1st blog assignment

1. Define the term "style" in the context of (academic) writing.

“Writing style is the manner in which a writer addresses a matter.” (Wikipedia) And especially in academic writing, there are two types of writing: formal and informal writing.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writing_style)



2. Find a piece of formal writing and a piece of informal writing, compare the two and list a few distinguishing features indicating to you which is which. Include an excerpt of each text in your blog.

[formal]
Conservatives 'to rush in new law on academies'
David Cameron: "We really do believe in giving schools more freedom"
The Conservatives say they would change the law within days of winning a general election to allow hundreds more schools in England to become academies. Shadow schools secretary Michael Gove said a new education bill would remove the need for schools to consult local councils before becoming independent. It would also exempt the best schools from Ofsted inspections to allow the watchdog to focus on problem schools. Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said he wanted to focus on cutting class sizes. Academies receive state funding, but control over how that money is spent rests with those in charge of the individual school.
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8542589.stm)


[informal]
My trip was great but I had some problems with the short stay in Paris. There was this weird guy on the plane from Pittsburgh who threatened the staff and other passengers so they had to turn the plane around over the Atlantic and drop him off in Newfoundland. Really weird and a little scary. The whole thing took ages and I had no time for anything else than macaronis and lunch at the airport in Paris :( I'm also organizing stuff and preparing to get started with my master’s thesis. I have plenty of time these days and no plan for the weekend. Let me know if you wanna do something!
(personal e-mail)


[List of differences]
1. Colloquial words in informal writing: this weird guy, the whole thing, wanna etc.
2. Contractions in informal writing: I’m
3. Use of the first and second person in informal writing: I, you (whereas third person and inactive voice is used in formal writing.)
4. Difference in syntax: formal writing contains longer and more complex sentences. On the other hand, short and even fragmentary sentences (Really weird and a little scary.) are used in informal writing.



3. Write two very short texts (5-10 sentences) on the same topic, using formal language in one piece and informal language in the other. Pick a simple topic - the focus is on the language.

[formal]
It is essential for library patrons to make reservations for printed sources--books and journals. Every source is sorted by the authors' last names, divided in colors. For example, Blue section has journals for environmental studies, green for literature and red for law. More information is provided in the library catalogue. In order to provide an optimum environment for using the Library, patrons are also prohibited from cell phone conversations in study areas. All the library facilities are open only to KAU students, faculty and staff from 8 am to midnight.

[informal]
Here are libraryrules. You should book first before borrowing. Books are divided in colors: blue for environmental studies, green for literature and red for law. You can see more information in the library catalogue. You should not use cell phone in study areas. Library's open only to KAU students, professors and staff from 8 am to midnight.