Register and Style: English ЕГЭ 2025 Preparation

Understanding register and style is essential for effective communication in English. This guide will help you recognize and use different levels of formality and stylistic features appropriately in various contexts. Mastering these aspects of language will enhance your performance in the ЕГЭ English exam, particularly in the writing and reading comprehension sections.

Theory for Exam Preparation

Register refers to the level of formality in language use, which varies depending on the context, purpose, audience, and relationship between communicators. Style refers to the distinctive manner of expression—the way language is used to achieve particular effects. Both register and style are crucial aspects of sociolinguistic competence in English. In the ЕГЭ English exam, you will need to demonstrate your ability to comprehend and produce language appropriate to different contexts and purposes. This includes recognizing formal and informal language in reading passages, as well as adapting your own writing style to suit specific tasks. This guide will explore the different registers of English, the features that characterize various styles, and how to select appropriate language for different communicative situations. By understanding these aspects of English, you will be better equipped to interpret texts accurately and express yourself appropriately in different contexts, which is essential for achieving a high score in the exam.

Understanding Register

What Is Register?

Register refers to the level of formality in language use, which varies according to the social context, the relationship between the participants, and the purpose of the communication. Register is a continuum ranging from very formal to very informal, with several levels in between.

Levels of Register

Formal Register

Used in official, serious, or academic contexts, where there is social distance between participants or when addressing someone of higher status.

Characteristics:

Examples of contexts:

Example:

"I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the service I received at your establishment on July 15th. Despite having made a reservation in advance, my party was required to wait for 45 minutes before being seated."

Semi-formal Register

Used in professional settings where there is some familiarity between participants, or in situations that are neither very formal nor very casual.

Characteristics:

Examples of contexts:

Example:

"I'm writing about the reservation mix-up at your restaurant last Saturday. We had booked a table for 8 PM but had to wait for 45 minutes before we were seated."

Informal Register

Used in everyday conversations with friends, family, and acquaintances, where there is social familiarity and equality.

Characteristics:

Examples of contexts:

Example:

"Just wanted to let you know about this restaurant we tried last weekend. We had a booking but still had to wait ages to get a table!"

Very Informal/Slang Register

Used among close friends, family members, or specific social groups, particularly in spoken language or in digital communication mimicking speech.

Characteristics:

Examples of contexts:

Example:

"OMG that place was a total disaster! Booked a table and still had to wait forever. Food was meh. Not going back!"

Factors Affecting Register Choice

Audience

Who you are communicating with influences the level of formality:

Purpose

The reason for communication affects register:

Context

The setting or medium of communication matters:

Relationship

The relationship between communicators affects register:

Understanding Style

What Is Style?

Style refers to the distinctive manner of expression in writing or speech—the way language is used to achieve particular effects. It encompasses word choice, sentence structure, tone, and rhetorical devices. While register is primarily about the level of formality, style is about the aesthetic and functional qualities of language.

Elements of Style

Diction (Word Choice)

The selection of words used in speaking or writing.

Examples of different diction:

Syntax (Sentence Structure)

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences.

Examples of different syntax:

Tone

The attitude of the writer or speaker toward the subject or audience.

Examples of different tones:

Rhetorical Devices

Techniques used to convey meaning, enhance language, or evoke emotion.

Examples of rhetorical devices:

Common Stylistic Categories

Academic Style

Used in scholarly writing, research papers, and academic publications.

Characteristics:

Example:

"The research indicates a statistically significant correlation between sleep duration and cognitive performance among adolescents. Smith et al. (2020) demonstrated that participants who reported fewer than seven hours of sleep exhibited diminished capacity in working memory tasks."

Business/Professional Style

Used in workplace communication, business correspondence, and professional documents.

Characteristics:

Example:

"As per our discussion on May 15th, we are implementing the new inventory management system effective June 1st. All department heads are required to complete the online training by May 25th. Please refer to the attached document for detailed instructions."

Journalistic Style

Used in news reporting, articles, and media content.

Characteristics:

Example:

"London, May 19 - The city council approved a new transportation plan yesterday that will add 50 kilometers of bicycle lanes over the next three years. Mayor Johnson called the initiative 'a significant step toward reducing carbon emissions' during the press conference following the vote."

Literary Style

Used in fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction.

Characteristics:

Example:

"The ancient oak stood sentinel at the edge of the property, its gnarled branches reaching toward the pewter sky like arthritic fingers. Sarah paused beneath its canopy, listening to the whisper of leaves that had witnessed a century of secrets."

