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8 Tips to Make Your Writing Sound More Formal

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Here at ProofreadingPal , we get a lot of requests to “elevate tone,” “create a scholarly tone,” and “increase the formality,” and even “help this sound smart.” Truthfully, we cannot make you sound “smart.” There is no substitute for good ideas, but we can (and do) help you elevate your tone and make you sound like a bona fide professional-thinking person. Here are some handy tricks that you can use yourself.

• Avoid colloquial, informal words

I see a surprisingly high number of formal academic/business works that include words that are better left for the water cooler or over a spirited discussion of the merits of Michael Bay movies. Some words to avoid are “totally” (use “completely” instead), “basically” (just avoid it), “impact” (mostly as a verb. You shouldn’t say “that will impact me”), “wicked” (only use this when chatting in online games), and “cool” (this word can mean just about anything. Try to choose a more precise word). In general, avoid all slang words (e.g., rad, YOLO, heaps, guv). If in doubt, see if you could imagine your professor or boss using it. If not, avoid it.

• Proper use of “such as”

In formal writing, never use “like.” It’s probably the most commonly used feature of speech today for certain populations, but avoid it in formal writing. Compare:

Animals, like bears and tigers, are interesting. Animals, such as bears and tigers, are interesting.

See how much more formal the second sounds?

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• Avoid contractions

Contractions such as “can’t,” “didn’t,” and “I’m” are purely a product of verbal speech. We speak in contractions, but the convention is that, for formal, non-fiction writing, we shouldn’t write in them. When writing a formal business letter or an academic essay, forego contractions. It’s easy to use the Word FIND function to seek them out and destroy them.

• Avoid clichés

  Common Formality Mistakes

 This guide wouldn’t be complete without a look at some common practices that people use to make their writing more formal that don’t work. Here are a few practices we end up having to correct time and time again.

5. Don’t use passive voice . Passive voice is wordy, but being formal has nothing to do with wordiness.

• Don’t use thesaurus words you don’t fully understand. Big words don’t make your writing sound more formal, and this can backfire when you pick a word that doesn’t mean what you think it means. Take the sentence, “I saw a red dog walking down the street.” Easy, right? But using too much of a thesaurus might cause you to create: “I consulted a bloodshot mongrel marching down the highway,” which clearly is not what you intended.
• Don’t be wordy.

In all writing, wherever possible, brevity is the soul of wit. (Even I can’t avoid clichés, but at least that’s Shakespeare.) That means, always keep your prose as simple as possible . You may think, “The item that we are discussing could be the solution we are looking for to solve our problem,” sounds better because it’s long, but it’ll just annoy your reader. “That is the solution to our problem,” is better.

• Don’t mangle your sentences with third person.

Some professors still insist their students use third person to make their writing sound more formal, but (and always check with your professor first) style guides such as APA (and us) recommend you use first or second person to prevent passive voice and ambiguous language. Take: “The researcher applied a qualitative approach to the study” for example. Who is the researcher? You or someone else? This is ambiguous. It’s better to say, “I will take a qualitative approach to the study,” and this doesn’t sound any less formal.

Happy writing, and good luck.

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How to Write a Formal Essay: Format, Rules, & Example

If you’re a student, you’ve heard about a formal essay: a factual, research-based paper written in 3rd person. Most students have to produce dozens of them during their educational career. 

Writing a formal essay may not be the easiest task. But fear not: our custom-writing team is here to guide you through the process. This article will:

• explain what a formal essay is;
• show how to write it step by step;
• provide you with an essay sample. 

👔 Formal Essay Definition

• ✅ How to Write
• ✍️ Writing Rules
• 🖥️ Essay Format
• 📑 Sample Paper

🔍 References

A formal essay is a well-structured piece of writing with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. This type of essay often includes cited research, uses an academic tone, and is written in 3rd person. While writing a formal essay, it’s necessary to back up your arguments with factual evidence.

What Is an Informal Essay vs. Formal Essay?

Essays come in two formats: formal and informal (also known as personal .) They differ in terms of style and context. You can choose one of the formats depending on the situation and the type of paper you need to write.

Don’t know how to tell the difference between them? Well, here are some key characteristics of these essay types:

As you can see, these types of writing are almost total opposites. Informal essays are only reserved for creative assignments, which means that most of the papers you write need to be formal.

Our article on creative essays can help you write an informal paper. But how do you craft a perfect formal essay? Keep reading to find out.

✅ How to Write a Formal Essay

Traditionally, a formal essay it’s composed of 3 sections: an introduction, 3 or more body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Let’s examine each part in detail.

Formal Essay Introduction

The introduction is what your essay starts with. Its primary goal is to catch the reader’s attention with a hook, briefly introduce the topic, and lead toward the thesis statement located at the end of the first paragraph.

Here is what you might want to keep in mind while writing the introduction:

If you want some more inspiration for your introduction, check out our article on hooks in writing .

Now on to the thesis statement : the key idea of your essay. When working on it, keep in mind that it should answer the central question in your topic and reflect your essay’s overall structure. your essay’s overall structure.

Suppose your topic is related to the teaching methods involving poetry. In that case, the thesis statement can be like this:

Teaching methods that involve reading and writing poetry in elementary school are beneficial for children as they enhance their capacity for empathy, develop creativity, and help with self-realization.

Formal Essay Body

The next part of an essay is the main body paragraphs. They support the thesis statement with well-developed arguments and explore the topic in-depth. Each body paragraph starts with a topic sentence stating its main point. The length of a paragraph can vary, but the best option is to have between 4 and 7 sentences.

To make the text flow easily, you may use transitional words. Here are some examples:

• after all, 
• for instance, 
• on the one/other hand, 
• initially, 
• as a result.

How to Write a Formal Essay Conclusion

Lastly, every essay needs closure. A good conclusion summarizes the essay’s main ideas, includes a paraphrased thesis, and encourages the readers to think more about the topic.

The structure of a conclusion may change slightly depending on the subject. For instance, it can suggest some solutions to a problem, express an opinion, or give a recommendation. It’s important to remember that the conclusion is a part that emphasizes your essay’s most important points and doesn’t introduce new information.

If you’re curious about writing each essay part, check out our article on 5-paragraph essays .

✍️ Formal Writing Rules

Just like choosing the proper attire to wear to a formal event, we need to use the right words while writing a formal essay. Here are some suggestions that can help you maintain a formal tone in your paper:  

Dos of formal writing

• Pay attention to your vocabulary. The words you will use in a formal essay will likely have a nuanced meaning. Make sure you know exactly what the terms mean, and do your best to sound precise.
• Use punctuation correctly. Here are some of the things to watch out for: Avoid exclamation marks; Use dashes for insertions; Use colons with enumerations; If you’re unsure of whether to use a punctuation mark or not, rewrite the sentence in a way that doesn’t require it.
• Use varied sentence structure. In formal writing, there is always a danger of sounding monotonous. Avoid repeating sentence structures to make your essay more readable.
• Provide references. It’s essential to cite every idea that you borrow. Try to paraphrase quotations from your sources: it will help you avoid plagiarism.

