Uses formal language

Is impersonal and objective

Is concise and clear

Uses cautious language (especially for unsupported assertions)

Avoids vague ideas (it is precise)

Uses examples, statistics and quotation

References the work of other writers

Avoids contractions (don’t, isn’t…) Avoids slang / colloquial language Avoids phrasal verbs (get on with, get away with,

find out…) Avoids run on expressions like ‘etc.’ Uses formal / specialist vocabulary (eg. give-

administer, person – participant…) Uses precise vocabulary / avoids common and

vague words (eg. way, thing, get, nice…). Avoids redundant material (not relevant to question).

Uses complete sentences Avoids direct questions

Most academic writing avoids using personal pronouns like ‘I’, ‘you’, and ‘we’.

It uses the passive voice instead. (eg. Participants were invited to choose a colour)

We are usually interested in the process, not who does it (we want to know what participants did, not who invited them to do it)

Passive is usually used when writing up research methodology.

Most academic writers uses a ‘cautious’ tone when giving an opinion or unsupported argument

In academic writing it is often better to ‘suggest’ rather than ‘state’ – there are rarely absolutely right answers or perfect solutions to complex issues

Examples of cautious language - There may be a link between…, this could suggest that…, it could perhaps be argued that…, this can sometimes lead to…

Academic writers use support to evidence lines of argument and opinions

This evidence can consist of example (from practice), statistics, or the referencing of research and theoretical work of others in the field.

This evidence is used to support the line of argument (thesis) of the essay.

This is often carried out using an argument / counter-argument structure. An essay works as an evaluation and weighing up of the evidence presented for and against a proposition.

Academic writing refers to information taken from print, digital and other sources as supporting evidence

Your sources of information must always be clearly referenced, both ‘in-text’ and in a ‘reference list’ at the end of the essay, so that the reader can locate the source of this information for themselves (see Harvard referencing guide, eg. ‘Cite them right’).

Not referencing, or insufficient referencing is referred to as ‘plagiarism’ and is strictly forbidden!

Example of a book reference

In text citation: (Bell, 2005,p.23)

Reference list: Bell, J. (2005) Doing your research project. 4th Edn. Maidenhead: Open University Press.