Writing with the Writing with the English LanguageEnglish Language

Formal vs Artistic LicenseFormal vs Artistic License

FormalFormal

RequiresRequires grammatically correct sentencing grammatically correct sentencing for the purpose of clarity.for the purpose of clarity. EssaysEssays Informational Tests (reports, business letters)Informational Tests (reports, business letters) Formal News ArticlesFormal News Articles

ARTISITC LICENCEARTISITC LICENCE ExcusesExcuses the use of grammatically incorrect the use of grammatically incorrect

sentencing for artistic/dramatic effect.sentencing for artistic/dramatic effect. PoetryPoetry Song writingSong writing Playwriting dialoguePlaywriting dialogue Narrative (novels, short stories)Narrative (novels, short stories) Speech writingSpeech writing Informal News / Magazine ArticlesInformal News / Magazine Articles Media AdvertisementsMedia Advertisements

ExampleExample

Look to the sky; I see you and me.Look to the sky; I see you and me.

For rhymeFor rhyme

Look to the sky I see you and ILook to the sky I see you and IHe fought with heart and head,He fought with heart and head,Just then he was disarmedJust then he was disarmed

ExampleExample

Friends, Romans and Countrymen, lend Friends, Romans and Countrymen, lend me your ear. me your ear.

For rhymeFor rhyme

Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ear.your ear.

ExampleExample He heard a noise and the fear set in He heard a noise and the fear set in

because he thought he was alone and because he thought he was alone and safe. He started to panic. safe. He started to panic.

For suspense and juxtapositionFor suspense and juxtaposition

He heard a noise. The fear set in. He heard a noise. The fear set in. Because he thought he was alone. Safe. Because he thought he was alone. Safe. Panic.Panic.

ExampleExample She jumped, but something was not She jumped, but something was not

right. I then saw the rope to which she right. I then saw the rope to which she had tied herself.had tied herself.

For a character’s thought processFor a character’s thought process

She jumped! But something was not right. She jumped! But something was not right. Not right at all… And then I saw it. The Not right at all… And then I saw it. The rope. She was tied. rope. She was tied.

InformalInformal

Same grammar rules as formal, but can:Same grammar rules as formal, but can: Use “I”Use “I” Use contractions (ie: you’re, isn’t, can’t, it’s)Use contractions (ie: you’re, isn’t, can’t, it’s) Use slang or colloquialisms (ie: cool, crazy, Use slang or colloquialisms (ie: cool, crazy,

swag, dumped, wild goose chase.) swag, dumped, wild goose chase.) Use insecurities or opinions (ie: it’s possible Use insecurities or opinions (ie: it’s possible

that.. Sometimes,… kind of how… this that.. Sometimes,… kind of how… this probably means that… I think…)probably means that… I think…)

Guess: Formal, Informal or Artisitc?Guess: Formal, Informal or Artisitc?

The honey badger is a species native to The honey badger is a species native to Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Subcontinent; however, it is most Subcontinent; however, it is most dissimilar from other badger species due dissimilar from other badger species due to its resemblance to the weasel.to its resemblance to the weasel.

Guess: Formal, Informal or Artisitc?Guess: Formal, Informal or Artisitc?

The honey badger can be found in Africa. It The honey badger can be found in Africa. It looks like a weasel-bear hybrid.looks like a weasel-bear hybrid.

Guess: Formal, Informal or Artisitc?Guess: Formal, Informal or Artisitc?

The tiger – the biggest cat of them all – is The tiger – the biggest cat of them all – is third in line to be the largest meat-eating third in line to be the largest meat-eating animal in the world!animal in the world!

Guess: Formal, Informal or Artisitc?Guess: Formal, Informal or Artisitc?

The tiger (the largest of the cat species) is The tiger (the largest of the cat species) is the third largest land carnivore.the third largest land carnivore.

Guess: Formal, Informal or Artisitc?Guess: Formal, Informal or Artisitc?

As scavengers, lobsters are omnivores; As scavengers, lobsters are omnivores; however, lobsters have been known to however, lobsters have been known to resort to cannibalism in captivity.resort to cannibalism in captivity.

Guess: Formal, Informal or Artisitc?Guess: Formal, Informal or Artisitc?

Would you consider cannibalism if you and Would you consider cannibalism if you and others of your kind were held prisoner for others of your kind were held prisoner for days or weeks without food? The poor days or weeks without food? The poor lobster – who usually feeds on fish, lobster – who usually feeds on fish, worms, and other plant life – often does.worms, and other plant life – often does.

Guess: Formal, Informal or Artisitc?Guess: Formal, Informal or Artisitc?

Would you consider cannibalism if you and Would you consider cannibalism if you and others of your kind were held prisoner for others of your kind were held prisoner for days or weeks without food? The poor days or weeks without food? The poor lobster – who usually feeds on fish, lobster – who usually feeds on fish, worms, and other plant life – often does.worms, and other plant life – often does.