Don’ts of formal writing

• Avoid using pronouns.  With words such as “I,” “me,” “we,” or “us,” an essay becomes wordy. It also makes the author seem less sure of their ideas. If you want to use personal pronouns, try substituting them with words like “the reader,” “viewers,” or “one.”
• Avoid using slang expressions and nonstandard diction. Slang words in a formal essay will make it less appealing to the readers. If you want to be taken seriously, it’s best to avoid those expressions and use proper Standard English.
• Avoid informal tone.  When you write a formal essay, incorporate the language and the expressions you would use while delivering a speech, not the words you use when you casually talk to friends. A formal tone suggests that the author is serious about the topic and respects the audience.
• Avoid passive voice. Passive verbs are hard to read, and they are wordy. Use active voice to sound more straightforward and concise.

Contractions in Formal Writing

A contraction is usually a combination of two words into one, such as “don’t,” “isn’t,” “can’t,” and “wouldn’t.” When you work on a formal essay, it’s essential to be careful about contractions. It’s inappropriate to use them in academic writing, so it’s best to stick to the full variant.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, when working with direct quotations, it’s essential to reproduce words exactly as they are used in the original. To learn more about it, be sure to check out the University of North Florida’s article on in-text citations .

What to Use Instead of “You” in an Essay

Another common mistake students make is using the “you” and “yours” pronouns to address the readers. This mistake can make the essay overly informal and lead to misinterpretations of the text.

How do you fix it? Our advice is to replace 2nd-person pronouns with the following words:

• individuals,

You can find more formal writing tips in this informative video from Smrt English:

🖥️ Formal Essay Format

Now that we’ve discussed formal essay writing in detail, it’s time to look at the formatting. A formal essay is usually written in MLA or APA formats. If you’re asked to write a paper in one of these formats, you may find the guidelines below helpful:

📑 Formal Essay Example

Here is an excellent sample of a formal essay that uses all the guidelines mentioned in this article. It will help you to produce a perfect paper of your own:

For more information, check out Purdue OWL’s resources on various formatting styles .

Formal Essay Topics

• Stress management techniques
• The effects of coffee 
• Negative effects of technology on children
• Causes and outcomes of organizational conflicts in sports
• Different types of friends
• Same-sex marriages in the United States
• Are early marriages harmful or beneficial?
• How do nutrition and hydration improve athletes’ performance? 
• Is polygamy morally acceptable?
• Different features of sports business
• What characterizes friendship in the age of media?
• Positive and negative effects of tourism on environment in the Caribbean
• How does society treat single parents?
• How does the uninvolved parenting style affect child’s future well-being?
• The role of family relationships in Odyssey
• Financial concepts in sport finance
• Main features of a strong marriage
• The importance of media coverage for sport teams
• Reasons why students choose to get internship
• The role of stadiums in the sports industry
• The multiracial family: the Carters case analysis
• Characteristics of children’s sports
• Crucial factors affecting health fitness 
• How is technology used in hotel management?
• Structure and operational context of Four Seasons
• What are the main qualities of a true friend?
• Different websites that promote rental properties
• The imperative aspects of tourism
• Importance of hotel training 
• What factors determine adolescents’ adjustment after they experience parental divorce? 
• How does tobacco use affect the human body?
• The importance of language and world view for communication
• What makes a combination of reinforcement and punishment in parenting efficient?
• The scientific approach of sports economics
• How does divorce affect children?
• Living on-campus vs. living off-campus when attending university: a comparison
• How does the New Moves program promote a healthy lifestyle? 
• How to be an effective counselor
• Various types of restaurants in Ireland
• Carolina Dog’s characteristics
• Comparison of Monzameon’s The Love Suicides at Amijima and Tartuffe by Moliere
• Comparing homosexual and heterosexual families
• How is family presented in Everyday Use by Alice Walker ?
• In what ways can Anaerobic Threshold be assessed? 
• Is bad parenting a healthcare problem? 
• Why student-athletes should benefit from sports
• Mind-body awareness and its health benefits
• Can punishment boost academic performance?
• Techniques to teach students swimming
• Issues faced by the sports licensing field

Thanks for reading through this guide! We hope that you found it helpful and now have a better idea of how to write an excellent formal essay. Don’t hesitate to share our article with a friend who may need it. Good luck!

Further reading:

• How to Write a Critical Thinking Essay: Examples & Outline
• What Is a Discourse Analysis Essay: Example & Guide
• How to Write a Narrative Essay Outline: Template & Examples
• How to Write a Précis: Definition, Guide, & Examples 

❓ Formal Essay FAQs

It’s best not to use pronouns such as “I,” “my,” “we,” “our,” etc., in a formal essay since it give the paper an informal tone and the text becomes wordy. It also makes the writer seem less sure about their ideas.

It’s better to avoid using parentheses and dashes in formal academic writing. If the information you want to include in the essay is important enough, it should be a part of the sentence. Otherwise, you can simply omit it.

The formal and informal essays differ in style and context. While a formal essay is a piece of well-structured writing that tries to convince the reader by providing arguments, an informal essay has no set structure. It reflects the author’s personal thoughts or opinions.

Starting your sentence with “because” in formal writing is not the best idea. The word “because” is a subordinate conjunction, which means it’s used to join the main clause to a subordinate clause, not to start a sentence.

It’s best to avoid using 1st- and 2nd-person pronouns, slang expressions, nonstandard diction, and contractions in a formal essay. They are primarily used in daily speech and are considered inappropriate in academic writing. 

• Point of View in Academic Writing: St. Louis Community College
• Components of a Good Essay: University of Evansville
• Introductions & Conclusions: University of Arizona Global Campus
• How to Improve Your Academic Writing: University of York
• Nine Basic Ways to Improve Your Style in Academic Writing: University of California, Berkeley
• Academic Writing Style: Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper: University of Southern California
• Formal and Informal Style: Northern Illinois University
• Formal Writing: Davenport University: LibGuides
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• Writing Worksheets and Other Writing Resources

Nine Basic Ways to Improve Your Style in Academic Writing

About the slc.

• Our Mission and Core Values

1. Use ACTIVE VOICE

Don't say:  "The stepmother's house was cleaned by Cinderella."  (Passive.)

Say instead:  "Cinderella cleaned the stepmother's house."  (Active voice.)

Passive voice construction ("was cleaned") is reserved for those occasions where the "do-er" of the action is unknown.

Example:  "Prince Charming saw the glass slipper that was left behind."

2. Mix it up in terms of PUNCTUATION

Here are a few commonly misused punctuation marks that a lot of people aren't sure about:

The  semi-colon (;)  separates two complete sentences that are complementary.

Example:  "She was always covered in cinders from cleaning the fireplace; they called her Cinderella."

The  colon (:)  is used...

a. preceding a list.

Example:  "Before her stepmother awoke, Cinderella had three chores to complete: feeding the chickens, cooking breakfast, and doing the wash." 


b. as a sort of "drum roll," preceding some big revelation.

Example:  "One thing fueled the wicked stepmother's hatred for Cinderella: jealousy."  


The  dash (--)  is made by typing two hyphens (-). No spaces go in between the dash and the text. It is used...

a. to bracket off some explanatory information.

Example:  "Even Cinderella's stepsisters-who were not nearly as lovely or virtuous as Cinderella--were allowed to go to the ball." 


b. in the "drum roll" sense of the colon.

Example:  "Prince Charming would find this mystery lady--even if he had to put the slipper on every other girl in the kingdom."  


3. Vary your SENTENCE STRUCTURE

Don't say:  "Cinderella saw her fairy godmother appear. She was dressed in blue. She held a wand. The wand had a star on it. She was covered in sparkles. Cinderella was amazed. She asked who the woman was. The woman said, 'I am your fairy godmother.' She said she would get Cinderella a dress and a coach. She said she would help Cinderella go to the ball."

