Final answer:
A formal amendment is a change made to the written language of the constitution through an established process, while an informal amendment refers to a change in interpretation or application of the constitution. Formal amendments require approval by Congress and state legislatures, while informal amendments can be made through judicial interpretation or changes in societal norms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Formal Amendment
A formal amendment refers to a change or addition made to the written language of the constitution through the established amendment process. In the United States, the formal amendment process requires approval by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and three-fourths of the state legislatures. Examples of formal amendments include the Bill of Rights and the addition of the 26th amendment, which lowered the voting age to 18.
Informal Amendment
An informal amendment, on the other hand, is a change in the interpretation or application of the constitution that does not involve a change to its written language. Informal amendments can be made through various means, such as judicial interpretation by the Supreme Court or changes in societal and political norms. For instance, the Supreme Court's interpretation of the First Amendment to protect freedom of speech online represents an informal amendment.
Learn more about Difference between formal and informal amendments