Formal vs. Informal Writing Style Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: W.7.1.D

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

Many people feel that writing in a formal manner is always preferred, but many times it is not appreciated by the reader because it can come across as cold and without feeling. Writing for a professional purpose lends itself to a formal writing style. Informal writing styles are often reserved for personal communications but can be used for business purposes. Emails tend to be less formal than paper letters, and text talk is even less formal. This selection of writing worksheets can help students understand the gap between the two forms of written communication.

Formal vs. Informal Writing Style Worksheets To Print:

What Style You Have... – A simple identification activity. This is a good way to kick it off.

Do I Need A Dinner Jacket? – Yes, we want you to formally write your answer on the informal line.

Keeping It Casual? – Point out what's basic about these sentences and dress them up.

Writing in a Formal Style – We want you to go all top hats and canes on this one.

For The Prom – More basic identification work here. The more advance activities are below.

Cleaning Up Your Writing – Circle the informal word or words and rewrite the sentence in a formal style.

Writing in a Formal Style – Some of the sentences use formal writing and some do not.

Establish a Formal Style – This style of writing is needed in many business and social situations.

Making a Formal Request in Writing – Write a brief letter asking that the CEO of a major company give you an appointment to discuss your ideas.

Think Of Someone... – Think of someone whose philosophy, values, or success you admire. Write a letter to this person to invite them to come and speak at your school.

//English Form// – Time to totally distinguish the two formats here.

Which Bus Are You On? – It's Okay to switch buses from time to time.

Formal Style in Correspondence – These are some common phrases that you might find in this format.

Check Out the Form – You might need to do a huge rewrite here.

The Unfair Grade – Think of someone whose philosophy, values, or success you admire. Write a letter to this person to invite them to come and speak at your school.

Formal vs. Informal Writing Style


There are two different ways to communicate in English through speech and text. These two ways are known as the formal style and informal style. Both of these styles of writings have their own specific rules to follow.


Here are brief descriptions of them both.


Formal Writing Style


When it comes to business, professional, and legal purposes to write, the formal style of writing is used. This is because the formal style of writing maintains a formal relationship between the two entities. It allows for non-casual communication. It creates barriers to professionalism. When you are writing a formal draft, you must keep in mind certain rules. These rules should not be broken because they lay the basic foundation of formal writing.


The formal style of writing is written by strictly keeping in mind the rules of grammar. It does not contain any grammatical errors. This is because grammatical errors can create confusions for readers. Any legal or professional documents should be free of any errors to avoid any confusion that can cause potential damage. The formal style of writing contains long and complex sentences. The passive voice is used in the sentences along with the third person pronoun. A professional tone is maintained throughout the text. The use of academic vocabulary is common in the formal style of writing. However, there should be no spelling mistakes at all. The formal style of writing is full of objectivity. It contains all the relevant evidence that is needed to support.


Informal Style Of Writing


The informal style of writing is very different from the formal style of writing. It contains a lot more slang and informal words. There is no strict rule to follow the grammar or spellings. You can write whatever you want and however, you want to. The informal style of writing is usually used while chatting or writing letters to your friends and family. The sentences are loosely structured and the first or the second person pronoun is used.


Formal Vs. Informal Writing Styles


Writing style is the particular method of expressing thoughts through words. While writing, a proper style matters a lot. Formal and informal styles are two widely used styles of writing. Both formal and informal styles differ in their use, tone, and word choice. It is very important for the students to know where to use the formal style and where to use the informal style. Given below is an in-depth discussion of both these styles that will help one to differentiate as well as to rightly use them:


Formal Style


The word 'formal' means something done by etiquettes, manners, and in according to some set rules. Formal style or writing also means the same. Writers adopt formal style while writing business letters, professional content or any other content written to someone they share only professional relations with. Formal content is always written according to some set rules, using appropriate words, and in a specified format. According to these set rules, one should try not to write formal content in passive voice, use easy and simple vocabulary, keep the content brief, try not to repeat anything, avoid the use of abbreviations and jargons, use sophisticated tone, use a third-person narrative, and use correct spellings and punctuation.


Informal Style


Informal means to follow a friendly, relaxed, and unofficial manner and any content written to a friend, family or any other person you do not have professional relations with is written in an informal style. Informal style is used while writing condolence letters, congratulatory letters, and other good news and bad news delivering letters. In informal style format, grammar, and punctuations are not given much importance like in formal style. Moreover, informal style writing is generally shorter and easier than the formal style one. One can easily generate an informal style text by using first-person pronoun, abbreviations, and depicting emotions where necessary.


Tips for Writing Informal and Formal Language


Formal and informal form of a same language are widely used in spoken and written content. Both these forms serve different purposes. The format, way of writing, tone, and words used in both languages differ from each other. Formal language is used for professional purposes and informal is used for the personal purposes. Students must have a strong grip on both formal and informal forms of a language. Given below are some tips to write in informal and formal language:


Tips for Writing Informal Language


Informal language is used while communicating with friends, family or other people with a close relation. Content like condolence letters, congratulation emails, and other good and bad newsletters or emails can be written in informal language. Informal language does not follow as many rules as those followed by the formal language. Some things that you can do while writing in informal language include first-person pronoun ‘I' instead of second or third person pronoun, using contractions such as instead of ‘do not' you can write ‘don't', etc. As informal content is written for people you are close to, you can show emotions and empathy where necessary, choose a simple sentence structure, use easy vocabulary, and be sure to keep the whole content brief and understandable.


Tips for Writing Formal Language


Content like a business letter, complaint letter, cover letter, and other professional texts are written in formal language. As formal language is related to professionals, it is written according to some rules and in a certain way. Some of the important tips to follow while writing formally include using second or third person pronoun, avoiding repetition, being clear and concise, not using passive voice, avoid using contractions, choosing an appropriate vocabulary, and choosing a sophisticated tone as an over-friendly tone in formal content is regarded a sign of disrespect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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