What does “Too informal” mean in essay feedback?

Your writing sounds like speech: slang, exaggeration, asides or rhetorical questions. Markers want a clear, measured academic voice. That doesn’t mean long words. It means precise claims, stated calmly, with the evidence doing the persuading.

Can I use “I” in academic writing?

Often, yes, especially in reflective writing. Check your module guidance, and where “I” isn’t welcome, rephrase.

Does academic mean using long words?

No. Plain words used precisely beat long words used loosely. Academic tone is about precision and measured claims.

Are contractions like “don’t” allowed?

Usually avoided in formal essays, though some modules accept them. If you’re unsure, write them out in full.

“Too informal” essay feedback: what it means and how to fix it

What it looks like

An example from Business.

As marked

Kodak totally blew it when photography went digital, which is pretty crazy when you think about it, because one of its own engineers built an early digital camera in 1975. So what went wrong?

SlangChatty asideRhetorical question

Fixed

Kodak struggled to adapt as photography moved from film to digital, even though one of its own engineers built an early digital camera in 1975. This suggests its problems were strategic rather than technical.

Precise claimSame factA measured judgement

Why markers write it

Tone signals how carefully you’re thinking. Slang and exaggeration make claims sound less precise than they need to be, and rhetorical questions hand the reader a job your essay should do. Most UK marking criteria include clarity and academic style, so register can affect the mark even when the content is good.

How to fix it in your next essay

1Replace slang and intensifiersCut “basically”, “totally”, “literally” and “huge”. Say exactly what happened, and how much, instead.
2Turn questions into claimsInstead of asking “So what went wrong?”, state your answer: “The problem was strategic rather than technical.”
3Check your module’s style guidanceContractions and “I” are fine in some subjects and modules, not others. Follow the guidance and be consistent.

Phrases that help

“a lot of” → “many” or “much”“big” → “substantial” or “significant”“get” → “gain”, “receive” or “become”“really important” → “central”

How much it costs

In most UK schemes, style counts for less than argument or evidence, so informality rarely costs much on its own, but it can make strong points read as weaker ones.

Other ways markers say it

“Too colloquial”
“Inappropriate register”
“Use a more academic tone”
“Conversational style”
“Avoid informal language”

Often written alongside

Proofread carefully Unsupported claim Argument is unclear Referencing is inconsistent

Common questions

Can I use “I” in academic writing?: Often, yes, especially in reflective writing. Check your module guidance, and where “I” isn’t welcome, rephrase.
Does academic mean using long words?: No. Plain words used precisely beat long words used loosely. Academic tone is about precision and measured claims.
Are contractions like “don’t” allowed?: Usually avoided in formal essays, though some modules accept them. If you’re unsure, write them out in full.

“Too informal”: what your marker means