Podcast on Formal and Informal Writing Styles

Kapitoly

The Most Common Mistake

Cracking the Formal Code

Keeping It Casual

The Key Takeaway

Contractions and Casual Speech

Text Speak and Final Summary

Přepis

Ryan: Most people think the hardest part of formal writing is using big, complicated words.

Sara: But actually, the most common mistake students make is in the very first two or three words they write.

Ryan: The first few words? You mean the greeting, like 'Dear Sir or Madam'?

Sara: Exactly. Knowing when to use that versus 'Dear Mrs. Jones' is a huge deal, and it trips a lot of people up. You are listening to Studyfi Podcast, where we break down the exam topics you need to know.

Ryan: Okay, so let's get into it. What are the main rules for formal writing, besides the greeting?

Sara: Think strict and professional. This is for job applications or academic essays. The sentences are often longer and more complex.

Ryan: And I've heard you can't use contractions, right? So it's 'I am' instead of 'I'm'.

Sara: That's a key one! No contractions like 'don't' or 'hasn't'. And you always end with a specific closing, like 'Yours sincerely' when you know their name, or 'Yours faithfully' when you don't.

Ryan: Got it. So it’s for when you’re writing to people you don't really know.

Sara: Precisely. The structure is rigid for a reason—it shows respect and seriousness.

Ryan: So what about the opposite? Informal writing. Can I start a letter to my friend with 'Yo, what's up?'

Sara: You absolutely could! That's for friends and family. The rules are relaxed. The sentences are short and simple.

Ryan: And this is where slang and abbreviations are okay?

Sara: Yep! You can use phrasal verbs, slang like 'kinda' or 'awesome', and friendly greetings like 'Hello' or just their name. It's all about sounding natural and friendly, like you're talking to someone you know well.

Ryan: So to recap, the biggest difference is your audience. Do you know them or not?

Sara: Exactly. Formal writing is for strangers in a professional context—think 'you are'. Informal is for friends—think 'you're'. It's that simple at its core.

Ryan: That makes so much more sense. Okay, I think I'm ready to move from the written word to the spoken one.

Ryan: Alright, that makes so much sense. For our final topic, let's switch gears to something more casual—colloquial English.

Sara: Yes! This is where the language gets really fun. It's how people actually talk every day.

Ryan: So we're talking about more than just basic contractions like 'you are' becoming 'you're'?

Sara: Exactly. We have 'he is' becoming 'he's' and 'I will' becoming 'I'll'. But it goes even further informally.

Ryan: How so?

Sara: Think about 'I am going to'. In a normal conversation, you'd likely say 'I'm gonna'. The same way 'I want to' becomes 'I wanna'.

Ryan: So it's about making speech faster and smoother. Just don't write 'I wanna' on a school paper.

Sara: Definitely not! Context is everything.

Ryan: And what about text-speak, like writing 'How r u?'

Sara: That's another level of informal language, perfect for friends but not for your boss. The key takeaway is knowing your audience.

Ryan: A perfect summary for our whole discussion today. Sara, thanks for breaking everything down.

Sara: It was my pleasure, Ryan!

Ryan: And thanks to all of you for listening. Stay curious, and we'll see you next time on the Studyfi Podcast.