Stylistic peculiarities of the style of official documents in english

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Official documents are written in a formal, “cold” or matter-of-fact style


Official documents are written in a formal, “cold” or matter-of-fact

style of speech.
The style of official documents is represented by the following sub-styles, or varieties:
the language of business documents
the language of legal documents
the language of diplomacy
the language of military documents
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a) the state and the citizen, or citizen and citizen (jurisdiction);


a) the state and the citizen, or citizen and citizen (jurisdiction); b)

a society and its members (statute or ordinance); c) two or more enterprises or bodies (business correspondence or contracts);  d) two or more governments (pacts, treaties);  e) a person in authority and a subordinate (orders, regulations, authoritative directions);  f) the board or presidium and the assembly or general meeting (procedures acts, minutes), etc.

Types of official documents:

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The aim of communication in this style of language is to

The aim of communication in this style of language is to

reach agreement between two contracting parties.
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Peculiarities of the style: A special system of cliches, terms and

Peculiarities of the style:

A special system of cliches, terms and set

expressions:
I beg to inform you;
I beg to move;
I second the motion;
provisional agenda;
the above-mentioned;
hereinafter named;
on behalf of;
private advisory;
Dear sir.
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the use of abbreviations, conventional symbols and contractions, e. g. MP

the use of abbreviations, conventional symbols and contractions, e. g.
MP

(Member of Parliament); Gvt. (government); H.M.S. (Her Majesty’s Steamship); $(dollar); Ltd (Limited).
DAO (Divisional Ammunition Officer); adv. (advance); atk. (attack); obj. (object); A/T (anti-tank); ATAS (Air Transport Auxiliary Service).
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the use of special terms, e.g. in finance we find terms

the use of special terms, e.g. in finance we find terms

like extra revenue; taxable capacities; liability to profit tax.
Terms and phrases like high contracting parties; to ratify an agreement; memorandum; pact; protectorate; extra-territorial status; plenipotentiary will immediately brand the utterance as diplomatic.
In legal language, examples are: to deal with a case; summary procedure; a body of judges; as laid down in; the succeeding clauses of agreement; to reaffirm faith in fundamental principles; to establish the required conditions; the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law.
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the use of bookish words and phrases: plausible (=possible); to inform

the use of bookish words and phrases: 
plausible (=possible); to inform (=to tell); to assist (=to help); to

cooperate (=to work together); to promote (=to help something develop); to secure (=to make certain) social progress; with the following objectives/ends (=for these purposes); to be determined/resolved (=to wish); to endeavour (=to try); to proceed (=to go); inquire (to ask).
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absence of emotiveness, except: Dear Sir; yours faithfully

absence of emotiveness,
except: Dear Sir; yours faithfully

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An official document usually consists of : preamble; main text body; a finalizing (concluding) part;


An official document usually consists of :
preamble;
main text body;
a finalizing (concluding) part;

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Definite compositional structure and design: 1. Heading 2. Date 3. Name

Definite compositional structure and design:
1. Heading
2. Date 
3. Name and address
4. Salutation  
5. Reference 
6. Opening 
7. Body
8. Closing 
9. Stamp (if any) and signatures

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