Informal Vs Formal

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Informal versus Formal Writing for an audience will involve either a formal or informal style of writing. You need to consider who the target audience is and what type of publication you are writing for in order to determine the writing style that is appropriate. In terms of the target audience, are you writing for friends and family; for a room full of academic colleagues and lecturers; or perhaps for a board of directors? Formal writing is less personal and more objective than informal writing. Formal writing is almost always targeted at an audience that has existing knowledge on a topic. Whether it is an academic paper or a business report, the key is to know how much existing knowledge those who are to read the publication possess. In formal writing, it is important that you steer clear of slang and colorful words that you’d normally find in a creative writing publication. These types of words, however, are fine in an informal setting. Another guideline when writing in a formal style is to not use contractions (e.g. 'don’t' or 'can’t'). Make sure you fully expand your words, such as ‘do not’ or ‘cannot’. In informal writing, particularly online content, it is acceptable – and sometimes essential – to use short sentences. In formal settings, complexity in writing is not only fine but is often required. Formal styles dictate that writing should most often be done in the third person; whereas in informal writing, it is acceptable to use first person. In formal writing, it is generally necessary to remain objective and not be seen as emotive. Instead of using an active voice, formal writing sometimes requires that the passive voice be used. For example, don’t write ‘we are concerned that’, instead write ‘there has been concern that’. Although business and academic writing – two main styles of formal writing – may seem similar, there are distinct
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