Differences between informal and formal letters

Following is a list of some of the main differences between informal and formal writing:


Informal: May use colloquial words/expressions (kids, guy, awesome, a lot, etc.)

Formal: Avoid usingcolloquial words/expressions (substitute with children, man/boy, wonderful, many, etc

Informal: May use contractions (can’t, won’t, shouldn’t, etc.).

Formal: Avoid contractions (write out fullwords – cannot, will not, should not, etc.).



Informal: May use first, second, or third person.

Formal: Write in third person (except in business letters where first person may be used).Informal: May use clichés (loads of, conspicuous by absence, etc.)

Formal: Avoid clichés (use many, was absent, etc.)



Informal: May address readers using second person pronouns(you, your, etc)

Formal: Avoid addressing readers using second person pronouns (use one, one’s, the reader, the reader’s, etc.)



Informal: May use abbreviated words (photo, TV, etc)

Formal:Avoid using abbreviated words (use full versions – like photograph, television, etc.)



Informal: May use imperative voice (e.g. Remember….)

Formal: Avoid imperative voice (use Please referto.….)



Informal: May use active voice (e.g. We have notice that…..)

Formal: Use passive voice (e.g. It has been noticed that….)



Informal: May use short and simple sentences.Formal: Longer and more complex sentences are preferred (short simple sentences reflects poorly on the writer)



Informal: Difficulty of subject may be acknowledged and empathy shown to thereader.
Formal: State your points confidently and offer your argument firm support.


Examples:

Example 1 ( Formal ):

This is to inform you that your book has been rejected by our publishingcompany as it was not up to the required standard. In case you would like us to reconsider it, we would suggest that you go over it and make some necessary changes.

Example 2 ( Informal ):

You...