Formal And Informal Writing

When it comes to writing in English, there are two main styles of writing - formal and informal. Consider these two examples:

Example 1:

Thank you for taking the time to meet with our team regarding the role of Administrator. Unfortunately, our team did not select you for further consideration on this occasion.

Example 2:

You know the job I went for? Well, I didn’t get it! It was really nerve racking and there were loads of other people going for it. Oh well, that’s life I suppose! I guess I’ll just have to keep looking for something else.

Do you notice the difference in writing style and tone between the two examples? The first one is formal, and the second is informal.

The style of writing, or the way we use words to say what we want to say, can be very different depending on the situation. In our two examples, the first is a business letter and the second is a message to a friend. Both call for completely different language styles.

The way we write in an academic or business setting will be very different from the way we write to a friend or relative. The tone, vocabulary, and syntax, all change as the occasion changes. This difference in the style of writing marks the difference between formal and informal writing.

The following is a list of some of the main differences between informal and formal writing:

Informal: May use colloquial words/expressions (eg. kids, guys, awesome, loads of)

Formal: Avoids using colloquial words/expressions (substitute with children, man/boy, wonderful, many)

Informal: May use contractions (can`t, won`t, shouldn`t, etc.).

Formal: Avoids contractions (write out words in full - cannot, will not, should not, etc.).

Informal: May use the first, second, or third person.

Formal: Writes in the third person (except in business letters where the first person may be used).

Informal: May use abbreviated words (photo, TV)

Formal: Avoids using abbreviated words (uses full versions - like photograph, television)

Informal: May use the imperative voice (e.g. Remember to....)

Formal: Avoids the imperative voice (Please refer to.....)

Informal: May use the active voice (e.g. We have noticed that.....)

Formal: Uses the passive voice (It has been noticed that....)

Informal: May use short and simple sentences.

Formal: Usually longer and more complex sentences are preferred.

Informal: The difficulty of the subject may be acknowledged.

Formal: States points confidently and offers an argument with firm support.

These are just some of the differences between formal and informal writing.

Look for some examples of formal English: Formal letters from school, college or work and text books. Now compare them with more informal examples such as an email from family or a text message from a friend.

Next time you communicate in writing, make sure you choose the correct style, keeping in mind what you are writing and to whom. But whichever style you write in - formal or informal - be sure to keep it consistent and do not mix the two.Type Your Article Here