give some example of formal essay

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

Everyone who goes to college has heard of a formal essay: a factual, research-based paper written in 3rd person. Students produce dozens of such essays throughout their educational careers. And there’s a good reason for it: according to the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, writing formal papers helps students demonstrate their progress towards educational goals and learn the compositional rules of different disciplines.

The picture enumerates the characteristics of a formal essay.

If you want to know how to write a formal essay, keep reading this comprehensive article by our custom-writing team. We will start by explaining what a formal essay is and then guide you through the writing process step by step. Next, we will examine formal essay’s format and provide you with a model sample paper. A collection of writing ideas is also included at the end of the article.

👔 Formal Essay Definition

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

🔍 References

A formal essay is a well-organized piece of writing with a straightforward introduction, body, and conclusion. This essay type often includes cited research, uses an academic tone, and is written in 3rd person. While producing a formal paper, it’s necessary to support your claims with factual evidence.

What Is an Informal Essay vs. Formal Essay?

Essays come in two formats: formal and informal (AKA personal .) They are distinct in style and context. You select between these options depending on the situation and the type of assignment required.

To tell them apart, simply keep an eye on these key aspects:

Informal essay is created to share an opinion or to entertain the reader.
Formal essay aims to critically analyze facts, details, and ideas to prove a point.

2. Pronouns use

Informal essay can address the reader directly and use 1st-person pronouns.
Formal essay uses 3rd-person pronouns and never addresses the reader.

3. Objectivity

Informal essay expresses the writer’s thoughts and tends to be more subjective.
Formal essay strives to be objective and uses argumentation to support its claims.

4. Structure

Informal essay doesn’t have to be rigidly structured.
Formal essay should be well-structured and logical.

5. Thesis statement

Informal essay’s thesis may be included in any section of the work or not explicitly stated at all.
Formal essay’s thesis is always clear-cut and situated in the opening paragraph.

6. Word choice

Informal essay often includes vernacular and expressive elements.
Formal essay uses jargon and rigid academic language.

So, 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 opens with. Its primary goal is to capture the reader’s attention with a hook, concisely present the theme, 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:

It should be related to the topic and give the reader an overall idea of the paper.
It’s good to start your introduction with a quotation, an interesting fact, or a statistic.
Try not to make the introduction too far-fetched or in-your-face.
Avoid using questions in an introduction of a formal essay.

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. 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 informal. It also makes the author seem less sure of their claims.
Refrain from slang and nonstandard diction. Slang will make your formal work less appealing to the readers. If you want to be taken seriously, it’s best to avoid colloquial units and use proper Standard English.
Don’t use a casual tone. When composing a formal essay, incorporate the language and the expressions you would use while delivering a speech, not the words you use casually chatting with friends. An official tone suggests that you’re serious about the topic and respect your audience.
Avoid passive voice. Passive verbs are difficult to read, and they are wordy. Use active voice to sound more straightforward and succinct.

Contractions in Formal Writing

A contraction is typically a combination of two words with an apostrophe, 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 make sure to write the full variant.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, when incorporating direct quotations, it’s essential to reproduce words exactly as they are put in the original, even the contractions. 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 blunder students make is using the “you” and “yours” pronouns to address the readers. Doing this can make the text overly casual and lead to misinterpretations.

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

individuals,

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

Can You Use Parentheses in a Formal Essay?

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.

Can You Start a Sentence with “Because” in Formal Writing?

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.

🖥️ Formal Essay Format

Now that we’ve reviewed the writing process in depth, it’s time to examine the formatting. Formal essay type is normally written in MLA or APA style. If you’re required to use either of them, use these helpful guidelines:

Write your name, the instructor’s name, your class, and the date in the upper left corner of the 1st page.
Center the title and place it after the heading.
Write your last name and page number in the upper right corner.
Create a separate title page.
Make your title centered and written in boldface.
Add your name, instructor’s name, school affiliation, and date.
Write the number of each page in the upper right corner.

