Formal And Informal

Writing

Presented by:
Hamza Afzal
M. Bilal
Osama Alvi
Saif-ur-Rehman

Defining Formal Writing

Formal Writing/Learning to Write: Writing for the main purpose of having

the student present content from the discipline in a style and form that
practitioners could readily recognize and accept.

Formal writing favors longer, more detailed sentences to thoroughly convey a

thought.

Formal writing uses conservative punctuation (e.g., periods, commas, etc.)

Formal Writing Style

Complex Longer sentences are likely to be more prevalent in formal writing.

You need to be as thorough as possible with your approach to each topic when
you are using a formal style. Each main point needs to be introduced,
elaborated and concluded.
Objective State main points confidently and offer full support arguments. A
formal writing style shows a limited range of emotions and avoids emotive
punctuation such as exclamation points, ellipsis, etc., unless they are being
cited from another source.
Full Words No contractions should be used to simplify words (in other words
use "It is" rather than "It's"). Abbreviations must be spelt out in full when
first used, the only exceptions being when the acronym is better known than
the full name (BBC, ITV or NATO for example).

 Third Person Formal writing is not a personal writing style. The

formal writer is disconnected from the topic and does not use the
first person point of view (I or we) or second person (you).

Examples of Formal Writing

scholarly papers: research reports, review articles, critical essays

professional writing: reports; proposals; memos; essays, articles, and

instructions for a lay audience; letters to the editor; editorials; brochures;
critiques & reviews

academic papers: term papers, seminar papers, essay exams

Defining Informal Writing

Informal Writing/Writing to Learn: Writing for the main purpose of finding

out if students understand material, have completed reading, or done assigned
work.

Informal writing favors short, simple sentences.

Informal writing is generous with abrupt and dramatic punctuation (e.g.,

exclamation marks, the ellipses, the dash, etc.).

Informal Writing Style

Colloquial Informal writing is similar to a spoken conversation. Informal writing
may include figures of speech, broken syntax, asides and so on. Informal writing
takes a personal tone as if you were speaking directly to your audience (the reader).
You can use the first or third person point of view (I and we), and you are likely to
address the reader using second person (you and your).

Simple Short sentences are acceptable and sometimes essential to making a point
in informal writing. There may be incomplete sentences or ellipsis() to make points.

Contractions and Abbreviations Words are likely to be simplified using

contractions (for example, Im, doesnt, couldnt, its) and abbreviations (e.g. TV,
photos) whenever possible.

Empathy and Emotion The author can show empathy towards the reader regarding
the complexity of a thought and help them through that complexity.

Examples of Informal Writing

Journal

Book-Article Report

Glossary

Note-taking

Process Reflection

Summaries

Timed Short Response

Web Site Review

When to Use Formal and Informal Writing

A formal writing style is not necessarily better than an informal style,

rather each style serves a different purpose and care should be taken in
choosing which style to use in each case.

Writing for professional purposes is likely to require the formal style,

although individual communications can use the informal style once you are
familiar with the recipient.

Note that emails tend to lend themselves to a less formal style than paperbased communications, but you should still avoid the use of "text talk".

If in doubt as to how formal your writing should be, it is usually better to err
on the side of caution and be formal rather than informal.

Formal vs. Informal Writing

Formal Writing Style
The tone is polite, but impersonal

Informal Writing Style

The tone is more personal

Examples:
Formal
To Whom it May Concern,
Many people enjoy amusement parks.
Studies show many people spend too much time on the computer.
Informal
Dear Grandma,
You like amusement parks, right?
Do you spend too much time on the computer like many people do?

Formal vs. Informal Writing

Formal Writing Style
Avoids using contractions and slang

Informal Writing Style

Freely uses contractions and slang

Examples:
Formal
It is important to do homework.
Going to an amusement park was a thrilling experience.
It does not take a genius to figure this out.
Informal
Its important to do homework.
Going to an amusement park was cool!
It doesnt take a genius to get this.

Formal vs. Informal Writing

Formal Writing Style
Maintains a serious tone

Informal Writing Style

May use humor or more casual tone

Examples:
Formal
Thank you for sending the package. It was a thoughtful thing to do.
A person should want others to take time to read what they write.
Informal
Thanks for the package. It was thoughtful of you.
Who would be crazy enough to write something that nobody reads?

Formal vs. Informal Writing

Formal Writing Style
Avoids using first and second person pronouns
(I, you, we, and me). Often uses one or the
reader instead.

Informal Writing Style

Freely uses first and second person pronouns

Examples:
Formal
When one is preparing to cook, washing ones hands should be step one.
The author advises the reader not to judge a book by its cover.
Informal
When you are preparing to cook, wash your hands first.
I think that you should not judge a book by its cover.

Formal vs. Informal Writing

Formal Writing Style
Sentence structure tends to be varied and
includes lengthy and complex sentences

Informal Writing Style

Sentence structure tends to be shorter; writing
approximates the structure and rhythm of
spoken English

Examples:
Formal
The lunch served in the cafeteria today was not very appetizing. The food was over
cooked, smelled terrible, and tasted awful. Instead of serving students substandard food,
the school should look into bringing in food from a caterer or local restaurant if at all
possible.
Informal
Lunch in the cafeteria today was nasty. It looked, smelled, and tasted bad. The school
shouldnt serve nasty food like that. They should bring in food from a restaurant or
something.

Formal vs. Informal Writing

Formal Writing Style
Word choice tends to be precise or technical

Informal Writing Style

Word choice may be more vague; colloquial
phrases may be used

Examples:
Formal
The lunch served in the cafeteria today was not very appetizing. The food was over
cooked, smelled terrible, and tasted awful. Instead of serving students substandard
food, the school should look into bringing in food from a caterer or local restaurant if at
all possible.
Informal
Lunch in the cafeteria today was nasty. It looked, smelled, and tasted bad. The
school shouldnt serve nasty food like that. They should bring in food from a restaurant
or something.