6th Grade Writing Flashcards: Establish Maintain A Formal Argument Style

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Establish Maintain A Formal Argument Style, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for 6th Grade Writing.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is a formal style in argumentative writing?

Answer: A serious, objective tone using standard English and precise wording. Formal style requires academic language appropriate for professional contexts.

Flashcard 2: Identify the more formal choice: "stuff" or "materials."

Answer: Materials. "Stuff" is vague slang; "materials" is specific and formal.

Flashcard 3: Which tone best maintains a formal style: emotional insults or respectful, evidence-based language?

Answer: Respectful, evidence-based language. Formal arguments rely on logic, not emotional attacks.

Flashcard 4: Find and correct the informal phrase: "This law is super important."

Answer: Correct: "This law is extremely important.". "Super" is casual intensifier; "extremely" is formal.

Flashcard 5: What is the best formal replacement for the contraction "doesn't" in an essay?

Answer: Does not. Expand contractions in formal writing to maintain academic tone.

Flashcard 6: Identify the informal element to avoid in formal writing: slang, precise nouns, or evidence-based claims.

Answer: Slang. Slang is casual language inappropriate for academic writing.

Flashcard 7: Which sentence is more formal: "You should recycle" or "People should recycle"?

Answer: People should recycle. Third person ("people") is more objective than second person ("you").

Flashcard 8: Which word choice is more formal: "a lot" or "many"?

Answer: Many. "A lot" is conversational; "many" is precise and academic.

Flashcard 9: Find and correct the contraction: "Students shouldn't be late to class."

Answer: Students should not be late to class. Expand all contractions to maintain formal tone.

Flashcard 10: Find and correct the slang: "That rule is kinda unfair to students."

Answer: Replace "kinda" with "somewhat.". "Kinda" is slang; use proper adverbs in formal writing.

Flashcard 11: Find and correct the informal phrase: "I think school uniforms are dumb."

Answer: I believe school uniforms are ineffective. Replace "dumb" (slang) with precise, respectful language.

Flashcard 12: Which option is the more formal word choice: "a lot of" or "many"?

Answer: Many. "A lot of" is conversational; "many" is precise and academic.

Flashcard 13: What does it mean to establish and maintain a formal style in argumentative writing?

Answer: Use objective, academic language consistently throughout the piece. Formal style avoids slang, contractions, and personal pronouns.

Flashcard 14: Which word choice is more formal: "kids" or "children"?

Answer: Children. "Kids" is informal slang; "children" is the academic term.

Flashcard 15: Which sentence best maintains a formal style: "You should recycle" or "People should recycle"?

Answer: People should recycle. Third person avoids direct address and maintains objectivity.

Flashcard 16: Choose the more formal sentence ending: "...and stuff." or "...and other factors."

Answer: ...and other factors. "Stuff" is vague slang; be specific in formal writing.

Flashcard 17: Find and correct the informal phrase: "In my opinion, uniforms are dumb."

Answer: In my view, uniforms are unnecessary. "Dumb" is slang; use precise, respectful language.

Flashcard 18: Find and correct the informal word: "The rule is kinda unfair."

Answer: Correct: "The rule is somewhat unfair.". "Kinda" is slang; "somewhat" is the formal equivalent.

Flashcard 19: What is the best way to maintain formal style across an entire essay?

Answer: Use consistent academic word choice and avoid slang throughout. Consistency in formal vocabulary maintains professional tone.

Flashcard 20: Identify the more formal choice: "need to" or "must."

Answer: Must. "Must" is more authoritative and formal than "need to."

Flashcard 21: Find and correct the informal word: "The cafeteria food is gross."

Answer: The cafeteria food is unappealing. "Gross" is slang; use neutral, descriptive language.

Flashcard 22: What is the best rule for maintaining formal style across an entire essay?

Answer: Keep tone, word choice, and point of view consistent throughout. Formal style requires uniformity in all elements throughout.

Flashcard 23: Which option is the more formal word choice: "kids" or "children"?

Answer: Children. "Kids" is casual; "children" is the standard academic term.

Flashcard 24: Which transition is most formal for adding information: "also" or "furthermore"?

Answer: Furthermore. "Furthermore" is more sophisticated than the simple "also."

Flashcard 25: Which option is most formal for evidence: "This proves it" or "This evidence suggests."

Answer: This evidence suggests. Academic writing acknowledges uncertainty; avoid absolute claims.

Flashcard 26: Choose the more formal transition for an argument: "Plus" or "Furthermore."

Answer: Furthermore. Academic transitions like "Furthermore" show sophisticated connections.

Flashcard 27: Which pronoun choice best supports a formal style in an argument: I, you, or one?

Answer: One. "One" is impersonal; "I" and "you" are too personal for formal writing.

Flashcard 28: Which type of language should you avoid to maintain a formal style: slang, precise terms, or neutral tone?

Answer: Slang. Informal expressions like slang break the professional tone.

Flashcard 29: What is one clear sign that a sentence is too informal for an argument essay?

