FUNdAmENTALS OF PROFESSIONAL WRITING always aim fora natural style, as mentioned earlier. However, we must sometimes be even more specific about the style we choose.
Choosing to use an informal or formal writing style depends on the audience and the document’s purpose. There is no clear-cut way to determine when to use each style sometimes, an email may require formality.
Most of the time, however, emails are informal. To determine which style fits your needs, understand that informal writing allows the writer and reader to connect on a more personal level. It can convey warmth. Formal writing,
on the other hand, produces the impression of objectivity and professionalism.
Some genres, however, have generally accepted styles. Use Table 1.4 to help guide you in choosing which style best suits your task.
Table 1.4 Formal and informal writing stylesFormal styleInformal styleTypes of documentsLetters
Long reports
Research
Proposals most communication within the organization including email, Im, memos, text messages Routine
messages to outside audiencesInformal reports
CharacteristicsNo personal pronouns (I, we)
No contractions
Objective voice or use of passive voice No figurative language or clichés
No editorializing
Limited
use of adjectivesNo exclamation points
Longer sentences
Some
technical languageUse of personal pronouns
Use of contractions
Shorter
sentences, easily recognizable words Limited use of warm, inoffensive humor
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