Grammar: 🌐 Grammar in Specialized Contexts - Application (C1) - Lesson 1: Key Grammatical Features of Academic Writing (objectivity, formality, precision, cautious language)

🌐 C1 Lesson 1: Key Features of Academic Writing

Welcome to a new module on specialized grammar! Writing for a university or a professional report requires a very different style from everyday conversation. This style, known as Academic Writing¹, has several key features. Mastering them will make your writing more powerful, persuasive, and credible².

Today, we focus on four pillars of academic style: Objectivity, Formality, Precision, and Cautious Language.

1. Objectivity & Formality

Academic writing should be based on evidence, not personal feelings. To achieve an objective³ and formal tone, you should:

• Use the Passive Voice: It focuses on the action, not the actor. Instead of "I conducted a survey," write "A survey was conducted."
• Avoid Personal Pronouns: Replace phrases like "I think that..." or "In my opinion..." with more objective structures like "It can be argued that..." or "The evidence suggests that...".
• Use Formal Vocabulary: Avoid contractions (use do not instead of don't) and choose single-word verbs over phrasal verbs (e.g., investigate instead of look into).

2. Precision

Academic arguments must be clear and specific. Avoid vague language.

Vague: "A lot of tourists visit Angkor Wat every year."
Precise⁴: "According to the Ministry of Tourism, over two million international tourists visited Angkor Wat in 2023."

3. Cautious Language (Hedging)

In academic writing, it is important to be careful with your claims. Since very few things are 100% certain, we use cautious language⁵, or "hedging," to show that we understand the limitations of our claims. This actually makes your argument stronger and more credible.

Strong/Uncautious Claim: "This new policy will solve the traffic problem in Siem Reap."

Hedged/Cautious Claim (Better):

• "This new policy may help to alleviate the traffic problem." (Using a modal verb)
• "The evidence suggests that this new policy could be effective." (Using a cautious verb)
• "It is likely that this policy will have a positive impact." (Using an adverb of probability)

🧠 Practice Quiz: Identify the Academic Style

Choose the sentence that is more appropriate for a formal academic essay.

1. a) I think the government should do something about the problem.
   b) It is essential that the problem be addressed by governmental bodies.
   Answer: b. It uses the passive voice ("be addressed") and formal language ("essential", "governmental bodies").
2. a) The study proves that climate change is real.
   b) The study's findings indicate that climate change is occurring.
   Answer: b. It uses cautious language ("indicate") which is more academic than the absolute word "proves".
3. Which of these should be avoided in formal writing?
   a) The passive voice    b) Phrasal verbs    c) Complex sentences
   Answer: b. Phrasal verbs (like 'find out') are generally considered more informal than single-word verbs ('determine').

📝 Homework: Adopt the Academic Tone

Rewrite these informal sentences to make them more suitable for an academic paper.

1. Informal: I think a lot of old buildings in the city are getting knocked down.
   Formal Answer: It is apparent that numerous historical buildings within the city are being demolished. (Uses objective language, passive voice, and more precise vocabulary).
2. Informal: If you don't manage tourism right, it'll definitely hurt the local culture.
   Formal Answer: Improper tourism management could potentially have a detrimental impact on local culture. (Uses cautious language and formal vocabulary).
3. Informal: You can't just build hotels everywhere.
   Formal Answer: Unregulated hotel construction should be avoided. (Uses passive voice and nominalization).

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Academic Writing: (Noun Phrase) - ការសរសេរបែបបាណ្ឌិត (kaa sâr'say baep ban'dĭt) - The formal writing style used in universities and scholarly publications. ↩
2. Credible: (Adjective) - ដែលអាចជឿទុកចិត្តបាន (dael aach chɨə'tŭk'chĕt'baan) - Able to be believed or trusted. ↩
3. Objective: (Adjective) - អព្យាក្រឹត (âp'pya'krət) - Not influenced by personal feelings; based on facts. ↩
4. Precise: (Adjective) - ជាក់លាក់ (cheăk'leăk) - Marked by exactness and accuracy of expression or detail. ↩
5. Cautious Language (Hedging): (Noun Phrase) - ភាសាបែបប្រយ័ត្នប្រយែង (phéa'saa baep prâ'yăt'prâ'yaeng) - The use of words to express tentativeness and possibility rather than 100% certainty. ↩