ACT Preparation / Unit 17 ACT 1608 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Formal and Informal Voice
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The idea
Voice is how a writer sounds on the page, conveyed through the words chosen, their order, and point of view. A formal voice keeps distance; an informal one sounds like conversation.
In practice
"Residents are advised to remain indoors" is formal; "Stay inside, folks" is informal.
Where people slip
A passage can shift voice on purpose, for instance quoting a casual speaker inside a formal report.
Your place on the trail
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