Instead say: (there are multiple correct ways to rewrite this, but here's one)  "Amazed, Cinderella watched as her fairy godmother appeared. The woman dressed in blue was covered in sparkles and carried a star-shaped wand. Cinderella asked the woman who she was, to which the woman replied, 'I am your fairy godmother." The fairy godmother would get Cinderella a dress and a coach; she would help Cinderella get to the ball."

4. Closely related to this, avoid CHOPPINESS

Don't say:  "She scrubbed the floors. They were dirty. She used a mop. She sighed sadly. It was as if she were a servant ."

Instead say : (again, there are multiple ways to do this)  "She scrubbed the dirty floors using a mop, as if she were a servant. She sighed sadly."

5. Avoid REPETITION.

Don't say:  "The stepsisters were jealous and envious ."

Instead say :  "The stepsisters were jealous ."  (...or envious. Pick one.)

6. Be CONCISE

Don't say:  "The mystery lady was one who every eligible man at the ball admired."

Instead say :  "Every eligible man at the ball admired the mystery lady."

7. Use the VOCABULARY that you know.

Don't always feel you have to use big words. It is always better to be clear and use simple language rather than showing off flashy words you aren't sure about and potentially misusing them. This is not to say, however, that you should settle for very weak vocabulary choices (like "bad" or "big" or "mad").

8. But also work on expanding your VOCABULARY.

When reading, look up words you don't know. See how they're used. Start a list. Incorporate them into your writing as you feel comfortable and as they are appropriate.

9. Keep language FORMAL and avoid language of everyday speech.

Don't say:  "Cinderella was mellow and good. She never let her stepmother get to her ."

Say instead:  "Cinderella was mild-mannered and kind. She never let her stepmother affect her high spirits ."

So, essentially, when it comes to working on style, there are three things to remember:

Empower yourself with knowledge..

Learn to punctuate correctly, enhance your vocabulary, etc. Give yourself all the tools there are so that you are free to...

...Mix it up!

Avoid repetition of words and sentence structure. Variance promotes good "flow" and is more interesting for your reader.

"Write to EXPRESS, not to IMPRESS."

Above all, write actively, clearly, and concisely.

Amber Carini

Student Learning Center, University of California, Berkeley

©2002 UC Regents

  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

4 ways to make your writing more formal

Get serious about formal writing with these tips and tricks.

Formal writing may sound like something only academics and C-suite professionals use. But it's a writing style most of us will employ at some point in our lives (if not daily). It's necessary for serious situations, like applying for a job or writing a business report.

But formal writing doesn't come easily to everyone. You can't just shove fancy words into a document and hope for the best—you have to modify your tone, sentence structure, even your punctuation.

So if you're here to refresh your resume, boost your essay grades, or simply make your emails sound more professional, keep reading...

When to use formal writing

First, we should talk about when to use formal language. It generally depends on three things:

• who you're writing to
• why you're writing
• where you're writing

If you're contacting someone you know well, like a family member or close colleague, it's safe to use informal language. It may also be acceptable if you work in marketing or customer support for a relatively casual brand (like Wendy's social media team ).

However, you should use a formal tone when communicating with a stranger or someone higher-up (like your boss). For example, job applications should always use formal language to generate a strong first impression.

You should also consider the purpose of your message. If you want to connect with people on an emotional level, a conversational tone may help. For more serious topics, like any form of academic writing, keep it formal.

If you want to come across as competent yet friendly, you may go for a standard tone (somewhere between formal and casual). Just remember—it's always safer to be more formal than informal!

The platform you're using may also dictate your writing style. You'll notice Outwrite's blog articles and social media posts are fairly casual compared to our terms of service page.

If you're unsure, check if the company or publication you're writing for has a style guide. The best ones will outline how their brand tone sounds on different platforms.

How to write formally

Now that we know when to use formal language, let's look at how to use it.

1. Avoid colloquial language

While contractions and abbreviations can save precious typing time, they're discouraged when writing formally. Aim to write the full version of words, like "information" instead of "info".

The same rule applies to slang, idioms, rhetorical questions, and other figures of speech. These elements tend to be conversational, and may detract from the seriousness of your message. Use literal language instead.

You should also be mindful of your punctuation. Exclamation marks and em dashes may be fun to use, but they have no place in a research paper. Stick to your standard commas and semicolons.

2. Embrace complex (but clear) sentences

In previous articles, we've recommended rewriting sentences to make them simple and short. Formal writing is one of those cases where it's okay, if not commonplace, to use complex and compound sentences.

Consider including transitional phrases like "additionally", "conversely", and "therefore" to connect and contrast ideas. Just be careful not to make your sentences too wordy—formal writing should be succinct.

3. Swap weak words for stronger synonyms

People typically dress up for a formal event. The same goes for your vocabulary. When used correctly, complex words can make you appear intelligent and professional.

If you don't have a thesaurus handy, a writing assistant like Outwrite can help you use stronger words like:

4. Write in third person

Informal writing often uses first and second person. Personal pronouns like "I", "we" and "you" can help portray the writer's opinion, and evoke an emotional response from the reader.

In contrast, formal writing prefers third person. It tends to make your writing more objective and impersonal. For example, instead of saying "I believe", try using "it could be argued" or "the evidence suggests".

Get serious about formal writing

Hopefully these tips have made formal writing a little less intimidating. If you need help putting them into practice, give Outwrite a try . It'll help enhance your vocabulary, and rewrite your sentences for improved clarity and flow.

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How to Write a College Essay | A Complete Guide & Examples

The college essay can make or break your application. It’s your chance to provide personal context, communicate your values and qualities, and set yourself apart from other students.

A standout essay has a few key ingredients:

• A unique, personal topic
• A compelling, well-structured narrative
• A clear, creative writing style
• Evidence of self-reflection and insight

To achieve this, it’s crucial to give yourself enough time for brainstorming, writing, revision, and feedback.

In this comprehensive guide, we walk you through every step in the process of writing a college admissions essay.

Table of contents

Why do you need a standout essay, start organizing early, choose a unique topic, outline your essay, start with a memorable introduction, write like an artist, craft a strong conclusion, revise and receive feedback, frequently asked questions.

While most of your application lists your academic achievements, your college admissions essay is your opportunity to share who you are and why you’d be a good addition to the university.

Your college admissions essay accounts for about 25% of your application’s total weight一and may account for even more with some colleges making the SAT and ACT tests optional. The college admissions essay may be the deciding factor in your application, especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurriculars.

What do colleges look for in an essay?

Admissions officers want to understand your background, personality, and values to get a fuller picture of you beyond your test scores and grades. Here’s what colleges look for in an essay :

• Demonstrated values and qualities
• Vulnerability and authenticity
• Self-reflection and insight
• Creative, clear, and concise writing skills

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

It’s a good idea to start organizing your college application timeline in the summer of your junior year to make your application process easier. This will give you ample time for essay brainstorming, writing, revision, and feedback.

While timelines will vary for each student, aim to spend at least 1–3 weeks brainstorming and writing your first draft and at least 2–4 weeks revising across multiple drafts. Remember to leave enough time for breaks in between each writing and editing stage.

Create an essay tracker sheet

If you’re applying to multiple schools, you will have to juggle writing several essays for each one. We recommend using an essay tracker spreadsheet to help you visualize and organize the following:

• Deadlines and number of essays needed
• Prompt overlap, allowing you to write one essay for similar prompts

You can build your own essay tracker using our free Google Sheets template.

