Informal vs Formal Language Notes

Informal Language— WORDS TO AVOID Casual Speaking 1st/2nd Person Pronouns: Examples: I, me, my, you, your, our, we

Contractions Words that are a combination of two words. Examples: can't, doesn't, that's, they're, it’s, etc. ALL contractions need to be separated Cannot, does not, that is, they are, it is, etc.

To create a FORMAL tone— WORDS TO USE Write in the 3rd Person Avoid using words like “You” or “Your” or “I” Instead, use the following words as substitutes Examples: "An individual..." or "A person..." or "People," and "One."

Avoid Basic Adjectives in Formal Writing Instead of using basic adjectives that you might use when you are speaking with someone you are very comfortable with--like a friend--instead use words that are academic and enhance the formal tone of your paper.

**The following slides are a few examples of Informal writing transformed into Formal writing. -In the ‘Informal’ Slides, you will see words highlighted in red to show exactly what you need to avoid. –On the “Formal” slides, you will find these same problem areas shaded green to show how you could change these areas. -Also, in the ‘Informal’ slides you will see words/phrases underlined. These are words/phrases that need to be enhanced with better adjectives that sound more formal—You will find these same words/phrases italicized in the ‘Formal’ slides to show the difference in how the example can sound.

Example 1 Informal: I think that it's really bad that students have to do so much homework all the time.

Example 1 Formal:  Many people, specifically students, feel that it is unfair that they receive a surplus of homework each day.

Example 2 Informal: When you look at bacteria through a microscope, it might seem like nothing, but its effects are really bad if you're exposed to it directly.

Example 2 Formal: If an individual observes bacteria through a microscope, one might find that it appears harmless.  However, individuals exposed to bacteria have a higher likelihood of contracting the harmful effects, such as an illness.

Example 3 Informal: When you're thinking about how to solve a geometry problem, that's your cerebrum in action.  It doesn't help you remember things, it also contains your memory, both long-term and short-term.

Example 3 Formal: For instance, when a person attempts to solve a challenging question, the cerebrum is processing, and retrieving, the information necessary to solve the question. The cerebrum does not only store prior knowledge or information, it also contains a person's memory, both long and short-term.