As students progress through school, mastering formal writing becomes essential. In our Academic Reading and Writing programs, we focus on the degrees of formality in writing and how different techniques help students sound more professional. Here are some key areas we cover to help students develop a more formal writing style:
1. Grammar and Punctuation
Formal writing requires precise grammar and proper punctuation. For example, students should avoid overusing exclamation marks, which can make writing feel too casual. Instead, using periods, commas, and semicolons correctly creates a more refined tone.
Example:
- Informal: “He finished the project just in time!”
- Formal: “He completed the project in a timely manner.”
2. Pronouns
In formal writing, it’s important to use neutral pronouns like one instead of you or we, which keeps the writing less personal and more objective.
Example:
- Informal: “If you want to do well, you have to study hard.”
- Formal: “If one wants to succeed, one must study diligently.”
3. Vocabulary
Using advanced vocabulary elevates the formality of writing. Instead of casual terms like a lot or good, students should opt for more precise and formal alternatives.
Example:
- Informal: “There were a lot of people at the event.”
- Formal: “There were numerous attendees at the event.”
- Informal: “The movie was really good.”
- Formal: “The film was exceptional.”
4. Sentence Structure
In formal writing, students should aim for varied and complex sentence structures. Using a mix of compound and complex sentences can make the writing more engaging and sophisticated, whereas short, simple sentences often come across as informal.
Example:
- Informal: “The dog ran fast. It caught the ball.”
- Formal: “The dog, running at full speed, successfully caught the ball.”
5. Active/Passive Voice
While active voice is typically clearer and more direct, passive voice can be useful in formal writing to emphasize the action rather than the subject.
Example:
- Active: “The student completed the assignment.”
- Passive: “The assignment was completed by the student.”
By practicing these techniques and understanding the degrees of formality in writing, students can improve their writing quality. These small adjustments—from using formal vocabulary to mastering sentence structure—help prepare them for more advanced academic tasks. Parents can help by encouraging their child to incorporate these techniques into their writing assignments.
Formal writing may seem challenging at first, but with regular practice, students will become more confident in their ability to write clearly and professionally.