The remaining features are the same for both formats:

Use 12-point Times New Roman font.
Make your paper double-spaced without extra spacing between the paragraphs.
Add a 1-inch margin on each side of the page.
Make the opening line of each paragraph indented 1/5 inch.
Line up your text flush against the left margin.

📑 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:

Title: Adverse Effects of Sponsorship in the Sports Industry
Introduction: Sponsorship plays a significant role in the sports industry these days. Many sports associations, football leagues, and clubs are entering partnerships with famous brands. However, it does not mean that all sponsorship has a good impact. This essay argues that a questionable sponsorship may undermine the image of a sport or a team and adversely influence the viewers.
1st Body Paragraph: Important sports events such as FIFA or The Olympic Games are sponsored by brands such as Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Cadbury’s, and Budweiser. These are also brands that promote unhealthy lifestyles and foods that lack nutritional value and have high levels of sugar and saturated fats. Such kind of sponsorship aims to obtain a favorable change in the attitude toward the brand itself by connecting it with sport and a healthy lifestyle.
2nd Body Paragraph: While alcohol and junk food brands link themselves to sports bodies and active lifestyles, their main targets are children and sports fans. The growing popularity of products including potato chips, sugary drinks, and confectionary results in them being not simply a treat but a daily staple for many people. It creates various health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay.
3rd Body Paragraph: Finally, an association with a widely criticized brand is likely to damage the reputation of a team or even a sport itself (Crompton, 2014). People tend to expect their favorite teams to partner with fair, responsible sponsors. If the partnership is questionable, the fans may think that the sports body compromised their virtue for profit.
Conclusion: To sum up, some kinds of sponsorship, such as alcohol or junk food, may use the sport’s image to attract more people and increase sales. It leads to the excessive consumption of sponsored products by children and teenagers and causes various health issues. It is also likely to affect the public image of a sports body.

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!

Formal Writing

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When writing reports , essays , documents , and even letters, there are two forms of the English language that you can choose from: the formal and the informal. Both types serve different purposes. The tone of voice you use, your choice of words, and the way you combine them together to create a cacophony vary between these two types. Formal and informal writing have different intended audiences, and an effective writer gets to know his audience first before he can decide on how to talk to them.

This is why it is important that you know who you are writing for because you don’t want to speak to them with an inappropriate tone of voice. Formal language in writing is less personal than informal language. You can use them when you are writing for academic purposes, when making legal documents , when writing to professionals, for business writing, and for formal letters. It gives an air of authority and, of course, formality to what you are writing which is best for writing that involves serious issues and facts.

What is Formal Writing?

Formal writing is a style of writing used for professional and academic communication. It follows a structured format, employs precise vocabulary , and avoids contractions, slang , or informal language. This style aims to convey information clearly and respectfully, adhering to grammatical rules and proper punctuation to maintain professionalism and credibility.

Format of Formal Writing

1. introduction:.

Begin with a clear thesis statement.
Provide context and background information.
Organize content into coherent paragraphs.
Use topic sentences for each paragraph.
Include evidence, examples, and analysis.

3. Conclusion:

Summarize main points.
Restate the thesis in a new way.
Offer final thoughts or recommendations.

4. Language:

Use formal vocabulary and tone.
Avoid contractions, slang, and colloquialisms.
Ensure grammatical accuracy and proper punctuation.

5. References:

Cite sources using a recognized citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).
Include a bibliography or works cited page.

6. Formatting:

Use a professional font (e.g., Times New Roman, Arial).
Double-space the text.
Include proper headings and subheadings.

Formal Writing Examples for Students

1. academic essay:.

Topic: The Impact of Climate Change on Polar Bears Introduction: “Climate change poses a significant threat to polar bear populations, with rising temperatures leading to the loss of their sea ice habitat. This essay examines the various impacts of climate change on polar bears, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.” Body Paragraph: “Polar bears rely on sea ice for hunting seals, their primary food source. As sea ice diminishes, polar bears are forced to travel greater distances to find food, leading to malnutrition and decreased reproduction rates. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center (2020), the Arctic sea ice extent has been decreasing at a rate of 13% per decade.” Conclusion: “In conclusion, climate change significantly impacts polar bears by reducing their habitat and food sources. Immediate action is necessary to mitigate these effects and preserve polar bear populations for future generations.”