College essay tracker template

Ideally, you should start brainstorming college essay topics the summer before your senior year. Keep in mind that it’s easier to write a standout essay with a unique topic.

If you want to write about a common essay topic, such as a sports injury or volunteer work overseas, think carefully about how you can make it unique and personal. You’ll need to demonstrate deep insight and write your story in an original way to differentiate it from similar essays.

What makes a good topic?

• Meaningful and personal to you
• Uncommon or has an unusual angle
• Reveals something different from the rest of your application

Brainstorming questions

You should do a comprehensive brainstorm before choosing your topic. Here are a few questions to get started:

• What are your top five values? What lived experiences demonstrate these values?
• What adjectives would your friends and family use to describe you?
• What challenges or failures have you faced and overcome? What lessons did you learn from them?
• What makes you different from your classmates?
• What are some objects that represent your identity, your community, your relationships, your passions, or your goals?
• Whom do you admire most? Why?
• What three people have significantly impacted your life? How did they influence you?

How to identify your topic

Here are two strategies for identifying a topic that demonstrates your values:

• Start with your qualities : First, identify positive qualities about yourself; then, brainstorm stories that demonstrate these qualities.
• Start with a story : Brainstorm a list of memorable life moments; then, identify a value shown in each story.

After choosing your topic, organize your ideas in an essay outline , which will help keep you focused while writing. Unlike a five-paragraph academic essay, there’s no set structure for a college admissions essay. You can take a more creative approach, using storytelling techniques to shape your essay.

Two common approaches are to structure your essay as a series of vignettes or as a single narrative.

Vignettes structure

The vignette, or montage, structure weaves together several stories united by a common theme. Each story should demonstrate one of your values or qualities and conclude with an insight or future outlook.

This structure gives the admissions officer glimpses into your personality, background, and identity, and shows how your qualities appear in different areas of your life.

Topic: Museum with a “five senses” exhibit of my experiences

• Introduction: Tour guide introduces my museum and my “Making Sense of My Heritage” exhibit
• Story: Racial discrimination with my eyes
• Lesson: Using my writing to document truth
• Story: Broadway musical interests
• Lesson: Finding my voice
• Story: Smells from family dinner table
• Lesson: Appreciating home and family
• Story: Washing dishes
• Lesson: Finding moments of peace in busy schedule
• Story: Biking with Ava
• Lesson: Finding pleasure in job well done
• Conclusion: Tour guide concludes tour, invites guest to come back for “fall College Collection,” featuring my search for identity and learning.

Single story structure

The single story, or narrative, structure uses a chronological narrative to show a student’s character development over time. Some narrative essays detail moments in a relatively brief event, while others narrate a longer journey spanning months or years.

Single story essays are effective if you have overcome a significant challenge or want to demonstrate personal development.

Topic: Sports injury helps me learn to be a better student and person

• Situation: Football injury
• Challenge: Friends distant, teachers don’t know how to help, football is gone for me
• Turning point: Starting to like learning in Ms. Brady’s history class; meeting Christina and her friends
• My reactions: Reading poetry; finding shared interest in poetry with Christina; spending more time studying and with people different from me
• Insight: They taught me compassion and opened my eyes to a different lifestyle; even though I still can’t play football, I’m starting a new game

Brainstorm creative insights or story arcs

Regardless of your essay’s structure, try to craft a surprising story arc or original insights, especially if you’re writing about a common topic.

Never exaggerate or fabricate facts about yourself to seem interesting. However, try finding connections in your life that deviate from cliché storylines and lessons.

Admissions officers read thousands of essays each year, and they typically spend only a few minutes reading each one. To get your message across, your introduction , or hook, needs to grab the reader’s attention and compel them to read more..

Avoid starting your introduction with a famous quote, cliché, or reference to the essay itself (“While I sat down to write this essay…”).

While you can sometimes use dialogue or a meaningful quotation from a close family member or friend, make sure it encapsulates your essay’s overall theme.

Find an original, creative way of starting your essay using the following two methods.

Option 1: Start with an intriguing hook

Begin your essay with an unexpected statement to pique the reader’s curiosity and compel them to carefully read your essay. A mysterious introduction disarms the reader’s expectations and introduces questions that can only be answered by reading more.

Option 2: Start with vivid imagery

Illustrate a clear, detailed image to immediately transport your reader into your memory. You can start in the middle of an important scene or describe an object that conveys your essay’s theme.

A college application essay allows you to be creative in your style and tone. As you draft your essay, try to use interesting language to enliven your story and stand out .

Show, don’t tell

“Tell” in writing means to simply state a fact: “I am a basketball player.” “ Show ” in writing means to use details, examples, and vivid imagery to help the reader easily visualize your memory: “My heart races as I set up to shoot一two seconds, one second一and score a three-pointer!”

First, reflect on every detail of a specific image or scene to recall the most memorable aspects.

• What are the most prominent images?
• Are there any particular sounds, smells, or tastes associated with this memory?
• What emotion or physical feeling did you have at that time?

Be vulnerable to create an emotional response

You don’t have to share a huge secret or traumatic story, but you should dig deep to express your honest feelings, thoughts, and experiences to evoke an emotional response. Showing vulnerability demonstrates humility and maturity. However, don’t exaggerate to gain sympathy.

Use appropriate style and tone

Make sure your essay has the right style and tone by following these guidelines:

• Use a conversational yet respectful tone: less formal than academic writing, but more formal than texting your friends.
• Prioritize using “I” statements to highlight your perspective.
• Write within your vocabulary range to maintain an authentic voice.
• Write concisely, and use the active voice to keep a fast pace.
• Follow grammar rules (unless you have valid stylistic reasons for breaking them).

You should end your college essay with a deep insight or creative ending to leave the reader with a strong final impression. Your college admissions essay should avoid the following:

• Summarizing what you already wrote
• Stating your hope of being accepted to the school
• Mentioning character traits that should have been illustrated in the essay, such as “I’m a hard worker”

Here are two strategies to craft a strong conclusion.

Option 1: Full circle, sandwich structure

The full circle, or sandwich, structure concludes the essay with an image, idea, or story mentioned in the introduction. This strategy gives the reader a strong sense of closure.

In the example below, the essay concludes by returning to the “museum” metaphor that the writer opened with.

Option 2: Revealing your insight

You can use the conclusion to show the insight you gained as a result of the experiences you’ve described. Revealing your main message at the end creates suspense and keeps the takeaway at the forefront of your reader’s mind.

Revise your essay before submitting it to check its content, style, and grammar. Get feedback from no more than two or three people.

It’s normal to go through several rounds of revision, but take breaks between each editing stage.

Also check out our college essay examples to see what does and doesn’t work in an essay and the kinds of changes you can make to improve yours.

Respect the word count

Most schools specify a word count for each essay , and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit.

Remain under the specified word count limit to show you can write concisely and follow directions. However, don’t write too little, which may imply that you are unwilling or unable to write a thoughtful and developed essay.

Check your content, style, and grammar

• First, check big-picture issues of message, flow, and clarity.
• Then, check for style and tone issues.
• Finally, focus on eliminating grammar and punctuation errors.

Get feedback

Get feedback from 2–3 people who know you well, have good writing skills, and are familiar with college essays.

• Teachers and guidance counselors can help you check your content, language, and tone.
• Friends and family can check for authenticity.
• An essay coach or editor has specialized knowledge of college admissions essays and can give objective expert feedback.

The checklist below helps you make sure your essay ticks all the boxes.

