THE DON’Ts (and DO’s) of FORMAL WRITING

DON’T write in 1st or 2nd person Do write in 3rd person -Hint: Avoid pronouns (I, he, she, him, her, we, they, them, us, you) unless referencing a specific character. No: I think the author uses a jacket to represent insecurity. Yes: The author uses a jacket to represent insecurity.

DON’T refer to the author as he/she Do refer to the name by either his/her full name or last name only. It is okay to say “the author”, but use it sparingly. No: She uses the title for symbolism seen through her characters. Yes: Lee uses the title for symbolism seen through her characters.

DO NOT use contractions Do spell out both words. It isn’t very hard, is it? While okay in informal writing, contractions are too casual in formal writing. Like wearing house shoes to church. No: Atticus doesn’t want the kids to shoot mockingbirds. Yes: Atticus does not want the kids to shoot mockingbirds.

No Abb. or @#$&’s Write in complete words, fully spelled out. Ex: Etcetera, not Etc. Because, not Bc Avoid symbols Ex: And, not & Ex: Number, not #

DON’T POINT This may be a little harder to grasp, but I think you will get the idea eventually. By “point”, I mean being too obvious in referring to the book or assignment Ex: This essay is going to talk about theme… There are other forms of “pointing”, but hopefully this gives you the main idea.

DON’T Hedge or Qualify Do write with certainty and assurance. Say what you mean and mean what you say. No: Perhaps the characters are naïve and sheltered or maybe they lack the life experience to empathize with his situation. Yes: The characters are naïve and sheltered and lack the life experience to empathize with his situation.

Write in the present tense (when possible) Avoid writing in the past tense, unless it is part of a direct quote, or the assignment involves a historical component that must be addressed in past terms.

DON’T Pose Questions? Do make statements. You are informing the reader. No need to play a game of Q&A. No: Have you ever wondered why some people get all the lucky breaks? Yes: It is frustrating that some people get all the lucky breaks.

DON’T Quote with no credit Do tell who says it. You need to introduce your quotes with either some context or at least by attributing the dialogue to a character. No: “Your father is right. It is a sin to kill a mockingbird.” Yes: Miss Maudie confirms this when she says, “Your father is right. It is a sin to kill a mockingbird.”