Formal vs. Informal Tone

In writing, tone is the 'attitude' your words carry. Just like you wear a hoodie to play outside but might wear a suit to a wedding, you choose different words based on your situation. Informal tone is casual and relaxed. We use it with friends and family. It often includes slang (like 'fire' or 'bet') and contractions (like 'don't' or 'can't'). Formal tone is professional and serious. We use it for school essays, emails to teachers, and job applications. It uses full sentences, proper grammar, and precise vocabulary.

To make your writing sound formal, you need to follow a few simple rules. First, avoid contractions. Instead of writing $don't$, you should write $do ext{ } not$. Second, avoid slang or 'text-speak' like 'LOL' or 'u'. Third, use objective language. This means focusing on facts rather than just saying 'I think' or 'I feel.' For example, instead of saying 'I think the book was cool,' a formal writer might say, 'The novel provided an engaging perspective on history.'

Informal language often uses 'vague' words like stuff, things, or really. In a formal setting, we want to be as precise as possible. Instead of saying 'The scientist did a lot of stuff,' you could say 'The scientist conducted several experiments.' This makes your writing clearer and more convincing. Think of it as a formula: $ext{Vague Word} ightarrow ext{Specific Action}$. By replacing 'get' with 'receive' or 'obtain,' you immediately sound more professional.