| Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993. |
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| FORMAL WRITTEN ENGLISH, FORMAL LANGUAGE, FORMAL USAGE |
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| Formal is the level of written American English suitable for and typical of the most elevated conventional writing. Like Edited English, Formal English is the language most publishers require of their authors of serious expository and argumentative works; it is the level of language used most often in the judicial opinions of justices—ideally, at least—and in the written pronouncements of major governmental figures. It is also the level of language required in formal correspondence for either public or personal communication. Letters to people you do not know, as well as instructions and reports designed to be seen by readers of unknown constituency and tastes, are usually best couched in Formal Written English. It comes closer than any other level to being able to serve as a written lingua franca both for native users and for those who use English as a second language. At its best it will be restrained but not stuffy, precise but not precious, clear but not simplistic. It will be correct and never overfamiliar, and it will have a natural dignity, yet it will never suggest any hint of superiority. It will serve for an essay in political theory or a letter of condolence, a declaration of independence or a preamble to a constitution, a statement of principle or an editorial on national policy. (Much of this book is written in Formal English.) It is the level of written English that is ideally the least relaxed, the most handsome, the best tailored, the most admirable, the most reputable, and the most expressive of seriousness and high purpose that we have in which to clothe our ideas. And because it is written, worthy examples of it can last. (The other levels of written English are Informal and Semiformal.) See LEVELS OF USAGE. | 1 |
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| | | The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. Copyright © 1993 Columbia University Press. |
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