2. Research Paper:

Title Page: “The Effects of Remote Learning on Student Performance: A Comparative Study” Author: Jane Doe Institution: XYZ University Date: June 2024 Abstract: “This research investigates the impact of remote learning on student performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a sample of 500 students, the study compares academic outcomes between remote and in-person learning environments, revealing significant differences in engagement and achievement.” Introduction: “The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a shift to remote learning, raising questions about its effectiveness. This study explores how remote learning affects student performance, with a focus on engagement, academic achievement, and mental health.” Methods: “A survey was conducted among 500 high school students who experienced both remote and in-person learning. Data on grades, attendance, and self-reported engagement were collected and analyzed.” Results: “The analysis showed that students in remote learning environments had lower grades and attendance rates compared to their in-person counterparts. Additionally, 70% of students reported feeling less engaged during remote classes.” Discussion: “These findings suggest that remote learning poses challenges for student performance, primarily due to decreased engagement. Future research should explore strategies to enhance remote learning experiences.” Conclusion: “Remote learning has negatively impacted student performance, highlighting the need for improved online education methods. Schools must adapt to ensure students receive quality education regardless of the learning environment.” References: “Smith, J. (2020). The Impact of Online Learning on High School Students. Journal of Educational Research, 45(3), 123-134.”

3. Formal Letter:

Header: “123 Main Street Springfield, IL 62701 June 21, 2024” Recipient Address: “Mr. John Smith 456 Elm Street Springfield, IL 62702” Salutation: “Dear Mr. Smith,” Body: “I am writing to express my interest in the Marketing Manager position advertised on your company’s website. With over five years of experience in marketing and a proven track record of successful campaigns, I am confident in my ability to contribute to your team. In my previous role at XYZ Company, I managed a team of five and increased our social media engagement by 40% within six months. I am particularly skilled in digital marketing and data analysis, which I believe will be beneficial to your organization. I have attached my resume for your consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences align with your needs.” Closing: “Sincerely, Jane Doe”

Formal Email Writing Examples

1. job application email.

Subject Line: “Application for the Marketing Manager Position” Greeting: “Dear Hiring Manager,” Body: “I am writing to apply for the Marketing Manager position advertised on your website. With over seven years of experience in digital marketing and a proven track record of successful campaigns, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team.In my previous role at XYZ Company, I managed a team of five and increased our social media engagement by 40% within six months. My expertise in SEO, content creation, and data analysis will be valuable assets to your organization.Attached to this email are my resume and cover letter for your consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences align with your needs.” Closing: “Sincerely, John Doe [email protected] (555) 123-4567″

2. Meeting Request Email

Subject Line: “Request for Meeting to Discuss Project Update” Greeting: “Dear Ms. Smith,” Body: “I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to request a meeting to discuss the current status of our ongoing project. Given the recent developments, I believe it is important for us to review the progress and address any potential challenges.Could we schedule a meeting for next Tuesday, June 27th, at 2:00 PM? Please let me know if this time is convenient for you or if there is another time that works better.I look forward to our discussion and appreciate your time and attention to this matter.” Closing: “Best regards, Jane Doe [email protected] (555) 987-6543″

3.Thank You Email After Interview

Subject Line: “Thank You for the Interview” Greeting: “Dear Mr. Johnson,” Body: “I am writing to thank you for the opportunity to interview for the Software Engineer position at ABC Company. I enjoyed learning more about the team and the innovative projects you are working on.I am particularly excited about the collaborative culture at ABC Company and the emphasis on continuous learning and development. I believe my experience in software development and my passion for problem-solving align well with the needs of your team.Thank you again for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to ABC Company.” Closing: “Sincerely, Mike Anderson [email protected] (555) 321-7654″

More Samples & Examples of Formal Writing

1. sample formal letter.

