Grammar: Academic Style
C1 Lesson 1: Key Features of Academic Writing
Why It Matters: Informal vs. Academic Style
Writing for a university or a professional report requires a more formal and objective style than everyday conversation. This makes your arguments more persuasive and credible.
I think the government should do something about the problem.
It is essential that the problem be addressed by governmental bodies.
The Four Pillars of Academic Style 📖
1. Objectivity & Formality
Academic writing should be based on evidence, not personal feelings. To achieve this:
- Use the Passive Voice: Instead of "I conducted a survey," write "A survey was conducted."
- Avoid Personal Pronouns: Replace "I think that..." with phrases 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 (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."
Precise: "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 claims, as few things are 100% certain. Using cautious language makes your argument stronger.
Strong/Uncautious Claim: "This new policy will solve the traffic problem."
Hedged/Cautious Claim (Better): "This new policy may help to alleviate the traffic problem."
💡 Pro Tip: Quick Vocabulary Upgrades
- Instead of "do something about", try "address".
- Instead of "look into", try "investigate" or "analyze".
- Instead of "a lot of", try "numerous" or "a significant number of".
Practice Your Academic Style 🎯
Exercise: Identify the Academic Style
Choose the sentence that is more appropriate for a formal academic essay.
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a) I think the study's results are very interesting.
b) The study's results are significant for several reasons.→ Answer: b. It is more objective and avoids personal opinion.
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a) The data proves that the theory is wrong.
b) The data suggests that the theory may be inaccurate.→ Answer: b. It uses cautious language ("suggests", "may be"), which is more credible and academic.
Your Grammar Mission ⭐
Writing Task: Adopt the Academic Tone
Rewrite this informal sentence to make it more suitable for an academic paper.
Informal: "If you don't manage tourism right, it'll definitely hurt the local culture."
Click for an example answer
Formal Answer: "Improper tourism management could potentially have a detrimental impact on local culture." (This version uses cautious language and formal vocabulary).
Key Vocabulary
- Academic Writing The formal writing style used in universities and scholarly publications.
- Credible Able to be believed or trusted.
- Objective Not influenced by personal feelings; based on facts.
- Precise Marked by exactness and accuracy of expression or detail.
- Cautious Language (Hedging) The use of words to express possibility rather than 100% certainty.