WHAT IS FORMAL STYLE?
Discursive essays are written in formal style. Here are the things that you should and should
not use:
you should use
 Passive voice, impersonal constructions
(e.g., It is argued that …; It is a common
belief that …)
 A range of advanced vocabulary (e.g.,
heated debate concerning the
controversial issue …)
 Formal linking words/phrases (e.g.,
furthermore, however, nonetheless)
 Complex sentences with a variety of
links, dependent clauses, etc. (e.g.,
Although it is widely accepted that
compulsory military service, which
provides an army with abundant
manpower, is beneficial to a country’s
ability to defend itself, closer analysis of
military efficiency suggests that it is
advanced weaponry which plays a crucial
role in …)
 Inversion especially in conditionals (e.g.,
Were this true, we would …; Never has
this been more obvious …)
 Generalizations (e.g. In most developed
countries, education …)
 Sequencing (e.g. Firstly/secondly, etc.)
make references to other sources (e.g.
Experts have proved that …)
 Quotations either word-for-word or in
paraphrase;
You should NOT use
o Short forms (e.g., I’m, It’s) except when
these are part of a quotation;
o Colloquial expressions, phrasal verbs,
idioms (e.g., lots of, put up with, be over
the moon about …)
o Simplistic vocabulary (Experts say they
think this is bad, …);
o A series of short sentences, nor very long
ones;
o Simple linking words (e.g., and, but, so)
except for variety;
o Express personal opinions strongly (I
know …); instead, use milder expressions
(e.g. It seems to me that …);
o Use over-generalizations (All politicians
are …)
o Refer blindly to statistics without
accurate reference to their source;
o Use clichés (e.g. Rome was not build in a
day)
o Use personal examples (e.g. In my school
…)