College admissions essay checklist

I’ve organized my essay prompts and created an essay writing schedule.

I’ve done a comprehensive brainstorm for essay topics.

I’ve selected a topic that’s meaningful to me and reveals something different from the rest of my application.

I’ve created an outline to guide my structure.

I’ve crafted an introduction containing vivid imagery or an intriguing hook that grabs the reader’s attention.

I’ve written my essay in a way that shows instead of telling.

I’ve shown positive traits and values in my essay.

I’ve demonstrated self-reflection and insight in my essay.

I’ve used appropriate style and tone .

I’ve concluded with an insight or a creative ending.

I’ve revised my essay , checking my overall message, flow, clarity, and grammar.

I’ve respected the word count , remaining within 10% of the upper word limit.

Congratulations!

It looks like your essay ticks all the boxes. A second pair of eyes can help you take it to the next level – Scribbr's essay coaches can help.

Colleges want to be able to differentiate students who seem similar on paper. In the college application essay , they’re looking for a way to understand each applicant’s unique personality and experiences.

Your college essay accounts for about 25% of your application’s weight. It may be the deciding factor in whether you’re accepted, especially for competitive schools where most applicants have exceptional grades, test scores, and extracurricular track records.

A standout college essay has several key ingredients:

• A unique, personally meaningful topic
• A memorable introduction with vivid imagery or an intriguing hook
• Specific stories and language that show instead of telling
• Vulnerability that’s authentic but not aimed at soliciting sympathy
• Clear writing in an appropriate style and tone
• A conclusion that offers deep insight or a creative ending

While timelines will differ depending on the student, plan on spending at least 1–3 weeks brainstorming and writing the first draft of your college admissions essay , and at least 2–4 weeks revising across multiple drafts. Don’t forget to save enough time for breaks between each writing and editing stage.

You should already begin thinking about your essay the summer before your senior year so that you have plenty of time to try out different topics and get feedback on what works.

Most college application portals specify a word count range for your essay, and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit to write a developed and thoughtful essay.

You should aim to stay under the specified word count limit to show you can follow directions and write concisely. However, don’t write too little, as it may seem like you are unwilling or unable to write a detailed and insightful narrative about yourself.

If no word count is specified, we advise keeping your essay between 400 and 600 words.

Is this article helpful?

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The boxer decked his opponent.

• Profanity Profanity should not be used in formal writing outside of direct quotations.

The critic's scathing review hit the nail on the head .

• Similes Similes and metaphors should be used sparingly. This option will detect most common types of similes.
• "Said" replacements Some people think that these substitutes for "said" are weak or obnoxious, especially if overused.

Her dress was long , and it touched the floor.

Her long dress touched the floor.

• Gender-specific pronouns Avoid using gender-specific pronouns in formal writing when the subject's gender is unknown.
• Weasel words Like abstract words, weasel words and phrases lack specificity. At best, they convey uncertainty. At worst, they can be used to "weasel out" of telling the truth in a straightforward manner. When checking a document that is speculative by nature, you might want to disable this detector.
• Third person pronouns According to this study , high concentrations of third person pronouns may indicate deception.
• Bias language These words and phrases often show the author's bias.
• Uncommon words Uncommon words will increase the document's reading difficulty.

Hot peppers burn my mouth, but I eat them anyway .

Since burritos taste good , I like to eat them.

• Sentence fragments A sentence must have at least one noun and one verb. Anything that does not is a fragment, and if it occurs outside of dialog, it should probably be rewritten.
• Long sentences Long sentences tend to be more difficult to read, making them good candidates for trimming or splitting. Alternatively, parallelism may be used to improve their readability, though this will not decrease the ARI score.
• Success with Style: Using Writing Style to Predict the Success of Novels
• Grammar Girl For your obscure writing questions
• Basic Prose and Style Mechanics An excellent, concise resource
• Television Tropes & Idioms Tricks of the trade
• Writing Realistic Injuries An invaluable article for anyone who writes action or horror
• Online Etymology Dictionary Learn the history of English words
• Scribophile Discuss the finer points of writing with other novelists
• Suggestions from the official See Sharp Press blog Learn about the mistakes that will keep your novel from being published.
• Smashwords Easy ebook distribution for indie authors
• Duotrope Find and learn about publishers
• CreateSpace
• Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing
• Creative Writing Prompts and Exercises Spark your creativity
• RhymeZone A popular rhyming dictionary
• Seventh Sanctum Name generators and more
• Apache OpenOffice The best free office software
• Literature & Latte Makers of the popular Scrivener editor

Did you find a bug? Do you want us to add a new feature? We would love to hear about it.

How to Write a Formal Essay – Known and Unknown Tips

Formal and informal essay definitions

A formal essay is a type of writing that includes not only essays, but letters, reports, and job applications written in a formal style with the usage of a strong vocabulary. In a formal essay, all rules of punctuation and grammar are observed by essay writers . Essays of this style are specific, focused on facts, and include a standard, template language.

If you ask yourself, “How should I write my college essay in an informal style?” you should remember that an informal paper is a type of essay written more for enjoyment with vivid expressions and abbreviations. Grammar rules and punctuation are not always strictly observed.

How to write a formal essay with a proper structure

The structure of a formal essay is standard; it doesn’t differ from others, like the critical essay format or the structure of other types of essays. It consists of the following parts:

Title – the name of the essay, reflecting the theme of the narrative. Introduction – 2-4 short sentences that cover the topic of the essay. The main body – 2-3 paragraphs describing the essence of the work. You must fully and competently open the topic, give arguments, and argue them. You can see how to present argumentation in our   Rogerian argument essay example . Conclusion – 2-4 sentences summarizing everything that has been said before. In this part, you make a general conclusion on the topic of the essay.

Each of the paragraphs in the main part of the essay begins with an introductory sentence (topic sentence); this is the “introduction” to the paragraph. Subsequent sentences develop and confirm the thought expressed in the topic sentence. If you are unsure that you can write a well-structured paper, it is better to ask us, “ Write my essay for me .”

Steps for writing a formal essay

• Choose a topic. There are two options here: you are assigned a topic by the teacher or choose one on your own. If you need to develop your own topic, find the one that will interest you most. Of course, it’s a formal essay, and you will probably not be allowed to write a paper on all enjoyable themes, but you should like the subject. If the teacher has assigned the topic to you and you know nothing about it, it is better to get our help by leaving your “ write my research paper ” request.
• Write a thesis statement. It should be your opinion or claim that presents the main idea of your essay. It should answer the question that you state in your paper. Usually, a thesis statement is included in the first paragraph of your expressing opinion essay – the introduction.
• Write an introduction . How should you write a formal essay introduction in the right manner? It should contain brief information about your writing in the body paragraphs. Don’t forget to include a thesis statement in the last sentence of the introduction. Make this part interesting to grab the reader’s attention and make them read further. If you are stuck at this stage, not knowing how to interest your readers, ask us for help by saying, “ Write my paper for cheap .”
• Write body paragraphs. Each point or idea you want to present in your essay should be disclosed in a single paragraph. The first sentence of each body paragraph should be a topic sentence. The body paragraphs should address the thesis statement you presented in the introduction. If it sounds difficult for you, leave your “ write my assignment ” request, and our writer will create an essay for you in which all paragraphs will be interconnected. 
• Write a conclusion. Don’t include any new information in this section. You should show that the thesis statement was proven fully. If you look at the introduction you have composed, it will be easier to write a conclusion. However, if this method doesn’t work for you and you don’t know how to end your essay correctly, ask us for help. For example, you may say, “ Write my APA paper ,” and our writer will not only write an essay with a strong conclusion but format it accordingly.

