Look at the following writing sample. Classify it as formal, informal, or semi-formal. I hope this translation will speak for it
self, but not before I give a word of thanks to the many people who made it possible. The first among them is Jennifer Rawlins. She spent many an hour researching the project. Second, I'd like to thank Antonio Delgado. He kept me awake by making excellent cappuccinos. Finally, I'd like to give my appreciation to Joanie Stephens who edited with a fine-tooth comb.
The excerpt has both elements of informal and formal tones: It is somewhat informal because is not impersonal, meaning that it uses the first-person pronoun "I" and it uses contractions like "I'd like to.." However, it cannot be classified as an informal text as a whole because it contains formal characteristics, for example, it is totally free of idioms, colloquialism and slangs, and instead, it uses descriptive, precise and elegant words like "I give a word of thanks to...," "The first among them is.." and "I'd like to give my appreciation to Joanie Stephens who edited with a fine-tooth comb." And this balance between formal and informal makes the writing semi-formal.
The central point comes in his pseech when Wiesels says "<span>Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant.</span>
