Tone and register — matching to audience

Question 6 (5 marks)

Explain how the tone and register of a formal letter to a headteacher should differ from an article for a teen magazine on the same topic (improving school lunches).

Mark scheme (AO5, 5 marks):

• Letter: formal register; "Dear Mr/Mrs [Name]"; full sentences; no contractions; respectful, measured tone; "Yours sincerely" (1–2 marks)
• Magazine article: informal or semi-formal register; punchy headline ("School Lunches: Are We Being Served?"); direct address ("you"); conversational tone; some humour or irony acceptable; shorter sentences (1–2 marks)
• Key distinction: audience shapes register entirely — same topic but completely different language choices (1 mark)