Shifting to a formal style in writing

Summary

The video script offers a comprehensive guide on transitioning to a formal writing style, essential for academic purposes. It emphasizes the importance of using formal vocabulary, avoiding contractions and informal words, and employing proper grammatical structures. The script also highlights the role of punctuation in enhancing formality, particularly the strategic use of semicolons and commas. By adopting these techniques, writers can convey seriousness and clarity, ensuring their work is taken seriously in academic circles.

Takeaways

• 📘 Academic writing requires a formal style to convey seriousness and remove ambiguity.
• 👔 Shifting to a formal style involves changes in word use, avoiding informal words and phrasal verbs.
• 🚫 The use of contractions should be avoided to maintain a formal tone.
• 🙅‍♂️ Second person pronouns like 'you' or 'your' should be avoided as they can sound authoritative or directive.
• 📝 The first person 'I' is used for making general assertions or arguments, rather than personal statements.
• 🔍 Formal negative structures, such as 'no' instead of 'not any', should be used to enhance formality.
• 🔄 Changing negatives to affirmatives can provide a more assertive and formal tone.
• 📑 Adverbs should be placed before verbs to produce a more formal tone, even if it requires splitting infinitives.
• ❓ Direct questions can be informal; replacing them with declaratives can improve formality.
• 📐 The use of formal punctuation, such as semicolons and commas, is crucial for a formal writing style.
• 📚 The speaker provides examples of informal words and their formal alternatives to guide the transition to a formal style.

Q & A

Why is it important to use a formal style in academic writing?

Formal style in academic writing is crucial because it tells the reader to take the writer seriously, helps remove ambiguity, and is a standard practice in scholarly communication.

What changes are required in word use when shifting to a formal style?

Shifting to a formal style involves avoiding informal words, phrasal verbs, contractions, and the second person. Instead, one should use formal synonyms, the formal negative, and first person for personal assertions.

How does the use of informal words like 'a lot' affect the formality of writing?

Using informal words like 'a lot' can make writing sound casual and less authoritative. Replacing them with more precise terms such as 'many' or 'numerous' enhances the formality of the text.

What is the impact of using phrasal verbs in formal writing?

Phrasal verbs are generally considered informal and can detract from the seriousness of academic writing. Using single-word verbs or other formal constructions is preferred.

Why should contractions be avoided in academic writing?

Contractions are informal and can make writing seem less formal and authoritative. Removing contractions and using the full forms of words helps maintain the seriousness and formality of academic texts.

What is the role of the first person in formal writing?

The first person is used in formal writing to make general assertions or arguments, showing that the writer is personally making a claim or presenting an idea.

How can the use of the second person be problematic in formal writing?

Using the second person ('you', 'your') can sound authoritative and directive, as if ordering someone to do something, which is not suitable for the objective tone of academic writing.

What is the significance of using formal punctuation in creating a formal tone?

Formal punctuation, such as the semicolon, helps to join closely related complete sentences, indicating a formal and cohesive structure. It also aids in separating long pieces of text and enhancing readability.

Can you provide an example of how to change a negative statement into a more formal affirmative one?

Instead of saying 'This problem does not have many viable solutions', a formal affirmative statement would be 'This problem has few viable solutions', which is more direct and less ambiguous.

What is the purpose of placing adverbs before verbs in formal writing?

Placing adverbs before verbs in formal writing can produce a more formal tone and may require splitting infinitives, which is acceptable and can make the writing sound more sophisticated.

How should direct questions be handled in formal writing to maintain formality?

Direct questions can be informal; thus, they should be replaced with declarative statements. For example, instead of asking 'What can be done to lower costs?', a formal approach would be 'Considering how costs may be lowered is necessary.'