Sixth Grade · Writing · week 5

Writing in a Formal Voice

Revise casual language into the formal, objective style expected in academic argument writing.

Argument essays use a formal style: no slang, no contractions like "do not" shortened to "don't," and no "I think" or "in my opinion" -- state the claim directly, as if it is worth taking seriously on its own. Formal style also avoids addressing the reader directly as "you," except in rare, deliberate cases.

Formal does not mean boring or complicated. It means precise: choosing the clearest, most accurate word instead of a vague or overly casual one, and using transitions like "furthermore," "however," and "as a result" to show how ideas connect.

📋 For the teacher
Teach it (10–15 min):
  • Do a "contraction hunt" together through the draft, circling every do-not-turned-don't and it-is-turned-it's to expand.
  • Cross out "I think" and "in my opinion" and read the sentence again -- it almost always sounds stronger without them.
  • Keep a short list handy of transition words (furthermore, however, as a result, in addition, therefore) to try when sentences feel disconnected.
  • Formal does not mean using the fanciest possible word -- praise precise, clear word choices over needlessly complicated ones.
Talk about it:
  • Why do argument essays avoid contractions and phrases like "I think"?
  • What is the difference between formal and needlessly complicated?
  • Which transition word did you add, and how did it help connect your ideas?

Mastery looks like: They can identify and revise casual language, contractions, and hedging phrases into direct, formal sentences.

Common stumbles: Confusing "formal" with "use big fancy words," which can make sentences less clear instead of more.

See it visually

Interactive, spoken-aloud tools that show this idea in motion.

Persuasive AppealsBuild an argument with ethos, pathos, and logos.try →
Homework for this lessonType it, write it with a stylus, or print it for pencil & paper.open →
Records attendance + 15 min of Writing for this learner.
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