Remember: Organizing your writing means thinking about structure, purpose, and audience before you start drafting.
Tone
Purpose
Use a formal or informal tone to suit the audience and purpose. Word choice affects the tone.
How
- Formal writing
- Uses more technical or business words
- Is for formal connections like a boss, teacher, or government representative
- Informal writing
- Uses a relaxed, conversational style that reflects the writer’s personal ways of talking and writing
- Is for informal connections like writing to friends or family members
Informal tone
Formal tone
Everyday or casual vocabulary
More technical or formal vocabulary
Can use abbreviations and contractions
Don’t use abbreviations or contractions
Active language
Passive language
Shorter sentences
Longer and complex sentences
See it in Action!
Watch:
Formal vs. Informal Writing
Learn the differences between formal and informal tone.
Watch here
Add Complexity:
Style, Tone, and Mood
A more advanced look at how tone relates to style and mood.
Watch here
Tone | Definition, Types, and Examples
Detailed examples of different tone types.