While writing a formal essay, your writing style should be strictly academic. You should prefer technical words (jargons) and subject specific words over general words, and must not include any slangs or derogatory words. You should also minimize the use of personal statements, remarks, or examples (Except in college admission essays). If you are writing an informal essay, you should use normal everyday language and you can give it a person touch with examples and anecdotes.

Quotations are a great way to support, define, or judge ideas. Quotations must be accurate and should suit the context in which they are used well. It is always better not to quote something if you are not sure about the accuracy of the text and its source.