How do you structure a formal essay?

Lesson Summary All formal essays should be at least five paragraphs and include an introduction, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Some common types of formal essays include the illustration essay, the compare and contrast essay, the cause and effect essay, and the argument essay.

Can you use you in formal writing?

One of the main rules of writing formal, academic papers is to avoid using second person. Second person refers to the pronoun you. Formal papers should not address the reader directly. However, it can be difficult to write without second person because the word you is such a major part of our speech.

Why do we need to be formal in academic writing?

The reason your academic document has to be formal is that your audience will either be your colleagues, professors, or a higher authority. This kind of audience is one that is well-read and is already well-versed on the topic you are presenting to them.