Formal style of writing

Formal style and objective language while writing

There are certain rules that you must follow while you are writing a formal text. These rules are useful to use appropriate language, in order to avoid slangs and passive voice.

When you are writing a formal text you should take into account:

• Language
• Point of view
• Placement of descriptive words and phrases
• Repetition
• Statements form
• Exaggerations

Language

Point of view

Placement of descriptive words and phrases

You must not use passive voice, slang words, contractions or words like sorta or kinda, these words make you sound like you are not convinced about the message.

When you write with an objective tone, you have to employ impersonal and precise language, to avoid sharing your personal opinion about the topic. You must use third person instead of first person. For example, instead of writing “My cats are easy to take care of”. Write: “Those who have cats often report they are easy to take care of”.

Make sure to place adjectives and descriptive phrases as close as you can to the noun that they modify. For example, instead of writing “I will be applying to the University of Pennsylvania in the fall”. Write: “In the fall, I will be applying to the University of Pennsylvania”.

For example, instead of writing “the purpose of this text isn’t…” Write: “the purpose of this text is not”.

Repetition

Statements form

Exaggerations

Try to put the statements in positive form. For example, instead of writing “I do not usually arrive late”. Write “I am usually on time”.

If you use exaggerations, the reader will suspect about what you are saying and remember that it is important to obtain the reader trust.

If many of the sentences are saying the same thing, it seems as you run out of material to write about. You should avoid repeating the same words or the same linking words by replacing them with synonyms.

THANS FOR YOUR ATTENTION