As an experienced IELTS instructor, I understand the importance of maintaining a formal tone in academic writing. This skill is particularly crucial for success in the IELTS Writing test, where examiners expect a high level of formality and sophistication in language use. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore effective strategies to steer clear of slang and colloquialisms in your formal writing, ensuring you present a polished and professional piece of work.
Understanding Slang and Colloquialisms
Before we delve into avoidance techniques, it’s essential to grasp what slang and colloquialisms are and why they’re inappropriate in formal writing.
What are Slang and Colloquialisms?
Slang refers to very informal language or specific words used by a particular group of people. Colloquialisms, on the other hand, are informal expressions or words used in everyday conversation but not suitable for formal writing.
Examples of slang:
- “Awesome” (instead of “excellent” or “impressive”)
- “Crash” (meaning to sleep)
- “Chill” (meaning to relax)
Examples of colloquialisms:
- “Kids” (instead of “children”)
- “Guy” (instead of “man” or “person”)
- “Stuff” (instead of “items” or “materials”)
Why Avoid Them in Formal Writing?
In the IELTS Writing test, using slang and colloquialisms can:
- Lower your score in the ‘Lexical Resource’ criterion
- Make your writing appear unprofessional
- Potentially confuse the examiner if they’re unfamiliar with the expressions
- Detract from the clarity and precision of your arguments
Strategies to Avoid Slang and Colloquialisms
1. Expand Your Formal Vocabulary
One of the most effective ways to avoid slang and colloquialisms is to build a robust formal vocabulary. Here are some techniques:
- Read academic texts and articles regularly
- Keep a vocabulary journal for new formal words
- Use a thesaurus to find formal alternatives for common informal words
Example:
Instead of: “The government needs to fix this problem ASAP.”
Write: “The government must address this issue promptly.”
2. Use Academic Phrases
Incorporate academic phrases into your writing to elevate its formality. Some examples include:
- “It can be argued that…”
- “Research suggests that…”
- “This paper will examine…”
- “In conclusion…”
3. Opt for Precise Language
Choose specific, precise words over vague or general terms. This not only enhances formality but also improves clarity.
Example:
Instead of: “The project was a big success.”
Write: “The project achieved significant results in terms of efficiency and cost-reduction.”
4. Avoid Contractions
In formal writing, it’s best to write out full forms of words rather than using contractions.
Example:
Instead of: “Don’t”, “Can’t”, “It’s”
Write: “Do not”, “Cannot”, “It is”
5. Use Third Person Perspective
Whenever possible, use the third person perspective instead of first or second person. This creates a more objective and formal tone.
Example:
Instead of: “You should consider the environmental impact.”
Write: “One should consider the environmental impact.” or “It is important to consider the environmental impact.”
Applying These Strategies in IELTS Writing Tasks
Let’s look at how these strategies can be applied in both IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2.
IELTS Writing Task 1
In Task 1, you’re required to describe and interpret visual information. Here’s an example of how to maintain formality:
Informal: “The graph shows that sales went up big time in 2020.”
Formal: “The graph illustrates a significant increase in sales during 2020.”
IELTS Writing Task 2
In Task 2, you’re asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. Here’s how to keep it formal:
Informal: “Lots of people think that technology is making kids lazy.”
Formal: “There is a prevalent belief that technology is contributing to increased lethargy among young people.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using phrasal verbs excessively (e.g., “look into” instead of “investigate”)
- Including emotive language (e.g., “I hate” instead of “I strongly disagree”)
- Using clichés or idioms (e.g., “at the end of the day” instead of “ultimately”)
- Overusing personal pronouns (e.g., “I”, “you”, “we”)
Practice Exercises
To hone your skills in avoiding slang and colloquialisms, try these exercises:
- Rewrite informal sentences in a formal style
- Identify and replace colloquial expressions in a given text
- Practice paraphrasing informal statements using academic language
For more tips on improving your IELTS Writing skills, check out our article on common mistakes in IELTS Writing and how to avoid them.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of formal writing is crucial for success in the IELTS exam. By expanding your formal vocabulary, using academic phrases, opting for precise language, avoiding contractions, and maintaining a third-person perspective, you can significantly enhance the formality of your writing. Remember, practice is key to internalizing these strategies and applying them effectively in your IELTS Writing tasks.
We encourage you to continue refining your formal writing skills. If you have any questions or would like to share your experiences with formal writing in IELTS, please leave a comment below. For more insights on IELTS writing techniques, don’t forget to explore our other articles, such as the one discussing whether to use first person in IELTS Writing.