Formal Vs. Informal

Formal Vs. Informal

by Kelly Young-Franklin

​Formal writing

​Formal writing is written for an audience you don't know on a personal level.

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​It is the main style in academic writing

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​This type of writing is serious in nature

​Informal Writing

​Short choppy sentences

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​used mostly in personal settings

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​more relaxed style of writing

​Use formal writing when:

1. ​writing professionally

2. ​academic writings

3. ​job applications and cover letters

4. ​writing someone you don't know

​Use informal writing when

1. ​writing to a friend

2. ​sharing a story or writing a personal blog

3. ​creative writing

4. ​when instructed to do so

5. ​writing dialogue and conversations

6. ​writing an outline

Formal writing generally follows these rules:

1. ​

1. ​Long and complex sentences, compound sentences, and transitions will be used.

2. ​Does not use contractions such as don't, won't, etc.

3. ​Does not use slang terms

4. ​Vocabulary is of a higher degree (money words)

5. ​Subject specific (if writing about science, use scientific words)

6. ​Uses 3rd person (Will not use I or me in formal writing)

​Informal writing generally follows these rules

1. ​Can use 1st, 2nd, or 3rd person, and you can use any type of pronouns

2. ​Slang can be used

3. ​Active voice can be used

4. ​Personal feelings can be included

5. ​Contractions, abbreviations, and symbols can be used.

6. ​Empathy-you can put yourself in the shoes of your audience and address their problems directly.

​The next slides will contain sentences, it is your job to decide whether or not they are formal or informal by choosing the answer that fits best.

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​Good Luck!

Multiple Choice

 formal or informal?

He gonna let me have more water?

• Formal

• Informal

Multiple Choice

formal or informal?

First, walk the dog, then feed him and give him a bath.

• informal

• formal

Multiple Choice

formal or informal?

The car an truck is in the backyard.

• informal

• formal

Multiple Choice

formal or informal?

Yesterday, after the party, we went home.

• formal

• informal

Multiple Choice

formal or informal?

The cake has eggs flour and milk in it.

• formal

• informal

Multiple Choice

formal or informal?

I threw the line out as far as I could see, and I finally caught a fish.

• formal

• informal

Open Ended

Name at least two rules for formal writing.

Open Ended

Name at least two rules for informal writing

​The next section you will make corrections to the sentences to change them from informal to formal. Each sentence could have one wrong answer or it could be correct. If the underlined word is correct, then write "correct".

Multiple Choice

formal or informal?

I be going the partee@7 ish.

• formal

• informal