Factors Influencing Formality
* Occasion: A wedding speech demands more formal language than a text message to a friend.
* Audience: Speaking to a professional audience requires a different level of formality than addressing children.
* Genre: Academic writing is generally more formal than fiction.
* Purpose: A persuasive essay will use different language than a casual blog post.
Examples of Formal Diction
* Formal Synonyms: Instead of "use" you might choose "utilize," instead of "good" you might choose "excellent."
* Latin-based words: "Commence" instead of "begin," "terminate" instead of "end."
* Complex Sentence Structure: More complex sentences with subordinate clauses.
* Precise Vocabulary: Avoiding slang or colloquialisms.
* Impersonal Language: Using "one" or "the researcher" instead of "I" or "we."
* Academic Jargon: Specific terminology used in specialized fields.
Examples of Words with Formal Diction
* Acquaint: (instead of "tell")
* Affidavit: (instead of "written statement")
* Assiduous: (instead of "hardworking")
* Commence: (instead of "begin")
* Deprecate: (instead of "criticize")
* Discourse: (instead of "talk")
* Elucidate: (instead of "explain")
* Utilize: (instead of "use")
Remember: The key is to choose words that are appropriate for the specific situation and audience. Overusing formal language can sound stilted and unnatural, just as using informal language in a formal setting can be disrespectful.