consists of, "unnecessary words or information added to a speech or a piece of writing: it could have been an intresting paper, but there was too much padding" (np). The use of pronouns should be avoided while writing a formal piece of work as it can become unclear what the subject is. Instead of pronouns, the author should directly mention the subject to provide a clear sentence. The final problem within this excerpt is that the author utilizes vague verbs such as "help." Instead the author should say "aid" or "support" because it is a much more descriptive verb that provides a better understanding for the reader.

 Student B Essay Excerpt #1 (The Gross Practices of Apple And What To Do About It: Revised)

Eugenie Hildebrandt and Patricia Stevens explain that “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) was structured to move parents off welfare and into the workforce with basic work-related skills.[…] At least 250000 cases have been closed because of state or federal time limits rather than because recipients had achieved work readiness and financial independence within the program’s federally mandated 5-year lifetime limit" (793). Low-income families are not receiving money and other goods that could improve their quality of life during times of need from their government because the costs of both buying the goods and distributing them to these less fortunate people are too expensive. The "5-year lifetime limit" is creating a set amount of time that these families are eligible to be a recipient of these goods. The set amount of time is not would not be enough for a lot of people, leaving them to fight poverty and starvation alone.

Student C Essay Excerpt # 1 (The Problem With Taxing)

In The Emerging International Taxation Problems by James Yang and Victor Metallo, “Apple relocated its computer business to Ireland for the purpose of taking advantage of the lower tax rate: the U.S. tax rate is 35%, while its Irish counterpart is as low as 12.5%. Apple negotiated with the Irish government that AOI be treated as a “foreign corporation”, under which its foreign source income is tax-free in Ireland. Because Apple expanded into Ireland, all foreign income is non-taxable in Ireland” (3). Apple has found a way to pay a lower tax rate for the income made in Ireland and not pay a penny for any money made outside the country if brought to Ireland. Yang and Metallo explained that European governments have set a penalty of €13 Billion for Apple Inc. to pay across multiple countries. This was done because the countries involved felt the effects of tax evasion more than richer countries.

 This excerpt contains multiple MLA formatting erros, word padding, run on sentences, and figurative verb choice. The MLA formatting errors that the author wrote consisted of, italicized and underlined title, when the author should have just italicized. The exceprt also contains word padding by including the title of a book when it is not relevant. In addition, there is a run on sentence, "Apple has found a way to pay a lower tax rate for the income made in Ireland and not pay a penny for any money made outside the country if brought to Ireland". The run on sentence contains two independent clauses that are not seprated by proper punctuation. Instead the sentence should write, "Apple has found a way to pay a lower tax rate for the income made in Ireland. Apple also does not have to pay any money made oustide the country if the product is brought to Ireland." Finally, the author uses a figurative verb choice when writing "the countries involved felt the effects..." while writing a formal essay, the writer should not give inanimate objects human characteristics (Anthropomorphizing).

Student C Essay Excerpt # 2 (The Problem With Taxing): Revised

James Yang and Victor Metallo explain, “Apple relocated its computer business to Ireland for the purpose of taking advantage of the lower tax rate: the U.S. tax rate is 35%, while its Irish counterpart is as low as 12.5%. Apple negotiated with the Irish government that AOI be treated as a “foreign corporation”, under which its foreign source income is tax-free in Ireland. Because Apple expanded into Ireland, all foreign income is non-taxable in Ireland” (3). Apple has found a way to pay a lower tax rate for the income made in Ireland and not pay a penny for any money made outside the computer business in Ireland. Yang and Metallo explained that European governments have set a penalty of €13 Billion for Apple Inc. to pay across multiple countries. The punishment was sentenced because the countries involved felt the effects of tax evasion more than richer countries.

Works Cited

 "Word Padding," Cambridge Online Dictionary, Cambridge Unviversity Press & Assessment 2023, 2023

Lee, David. "Genres, Registers, Text Types, Domains, And Styles: Clarifying The Concepts And Navigating A Path Through The BNC Jungle." Language Learning & Technology, vol. 5, no. 3, 2001, pp. 42.  https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/e80fbfaf-736c-4f32-bd98- ed99ef330316/content. 

Ramspott, Frank. “Clipboard Checklist Symbol Drawing by Frank Ramspott.” Pixels, 24 June 2021, pixels.com/featured/clipboard-checklist-symbol-drawing-frank-ramspott.html.

 Student A, "The Overall Impact of Immigration on the Host Country". ENGL 145, Fall 2022. 

 Student A, "The Overall Impact of Immigration on the Host Country Rewrite". ENGL 145, Fall 2022.

 Student B, "The Gross Practices of Apple and What to Do About It". ENGL 145, Fall 2022.

 Student B, "The Gross Practices of Apple and What to Do About It: Revised". ENGL 145, Fall 2022.

 Student C, "The Problem With Taxing". ENGL 145, Fall 2022.

 Student C, "The Problem With Taxing: Revised". ENGL 145, Fall 2022.