Final Comments

Formal Voice: Full Article

Table of Contents

1.        Formal Writing Voice

2.       Do not use first-person pronouns

3.       Avoid addressing readers as "you."

4.       Avoid the use of contractions

5.       Avoid Colloquialism and Slang

6.       Inaccurate Word Choice: Non-Standard

7.       Avoid abbreviated words

8.      AVOID overuse of short and simple sentences

9.       Final Comments

Final Comments

Do not confuse formal diction with presumptuous diction (the kind of language that seems intended mainly to impress readers) or jargon (the kind of language only familiar to people within a specialized field, such as computer technicians).

You should not sound "artificial" as you use formal diction. Instead, consider that different situations require different uses of language and that educated people are able to adapt their use of language to a variety of writing and speaking situations.

Educated people have several different writing and speaking voices, and one voice is no more "genuine" than another. Instead, the different voices reflect choices based on the writing or speaking situation. Through your word choice in essays, you can portray yourself as an intelligent person who is aware of your audience—a group of well-educated people whom you do not know.

Imagine the kind of language that you might use in a job interview for an important job. With formal diction, you can express yourself clearly, accurately, and effectively, without relying on the kind of language that you might use in less formal situations.

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