Spanish has a few types of writing styles just like English. It ranges from an extremely formal style that gets used in official documentation to a trendy and casual style used in conversations and blogs. You should be aware of the various styles of Spanish writing and choose appropriately while completing your homework essay. Unlike English, people usually choose the more formal style of writing for Spanish academic purposes. Learn more about the format styles when you look for Spanish homework help online or in the library.
Formal Spanish
Most Spanish dictionaries contain formal words and idioms unless stated otherwise. Formal Spanish is commonly used in business, media, and most other official purposes. But the overuse of pompous words for official purposes is slowly declining. When writing an array in Spanish, try to use a simpler and direct style of writing instead of sounding extremely pretentious.
Informal Spanish
Most of the Spanish language spoken is usually informal. Even though in classes you will seldom hear most of these informal words being spoken. When Americans go to work or study in Spanish speaking countries, they are exposed to the non-formal way of conversation in Spanish. When you hear Spanish speaking students converse with each other, most of the words might sound unfamiliar to you. However, if you are well versed in the informal way of speaking Spanish, try to avoid that in writing. Some of the informal languages are considered rude and inappropriate for academic purposes.
Tone of Language
Although the tone of writing is mostly impersonal for official purposes, it still finds some use in academic purposes. When writing a Spanish essay, you can use Nosotros the same way you use it in English writing or check out the ratings of essay websites. However, the use of a first-person plural will be avoided for writing official reports. Keep it in mind when you read official Spanish reports for research purposes, or while writing one.
Although the overuse of passive voice should be avoided while writing in English, a few instances are allowed. But that is not the case in written Spanish. It is best to avoid the passive voice altogether while writing an essay in Spanish unless you have been directed to do so.
Punctuation
The use of punctuation is not very different in written Spanish than in English. The use of the old style of punctuation marks might still be found once in a while in the Spanish language, especially for quotation marks. Single quotation marks are not while writing in Spanish.
Some words that we are used to capitalizing while writing in English should be avoided in Spanish. The names of days and months do not begin with a capital letter in Spanish. The names of languages or nationalities need not be capitalized in Spanish. Titles such as Lord or Sir are not capitalized while writing them in Spanish.
Structure of Writing
Essays and reports are less structured in Spanish than in English. Although you would find an introduction, a body, and a conclusion, the rest of the Spanish article might not be as structured as in English. Spanish sections follow less structural rules, and multiple ideas might get included in the same paragraph. However, this form of writing is slowly declining, and literature is getting more structured now. Many Spanish paragraphs these days tend to begin and end with their introduction and conclusion. So you can chalk out a plan before you start writing an essay in Spanish the same way you would for English essays.
Here are some tips for writing in Spanish.
- Avoid planning and structuring in English. Working from English into Spanish might not be very useful, and you can end up making several mistakes.
- Draw up a plan and write your ideas in small sentences in Spanish before you begin your essay.
- Keep the sentences short and direct. The use of fillers is not welcome while writing in Spanish. If you have difficulty using certain phrases, check them in the dictionary before using them.
- Avoid unnecessary adjectives and adverbs while writing in Spanish. Spanish writing is a more direct and straightforward form of writing, so get to the point.
- Introductions in Spanish are usually to the point and meant to attract the attention of the reader immediately to the topic of discussion. Avoid superfluous writing in the introduction of your essay.
- Watch out for the subtle differences in the use of Spanish versus English languages. Most people tend to make these mistakes while writing in Spanish. For example, percentages get preceded by an article in Spanish. Improper nouns have genders too in Spanish.
Buena Suerte!
Barry Lachey is a Professional Editor at Zobuz. Previously He has also worked for Moxly Sports and Network Resources “Joe Joe.” He is a graduate of the Kings College at the University of Thames Valley London. You can reach Barry via email or by phone.