Formal essay example

If you have to write a formal essay, the first thing you should do is read through our sample on the vision of Seoul. In case you don’t know how to start writing, an example of an essay is what you need. The more samples you read, the more understanding of how you need to complete your own paper you will have. So, check out the example of our college essay writer to get some useful ideas.

The Vision of Seoul

Seoul as we know it now is a product of many historical changes of the past. Ever since the rule of the Joseon Dynasty, Seoul remains the capital and the hub of South Korea. Many architectural miracles can be found on the streets of this city narrating its history. Even its dynamic advancement in the financial, social, and engineering spheres that can be seen from the exponentially growing skyline cannot conceal the cultural property scattered through the metropolis. Enveloped by nature, Seoul combines scenic landscapes encircled by mountains, rivers, and forests with high-tech elements that could only be imagined recently in science fiction literature. The duality of new and old, artificial and natural, and modern and traditional makes it a one-of-a-kind location and catch the eye of the outside world.

The location of the most important city in the country was not chosen spontaneously. The spot was picked according to the tradition of feng shui that Joseon rulers were adhering to. This principle states that a place should be organized according to the flow of energy. The area encircled by the wonders of nature was a perfect location to settle (Seoul Architecture Guide 22). The traditionalism and closed off condition of the country experienced a change after the beginning of the Empire of Korea. General Westernization had begun with the new foreign policy which opened it for trade and other relations with Europe and the United States. Economy, law, education, the military system, and many other frameworks were modified to fit in with the new counterparts (Seoul Architecture Guide 24). However, the remains of the past are still evident as, for example, some parts of the Hanyangdoseong, or Seoul City Wall, that encircled the city earlier still stand to reflect the heritage.

Not long after, Korea was occupied by Japanese forces. This period brought many changes that helped the country to advance, but also played a role in oppressing cultural peculiarities and the Korean language. The transformation of Seoul included the improvement of the transport system and adaptation to a bigger population ( Seoul Architecture Guide 25). These changes led to the extension of the banks of the Hangang and swift reconstruction of the surrounding districts. The scenery of the biggest river in Seoul has become one of the most popular destinations for citizens and tourists alike. The metropolis as we see it now is the result of its fast capability to adjust and cater to the needs of its population. Growing numbers of the city residents had increased the differences between the groups. It came to the point where metropolitan inhabitants mixed with the farmers and other types of rural populations, creating a special cultural mix specific to Seoul.

Even when Korea was closed off, the impact of its neighbors, mainly China and Japan, was immense on the culture and the spoken and written language. However, after the start of the open policy, a more diversified population was at the heart of Korea. Their traditions and beliefs shaped the Korean culture as we know it now. Language is a good reflection of such developments. One of the major events for the Korean language was a start of the official usage of Hangul instead of Chinese characters (Sang-Hun and Torchia 6). This event had helped in distinguishing it as a separate and independent member of the Asian languages. Even with the new type of writing, a prominent feature of their language that remains is the use of idioms. They reflect the gradual development of some significant events in the history. After the years of famine, the topic of food is a frequent subject in conversation (Sang-Hun and Torchia 10). To ask if a person had eaten was a genuine worry that now has become a standard greeting with a polite concern. The customs live on in the society, although they get changed due to the external factors that the country experiences. Same as how the rising population affected the features of culture, living conditions were also influenced.

The overpopulation problem was resolved almost instantaneously. New areas were restructured and used to house the assorted selection of the new city residents. One of the most popular recently developed regions that many people are aware of is Gangnam. The seventies were a booming period for Seoul reconstruction; with the new district standing tall, the city became as we can see it now, divided into north (Gangbuk) and south (Gangnam) areas ( Seoul Architecture Guide 27). Today, Samseong-Dong is one of the most esteemed and affluent locations in Gangnam and the whole of Seoul; business, leisure, and housing estates are all available there. With a heap of high-end stores, prestigious hotels and restaurants, and extravagant night clubs, it is a significant spot that shows the development of the city (Marshall). The rapid transformation of the territories had created a town like no other. Even though its history as a capital began in the fourteenth century, it is filled with modern technology and does not stop even now. Improvement is one of the key principles followed in the process. This is the reason why Seoul is so filled with parks.

Having to live in a metropolitan city like Seoul, people get tired of the constant buzzing of the millions of others that surround them every day on the way to work, eat, relax, or sleep. The exhaust fumes resulting from the high levels of gas pollution is an everyday occurrence for Seoulites, which makes them wear masks. In order to escape the troubles, the usual alternative is an evening spent in nature (Marshall). Due to the beneficial situation, the city is enclosed by mountains, forests, and rivers. In case a traveler is feeling as to get on with their inner state and relax outdoors, the opportunities are multiple. However, there are also many variants for those who do not want to waste time on the trip; the amount of parks is enormous and increases as time goes by. The choice can be rather hard because of the surprising number of them. The nature in Seoul is worth a separate mention due to the way that the city takes care of its condition. When taking a look at the map of the city, green patches can be seen all over it, constituting a big part of the Seoulite life.

Seoul is a one-of-a-kind city. Everything is different about it for the Western onlookers. Even though Koreans have experienced fascination with Western culture, the increasing interest in the unique fusion of its original features amalgamated with traditions is much closer to their ideals. However, underneath the novelty and pursuit of the different, the soul of the old Seoul can be spotted. With antique architecture and a distinct mood, this city is a perfect example of advancement in everything without losing identity.

Works Cited

Marshall, Colin. “An Urbanist’s Tour of South Korea: A Glimpse into the Future of World Cities.” The Guardian, 2018, https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/jul/14/an-urbanists-tour-of-south-korea-a-glimpse-into-the-future-of-world-cities. Accessed 21 Aug. 2018. Sang-Hun, Choe, and Christopher Torchia. Looking for a Mr. Kim in Seoul. Master Communications, Inc., 2007. Seoul Architecture Guide . 길잡이미디어, 2015.

Differences between formal and informal essays

If you compare two essays that are identical in content but written in different styles, the informal one will be shorter. Do you know why? Because the formal style often involves the use of longer words. Unlike the informal style, phrasal verbs are not used in the formal style, except those that can not be replaced by a longer equivalent. The same should be done with nouns: if you choose between a simplified word and its longer, technical variant when writing a formal essay, choose the longer one. The same goes for other formal assignments, such as business presentations. There, you also need to choose formal vocabulary. By the way, if you need help with slides for your business assignment, leave a “ write my PowerPoint presentation ” request on our site.

• The use of passive voice

In the informal style for writing essays, the use of active voice prevails over the use of passive. Informal essays are more personalized, while formal essays speak about facts.

• Appeals and stereotypes

A characteristic feature of the informal style is a first-person appeal, with the use of “I.” An informal style makes it possible to improvise, and a formal style is more structured with a particular template. Typical for the formal style is the use of the pronoun “we.”

• Slang expressions

Slang expressions are not used in the formal style. The same goes for most idiomatic expressions. Formal style uses the language of specifics and a formal vocabulary, so the use of slang is unacceptable.

• Abbreviations

An informal style, along with slang expressions, allows the use of abbreviated forms of verbs “to be,” “have,” “has,” “would,” “will,” and others as well: “I’m,” “we’ve,” “he’s,” and so on. In the formal style, no abbreviations are ever used, as all forms must be written completely: “I am,” “we have,” “he is,” “they will,” “she would,” and so on.