2. Rules for Formal Writing

Informal and formal writing are simply choices given to you on how you would convey your different messages to different people. This is why it is important to know your audience because you can’t talk to all of them the same way. Tone and voice are very important elements in writing. They help create a general atmosphere for your paper that can highlight the points you are trying to convey.

3. Formal Essay Example

4. Formal Writing Example

Formal writing cannot involve emotions or empathy in the content of their paper the way informal writing can.

Formal : Simply state the facts that you have gathered and any additional information about it that you want to include. There is no need to tell your audience about your struggles and feelings because formal writing is not an avenue for sensations.

Informal : I had a hard time in constructing my paper’s body since the topic is a little confusing.

5. Abstract Example

Formal writing utilizes long sentences to be able to express a point more thoroughly. Informal writing is less complex than that.

Formal : The onlookers were disturbed and appalled by the distorted lifeless body that was left on the crime scene.

Informal : We saw the body of the murdered guy earlier and it was disgusting!

Formal writing is very objective and, as aforementioned, does not incorporate emotions into writing. It also does not use emotive punctuation such as exclamation points.

Formal : The murderer of the 65-year-old resident of the quite town has been sentenced to a lifetime of servitude in jail.

Informal : Personally, I think that what the murderer did to that man is ruthless to say the least. He deserves to rot in jail.

6. Formal Report Format

7. Formal vs. Informal Writing

8. Formal Report Writing

Types of Formal Writing

Formal writing encompasses various styles and formats tailored to different purposes and audiences. Here are some common types of formal writing:

1. Academic Writing

Research Papers: Structured documents presenting original research , including introduction, methodology, results, and discussion.
Essays: Analytical or argumentative pieces exploring specific topics in depth.
Theses and Dissertations: Extensive research projects required for advanced degrees, involving original research and comprehensive analysis.

2. Business Writing

Reports: Detailed documents providing information, analysis, and recommendations on specific issues or projects.
Proposals: Structured documents outlining plans, objectives, and methods for specific projects or initiatives.
Memos: Internal communications within an organization, conveying important information or updates.

3. Technical Writing

Manuals: Instructional documents providing step-by-step guidance on using products or systems.
Technical Reports: Documents presenting technical information and analysis, often related to engineering or scientific research.
Specifications: Detailed descriptions of technical requirements and standards for products or processes.

4. Legal Writing

Contracts: Formal agreements outlining terms and conditions between parties.
Briefs: Documents presenting legal arguments and supporting evidence in court cases.
Legal Memoranda: Internal documents within a legal practice, analyzing legal issues and precedents.

5. Official Correspondence

Letters: Formal communication between individuals or organizations, often following specific conventions.
Emails: Professional digital communication, adhering to formal writing standards.
Notices: Official announcements or information dissemination within organizations or to the public.

6. Journalism

News Articles: Objective reports on current events, adhering to journalistic standards of accuracy and impartiality.
Editorials: Opinion pieces presenting the author’s viewpoint on specific issues.
Feature Articles: In-depth exploration of topics, often incorporating narrative elements and personal perspectives.

7. Creative Writing

Literary Analysis: Critical examination and interpretation of literary works.
Biographies and Autobiographies: Detailed accounts of individuals’ lives, focusing on significant events and achievements.
Essays and Reviews: Formal critiques and analyses of books, films, art, and other cultural products.

Characteristics of Formal Writing

Formal writing is characterized by its adherence to a set of conventions and standards that ensure clarity, precision, and professionalism. Here are the key characteristics of formal writing:

1. Objective Tone

Impersonal Language: Avoids personal pronouns like “I” and “we,” focusing instead on the subject matter.
Neutrality: Maintains a neutral and unbiased perspective, presenting information and arguments based on facts and evidence.

2. Structured Format

Clear Organization: Follows a logical structure with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Headings and Subheadings: Utilizes headings to organize content and guide the reader through the document.
Paragraphs: Each paragraph focuses on a single idea or point, providing a clear and coherent flow of information.