Answer: It uses slang, texting abbreviations, or casual conversational phrasing. These elements mark casual, non-academic communication.

Flashcard 30: What point of view usually helps maintain a formal style in an argument?

Answer: Third person (or limited, careful first person when appropriate). Formal writing typically avoids direct address ("you").

Flashcard 31: Which sentence maintains a more formal tone: "You can see the problem" or "The problem is evident"?

Answer: The problem is evident. Avoids direct address ("you") for objective academic tone.

Flashcard 32: Identify the more formal choice: "kids" or "children."

Answer: Children. "Children" is the standard academic term; "kids" is conversational.

Flashcard 33: Find and correct the informal intensifier: "This is super important for school."

Answer: This is extremely important for school. "Super" is casual slang; use standard intensifiers.

Flashcard 34: Which purpose best matches a formal style: to entertain friends or to persuade an audience?

Answer: To persuade an audience. Formal style suits professional purposes like persuasion, not casual entertainment.

Flashcard 35: Which sentence is more formal: "I think school uniforms are good" or "School uniforms are beneficial"?

Answer: School uniforms are beneficial. Removes personal opinion ("I think") and uses academic vocabulary.

Flashcard 36: Which option is the more formal word choice: "things" or "factors"?

Answer: Factors. "Things" is vague; "factors" is precise academic vocabulary.

Flashcard 37: What person (point of view) is usually best for maintaining a formal style in an argument essay?

Answer: Third person (and limited first person when appropriate). Third person maintains objectivity; second person ("you") is too direct.

Flashcard 38: What is a formal style in argumentative writing for Grade 6?

Answer: Objective, respectful language; avoids slang and casual tone. Formal style requires professional language appropriate for academic writing.

Flashcard 39: Which transition is most formal for contrast: "but" or "however"?

Answer: However. "But" starts sentences informally; "however" is academic.

Flashcard 40: Which sentence maintains a formal style: "You should recycle" or "People should recycle"?

Answer: People should recycle. Avoid "you" in formal writing; use third person instead.

Flashcard 41: Find and correct the informal word: "The rule is kinda unfair."

Answer: The rule is somewhat unfair. "Kinda" is a casual contraction; use complete, formal words.

Flashcard 42: What is the best formal replacement for the second-person pronoun "you" in an argument?

Answer: People, students, individuals, or the audience. Replace "you" with third-person nouns to maintain formality.

Flashcard 43: Which phrase is more formal: "I think" or "It appears"?

Answer: It appears. "I think" is personal opinion; "It appears" is objective observation.

Flashcard 44: Identify the more formal choice: "a lot of" or "many."

Answer: Many. "Many" is precise and academic; "a lot of" is casual.

Flashcard 45: What is the best definition of an objective tone in formal writing?

Answer: A neutral tone focused on facts and reasons, not emotions. Objective writing relies on evidence, not personal feelings.

Flashcard 46: Find and correct the informal word: "The plan is awesome for our school."

Answer: Replace "awesome" with "effective.". "Awesome" is slang; choose precise, academic vocabulary.

Flashcard 47: Which option is the more formal word choice: "stuff" or "materials"?

Answer: Materials. "Stuff" is vague slang; "materials" is specific and professional.

Flashcard 48: Choose the more formal phrase: "In my opinion" or "I feel like."

Answer: In my opinion. "I feel like" is casual; formal opinions use standard phrases.

Flashcard 49: Which option is the more formal word choice: "get" or "obtain"?

Answer: Obtain. "Get" is casual; "obtain" is the formal academic verb.

Flashcard 50: What is the main difference between formal and informal language?

Answer: Formal avoids slang and casual wording; informal uses them. Formal language requires precise, professional vocabulary.

Flashcard 51: Which word choice is more formal: "get" or "obtain"?

Answer: Obtain. "Get" is casual; "obtain" is the formal, academic verb.

Flashcard 52: Identify the more formal choice: "get" or "obtain."

Answer: Obtain. "Obtain" is more precise and academic than casual "get."

Flashcard 53: Which transition is most formal for adding a point: "Also" or "Furthermore"?

Answer: Furthermore. "Furthermore" is an academic transition; "Also" is conversational.

Flashcard 54: Which citation cue is more formal: "I read that..." or "According to the article..."?

Answer: According to the article... Personal references weaken authority; cite sources directly.

Flashcard 55: Find and correct the informal wording: "Students should not skip class, cuz it hurts learning."

Answer: Correct: "...because it harms learning.". "Cuz" is text-speak; "because" is standard English.

Flashcard 56: Choose the more formal transition that signals contrast: "But" or "However."

Answer: However. "However" is the standard academic contrast word; "but" is casual.

Flashcard 57: Identify the more formal claim: "This is bad" or "This policy is ineffective."

Answer: This policy is ineffective. Specific claims with precise language are more formal.

Flashcard 58: Choose the more formal verb: "Kids act up in class" or "Students misbehave in class"?

Answer: Students misbehave in class. "Act up" is informal; "misbehave" is the academic term.