Formal writing Formal writing is grammatically correct with correct punctuation and spelling. As a writer, you need to choose a style of writing that is appropriate for the intended audience. Sentence structure Do not let your sentences become overly long, more than 30 words, as the reader will find them confusing. Good sentence construction reduces your word count and makes your sentences precise and concise. Vocabulary Your academic and subject vocabulary will develop over the course of your degree and it is important that you understand the context of any new words you encounter and use them appropriately. Always, use vocabulary you are comfortable with and fully understand. If you do not understand what you have written, then do not expect anyone else to. To keep your writing precise and concise remove ‘fluffy’ words which are not easily defined such as: good, very, really, main, key, important, paramount, and so on. Spelling Poor spelling shows that you do not pay attention to detail. If you are word processing, make sure you have English (UK) set as your default for spell checking and you will find a red squiggle under a spelling error. Many employers reject job applications if spelling is incorrect so find ways to develop your ability to spell. Punctuation You know what you want to say, and your punctuation helps you to do this. It helps the reader to understand your writing when you are not present to ask. If your punctuation is incorrect then the reader may become confused. Reading your work aloud, with a short pause for a comma and a longer one for a full stop, can be helpful in highlighting errors in punctuation. You can even record yourself and when listening back, annotate a paper copy when you hear errors. Grammar When using an English (UK) grammar checker a blue squiggle under your words denotes a grammatical error. Sometimes errors may occur if you are using an academic style of writing which uses a ‘passive voice’ rather than an ‘active voice’. You need to learn to recognise these two styles of writing. A common error is incorrect subject verb agreement. You need to be able to recognise the ‘subject’ and ‘verb’ in a sentence and check that these agree. A singular subject should be aligned with a singular verb. Spelling is / was tricky. (Singular subject – spelling – one thing - therefore use a singular verb ‘is / was'.) A plural subject has a plural verb. Grammar and spelling are / were tricky. (Plural subject - grammar and spelling - two things - so use a plural verb ‘are / were’.) Academic Skills Updated August 2020 Page 1 of 1