3. Formal Language

Vocabulary: Uses sophisticated and precise vocabulary, avoiding slang, colloquialisms, and contractions.
Complex Sentences: Employs varied sentence structures, including complex and compound sentences, to convey ideas effectively.
Technical Terms: Incorporates discipline-specific terminology appropriately, ensuring accurate communication of concepts.

4. Accuracy and Precision

Factual Information: Relies on verified facts, data, and evidence to support arguments and claims.
Exactness: Ensures precise use of words and phrases to avoid ambiguity and misinterpretation.

5. Professional and Polished Tone

Respectful and Courteous: Maintains a respectful tone, even when addressing opposing viewpoints or criticisms.
Consistency: Adheres to a consistent style and format throughout the document, including citation and referencing styles.

6. Formal Grammar and Syntax

Proper Grammar: Follows standard grammatical rules, including correct use of punctuation, verb tenses, and subject-verb agreement.
Syntax: Ensures syntactically correct sentences, enhancing readability and comprehension.

7. Evidence-Based

Citations and References: Includes citations and references to acknowledge sources of information and support arguments.
Examples and Illustrations: Uses examples, illustrations, and case studies to clarify and reinforce points.

8. Purposeful and Clear

Clear Objectives: Clearly defines the purpose and objectives of the document, ensuring the reader understands the intent.
Focused Content: Stays on topic, avoiding unnecessary digressions and irrelevant information.

9. Formal Formatting

Typography: Uses formal font styles and sizes, appropriate for the type of document (e.g., Times New Roman, 12-point font).
Spacing and Margins: Adheres to standard spacing (e.g., double-spacing) and margin requirements, enhancing readability.

10. Ethical and Responsible

Honesty: Presents information truthfully and accurately, avoiding plagiarism and misrepresentation.
Responsibility: Acknowledges limitations and potential biases, providing a balanced and fair perspective.

Rules of Formal Writing

Formal writing adheres to specific rules to ensure clarity, precision, and professionalism. Here are the key rules of formal writing:

1. Use Formal Language

Avoid informal words, slang, and contractions.
Choose precise and sophisticated vocabulary.

2. Maintain an Objective Tone

Use third-person perspective; avoid first-person pronouns like “I” and “we.”
Present information neutrally, focusing on facts rather than opinions.

3. Structure Your Writing

Begin with a clear introduction, followed by a logically organized body, and end with a strong conclusion.
Use headings and subheadings to organize content and improve readability.

4. Be Clear and Precise

Use specific terms to avoid ambiguity.
Write concisely, avoiding unnecessary words and repetition.

5. Adhere to Proper Grammar and Syntax

Follow standard grammatical rules and punctuation.
Ensure sentence structures are varied and syntactically correct.

6. Support with Evidence

Base your arguments on verified facts, data, and evidence.
Cite all sources accurately to maintain credibility.

7. Maintain a Professional Tone

Be respectful and courteous, even when addressing counterarguments.
Ensure a consistent, polished style throughout the document.

8. Avoid Redundancy and Wordiness

Be concise and to the point, eliminating unnecessary repetition.
Use clear and direct language to convey your message effectively.

9. Follow Formatting Guidelines

Use appropriate fonts (e.g., Times New Roman, 12-point).
Adhere to standard spacing (e.g., double-spacing) and margin settings.

10. Revise and Proofread

Thoroughly review your work to correct errors and enhance clarity.
Ensure consistency in style, tone, and formatting.

11. Ethical and Responsible Writing

Present information truthfully and avoid plagiarism.
Properly cite all sources to acknowledge their contributions.

12. Avoid Informal Elements

Do not use casual abbreviations, emojis, or informal punctuation.
Maintain a serious and formal tone throughout.

What are the key features of formal writing?

Structured format, formal language, precise vocabulary, clear thesis, evidence-based arguments, proper punctuation, and citation of sources.

How should I start a formal essay?

Begin with an engaging hook, provide background information, and present a clear thesis statement.

What is the importance of formal tone in writing?

A formal tone ensures professionalism, credibility, and clarity, making the writing suitable for academic, business, or official contexts.

