Developing an Academic Style Teaching and Learning Excellence Centre

Academic Style An academic style is a formal way of writing used by students and professionals in academics.

Characteristics of Academic Writing 1. Objective To show objectivity, avoid using ‘I’ and write in the third person and use the passive voice Avoid using emotional language: ‘The Mayor launched a crusade against homelessness’ VS ‘The Mayor launched a campaign against homelessness’ The research shows that…. It could be said that… This case study illustrates… A sample was taken…

Characteristics of Academic Writing 2. Academic Writing is Clear and Concise Avoid using unnecessary adjectives/ adverbs. You need to make every word count. Do not use words that do not add anything to the sentence Try to avoid vagueness: ‘people’/ ‘they’… who? Use correct grammar as a comma in the wrong place can change the meaning of a sentence (see ‘Grammar’ notes on Moodle) and avoid lengthy sentences that could confuse the reader

Characteristics of Academic Writing 3. Academic Writing is Cautious Avoid making definitive statements that cannot be fully proven and recognise a view/ perspective as such. Never generalise or make assumptions It could be said that… It appears that… There is a possibility that… A possible explanation for this may be… In some types of… The majority of… It has been reported that…

Characteristics of Academic Writing 4. Use Appropriate Language for the Intended Audience Do not use contractions (it’s). Use full words (quote/ quotation). Avoid using informal terms (Wilde got his degree from Trinity College, Dublin VS Wilde was awarded/ obtained/ earned his degree…) Avoid using clichéd phrases as these appear subjective and informal Avoid using ‘very’, ‘really’, ‘extremely’, ‘hugely’ to add emphasis

Hedging Hedging, in academic terms, is using caution when making claims and is imperative to academic writing. ‘Hedging’ language in your academic writing affords you the ability to make a statement while still recognising that other views exist or this may not be entirely true. (Medium certainty) The sky is blue The sky is usually blue The sky may be blue The sky is likely to be blue during the summer months The first sentence indicates that definitively in every circumstance the sky is blue and this is a scientific fact. The final statement is as accurate and as specific as possible.

Hedging Terms To Use May Probability Likely Possibility Largely Somewhat Appears Presumably Often Seldom

Examples of Academic Terms This paper has set out to argue that… A key strength of X’s argument is… It appears that X is arguing/ illustrating that… Whilst X does not confirm Y, X does suggest that… A major criticism of X’s work is… There is a degree of uncertainty around the definition of X but for the context of this essay the OED definition of … is as good as any. The key issue/ weakness with this definition is… However, there is an inconsistency with this argument because… X’s argument does not take into account of Y, nor does X examine/ observe…

Class Exercise Find Worksheet and Suggested Edits on Moodle Replace the words in bold with more appropriate terms