Do not Use Excessive Punctuation

What Does It Mean to Use Formal Style in Your Writing?

When you receive an assignment to write, the prompt often says something like, “Write using the formal style”. However, many students complain that their teachers and professors do not properly explain to them what “formal style” means. How do you use it? Is it homogenous, or are there different subtypes of formal style? Should you write all academic assignments using this style?

If you are in doubt as to what you should do when faced with such a requirement, read on – we can make things a little bit clearer.

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1. Avoid Slang

Even if you believe that slang can be suitable in this particular essay, the requirement to use formal style means that you should not use such words and expressions. Even if you write something deeply personal, like a memorable incident essay, slang is unacceptable in formal writing. It does not matter what kind of slang we are talking about: be it professional slang, youth vernacular, or something else entirely, steer clear of it.

Use Standard Grammar and Spelling
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2. Use Standard Grammar and Spelling

Every word in the English language has its commonly accepted spelling, and the same goes for grammatical structures. Sometimes variations are possible, especially if you consider regional variants of the language, but still, in most cases, you can find standard spelling accepted by most authorities. Even if altering spelling or using non-standard grammar structure seems like a good idea (e.g., to make your writing more expressive), it does not have a place in formal writing.

3. Do not Use Contractions

Contractions like “can’t”, “don’t”, “won’t” are a natural part of language, especially in oral speech. However, you should avoid them in formal writing. It is not a difficult requirement to meet, but if you are used to inserting contractions into your writing, it may be rather hard to change your habits.

Formal Style In College Papers
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4. Use the Right Technical Language

Different areas of knowledge have different terminology, and you should properly master the one associated with your discipline before you can write about it. It is, however, important to distinguish between the correct technical language and professional jargon. Sometimes the difference is obvious, but some words that are widely used by professionals in a specific field cannot be considered proper terms. When in doubt, consult a dictionary, preferably a dictionary dedicated to your professional field.

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5. Avoid First and Second Person Pronouns

The formal style maintains a certain level of impersonality. This means that you should not refer either to yourself or to your readers. Using first-person pronouns can make your writing look not only informal but also uncertain of what you say. Instead of “I think the results of the experiment are inconclusive”, say “The results of the experiment are inconclusive”. The same goes for a second person, “you”. It makes the writing come off as informal and can lead to wrong assumptions.

6. Avoid Abbreviated Versions of Words

Many words we are used to treating as full words are in reality abbreviated versions of longer words. Some examples include “photo”, “TV” and “phone”. While they would not be out of place in colloquial speech, formal writing calls for the full versions of these words: “photograph”, “television”, “telephone”.

Abbreviated Versions of Words
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7. Vary the Length of Your Sentences

While writers (including students who write academic assignments) are usually encouraged to keep their sentences short and simple, taking this suggestion too literally can make your writing look simplistic and informal. Do not use too many short and simple sentences, vary their length and intersperse them with complex structures.

8. Be Objective

The objective approach is one of the most important hallmarks of formal style. You cannot just make a statement and leave it at that. If you say something, you have to provide some evidence in support of your thought. Usually, when you say something in a formal paper, you then follow your statement up with supporting arguments, and each of them can contain its own proof from verifiable sources of information.

9. Do not Use Idioms

Idioms are an excellent way to make your writing more picturesque and expressive, but formal style demands that you do without them. In formal writing, the words should always mean exactly what they say; no transfer of meaning is possible. Moreover, idioms often turn into clichés due to overuse, and it is another thing you should avoid at all costs.

10. Do not Use Excessive Punctuation

It is especially true concerning exclamation marks. They are best not used at all, but you certainly should not use more than one at a time. The same goes for question marks – you should avoid them in the first place; if you have to, use one and leave it at that.

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Do not Use Excessive Punctuation
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Formal style is a common requirement for academic assignments; you will not be able to achieve success in college if you do not learn how to use it at a proper level. We hope that this article can give you a better idea of what is expected from you in the writing of this type.

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