Reading Comprehension Success in 20 Minutes a Day, 3rd Edition

Style: a distinctive way of writing or speaking
or doing something; the manner in which
something is done
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S T Y L E : I T ’ S N O T W H AT T H E Y S AY B U T H O W T H E Y S AY I T
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5. Which of the following word(s) or phrases are
more specific and descriptive? Underline them.
Which words or phrases are more general and
nondescriptive? Circle them.
a. car
b. red 1968 Ford
c. on the corner of 58th and Broadway
d. on the corner
As you could probably tell, answers b and c are the
more specific and descriptive ones, while answers a
and d are more general and nondescriptive.
Degree of Formality
The degree of formality of a piece of writing has to do
with how formal or casual the writer’s language is. For
example, does the writer use slang as if speaking to a
friend, or jargon (specific, technical language) as if
speaking to colleagues? Does the writer address the
reader by his or her first name (casual), or by his or her
title (formal)?
6. Which sentences are more informal? Underline
them. Which are more formal? Circle them.
a. Let’s get together after work on Thursday.
b. We kindly request that you join us for a social
gathering at the close of business on Thursday.
c. These figures indicate the sales have increased
significantly.
d. Sales are up!
Chances are that you didn’t have much trouble
deciding that sentences a and d are more informal and
sentences b and c are more formal.

H o w t h e T h r e e E l e m e n t s o f
S t y l e Wo r k To g e t h e r
Look at how these three elements of style work together
in the following two letters. Both convey essentially
the same information, but they are written in radically
different styles. Read the letters carefully and then list
your observations. What do you notice that’s different
between these two letters?
Letter A
Lucy:
Listen, a while ago, I ordered some invitations
from your website. I haven’t gotten them yet. What
happened? Where are they? Find out! I need them!
—Isabel
Letter B
Dear Ms. Mirabella:
Three weeks ago, on April 14, I rush ordered
two boxes of personalized party invitations from
your website (Order #123456). To date, I have not
received my order. Please look into this matter
immediately as I am in dire need of this product.
Sincerely,
Ms. Lindsey
What did you notice about these two letters? How
are they different? Consider sentence structure, degree
of description and detail, and degree of formality. List
your observations in the space below (an example has
been provided to get you started):