English Language Arts
Grade 10
15 min
Which sentence is more formal?
Which sentence is more formal?
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the key characteristics of formal versus informal language.
Analyze how an author's purpose (e.g., to inform, persuade, entertain) dictates the level of formality in a text.
Evaluate how tone (e.g., objective, scholarly, conversational) is conveyed through formal or informal sentence structures.
Differentiate between formal and informal vocabulary, including the avoidance of contractions, slang, and colloquialisms.
Deconstruct sentences to identify elements like point of view, sentence complexity, and diction that signal formality.
Justify their choice of the more formal sentence in a pair, citing specific linguistic evidence.
Ever text your friend 'idk what 2 do' but then have to email a teacher 'I am uncertain about the next...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
FormalityA style of writing or speaking used in serious, academic, or official situations. It is characterized by precise vocabulary, complex sentence structures, and an objective tone.Informal: 'The writer talks about the big problems in society.' Formal: 'The author addresses the significant challenges confronting society.'
ToneThe author's attitude toward the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice (diction) and sentence structure (syntax).A scientific journal article has an objective, formal tone, while a personal blog post might have a subjective, informal tone.
DictionThe specific choice of words an author uses. Formal diction involves precise, often Latinate, vocabulary rather than conversational language.Using 'subseque...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Objective Point of View Rule
Formal writing avoids first-person ('I', 'we') and second-person ('you') pronouns.
Use this rule to quickly identify informality. Sentences that directly address the reader ('you') or express a personal opinion ('I think') are less formal than those that use a third-person, objective perspective.
The No Contractions or Slang Rule
Formal sentences do not use contractions (e.g., can't, it's, they've) or colloquial language (e.g., stuff, a lot, cool).
Scan sentences for apostrophes in contractions or for words you would use when speaking to a friend. Their presence is a clear signal of an informal style, intended to create a conversational tone.
The Precision and Complexity Rul...
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Challenging
Evaluating based on all formality rules (POV, Diction, Contractions), which sentence is the most formal?
A.We can't just ignore the problem; we've got to do something about it.
B.You shouldn't ignore the problem because it's only going to get worse.
C.The problem, which shouldn't be ignored, is going to get a lot worse.
D.The issue requires immediate attention, as neglecting it will result in the exacerbation of its negative consequences.
Challenging
An author must choose a sentence for the abstract of a scientific paper. The purpose is to inform other scientists concisely and objectively. Which choice best fits this context, avoiding the pitfall of overlooking 'hidden' informal words?
A.We looked into the effects of the chemical on the cells and got some interesting data.
B.The investigation concerning the chemical's effects on cellular structures yielded significant data.
C.Our team's work shows that the chemical does stuff to the cells, which is important.
D.This paper is about the things that happen when you put this chemical on cells.
Challenging
An author is writing the conclusion of a persuasive essay arguing for policy change. The goal is to sound authoritative and formal. Which sentence best achieves this tone while avoiding common pitfalls?
A.So, as you can see, it's totally obvious that we have to change this policy right now.
B.In conclusion, the evidence presented overwhelmingly supports the immediate implementation of the proposed policy reforms.
C.To wrap it all up, I really hope you'll agree with me that this policy is a bad idea and needs to go.
D.The conclusion that one must inevitably draw from the aforementioned facts and figures is that the policy in question is in dire need of a fundamental alteration.
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