Academic Writing and Style

8/2/2019 Academic Writing and Style

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Section 3: academic writing

Academic writing & style

The style of writing used for academic purposes is different from many other

forms of communication. Academic writing is formal and follows some standard

conventions that will be explained in this topic.

Each academic discipline has its own specialist vocabulary which you will be

expected to learn and use in your own writing as you develop your academic

writing skills. Here we provide a general introduction to academic language and

style that is common to most academic disciplines.

W h a t i s t h e p o i n t o f a ca d em ic w r i t i n g ?

Academic writing is a convention by which writers engage in academic debate

and/or present new evidence-based research. The substance of academic writing

must be based on solid evidence and logical analysis, and presented as a

concise, accurate argument. This is very important, as nearly every argument

has the potential to be challenged.

Students need to demonstrate the ability to identify, analyse and contextualise

key arguments and issues in a given topic by writing essays and/or reports.

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Note : The following conventions are general guidelines for academic

writing. While you are on your degree course your tutors may give you

additional guidance, and you should be sure to follow the specific

requirements for each assignment.


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H o w i s ac ad e m ic w r i t i n g d i f f e r e n t?

Academic writing aims for precision: paying attention to detail and saying

exactly what you, or the writer you are paraphrasing, actually mean. Its

important not to use unnecessary words or to waffle. Make every word count.

Some guidance on language that is better suited or better omitted from

academic work is provided below.

Techn ica l and speci f i c langu age

When writing your assignments, you should use technical language and words

specific to your discipline where appropriate. Learn what these terms mean and

where they can be used. For example, in psychology the term anosmia would be

applied when writing about an individual who had lost their sense of smell.

However, it is wise to avoid convoluted phrases and terms when writing about

general information.

Avo id ove r l y e l abo ra te l anguage

When writing about issues that are not technical or subject related, it is

generally better to use clear, simple words rather than obscure words

particularly if you are not sure of their precise meaning. Using overly elaborate

language can make your writing seem pretentious, for example:

This sentence could be better expressed as:

The antipodean commercial enterprise could augment its profits by

concentrating on comestibles.

The Australian business could increase its profits by concentrating on

groceries.


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Avo id abb rev ia t i ons and con t rac t i ons

Abbreviations and contractions are informal, and are best avoided in academic

writing. For example:

However, be guided by the styles and conventions of your department, as in

certain situations the use of abbreviations and/or contractions may be

appropriate.

Avo id s lang w ords and ph rases

When you read the following sentences you will immediately recognise them as

being informal in style:

The word nicking and the phrase kind of are slang. They should be replaced

with more suitable alternatives, for example:

d e p a r tm e n t should be used instead of the abbreviationdept .

As a general rulef o r e x a m p l e is preferable toe.g.

i s no t should be used in place of the contractioni sn t .

The individual was sentenced for n i ck ing a bike.

The doctor looked k ind o f worried when he reviewed the case notes.

The individual was sentenced for s tea l ing a bike.

The doctor looked s l i gh t l y worried when he reviewed the case notes.


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Avo id conve rsa t i ona l te rm s

The following sentence contains a conversational term:

The word totally makes the sentence sound as if it is being spoken to a friend.

The writer of this piece should ask themselves if there is any purpose to the

word totally being in the sentence. If the word has been used as a filler with

no particular meaning, then the word can be omitted. If totally was used for

emphasis, then a more appropriate word could be used as a replacement, for

example, words like significantly or fundamentally.

A v o id v a g u e t e r m s

Vague terms include words like thing and nice. They can be interpreted in a

number of ways and it is better for the writer to state exactly what they mean.

For example:

Could be expressed as

And

Could be written as

This t o ta l l y changed peoples lives.

This s ign i f i can t l y changed peoples lives.

The right t h i n g

The right act ion

The right procedu re

A n ice addition to the collection


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The alternative sentences are more precise and better express the authors

meaning.

A c r o n y ms

Acronyms are abbreviations formed from the initial letters of words. For example

ASBO is an acronym for Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

If you use acronyms in your assignment, make sure that you write out the words

in full the first time they appear in your work, with the acronym in brackets, for

example:

Thereafter you will be able to use the acronym on its own. However, be mindfulthat some acronyms will look the same as others, e.g. DLA can be Disability

Living Allowance or Department of Legal Affairs. If you have similar acronyms

in your work it is better to write the words out in full and save your reader from

confusion.

Be imp ersonal

In many academic disciplines, writing in the first person is n ot acceptable as it is

believed to be too subjective and personal. Many tutors prefer impersonal

language to be used in assignments.

National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE)

A popu la r addition to the collection

A pres t i g i ous addition to the collection


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First person sentences use the pronouns I and we. For example:

I m persona l sen tences

Use of first person pronouns can be avoided by using impersonal constructs like

these below:

However, bear in mind that in some circumstances first person writing is

acceptable, particularly if reflective writing is involved. Before you begin each

assignment look at the departmental style guides and the specific assignment

details.

We have considered...

I suggest that...

I have observed...

Consideration has been given to...

The suggestion is made that...

It has been observed that...

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Academic Writing and Style