Suppose you have received an assignment to write an informative report, and your instructions require you to use a formal style of writing. Are you sure what that means? Maybe when you think of the word formal, you think of people in tuxedos and ball gowns, acting all stiff and uncomfortable. If so, you may think that formal writing means stiff sentences that read like a series of cold, dry facts.
Don't despair. You are not being required to writing a boring, flat, uninteresting report. In fact, formal writing can--and should--be exciting and vibrant, and you should use the same techniques as you would in any other type of writing. Formal writing is simply a more studious way of presenting your ideas. Still, formal writing has a few conventions that you should know and follow.
Click through the following slideshow to see some techniques you can use to create a formal style.
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Use the third-person point of view. That means you should not use I or you, which suggest a more personal, subjective style that you want to avoid. Keeping your point of view in the third person creates a sense of detachment that gives your writing formality and seriousness, but still requires the organization and writing techniques that make it fluid and interesting. Avoid clichés. These are overused expressions that no longer sound fresh or serious. Phrases like "head in the sand" or "growing like a weed" have lost their effectiveness because they are so overused. In addition, clichés seem cutesy and out of place in formal writing. Keep your writing clear and precise, and avoid cute or casual expressions. Avoid contractions. The use of contractions automatically makes writing sound more casual, so use the full phrase to maintain your sense of formality. For example, write do not instead of don't, there is instead of there's, and what will instead of what'll. It's a little change that makes a big difference in formality. Use the passive voice. An informational report is one place where you actually want to use the passive voice, for the very reason it is not used in casual writing. The passive voice creates a distance that is the basis for formal writing, giving it a less personal feel. Notice how when you write "Errors were made," the passive voice creates a more impersonal feeling than in the direct, active version "Someone made errors." Be confident. If you are sure of your facts and know what you want to say, it will show in your writing. Do your research, know your topic, and share it with pride. |
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