Formal: Avoids using colloquial words/phrases

Informal: May use colloquial words/phrases

Formal: Avoids contractions (write out full words – was not, did not, had not etc.)
Informal: May use contractions (wasn’t, didn’t, hadn’t etc.)

Formal: Usually written in third person (Sharon, Ben, they, them etc.)
Informal: May use first (I, me etc.), second (he, she etc.) or third person (as above).

Formal: Specific words (such as, large, items, etc.)

Informal: Imprecise words (like, big, things, etc.)

Formal: Avoids cliches (many, etc.)

Informal: May use cliches (loads of, etc.)

Formal: Avoids addressing readers using second person pronouns (the readers, an
individual, one’s etc.)
Informal: May address readers using second person pronouns (you, your, etc.)

Formal: Avoids using abbreviated words (write in full – photograph, television, etc.)
Informal: May use abbreviated words (photo, TV, etc.)

Formal: Avoids imperative voice (please refer to…etc.)

Informal: May use imperative voice (remember to…etc.)

Formal: May use passive voice (it has been noted that…etc.)
Informal: May use active voice (we note that…etc.)

Formal: May use longer and more complex sentences.

Informal: May use short and simple sentences.