Formal and Informal

Language

Curriculum Reference:
Wt/L1

Informal vs. Formal

Writing for an audience will involve either an informal or
formal style of writing.
You need to consider who the target audience is when
deciding which style to write in.
For example, if you were writing to friends and family you
would write in an informal style, which is more personal. On
the other hand, if you were writing to academic colleagues or
lecturers, a formal style of writing would be more appropriate.

Informal Writing
Informal writing has a friendly tone and it is acceptable to use slang
words, although you should still think about what your audience expects
and if certain language is appropriate to use.
Short, simple sentences can be used for informal writing.

You can make contractions where necessary, e.g. I have can become
Ive.
It is okay to use personal pronouns, such as I or We.

Formal Writing
Formal writing is a less personal and more objective style. It is often
factual and straight to the point.
It is important in formal writing to steer clear of informal or slang words
and stick to Standard English, i.e. words that are in the dictionary.
Avoid contractions such as dont or cant. Stick to the full versions; do
not and can not.
Formal writing is most often written in the third person. E.g. Instead of
writing we are concerned that you would write there has been concern
that.

Register
If you need to decide if a piece of writing is written in an informal or
formal style, ask yourself the following questions:

Who wrote it?

Who is the audience?
What is the purpose of the writing?
Is the language used formal Standard English or informal
slang?
Read it aloud. Does it sound friendly or alternatively,
impartial?

Vocabulary
Here are lists of paired words for you to consider using in your writing.
One column is informal, the other is formal.
Informal

Formal

Informal

Formal

lit up

illuminated

guts

courage

job

occupation

need

require

take on

employ

jam

preserve

wont

will not

gutted

devastated

OK

satisfactory

ask

enquire

give

donate/ contribute

times

multiply

dad

father

kid

child

phone

telephone

spud

potato

plane

aeroplane

An Example
Here are two versions of the same letter. One is written in an informal
style, the other in a formal style. Can you spot the differences?

Informal Version:
Thanks for your letter. I got it 14th Sep. Ive sent a copy to comp. H.Q.
along with a memo re. your financial situation. Ive set a meeting for 3rd
Oct. at 11am to talk about another bank loan. So, please let me know if
you can make it a.s.a.p.
Formal Version:
Thank you for your letter received 14th September 2011. A copy has
been sent to company headquarters, in addition to the memorandum
concerning your financial situation. A meeting has been scheduled for 3rd
October 2011 at 11am to discuss your request for a further bank loan.
Therefore, please inform us of your availability for this meeting at the
earliest opportunity.

Task
Look at the following list of texts and decide if they should be
written in an informal or formal style.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

An email to a friend.
A letter to the bank.
A letter of complaint.
A birthday card.
A job application form.
An email to your boss.
A poster advertising a college study group.
A letter to your grandparents.
A college assignment.
A text message to a friend.

Answers
1. An email to a friend Informal.
2. A letter to the bank Formal.
3. A letter of complaint Formal.
4. A birthday card Informal.
5. A job application form Formal.
6. An email to your boss Formal.
7. A poster advertising a college study group Formal.
8. A letter to your grandparents Informal.
9. A college assignment Formal.
10. A text message to a friend Informal.

How many did you get right?

Further Information
For further information on informal and formal
language, please click on the link below to
access the BBC Skillswise website.
BBC Skillswise