Formal and Informal Writing
Considering Your Audience
Informal essays
• Have more open topics; may be based more on
personal opinion
• Can use “I” – if addressing a personal topic
• May be narrative in nature
▫ Narrative essays do not always have a thesis
• May be shorter to fit time or assignment
requirements
• Can have a more “story-like” introduction and
conclusion
• Still need to be organized
Formal essays
• Formal essays follow an established format (introduction &
thesis, topic sentences, organized body paragraphs,
conclusion & restated thesis)
• Strunk and White state that:
▫ “In formal scholarly analysis, writers should:
 Choose an introduction that matches the scholarly style
 Avoid narration and plot summary
 Avoid distracting introductions and conclusions
 Example: rhetorical questions- ‘Have you ever wondered…?’
 Do not abbreviate or use contractions (example: can’t, won’t)
 Do not use I, We, You, Your, Our, Me, My, etc.
 These pronouns can be easily replaced with a more formal ‘one’ or
‘the reader’” (Chapter 2.12)
▫ Work Cited: Strunk, William, Jr. and E. B. White. The
Elements of Style, Fourth Edition. Needham Heights: Allyn &
Bacon, 2000.
Knowing the difference between
formal and informal essays
• Literary scholars Strunk and White have
the following truths to share:
▫ “Formal scholarly analysis is different from
creative writing, informal writing, journaling, etc.
Each mode of writing has its own ‘language’ and
style.” (Chapter 2.12)
▫ “Skilled writers know how to switch and adapt
tone and delivery to meet the requirements of a
particular style.” (2.12)
RECAP: What are some of the differences
between formal and informal writing?
Formal Writing
Contains a thesis
Follows formal structure
Writer removes him-/herself from
the essay (no first and second person
pronouns- I, You, We, Us, Me, My,
etc.)
Contains a formal voice (like a
textbook)
Informal Writing
Does not require a thesis
Can be narrative, and does not have
to follow a formal structure
May include him-/herself in the essay
using first person: I, We, Me, My, etc.
May NOT use second person (you)
Voice varies depending on the
purpose for writing and audience
So how do you know when to use
formal or informal style?
• Ask yourself these questions:
▫ WHO IS MY AUDIENCE?
▫ WHAT IS MY PURPOSE FOR WRITING?
• The level of formality depends upon whom your
audience is and your purpose of writing.
• Who are some of the audiences you might write
for?
Activity: What kinds of assignments/writing
would fall under the following formality levels?
Very Formal
Persuasive essay
Analytical essay
Research essay
Informative essay
Formal using first
person (I, Me, My)
Autobiographical essay
Personal speech
Journal Entry
Informal
Narrative essay
Poem
Song
Note to a friend
*If you are ever unsure of the formality level,
ASK YOUR TEACHER!
Let’s Practice:
• You will be given a card with the following
information:
▫
▫
▫
▫
Speaker/Writer
Type of Writing
Audience
Purpose
• Based on the assignment you received, choose a level of
formality and write it on the top of a piece of
composition paper
▫ Formal, Formal using first person, or Informal
• Compose 2 paragraphs for the assignment you received.
You have 7 minutes.