WRITING CENTER WORKSHOPSEPTEMBER 21 , 2015

CHRISTINA M. XAN

Moving from Informal to Formal Language

Audience

The language you use varies depending on your audience.

When talking to a friend, you are speaking in a conversational tone, which is an example of informal language.

However, in an academic essay your audience changes and formal language is required.

What Is Formal Language?

When you write an essay or a paper for a college class, that paper is written in Standard Written English.

When you submit a formal paper for a class, it should be written differently than your messages to a friend are because your audience has changed.

What Is Informal Language?

Informal language is what we use every day when we talk or text.

When you have a conversation with your friends, it is typically more casual even if you are discussing something important.

There are several differences between informal and formal language.

Ways To Avoid Informal Language

Avoid using contractionsAvoid using 1st and 2nd person pronounsAvoid using “casual” words

Slang Non-specific words Profanity

Avoid using abbreviated words Text language Acronyms

Avoid using incomplete sentences

Contractions

Contractions are two words combined together to form a shorter word.

These are considered informal in academic writing.

What are some examples of contractions?Written Out Words ContractionsDo not Don’tWill not Won’tCannot Can’tThey are They’reWe are We’re

Fix The Contractions!

South Carolina isn’t the only state in America with a female governor.

South Carolina is not the only state in America with a female governor.

School uniforms shouldn’t be required because they diminish student’s individuality.

School uniforms should not be required because they diminish student’s individuality.

1st & 2nd Person Pronouns

Pronouns like I, we, and you are examples of 1st and 2nd person pronouns that are considered informal in academic writing.

Singular Plural

1st Person I we

2nd Person you you/y’all

3rd Person he/she/it they

How To Avoid Using 1st & 2nd Pronouns

Whenever you want to address someone, think about your audience.

When addressing someone in the paper don’t say, “you.” Instead, address your audience with 3rd person pronouns.

Replace The 1st & 2nd Pronouns!

You need to have access to a resource that can help you with your writing assignments.

Students need to have access to a resource that can help them with their writing assignments.

I think this statistic proves that sexual assault is a real and serious issue.

The statistic proves that sexual assault is a real and serious issue.

Casual Words—Slang

Slang words are “made-up” words that may represent another word or have become part of popular discourse.

These words are not formal and not accepted in academic essays.

Examples Of Slang Words

What are some examples of slang words you have heard or used? Cray for Crazy Feels for Feelings Thirsty for Desperate Throwing Shade for Disrespect Hack for Shortcut

Replace The Slang!

The restaurant cooks delish food with healthy ingredients, which attracts many customers.

The restaurant cooks delicious food with healthy ingredients, which attracts many customers.

Creeping is a serious issue plaguing our society today.

Stalking is a serious issue plaguing our society today.

Casual Words – Non-specificity

When writing an academic essay, you want to be as specific with your statements and descriptions as possible.

How can you make these words more specific? Animal

Cat Persian

Plant Flower

Lily

Make These Sentences More Specific

Dogs are great companion animals because they are loyal, energetic, and protective.

Labrador retrievers are great companion animals because they are loyal, energetic, and protective.

Vegetables are good for your health because they provide essential nutrients.

Broccoli and asparagus are good for your health because they provide essential nutrients.

Casual Language – Profanity

Always avoid all profanity in professional texts!

Abbreviated Words – Text Language

The shortened versions of words we use when we text are considered inappropriate for formal language.

What are some text terms you use on a day to day basis? 2 for To 4 for For U for You Thru for Through

Abbreviated Words – Acronyms

Acronyms are sometimes okay for use in formal texts

Texting acronyms like “idk” are not acceptable.

A formal shortening of a name or organization is acceptable as long as you have already mentioned the full name previously.

The Florence Little Theatre (FLT) is a theatre located in downtown Florence, South Carolina. FLT puts on several shows a year.

Incomplete Sentences

An incomplete sentence, or fragment, is a phrase that cannot stand on its own.

The sentence could be incomplete for several reasons: It might have a subject with no verb or vice versa. Using a verb without its helping verb There might be a dependent clause marker.

Fix These Sentences!

Video games awesome.Video games are awesome.

PS4 has a new and fast processor. Running graphics and gameplay at a higher quality than its predecessor.

PS4 has a new and fast processor. It runs graphics and gameplay at a higher quality than its predecessor.

PS4 has a new and fast processor, running graphics and gameplay at a higher quality than its predecessor.

Fix The Sentence!

Some of the students studying in the library last night.

Some of the students were studying in the library last night. An –ing verb without its helping verb can never be a

verb! Some of the students studying in the library

last night were being too noisy and distracting the others.

Fix The Sentence!

Because beagles are great companion animals.Beagles are great companion animals.Because beagles are great companion animals, they are a

common choice for family pets. Because is an dependent clause marker. A clause has a subject and a verb that complement each other. A dependent clause marker denotes that the clause cannot stand alone.

Here are some examples of common dependent clause markers: If Because After Although As When

Ways To Check For Informal Writing

Revise, revise, revise! Read over your paper several times.

On Microsoft Word, you can use the “Find” feature to seek out any incorrect words.

Get help! If you aren’t sure about how something sounds, ask your professor and see what they think.

Come to the Writing Center! The Writing Center is located in FH 114C