How do I cite sources in formal writing?

Use recognized citation styles like APA, MLA, or Chicago, and include in-text citations and a bibliography or works cited page.

Can I use contractions in formal writing?

No, avoid contractions (e.g., “can’t,” “won’t”) to maintain a formal and professional tone.

What types of documents require formal writing?

Academic essays, research papers, business reports, legal documents, technical manuals, and official correspondence.

How do I structure a formal letter?

Include a header, recipient address, formal salutation, body with clear purpose, formal closing, and sender’s signature.

What language should I avoid in formal writing?

Avoid slang, colloquialisms, jargon, and informal language to ensure clarity and professionalism.

How can I improve clarity in formal writing?

Use concise language, organize content logically, employ topic sentences, and provide clear evidence and examples.

What formatting is appropriate for formal documents?

Use professional fonts (e.g., Times New Roman), double-space text, include headings, and follow specific style guidelines (e.g., APA, MLA).

Text prompt

Instructive
Professional

10 Examples of Public speaking

20 Examples of Gas lighting

Essay – examples & model answers | B2 First (FCE)

FCE Essay Examples: Topic (Environment)

Example exam task:, example answer (grade: 3), example answer:.

I think that my country has problems with pollution to the environment like all other countries. This problem is normal for Russia. We have big problems with transport because there are too much cars in our country. And because of that we have problems with atmospeer, air in my city and in all Russia is really dirty and sometimes I can’t make a sigh because it smells around me and of course around that cars on the road. I’ve heard about tradition of one country. They don’t go anywhere by car one day a month or a year, they just use bycicle or their feet. I think it could be very good if we had a tradition like that.

So, what about the rivers and the seas? Yeah, there are some really good and clean rivers and seas where you can go, but there are not many of them. Once I saw the river OB in my city, it was about two years ago but I stil remember that in some places it was not blue, it was green or purple I didn’t really understand because it had different colours.

I don’t know what should we do. Maybe we should just open our eyes and look what we did. But Russian people don’t care about the world around them many people care only about themselves an that’s all.

So, the best idea is look around and try to do something good for our planet and for us and our children.

FCE, CAE, CPE

Practice, write & improve, examiners comments & grade:, example answer (grade: 3-4).

To begin with pollution and damage to the environment is the most serious and difficult problem for countries of all over the world. Scientists of different countries predict a global ecocatastrophe if people won’t change their attitude to our planet.

First of all a huge damage to the environment brings a transport. People can’t imagine their living without cars, buses, trains, ships and planes. But it’s an open secret that one of disadvantage of these accustomed things is harmful exhaust. Needless to say that use of environment friendly engines helps us to save atmosphere from pollution.

In addition to this our rivers and seas are in not less danger situation. It’s a fact of common knowledge that numerous factories and plants pour off their waste to ponds. Obviously that cleaning manufacturing water helps to avoid extinction of ocean residents.

Apart from this I’m inclined to believe that every person can and must contribute to solving this important problem. Doing a little steps for protection our environment every day we will be able to save our Earth. And it’s a task of each of us.

Model Answer (Grade: 5)

DEVELOPMENT VS ENVIRONMENT

If we surf the web looking for pollution and environmental catastrophes, we will find out that every country in the world suffers them. This is a natural consequence of the struggle between development and environment.

If a country decided to live isolated from the rest of the world, living on what it can naturally grow and produce, it surely wouldn’t be highly polluted. But we all want exotic food and technological items from all over the world, so we have to pay the price.

Investing on electrical transport would benefit the environment a lot. Even more if this electricity came from a natural source of energy like wind, rivers and solar boards. It’s difficult to achieve this because petrol companies will fight against these actions.

We also have to take care of our rivers and seas. We all have heard about factories throwing highly toxic substances to rivers, without minimizing their poisoning effects. A really strict law should be applied to fine these factories and make them change their policy.

But what about ourselves? We also can do a lot! If, when possible, we bought larger packs of food, we would be producing less rubbish. And this is only an example!

