Formal/Informal Writing

When writing formally, one should avoid using: (a)  

• Academic language
• Contractions and phrasal verbs
• Objective tone
• Third-person pronouns

Answer explanation

Avoid contractions (e.g., didn't, won't, can't, they're, etc.); instead, write: did not, will not, cannot, they are, etc.

Trade phrasal verbs for academic words (e.g., use cancel instead of call off).

Tags

CCSS.SL.11-12.6

CCSS.SL.9-10.6

CCSS.W.11-12.1D

CCSS.W.11-12.2E

CCSS.W.9-10.1D

"Don't register for classes yet."

How could the sentence above be written to produce a formal style and tone?

• One should not register for classes yet.

• You don't need to register for classes yet.

• You shouldn't register for classes yet.

Answer explanation

When writing formally, refrain from using first-person (e.g., I or me) or second-person (e.g., you) pronouns.

Also, do not use contractions.

Tags

CCSS.W.9-10.1D

CCSS.W.9-10.2E

CCSS.W.9-10.4

"According to Forbes, many who graduate from trade school come out with little to no student debt."

What is the phrasal verb in the sentence above?

• many who

• from trade school

• come out

• student debt

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

"According to Forbes, many who graduate from trade school come out with little to no student debt."

Write a word (as many 1-word answers you can think of) to replace the phrasal verb "come out."

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.5

"In this article, the author talks about...."

Write a more formal term for "talks about."

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.W.9-10.1D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Identify the informal term/language in this sentence:

"We observed the performance from a balcony seat."

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.SL.11-12.6

CCSS.W.11-12.1D

CCSS.W.11-12.2E

CCSS.W.9-10.1D

Rewrite this sentence in active voice:

"The balloon was inflated by the scientists."

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

Rewrite this sentence formally:

"I think this is an effective method."

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

CCSS.L.9-10.3

CCSS.W.9-10.1D

CCSS.W.9-10.2E

CCSS.W.9-10.4

"His opinions don't hold water."

How could you say this formally?

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.SL.9-10.6

CCSS.W.9-10.1D

CCSS.W.9-10.2E

"It is possible to consider the results from a different viewpoint."

Is this formally or informally written?

• Formal

• Informal

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.SL.11-12.6

CCSS.W.11-12.1D

CCSS.W.11-12.2E

CCSS.W.9-10.2E