Contractions in a "formal" paper: yay or nay?
The writing manual my English prof assigned us at the beginning of the semester (by John Trimble, it's amazing, I never thought I'd enjoy reading a writing manual) says it's okay. My education professor, conversely, circled every contraction I used and wrote "NO CONTRACTIONS IN A FORMAL PAPER." The paper in question would have sounded really awkward and stilted had I not used any contractions... and that brief moment of joyous freedom I experienced upon reading that writing manual has been quashed.
hmph.
littleone
4.07.2008
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9 comments:
Always write for your audience. Your English teacher apparently says it's okay, so feel free to use them. But your Education teacher doesn't want them, so don't. Generally I say don't use them, as more formal papers are generally supposed to have that kind of stilted feel, but that's just what I've been taught.
I never used contractions in papers until my 10th grade English teacher said it was okay.
Btw, is your prof KM? Cause that seems like something she would do...
I feel your pain, littleone... I love writing in a conversational, casual tone...
NOT OKAYYYY
5:08... yes. I love her class, but I'm cranky!
-littleone
I never use contractions in a formal paper, and I hate reading papers that have them because they distract from the maturity of the language. It's much more convincing to say "John Doe might have wanted to say it is the thought that counts," than "John Doe might've wanted to say it's the thought that counts."
For me, using contractions in a paper is like using 'cause or netspeak in a paper.
I do believe they have their place though, such as in essays of the informal tone, etc.
For me, using contractions in a paper is like using 'cause or netspeak in a paper.
I might use contractions, but I would NEVER use "cause" or netspeak. There's a difference
never use contractions in a formal paper.
none of my english teachers have ever said its ok-it's far too informal.
and papers can be conversational and formal at the same time...
I've never liked using contractions in a formal paper, and I totally agree with your professor (and some of those who've commented already). Formal papers are not supposed to sound conversational. They're supposed to sound professional. Contractions make it sound like you're not taking it seriously.
(irony intended)
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