FORMAL WRITING CHECKLIST
Spelling and grammar: Use the “Tools –Spelling and Grammar ”, review spelling
and grammar. Capital letters, spelling, commas, questions marks…
Tone: Do not write as you speak. Be formal. Use professional, academic
language.
Hook: Catch their attention with the opening lines.
Argument statement: What are you persuading the reader about? This must
be in the first paragraph e.g. The drinking age must be raised.
Topic Sentences: Each paragraph must have a clear topic sentence at the
start that previews what the paragraph is about.
Transitions: Use linking words between paragraphs. E.g. Firstly, finally,
Overgeneralization: Avoid overgeneralizations like “all” and “never” unless it
can be scientifically proven
Word choices – Vocabulary: Do not use slang or vague terms, i.e. “get” or “a
lot.” Avoid simple vocabulary such as “nice,” “good,” “really,” “like,” and “fun.”
Avoid “you”: Formal writing uses the third person form of address. The word
you or any form of it should never appear. Use, instead, words like
person, people, individuals, one, mankind, and humanity.
Abbreviations: Avoid all abbreviations, symbols such as &, and contractions
such as can’t, won’t. Write full words e.g. will not
Numbers: Spell out all numbers under twenty-one i.e. “seven,” not 7, but
definitely not 4,865.32. Number monetary values completely: $4.75.
Avoid Repetition: Avoid using the same noun or verb more than once every
three sentences.
Semi-Colons; Each side of a semi-colon must be a sentence in its own right.
Avoid “I think”: Be confident enough in your opinions to state your own mind
Tense: Stay in the same tense throughout – present is better.