• Specific appeals and impersonal structures

Formal essays are impersonal, and are not addressed to anyone. Imperative constructions in formal essays are replaced by passive ones.

As you can see, formal and informal styles are radically different from each other. Thus, when starting to write a formal or informal essay, remember the differences in the formatting, and follow the vocabulary, grammar, and other language tools so that your essay maintains one consistent style when you write my college essay .

How to write a formal letter essay: phrases to use

The peculiarity of writing a formal essay is that it is necessary to use certain common phrases. And in this article, more complex formal expressions are collected, which are used mainly in formal essays and allow you to get a high grade. Let’s look at them. Let’s start with the phrases, with which you can:

• Express disagreement with a given topic or some statement. “It would seem that …”
• Contest the point of view or statement. “It could be argued that …”
• Give an additional argument in favor of your opinion. “This supports the idea that …”
• Express partial agreement with this or that statement. “It must be acknowledged that
• …”Summarize everything that you wrote about earlier. “In view of all that has been mentioned so far, one may suppose that …”

We examined various formal phrases that you can use to express your opinion in an essay. Reading through the next section you will learn how to express your opinion if you have already substantiated it. To make the text structured and logical, it is important to first give arguments and evidence, and then express your point of view. Below you will find phrases with which you can do it.

– “ This suggests that …” Instead of “this,” it is possible to give the results of the conducted studies. For example, data from surveys of public opinion (a survey) or statistics (statistical evidence). – “This proves that …” – “It leads to the conclusion that …” – “It can thus be suggested/assumed that …” – “It follows from the above that …”

Knowledge of formal expressions is useful not only when writing academic essays and passing exams, but also in many other life situations. After all, sometimes simple phrases and a vulgar style are unacceptable, and their use can spoil the opinion about you.

Review and editing of a formal essay

Rereading any paper several times after finishing it is essential, even if you do not have to correct it much. For example, you may think, “I can’t find all my mistakes after I write my personal statement .” In this case, you should read the text to an outsider. Getting a friend’s help, especially if they are linguists, allows you to identify a significant percentage of poorly constructed sentences and many grammatical and logical errors. You can also check your paper via an AI essay detector to ensure all of your sentences seem human-written, and you don’t overuse passive voice in writing.

“How should I write my term paper or essay without errors?” you may ask. It’s all about good editing. Note: you can dictate a paper to a sound recorder and listen to it. In this way, it is often possible to detect the inconsistency of grammatical constructions or inconsistencies in the logical course of things. Use spelling in a text editor, but do not forget to read the text yourself. For example, Microsoft Word sometimes misses curious mistakes that can greatly spoil the impression of your essay.

“I am unsure about terminology when I write my coursework or another paper.” Such thoughts come to students’ minds often as well. If you are unsure about something, look it up in the dictionary. And one more helpful trick: before you finish the work, put it off for a couple of hours (even better, for a day), then return to it with a fresh look. This is another reason you should start writing papers in advance, with enough time in reserve.

Formal essay writing will be much easier if you use our guide as your helper. Take advantage of our tips and recommendations, and you will be able to write a quality paper. You will be able to write a great essay if you use not only a guide but the samples presented on our blog. Pay for essay or ask us, “ Write my dissertation ,” and improve your writing skills with our help!

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A clear, arguable thesis will tell your readers where you are going to end up, but it can also help you figure out how to get them there. Put your thesis at the top of a blank page and then make a list of the points you will need to make to argue that thesis effectively.

For example, consider this example from the thesis handout : While Sandel argues persuasively that our instinct to “remake”(54) ourselves into something ever more perfect is a problem, his belief that we can always draw a line between what is medically necessary and what makes us simply “better than well”(51) is less convincing.

To argue this thesis, the author needs to do the following:

• Show what is persuasive about Sandel’s claims about the problems with striving for perfection.
• Show what is not convincing about Sandel’s claim that we can clearly distinguish between medically necessary enhancements and other enhancements.

Once you have broken down your thesis into main claims, you can then think about what sub-claims you will need to make in order to support each of those main claims. That step might look like this:

• Evidence that Sandel provides to support this claim
• Discussion of why this evidence is convincing even in light of potential counterarguments
• Discussion of cases when medically necessary enhancement and non-medical enhancement cannot be easily distinguished
• Analysis of what those cases mean for Sandel’s argument
• Consideration of counterarguments (what Sandel might say in response to this section of your argument)

Each argument you will make in an essay will be different, but this strategy will often be a useful first step in figuring out the path of your argument.  

Strategy #2: Use subheadings, even if you remove them later  

Scientific papers generally include standard subheadings to delineate different sections of the paper, including “introduction,” “methods,” and “discussion.” Even when you are not required to use subheadings, it can be helpful to put them into an early draft to help you see what you’ve written and to begin to think about how your ideas fit together. You can do this by typing subheadings above the sections of your draft.

If you’re having trouble figuring out how your ideas fit together, try beginning with informal subheadings like these:

• Introduction  
• Explain the author’s main point  
• Show why this main point doesn’t hold up when we consider this other example  
• Explain the implications of what I’ve shown for our understanding of the author  
• Show how that changes our understanding of the topic

For longer papers, you may decide to include subheadings to guide your reader through your argument. In those cases, you would need to revise your informal subheadings to be more useful for your readers. For example, if you have initially written in something like “explain the author’s main point,” your final subheading might be something like “Sandel’s main argument” or “Sandel’s opposition to genetic enhancement.” In other cases, once you have the key pieces of your argument in place, you will be able to remove the subheadings.  

Strategy #3: Create a reverse outline from your draft  

While you may have learned to outline a paper before writing a draft, this step is often difficult because our ideas develop as we write. In some cases, it can be more helpful to write a draft in which you get all of your ideas out and then do a “reverse outline” of what you’ve already written. This doesn’t have to be formal; you can just make a list of the point in each paragraph of your draft and then ask these questions:

• Are those points in an order that makes sense to you?  
• Are there gaps in your argument?  
• Do the topic sentences of the paragraphs clearly state these main points?  
• Do you have more than one paragraph that focuses on the same point? If so, do you need both paragraphs?  
• Do you have some paragraphs that include too many points? If so, would it make more sense to split them up?  
• Do you make points near the end of the draft that would be more effective earlier in your paper?  
• Are there points missing from this draft?  
• picture_as_pdf Tips for Organizing Your Essay

You can always do advanced rewrite for your texts from here !

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Quick FAQ on converting informal & formal texts

Q: how can informal language be converted to formal language.

A: Use a formal language converter tool or manually use professional vocabulary and avoid slang and contractions.

Q: What are the differences between formal and informal language translation?

A: Formal language translation is more complex and technical, while informal language translation requires more creativity and interpretation.

Q: How do you transform a sentence from formal to informal/casual?

A: Use contractions, slang, and casual language, while keeping the context and audience in mind.

Q: What is the distinction between informal and formal language?

A: Formal language is professional and academic, while informal language is more casual and conversational.

Q: What are some tips for making text more formal?

A: Use professional vocabulary, avoid slang and contractions, follow grammar rules, use complex sentence structures, and adjust tone and formality based on audience and context.

How does an online informal to formal converter work?

An online informal to formal converter is an AI-powered tool that rephrases casual or colloquial language into a more professional or academic style. The tool analyzes the input text for informal expressions, slang, and contractions, and replaces them with their formal equivalents. Users simply input their informal text, and the AI uses natural language processing to output a formalized version.

