Page 966 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

Conversational Constructions

5

Avoid conversational constructions in academic

writing.

Sometimes it’s hard to strike just the right tone when you write an

informal paper. Even the word “informal” can be somewhat

misleading. It is not an invitation to sprinkle a paper with LOLs and

smiley faces. In college-level writing, an informal paper is one in which

contractions and the pronoun I are probably permitted, as opposed to
a formal research paper, which must be cast in formal, third-person

language throughout. When you write an informal paper, you strive for

a conversational tone, one that does not distance the reader, one that

sounds natural as opposed to stiff and stilted. It’s an upgraded, edited

version of your own unique voice. One way to achieve that voice is to

ruthlessly edit out the filler words and phrases that characterize so
many conversations and emails. Many of them are perfectly legitimate

words that are used as filler in conversation. When people speak, they

often use filler words, phrases, or sounds to give themselves time to

think (well, uh, you know) or to be funny or trendy (well DUH). Usually,