1. Tone: Formal essays adopt a serious, objective, and professional tone, while informal essays are more conversational, subjective, and personal.
2. Purpose: Formal essays are written to inform or persuade the reader, while informal essays aim to entertain, amuse, or express the writer's thoughts or feelings.
3. Audience: Formal essays are written for a general or academic audience, while informal essays are often directed towards a specific group or readership that shares similar interests or perspectives.
4. Structure: Formal essays follow a structured approach with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion, presenting a logical and coherent argument or analysis. Informal essays, on the other hand, may have a looser structure, allowing for more自由in organization and flow of ideas.
5. Language and Style: Formal essays use formal and standard English, avoiding colloquialisms, slang, and contractions. Informal essays allow for greater freedom in language usage and may incorporate informal language, humor, and personal anecdotes.
6. Citations and Sources: Formal essays require proper citation and referencing of sources, adhering to specific academic styles (e.g., MLA, APA) or referencing conventions. Informal essays, if they include external sources, may not require formal citations but should still acknowledge the source of information.
7. Grammar and Mechanics: Formal essays demand meticulous attention to grammar, punctuation, and spelling, as these aspects contribute to the overall credibility and professionalism of the writing. Informal essays may have more relaxed standards in terms of grammar and mechanics, allowing for a more casual approach.
8. Level of Analysis: Formal essays often analyze, evaluate, or interpret complex ideas or concepts, presenting well-reasoned arguments and backed up by evidence. Informal essays may focus on expressing personal experiences, opinions, or anecdotes without necessarily engaging in in-depth analysis.
9. Audience Engagement: Formal essays may use persuasive techniques and appeal to the reader's intellect, emotions, or logic to achieve their purpose. Informal essays, on the other hand, often rely on relatability, humor, or personal connection to engage the reader.
10. Feedback: Formal essays are typically graded or evaluated based on their structure, content, logical coherence, and adherence to academic standards. Informal essays may not be graded, but they can still receive feedback on their effectiveness in conveying the writer's message or connecting with the intended audience.
In summary, formal essays are characterized by their objective, structured, and evidence-based approach, whereas informal essays are more subjective, unstructured, and aimed at creating a personal connection with the reader. The choice of essay style depends on the writer's purpose, audience, and the overall intent of their writing.