Conversational Style

Used in dialogue, informal writing, and content meant to mimic speech.

Characteristics:

Example:

"You know what I mean? It's like, every time I try to get ahead, something comes along and knocks me back. Frustrating! But hey, that's life, right? Gotta keep moving forward."

Persuasive Style

Used in argumentative essays, opinion pieces, advertisements, and speeches.

Characteristics:

Example:

"We cannot—we must not—ignore the climate crisis any longer. Every day of inaction is a day we steal from future generations. How will we explain our complacency to our children? The time to act is now, and the responsibility is ours."

Register and Style in Different Text Types

Essays

Academic Essays

Register: Formal

Style: Academic, analytical

Key features:

Example:

"This paper examines the impact of social media on adolescent mental health. Research indicates that excessive use of platforms such as Instagram and TikTok correlates with increased rates of anxiety and depression among teenagers (Johnson, 2022)."

Opinion Essays

Register: Semi-formal to formal

Style: Persuasive, argumentative

Key features:

Example:

"I firmly believe that school uniforms benefit the educational environment. They eliminate social pressure related to clothing, create a sense of community, and help students focus on learning rather than appearance."

Letters and Emails

Formal Letters

Register: Formal

Style: Professional, respectful

Key features:

Example:

"Dear Mr. Thompson, I am writing to apply for the position of Marketing Coordinator as advertised on your company website. With five years of experience in digital marketing and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, I believe I am well-qualified for this role. [...] Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further. Yours sincerely, Jane Smith"

Informal Emails

Register: Informal

Style: Conversational, personal

Key features:

Example:

"Hi Alex, Just checking in to see how you're doing with the project. I've finished my part and I'm happy to help if you need any input on yours. Let me know! [...] Talk soon, Sarah"

Articles

News Articles

Register: Semi-formal

Style: Journalistic, objective

Key features:

Example:

"LOCAL SCHOOL WINS NATIONAL SCIENCE COMPETITION BOSTON - Riverside High School students took first place in the National Science Olympiad on Saturday, beating 200 other schools from across the country. The team of six seniors won with their project on renewable energy solutions. 'We worked on this project for eight months,' said team captain Emma Chen. 'It's amazing to see our hard work recognized at the national level.'"

Feature Articles

Register: Semi-formal

Style: Narrative, descriptive

Key features:

Example:

"THE FORGOTTEN ARTISTS OF MOUNTAIN VALLEY In a small studio tucked between a laundromat and a convenience store, 72-year-old Maria Gonzalez carefully applies brush to canvas. Her hands, weathered by decades of work, move with surprising precision as vibrant colors bring to life the landscape of her childhood in rural Mexico. 'I paint what I remember,' she says, her eyes never leaving the canvas. 'These memories are all I brought with me when I came here 50 years ago.'"

Reviews

Critical Reviews

Register: Semi-formal to formal

Style: Analytical, evaluative

Key features:

Example:

"Spielberg's latest film represents a return to form for the veteran director. The cinematography, particularly in the opening sequence, demonstrates a masterful understanding of visual storytelling. However, the screenplay occasionally falters, with dialogue that feels contrived in the second act."

Personal Reviews

Register: Informal to semi-formal

Style: Subjective, conversational

Key features:

Example:

"I absolutely loved this restaurant! The food was amazing, especially the pasta dish I ordered. The service was a bit slow, but the friendly staff made up for it. I'd definitely go back and would recommend trying their homemade desserts. 4.5/5 stars from me!"

Register and Style in the ЕГЭ English Exam

Reading Comprehension

In the reading section, understanding register and style can help you:

Writing Tasks

In the writing section, appropriate use of register and style can help you:

Common Register and Style Tasks in the ЕГЭ

Practice Examples

Identify the register (formal, semi-formal, or informal) of each excerpt and explain your answer.

  1. "I regret to inform you that we are unable to process your application at this time due to incomplete documentation."
  2. "Just wanted to let you know that I can't make it to the party tonight. Something came up. Rain check?"
  3. "The company hereby requests all employees to submit their expense reports by the end of the fiscal quarter."
  4. "This study examines the correlation between sleep patterns and academic performance among university students."
  5. "Hey! What's up? Haven't seen you in ages! We should totally grab coffee sometime!"

Answers:

1. Formal register. This excerpt uses complete sentences, formal vocabulary ("regret to inform," "unable to process"), no contractions, and a professional tone appropriate for official communication.

