C2 Lesson 3: Using Appropriate Academic Vocabulary and Objective Tone
You have learned the ethical principles and citation styles of academic writing. The final piece of the puzzle is mastering the specific language of scholarly work. This involves using precise academic vocabulary1 and maintaining a consistently objective tone2.
An academic voice is not personal or emotional; it is precise, cautious, analytical, and evidence-based.
Techniques for Achieving an Academic Tone
To sound like a credible researcher, you need to make deliberate language choices.
1. Elevate Your Vocabulary
Replace common, conversational words with their more formal, academic synonyms.
| Conversational Word | Academic Alternative |
|---|---|
| get better | improve, enhance, develop |
| show | indicate, demonstrate, illustrate, reveal |
| big problem | significant challenge, major issue, critical concern |
2. Use Nominalization
Nominalization3 is the process of turning verbs or adjectives into nouns. This creates a more abstract and formal tone, common in academic writing.
Verb: The government implemented a new policy. → Noun: The implementation of the new policy...
Adjective: The economy was weak. → Noun: The weakness of the economy...
3. Use Cautious or "Hedging" Language
Academic writers rarely state things with 100% certainty. They use hedging language4 to be more precise and cautious.
Direct Claim: This proves that social media causes anxiety.
Hedged Claim: This data suggests a strong correlation between social media use and anxiety.
Useful Hedges: it seems that..., it appears that..., may, might, could, tends to, suggests, indicates
From Simple to Academic: A Revision
Let's see how these techniques can transform a simple paragraph into a more sophisticated, academic one.
Before (Simple B1 Style):
I think technology is a big part of modern life. It changed how we do everything. For example, it helps businesses work better. But, it is also a problem for some old people.
After (Academic C2 Style):
The proliferation of digital technology has been a defining feature of the 21st century, fundamentally altering numerous aspects of daily life. The integration of this technology, for instance, has significantly enhanced efficiency in the business sector. Nevertheless, it also presents considerable challenges, particularly for older demographics who may struggle with digital literacy.
Practice Quiz: "Level Up" the Sentence
Read the simple sentence below. Which option revises it into the most formal, objective, and academic tone?
Simple Sentence: "The bad traffic in the city makes everyone late."
- The awful traffic in the city is a huge problem for lateness.
- It can be argued that severe traffic congestion is a primary contributing factor to delays for commuters in urban centers.
- I think the traffic in the city is bad because it makes people late.
Answer: B. It uses academic vocabulary ("severe congestion," "primary contributing factor," "urban centers"), hedging language ("It can be argued that..."), and an objective tone.
Homework: Write an Academic Paragraph
Your homework is to practice writing with a sophisticated academic voice.
Topic: The rise of online shopping in Cambodia.
Your Task: Write one C2-level academic paragraph (4-6 sentences) about the topic. In your paragraph, you must:
- Use at least three sophisticated academic vocabulary words.
- Use nominalization at least once to create a more formal tone.
- Use cautious (hedging) language in one of your claims.
- Maintain a completely objective and impersonal tone (no "I think").
Vocabulary Glossary
- Academic Vocabulary: (Noun Phrase) - Khmer: វាក្យសព្ទសិក្សា - Words and phrases that are used frequently in formal, academic contexts. ↩
- Objective Tone: (Noun Phrase) សម្លេងវត្ថុបំណង - A style of writing that is neutral, impersonal, and based on facts rather than personal feelings. ↩
- Nominalization: (Noun) ដំណើរការនៃការផ្លាស់ប្តូរកិរិយាស័ព្ទ ឬគុណនាមទៅជានាម - The process of changing a verb or adjective into a noun (e.g., 'investigate' → 'investigation'), often creating a more formal and abstract tone. ↩
- Hedging: (Noun, linguistics) ការប្រើភាសាដែលប្រយ័ត្នប្រយែង ឬមិនប្ដេជ្ញាចិត្តដើម្បីធ្វើឱ្យការអះអាងមានលក្ខណៈតិចតួច និងមានការសិក្សាច្រើនជាង - The use of cautious or non-committal language to make claims sound less absolute and more academic (e.g., "it seems," "suggests," "may be"). ↩
- Credibility: (Noun) - Khmer: ភាពអាចទុកចិត្តបាន - The quality of being able to be believed or trusted.