Types of Language Style

According to McCrimmon (1963:135-142), language styles are divided into three general types:
1. Formal Style
Formal English is primarily a written style. The characteristics of formal style are: the sentence is relatively long; avoid abbreviations, colloquialisms and slang; conservative grammatical usage which tends to observe distinctions often ignored at a less formal level; a serious and dignified attitude toward the subject and the reader.
 2. Informal Style
The informal style tries to follow the broad middle way between formal and colloquial styles. The characteristics of informal style are: the sentence is medium length, chiefly standard sentence, avoids the requirement of formal grammar, fragments rare but occasional, prefers idiomatic expressions and words which are easy rather than impressive, and the last characteristics is it usually addressed to the readers directly as “you”. In the informal range come much narration and description, and usually many reports of events.
3. Colloquial Style
The characteristics of colloquial style are: relatively short simple sentences, often grammatically incomplete; a generous use of contractions (I’ll, we’ve, didn’t, can’t), clipped words (cab, exams, ads, phone), and the omission of relative pronouns (who, which, that); a simplified grammatical structures; a personal or familiar tone which tries to create the impression of speaking intimately to the reader; and usually use slang. For example: brass (army), ham (theatre), on the beam (radio), southpaw (baseball), and behind the eight ball (pool).


While Kirszner and Mandell (in Ersan, 2003:17) divide language style into four levels, and they are:
1. Slang Style
The Oxford Dictionary (1995:1111) defines slang as language of a highly colloquial type and is not thought suitable for formal situations. In other word, slang is known as very informal language that includes new and sometimes not polite words and meanings, and is often used among particular groups of people and is usually not used in serious speech or writing. It is an expression like “screw up” or “ripped off” which are often used in speech.
2. Colloquial Style
It is similar to slang, when used in writing it gives the impression of speech. It is not as radical as slang, and it is more relaxed and conversational than formal style. It uses constructions and shortened forms of words (ad for advertisement, sub for submarine). It is suitable for ordinary, informal or familiar conversation.
3. Informal Style
It is often used in writing tests, informal essays; reports can also be written this way. However, research papers are usually more formal. Informal style is halfway between colloquial and formal styles. Informal style is usually not following official or established rules and methods.
4. Formal style.
It is used at special occasions that call for dignity and seriousness. It does not use constructions and it strives for absolute grammatical accuracy. The used of formal style is based on or done according to correct or accepted rules.