FORMAL STANDARD ENGLISH
Much of your writing for this course should be formal. Below are some guidelines for formal writing:
Formal Writing is Impersonal. Formal writing is not intended to communicate person to person. Instead, it is
intended to be objective; that is, formal writing should be informative in a detached, scientific way. It should
communicate logically rather than personally; it should appeal to the intellect rather than the emotions of the reader.
Formal Writing Does Not Use First Person Pronouns. Formal writing de-emphasizes the personality of the
writer. You are asked to remove yourself completely from the scene. Omit uses of the following: I, me, my, mine,
we our, ours. Sometimes we may be used in formal writing. When it is, it is called the editorial we, but it is only
used in certain instances. Except for a narrative, which may be a first-person account.
Formal Writing Does Not Use Second Person Pronouns. Just as the writer becomes anonymous as for as
personality is concerned, so does the reader. The writer does not address the reader as you. (In fact, second person
implied should also be avoided.) The informal you should be replaced by one or another appropriate word. Note: An
exception to this is the process essay, which generally does not use the second person pronoun you, but does use
second person implied.
Formal Writing Does Not Include Contractions. Do not use can’t, won’t, doesn’t, don’t, or other contractions when
writing in formal style. Note: It’s is a contraction for it is and should not be used. Its shows possession and is
acceptable. Also, cannot is one word.
Formal Writing Does Not Use Slang Expressions. Several words used in your speaking vocabulary should not be
included in formal papers. Note: Write at the level of diction you would use in an interview for your first working
position. Any dictionary will explain the distinctions between appropriate and inappropriate words. (Likewise,
formal writing does not use jargon, language unique to a specific group or activity.)
Formal Writing Does Not Make Use of of Cliches. Cliches should be eliminated. Express your ideas in original
terms.
Formal Writing Requires More Complexity in Sentence Structure. In all writing, sentence length and complexity
should be varied; this is truer still of formal writing. However, do not increase complexity at the risk of coherence.
Formal Writing Requires the Most Precise and Correct Choices From Among Alternatives in Grammar and
Usage. There are many question of language, which cannot be
resolved as “correct” or “incorrect.” Be conscious of context and clarify when making distinctions. In formal
writing you need to choose who or whom, between or among, etc.
The following chart will reveal the major differences between formal and informal style.
Formal
Informal
Tone is usually dignified
More sophisticated sentence structure
Complete sentences
Formal, standard English
No contractions
Does not use the pronoun “you”
Does not use first person pronouns
Tone is light and conversational
Short, simple sentences
Fragments common
Slang, jargon, and/or colloquial expressions
Contractions
May address reader as “you”
Uses first person (I, me, my, mine, we, us you, our)
(Adapted from Donna Summerlin, Ph. D.)
(Revised FA 2011)