FCE Essay Examples: Topic (Fashion)

In today’s world, the fashion industry has a strong importance in people’s lives. The fashion industry say to the society what to wear and creates new types of clothes all the time.

Some people claim that the fashion industry has a bad effect on people’s lives, they say that the fashion industry creates clothes that the society has to wear. Furthermore, the clothes’ price is extremely high and people, who can’t afford it, should not be in the society.

In the other hand, the fashion industry guide the people to be in a good appearance, because, nowadays, the appearance of the person is more important than the person itself.

In my opinion, the fashion industry doesn’t has a bad influence on people’s lives. It’s something which was created to help people what to wear.

Example Answer (Grade: 4)

Fashion industry is very a discussed subject nowadays: they create and design new clothes everyday in order to satisfy some people needs.

There are many people who claim that the fashion industry is important and good for society. According to them, this industry design beautiful clothes and thanks to that every person can wear shirts, trousers or any acessory which is on today’s fashion.

On the other hand, the fashion industry in some people opinion, controls the market of clothes and because of that they can’t wear what they want to. In addition, the industry can increase the price of clothes, forcing people who don’t want to be “oldfashioned” to buy and pay a large amount of money to keep “beautiful”.

In my opinion, we can’t let the fashion industry decide what we must or musn’t wear. We shouldn’t judge people for its appearance,because that is not important. We must wear whatever we like, want and feel confortable with.

The society we live today is characterised by technology in constant development, fast speed processes, information travelling and getting to people at a blink of an eye and a complex web of social networking. In this context, the fashion industry is becoming increasingly important and having a more and more paramount role in our lives.

On one hand, the fashion industry is undeniably a source of profit and income. It hires millions of people all over the world and generates millions of dollars every year. Furthermore, such profitable business is also believed to be able to spread and make known the culture of a people, encouraging and enhancing a better understanding of each other.

Nevertheless, for those who are neither impressed nor motivated by numbers and figures, the fashion industry is seen as one which segregates people, isolating those who not fit their laws and commands. It is stated that people place too much importance on appearance and the material, world, sadly true, and the fashion industry just spurs on such situation. Moreover, not only are the costs of fashion item unrealistically high, it is thought to be a money better spent on more pressing issues, such as poverty and hunger.

I do believe that the fashion industry, as it is today, has a harmful effect, because it values a minority of people in detriment to the majority. However, it has such a wide reach that, it put into a good use, it can save lives.

FCE Essay Examples: Topic (Languages)

“There are more reasons to learn a foreign language than to pass a test”

Everything around us revolves around language(s), it is the most important thing in our lives. Society would just not function without it. They are It is our future and I would personaly love to learn as many as I possibly can.

Not everything in life is done because it is necessary. Learning a new language can be a lot of fun. Many people only do it as a hoby, or their knowledge is something that brings them pride and pleasure.

Secondly, we have people who do it simply to challenge themselves. Truly I believe that having a great outcome that stems from your hard work and dedication to learn something new is a wonderful way to challenge prove your ability to yourself and others. Then there is travelling. It is very important to be able to understand and have a conversation with someone abroad, unless you would like to get lost or worse.

To conclude, I think that learning a new language is an amazing thing no matter why you do it. It is always better to do things out of enjoyment, but even if you do it for a test, that knowledge will always be useful.

Learning a a foreign languages is very important nowadays. English, in particular, is essential because it allows is spoken all over the world. That’s the reason why we start studying it from the age of six years old. Going abroad and being able to speak to native people is very satisfying and that’s why I want to improve my knowledge about foreign languages.

I decided to take this exam to know how high my level of English is, but also because I need this certification to go abroad next summer. I really want to come back to Cornwall, an amazing region in the South-West of England. I’ve been there twice with my family, but now I want to go alone. Only being there to England I can really improve my English comprehension and speaking skills.

Fortunately I can will have some English lessons which taught in English at university and I can’t wait for it because it will be an interesting challenge for me. Studying foreign languages is essential to live and to travel. It isn’t simple and I surely have to challenge myself everyday, but the result is so satisfying that we I can’t do without it.

