| Academic writing requires a more formal
vocabulary than used in casual conversations. In writing factual
text one needs to avoid language which is too informal or too personal.
In many cases, simply choosing the more formal alternative when
selecting a verb, noun or other part of a speech may create a successful
academic paper. However, as academic writing may be created for
many different purposes and audiences, the vocabulary formality
so too varies according to the purpose and audience in question.
There are however, some general pointers to consider when creating
a more formal academic writing and these will be listed below.
Some general pointers:
- use single verbs instead of phrasal and prepositional verbs (e.g.
offering instead of coming up with, caused
instead of brought on by, relinquish instead of
give up, eliminate instead of leave out,
increasingly instead of more and more)
- avoid contractions (e.g. use do not instead of don’t,
cannot instead of can’t)
- avoid overusing exaggerative and emphatic adjectives (e.g. unbelievably,
strongly, amazingly, etc.)
- avoid pretentious words (e.g. cause instead of facilitate,
part instead of component, use instead
of utilize)
- use strong verbs (e.g. arranged instead of made the
arrangement for, begins instead of is beginning)
- avoid using the word you. If possible try replacing it
with one, one’s or impersonal or passive
forms
- avoid repetitious use of the following words: a bit, a lot,
also, because, besides, happenings, but, like, nowadays, so, therefore
and sometimes
- use synonyms to replace repetitious use of key words
CHECK POINTS
- is the vocabulary used suitable for the purpose of writing?
- has the audience been taken into consideration with the vocabulary
used in the essay?
- is the vocabulary too informal/personal/emotional/formal?
- is there too much jargon (i.e. words used only by a certain community)
vocabulary?
- is there too much use of the words I, one, one’s?
- are the same key words used too often?
- does the language change throughout the writing (from informal
to formal, personal to formal)?
- are there wrong word choices or word forms in the essay?
- is the vocabulary used understandable?
DID YOU KNOW?
That there are differences in vocabulary spelling and use between
British and American English?
EnglishClub website:
http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/british-american.htm
http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/index.htm
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