6.1 Formal vs Informal Writing
Understand and apply appropriate register in different contexts.
45 min
6 oppgaver
Formal writingInformal writingRegisterAudience awareness
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Choosing the Right Register
Register refers to the level of formality in your writing, and selecting the appropriate register is one of the most important skills in effective communication. Every time you write, you make choices about vocabulary, sentence structure, and tone that signal to your reader how formal or informal your message is. These choices affect how your message is received and whether it achieves its intended purpose.
Understanding register is essential because the same message can be completely appropriate in one context and entirely inappropriate in another. A text message to a friend uses different language than a cover letter for a job application, even if both convey similar information. Skilled writers can shift between registers fluidly, adapting their style to meet the expectations of different audiences and situations.
In this chapter, you will learn to identify the features that distinguish formal from informal writing, understand when each is appropriate, and practice adapting your writing to different contexts. Mastering register will make you a more versatile and effective communicator in both academic and professional settings.
Features of Formal Writing
Formal writing is characterized by several distinct features that create a professional, objective tone:
Vocabulary and Word Choice:
- Uses sophisticated, precise vocabulary (utilize vs. use, therefore vs. so)
- Avoids slang, colloquialisms, and casual expressions
- Employs technical or academic terminology when appropriate
- Prefers longer, Latinate words over shorter Anglo-Saxon equivalents
Grammar and Structure:
- Avoids contractions (do not instead of don't, cannot instead of can't)
- Uses complete sentences with complex structures
- Often employs passive voice for objectivity ("The experiment was conducted" rather than "I conducted the experiment")
- Third person perspective is preferred over first or second person
Tone and Style:
- Objective and impersonal
- Serious and professional
- Evidence-based with careful qualification of claims
- Organized with clear logical progression
Common Contexts for Formal Writing:
- Academic essays, research papers, and reports
- Job applications, cover letters, and CVs
- Official correspondence and legal documents
- Professional emails to superiors or clients
- Business proposals and presentations
✏️Eksempel
Formal Writing Examples:
Academic Context:
"The research demonstrates that excessive screen time may have a negative impact on adolescent sleep patterns. A longitudinal study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania found that participants who engaged with electronic devices for more than three hours daily experienced significant decreases in both sleep duration and quality."
Professional Email:
"Dear Ms. Johnson,
I am writing to express my interest in the Marketing Assistant position advertised on your company website. Having reviewed the job description, I believe my academic background and internship experience align well with the requirements of this role.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications in greater detail at your earliest convenience.
Yours sincerely,
James Peterson"
Notice the features: No contractions, sophisticated vocabulary, complete sentences, formal salutations, and objective tone throughout.
📝Oppgave 1
Identify the formal writing features in the following text, then rewrite it in an informal style:
"The committee has determined that the implementation of the proposed policy would be inadvisable at the present time. Further research is required to ascertain the potential consequences of such action."
a
List at least four formal features you can identify in this text.
b
Rewrite the text in informal style while keeping the same meaning.
📝Oppgave 2
Write a formal email to a potential employer expressing interest in a summer internship position. Include a proper greeting, introduction, body paragraph about your qualifications, and formal closing.
Features of Informal Writing
Informal writing creates a friendly, conversational tone through different features:
Vocabulary and Word Choice:
- Uses everyday, simple vocabulary
- Includes contractions (don't, can't, won't, it's)
- May include slang, colloquialisms, and casual expressions
- Shorter, more common words preferred
Grammar and Structure:
- Sentence fragments are acceptable
- First and second person pronouns (I, you, we) common
- Active voice predominates
- Simpler sentence structures
- May begin sentences with conjunctions (And, But, So)
Tone and Style:
- Personal and subjective
- Casual and friendly
- Often uses humor or emotional language
- May include rhetorical questions
Common Contexts for Informal Writing:
- Text messages and personal emails
- Social media posts
- Personal blogs and diaries
- Creative writing (dialogue, first-person narratives)
- Casual communication with friends and family
Important Note: Informal does not mean careless. Good informal writing still requires clarity and purpose - it simply achieves these goals with different tools.
📝Oppgave 3
Transform each formal sentence into informal style:
a
"I am writing to inquire about the availability of tickets for the upcoming concert."
b
"It would be greatly appreciated if you could provide assistance with this matter."
c
"The meeting failed to achieve its stated objectives and was therefore unproductive."
d
"Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information."
📝Oppgave 4
Read the following informal text, then rewrite it in formal style suitable for an academic essay:
"So basically, social media is really messing with people's mental health. Like, studies show it makes you compare yourself to everyone else all the time, which totally makes you feel worse about yourself. It's pretty sad when you think about it."
Summary: Formal vs Informal Writing
Understanding register is essential for effective communication. The key differences between formal and informal writing involve:
Vocabulary: Formal uses sophisticated, precise words; informal uses everyday language and slang.
Grammar: Formal avoids contractions and uses complex sentences; informal embraces contractions and simpler structures.
Perspective: Formal often uses third person and passive voice; informal uses first/second person and active voice.
Tone: Formal is objective and professional; informal is personal and conversational.
Context determines appropriateness: Neither register is inherently better - the skill lies in choosing the right register for your audience and purpose. Academic essays require formal writing, while a message to a friend should be informal. Some contexts, like workplace emails to colleagues you know well, might use a middle register that combines elements of both.
The best writers can shift between registers effortlessly, adapting their style to meet the needs of any situation.
📝Oppgave 5
You need to inform someone that you cannot attend an event. Write TWO versions of this message:
a) A formal email to your teacher explaining you cannot attend a mandatory school event
b) A text message to your friend explaining you cannot attend their birthday party
Both messages should include: the information that you cannot attend, a reason, and an appropriate expression of regret.
📝Oppgave 6
Analyze the register of three different texts you encounter in your daily life (e.g., textbook, social media post, news article, advertisement). For each text:
a) Identify the register (formal, informal, or mixed)
b) List specific features that indicate the register
c) Explain why this register is appropriate for the text's purpose and audience
a
Text 1: Describe the source and analyze its register
b
Text 2: Describe the source and analyze its register
c
Text 3: Describe the source and analyze its register
Sources
- Hyland, K. (2019). Second Language Writing. Cambridge University Press.
- Biber, D. & Conrad, S. (2009). Register, Genre, and Style. Cambridge University Press.
- UDIR (2020). Læreplan i engelsk (ENG01-04). Utdanningsdirektoratet. https://www.udir.no/lk20/eng01-04
- Harmer, J. (2015). The Practice of English Language Teaching. Pearson Education.