FCE Essay Example: Topic (History)

A very common topic that is being discussed nowadays is wether schools should teach subjects that some may consider useless later in life. A clear example is history, since it is quite difficult to learn and does not help us in day-to-day activities.

However, many people do not realize the importance of it or that it affects our lives today. For example, our political system would not be this way if it weren’t for the Ancient Greeks, numerous politicians and wars who helped shape democracy and our constitution. Yet it is still thought that it’s useless.

In addition, it is very important that we never forget about our past since we must know where we were standing years ago. Moreover, there are some things, such as World War II, that we have to remember to prevent them from happening again. We should also know where we we were standing a century ago: our origins, our identity. The more you learn about your ethnicity, the better.

All in all, I think that it is extremely important to learn about one’s own country’s history. Anyone who gets the chance to do this should not waste it, since they are very fortunate to have this opportunity

What is your level of English?

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IMAGES

Formal Essays
Formal Essay: What it is and How to Write it
Formal Writing
Formal Writing
How to Write a Formal Essay: Example, Format, & Formal Writing Rules
Formal Essay Format, Types & Example

VIDEO

Writing A Formal Essay In English #shorts
Formal Letter and Informal Letter writing
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Formal vs. Informal Writing Style Tutorial
ESSAY 10: FORMAL VERSUS INFORMAL WRITING
Formal English vs Informal English phrases

COMMENTS

Example of a Great Essay | Explanations, Tips & Tricks - Scribbr
It shows how to build an effective introduction, focused paragraphs, clear transitions between ideas, and a strong conclusion. Each paragraph addresses a single central point, introduced by a topic sentence, and each point is directly related to the thesis statement.
How to Write a Formal Essay: Format, Rules, & Example
We will start by explaining what a formal essay is and then guide you through the writing process step by step. Next, we will examine formal essay’s format and provide you with a model sample paper. A collection of writing ideas is also included at the end of the article.
Formal Essays - 9+ Examples, Format, How to Make, PDF
A formal essay is commonly associated with academic essay examples and other educational writing activities. However, the usage of a formal essay is not limited to that as it can be used in professional researchers, business transactions, and other corporate undertakings.
Formal Writing - 8+ Examples, Format, Types, Rules, PDF
Formal writing is a style of writing used for professional and academic communication. It follows a structured format, employs precise vocabulary, and avoids contractions, slang, or informal language.
HOW TO WRITE AN ACADEMIC ESSAY - University of Manchester
Are you seeking to describe, narrate, argue or explain, these being the four common purposes for writing academic essays. Below is a brief description of each purpose, or ‘mode’, illustrated with examples. • Exposition – You seek to inform your reader about a given subject and explain what it’s all about.
How to Structure an Essay | Tips & Templates - Scribbr
Explore the tabs below to see a general template and a specific example outline from an essay on the invention of the printing press. Essays with two or more main subjects are often structured around comparing and contrasting.
How to Write an Essay | Advice & Examples - QuillBot
In a narrative or descriptive essay, the introduction is an opportunity to engage the reader with an intriguing first sentence or two. Narrative essay introduction example So this was it. This was the result. After all the running, the hiding, the can’t-catch-your-breath intensity of the last few months. He was still.
Essay - examples & model answers | B2 First (FCE) - engxam.com
Write an essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view. ‘Everyone should be taught the history of their own country.’. Do you agree? What is your level of English? Take a short 5-minute test to find out your level of English and which certificate is right for you. Start test!
Formal Essay Format, Types & Example - Lesson | Study.com
Examples of formal essays include a compare and contrast essay, a cause and effect essay, an expository essay, and a argumentative essay.
Strategies for Essay Writing - Harvard College Writing Center
Verbs like analyze, compare, discuss, explain, make an argument, propose a solution, trace, or research can help you understand what you’re being asked to do with an assignment. Unless the instructor has specified otherwise, most of your paper assignments at Harvard will ask you to make an argument.