2. Informal register. This excerpt uses contractions ("can't"), colloquial expressions ("Something came up," "Rain check?"), incomplete sentences, and a casual tone typical of communication between friends.

3. Formal register. This excerpt uses formal language ("hereby requests"), complete sentences, no contractions, and an impersonal tone appropriate for official company communication.

4. Formal register. This excerpt uses academic language, complex sentence structure, specialized terminology ("correlation"), and an objective tone typical of scholarly writing.

5. Very informal register. This excerpt uses multiple exclamation marks, slang expressions ("What's up?", "ages", "totally"), contractions, and an enthusiastic tone typical of very casual communication between close friends.

Rewrite each sentence in the appropriate register for the given context.

  1. Informal: "I'm writing to complain about the faulty product I purchased from your company last week." (Context: Formal letter of complaint to a company)
  2. Formal: "Please let me know if you can attend the meeting next Tuesday." (Context: Text message to a friend)
  3. Very informal: "The research indicates a significant correlation between the variables." (Context: Academic paper)
  4. Formal: "I really enjoyed the book and thought the characters were great." (Context: Literary review for a magazine)
  5. Semi-formal: "OMG this restaurant is amazing! The food is to die for!" (Context: Restaurant review website)

Answers:

1. Formal: "I am writing to express my dissatisfaction regarding the defective product I purchased from your company on [specific date]."

2. Informal: "Hey, can you make it to the meeting on Tuesday?"

3. Formal: "The research demonstrates a statistically significant correlation between the examined variables."

4. Semi-formal: "The novel presents compelling character development and an engaging narrative structure that effectively draws the reader into its richly constructed world."

5. Semi-formal: "This restaurant offers an excellent dining experience. The food is exceptional, with particularly noteworthy dishes including the [specific examples]."

Match each excerpt with its most likely text type.

  1. "Once upon a time, in a land far away, there lived a princess with hair as black as night and skin as white as snow."
  2. "The patient presents with symptoms including elevated temperature (39.2°C), persistent cough, and fatigue. Initial assessment indicates possible respiratory infection."
  3. "In conclusion, the evidence strongly supports the implementation of the proposed policy, which would benefit both the economy and the environment."
  4. "BREAKING: Government announces new tax measures to take effect next month. Opposition leaders call the plan 'irresponsible' and 'poorly timed.'"
  5. "Thank you for your inquiry regarding our products. Please find attached our current catalog and price list as requested."

Text types: a) News article, b) Business email, c) Fairy tale, d) Medical report, e) Persuasive essay conclusion

Answers:

1. c) Fairy tale. The excerpt uses the classic opening "Once upon a time" and contains descriptive, imaginative language typical of fairy tales.

2. d) Medical report. The excerpt uses technical medical terminology, precise measurements, and an objective, clinical tone to describe a patient's condition.

3. e) Persuasive essay conclusion. The excerpt begins with "In conclusion" and summarizes an argument in favor of a policy, which is typical of the concluding paragraph in a persuasive essay.

4. a) News article. The excerpt begins with "BREAKING" to indicate breaking news, presents factual information about a government announcement, and includes quotes from relevant sources (opposition leaders).

5. b) Business email. The excerpt uses formal language to respond to a customer inquiry and references attached business documents (catalog and price list).

Identify the stylistic devices used in each sentence.

  1. "Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're going to get."
  2. "The silence was deafening after the announcement."
  3. "She sells seashells by the seashore."
  4. "The wind whispered through the trees."
  5. "He was so hungry he could eat a horse."

Answers:

1. Simile. This sentence compares life to a box of chocolates using "like" to make the comparison explicit.

2. Oxymoron. This sentence combines contradictory terms—silence (absence of sound) and deafening (overwhelmingly loud)—to create a powerful effect describing the impact of the silence.

3. Alliteration. This sentence repeats the initial "s" sound in "sells," "seashells," and "seashore," creating a tongue-twister effect.

4. Personification. This sentence attributes a human action (whispering) to a non-human entity (the wind), giving it human-like qualities.

5. Hyperbole. This sentence uses extreme exaggeration (eating an entire horse) to emphasize how hungry the person was.

Key Points to Remember

Exam Tip!

In the ЕГЭ English exam, you may be asked to write in different registers or identify the register and style of texts. Remember:

Being able to recognize and produce appropriate register and style demonstrates sophisticated language awareness, which can significantly improve your score in both the reading and writing sections of the exam.