Formal Converter Blog

How to convert informal text to formal text online.

Check out various online platforms and tools specifically designed to convert informal text into a more formal style, ensuring clarity and professionalism in your written communication.

Best tools for making emails more formal & professional

Here's a list of some of the best tools to help you craft polished, professional, and formal emails.

Differences between informal and formal writing styles

Check the nuances and distinctions between informal and formal writing styles to better understand their appropriate applications.

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About the informal to formal rewriter, can a formal to casual converter maintain the original message's intent.

Yes, a formal to casual converter is designed to maintain the original message's intent while transforming the tone to be more relaxed and conversational. The AI assesses the context of the formal text and applies casual language constructs, such as contractions and colloquialisms, without altering the underlying message.

Is using an AI converter for formal to casual language reliable?

Using an AI converter to transform formal language to casual language is generally reliable, as it employs sophisticated algorithms to understand and mimic human speech patterns. However, the accuracy can depend on the complexity of the text and the nuances of the language, so it's recommended to review the output for any subtle context or tone that may require manual tweaking.

What are the benefits of using an online converter for language styles?

Using an online converter for changing language styles saves time and ensures consistency throughout the text. It's particularly useful for non-native speakers or individuals who are not as familiar with the nuances between formal and casual language. Additionally, it's a valuable tool for learning and understanding the differences in language registers.

How can I trust the quality of an AI-generated formal text?

The quality of AI-generated formal text has improved significantly with advancements in natural language processing and machine learning. Many converters are trained on extensive corpora of professional and academic texts, enabling them to produce high-quality formal writing. Nevertheless, it's advisable to review the output, especially for important documents, to ensure it meets your standards.

Are there any limitations to using a formal to casual converter?

While formal to casual converters are powerful, they do have limitations. They might not always capture the subtleties of conversational tone or regional slang, and they may miss humor or idiomatic expressions. For texts that rely heavily on these elements, manual editing might still be necessary after conversion.

How does a formal to casual converter handle idioms and slang?

A formal to casual converter uses a database of idioms and slang to replace more formal phrases with their casual counterparts. However, the replacement depends on the AI's database and algorithms, so it may not always choose the most current or appropriate colloquial terms for all audiences.

What kind of texts are suitable for conversion with an informal to formal converter?

An informal to formal converter is ideal for texts that require a professional tone, such as business correspondence, academic papers, or official documents. It is also suitable for refining social media posts or emails when a more polished presentation is desired.

Can I customize the level of formality when using a converter?

Some advanced informal to formal converters may offer customization options, allowing users to select the desired level of formality. This feature helps to tailor the output to suit different contexts, whether for a corporate report or an academic article, ensuring appropriate language use.

How does an AI determine the correct formal equivalents in a conversion?

AI converters use natural language processing algorithms to understand the context and semantics of the text. They match informal expressions with formal equivalents based on language rules, patterns learned from formal text datasets, and sometimes user settings or preferences, to ensure the conversion makes sense within the given context.

Complex Sentence Generator is a free content rewriter that can potentially rephrase, reword, paraphrase and/or rewrite sentences, paragraphs, articles, content, words and/or phrases into a more complex, unorthodox or convoluted alternative while delivering the same meaning. The vocabulary of this sentence paraphraser contains an abundance of rarely used words/phrases and can paraphrase sentences in a variety of ways that are chosen randomly. Aside from this web based software being used as a paraphrasing tool or a text spinner, it can also be used as a vocabulary improvement tool. The artificial intelligence of this paraphrase generator is so sophisticated that it is capable of understanding context. Use the dictionary or thesaurus to learn definitions for words or discover more synonyms.

Aside from this web based software being used as a paraphrasing tool or a text spinner, it can also be used as a vocabulary improvement tool. The artificial intelligence of this paraphrase generator is so sophisticated that it is capable of understanding context. Use the dictionary or thesaurus to learn definitions for words or discover more synonyms.

Complex Sentence Generator is very easy to use. After typing or pasting content in the first text box, press the convert button to automatically paraphrase the content. This generator can also work as a random sentence generator. Click on the random sentence button to generate random complex sentences and have them paraphrased. This software works as a paraphrase converter for transforming simple and common english into more complex english. It can be useful as a free article spinner due to its' ability to rephrase a large body of text and potentially generate multiple unique versions with each conversion of the same content. With complex sentence generator you can reword content online and rewrite up to 10000 characters or less at a time/per conversion. This should be more than enough for spinning articles, essays or paraphrasing website content for blogs which usually consists of a large amount of content.

In order to rephrase a sentence, paragraph, essay or article effectively, content with good grammar and spelling is important when using this automatic paraphraser because it can only recognize, understand and rewrite correct grammar. For an article rewriter that is in the form of a bot, it does a good job of respecting english and using replacements that make sense. Content that is written in all caps or with the first letter of every word capitalized can still be rephrased by this software. Otherwise, as long as the grammar of the content is sensible and recognizable, complex sentence generator can make the task of paraphrasing easy. Rather than having to research synonyms for words or phrases and deduce which ones are the most suitable substitutes for any context a word or phrase may be used in, paraphrasing is done on auto pilot.

Aside from simply being used as a tool to spin text or paraphrase content, complex sentence generator can be instrumental towards accomplishing a number of additional tasks. Improving vocabulary, learning new ways to utilize english words and phrases and adding more uniqueness to the process of generating new content. You can also use paraphrase search to learn new words by searching for examples of words/phrases being used in a sentence and paraphrased in a sentence. Due to how rare and uncommon a lot of the words and phrases are in the database of this paraphrase generator, it can create and exhibit a unique style of writing and vocabulary. It also makes it easier to encounter and discover new words.

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Helen Marden, Grieving in Bright Colors and on Her Own Terms

The artist’s new paintings at Gagosian show her working through the loss of her husband, the artist Brice Marden, in a hot palette, feathers and shells.

By Ted Loos

Reporting from Tivoli, N.Y.

The grief of losing a partner has been evoked by artists as various as Francis Bacon, with his “Black Triptychs” in the 1970s, and Felix Gonzalez-Torres, whose billboard photograph “Untitled” (1991) lets the absence of figures in an empty bed be a reference for a giant loss.

With “The Grief Paintings,” an exhibition of 23 new works on view through Sept. 14 at the Gagosian gallery on Park Avenue at 75th Street, Helen Marden adds her own entry to the tradition — a painter mourning another painter with works in their shared medium.

The show comes a year after the death of her husband, Brice Marden, who was 84 and ranked among the most influential painters of his generation, earning a Museum of Modern Art retrospective in 2006 and big auction prices for his work. His current record is $30.9 million, set by the signature winding loops and swirls of “Complements,” a vivid diptych , at Christie’s in 2020.

The small, round works by his widow at Gagosian are not in the mourning register of blacks and grays that a viewer may expect. Quite the opposite, though she also chose to include one work by her late husband, the black diptych “Passing” (1970-83).

They are mostly in Helen Marden’s hot palette of reds and oranges, vibrant and shiny, and they have shells, feathers and bits of glass affixed, as if her memories happened to be flying by her and clung fortuitously to the works. Even the black ones have colored feathers attached.

“I have no conscious memory of how I decided to do them,” Marden said of the new works, which she began right before her husband died, completing most of them by the end of 2023. “It was the early grief. You don’t know where you are. I was in shock.”

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