Formal vs. Informal Style
Formal vs. Informal Styles
Formal Style
Most academic writing uses formal style conventions. Academic writing is objective and professional. Slang and shorthand expressions are not used.
Likewise, most publications and business communication use a formal style. Following a set of national standards shows respect for the reader. Additionally, when style or format standards are predictably followed, the reader can focus on content rather than on the form of the writing.
Basic Guidelines for a Formal Writing Style
- Use evidence to support your points
- Cite your sources following MLA or APA standards (or other format as required)
- Spell out numbers, particularly under ten
- Spell out contractions
- Use third person/objective voice
- Use appropriate wording and tone
Informal Style
An informal style assumes close familiarity between the reader and writer. Non-academic tasks such as personal emails or texts may use informal language conventions. In the academic arena, however, an informal style is never used indiscriminately or throughout an entire work.
The Continuum of Formality
Among academic and business writing, there is a continuum of formality. For instance, a process essay explaining how to prepare Thanksgiving Dinner may use the second person and may address the reader with some intimacy. Such a work will naturally be less formal than a dissertation discussing the effects of intracellular pathogens.
Fiction writing employs its own sets of conventions and poetry is known for breaking rules. Narratives or personal works may use informal language specifically to communicate a culture or character traits. Keep in mind, however, that clarity and respect for the reader are just as valuable in fiction as in non-fiction genres.
Even in otherwise formal documents, moments of informality may be used for effect. Like an intentional sentence fragment, these moments should be both purposeful and rare. If explained, slang terms, idioms, colloquial expressions, digits, and abbreviated words may be incorporated into essays, research papers, and otherwise formal publications.
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The key to writing style is that it should be carefully crafted to suit the subject at hand. Informal writing should never be used indiscriminately in academic or professional work. Any moments of informality should be purposefully, not carelessly, employed.