Well, the fact is that speaking and writing are not the same thing. Each of these communication skills has its own vocabulary and rules; generally, these words and rules overlap, but not always. Take the word "great," for example. All "great" really means is that you vaguely approve of something. In speaking the word "great," you will use hands and facial gestures...but, alas, in writing, you don't have those advantages. What does "great" really mean when you write it? Using better words and phrases to express your meaning shows planning, foresight, self-discipline, and training...everything the mature writer (and reader) wants.
As long as you write formal papers "colloquially," you will never rise above the average/below-average writer.
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