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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/14591
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

It seems to me that formal writing has many practices that at best seem arbitrary and at worst seem harmful. Here are some examples:

- It discourages using contractions, even though they make writing more concise.
- It discourages using number digits under 11 in favor of writing letters out, even thought using digits makes writing more concise. 
- It discourages using special characters such as ~, @, %, &, even though using them is more concise than writing out the corresponding words.
- It forbids the use of emoticons, even though they make writing more clear by showing the tone of voice and feelings of the writer.

Any explanations on the benefit of these practices would be appreciated.

Original score: 3