Professional writing is formal writing. What makes professional writing formal? The conventional requirements that define format and structure. For example, a memo contains the headings of To, From, Date, and Subject. A letter contains a salutation, and a closing, and signature block. These are examples of the conventional requirements for these two documents. Another example is style in content. Professional writing is clear, concise, correct, objective, detailed, informative, and audience-centered. This is the formality associated with professional writing. The purpose for the writing is a formal response to a situation, circumstance, or official response. Professional writing requires a formal approach; therefore, professional writing is formal writing.