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    Reducing Informality in Academic Writing

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    justcallmebrig
    The document discusses reducing informality in academic writing by avoiding certain language features like contractions, questions, exclamations, and informal phrases. It provides examples of informal language features and more formal alternatives to help writers adopt a formal style appropriate for academic writing.

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    Reducing Informality in Academic Writing

    Uploaded by

    justcallmebrig
    15 views2 pages
    The document discusses reducing informality in academic writing by avoiding certain language features like contractions, questions, exclamations, and informal phrases. It provides examples of informal language features and more formal alternatives to help writers adopt a formal style appropriate for academic writing.

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    The document discusses reducing informality in academic writing by avoiding certain language features like contractions, questions, exclamations, and informal phrases. It provides examples of informal language features and more formal alternatives to help writers adopt a formal style appropriate for academic writing.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    15 views2 pages

    Reducing Informality in Academic Writing

    Uploaded by

    justcallmebrig
    The document discusses reducing informality in academic writing by avoiding certain language features like contractions, questions, exclamations, and informal phrases. It provides examples of informal language features and more formal alternatives to help writers adopt a formal style appropriate for academic writing.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    Reducing Informality in Academic Writing

    writingcenter.gmu.edu/guides/reducing-informality-in-academic-writing

    Language in academic writing is usually described as formal, concise, precise, and neutral. If these
    characteristics fail to appear in writing, even the most innovative and intelligent ideas might be perceived as
    simplistic or even be disregarded by a scholarly community. To avoid this situation, writers should strive for
    formality in their writing. This handout outlines language features that usually contribute to informality and
    provides examples of more formal alternatives.

    NOTE: It is crucial to remember that the language features described below are NOT completely avoided in all
    academic writing. Depending on the context, discipline, genre, year of publication, and even section of a
    paper, these features could appear with varying frequency. Still, they are generally uncommon in academic
    writing.

    Informal Feature Possible Substitution

    It is uncommon to address the reader in You will find the Results can be found in
    academic writing. Avoid second person results in Figure 2. Figure 2.
    pronouns (you/your/yours).

    Contractions (e.g. don’t, he’d, she’s) make The study doesn’t The study does not
    writing less formal. Use full forms instead. examine… examine…

    Generally, questions are not used in Why has antibiotic Many studies have
    scholarly writing (unless it is a research resistance increased? investigated why
    question). antibiotic resistance has
    increased.

    Avoid exclamations. …evidence! …evidence.

    Use 1-word verbs instead of 2- or more This articles talks This article discusses…
    word verbs (phrasal verbs). about…
    The prices increase …
    The prices go up…

    1/5
    Avoid unattended this/these; use this/these+ Writing instructors Writing instructors know
    a summary word instead. know that students that students need to
    need to understand understand the
    the differences differences between
    between formal and formal and informal
    informal language. language. This
    This can help students understanding can help
    make strategic choices students make strategic
    in their writing. choices in their writing.

    Limit the use of “run on” expressions, such Examples include Examples include laptops,
    as: and so on; etc. laptops, smart phones, smart phones, and other
    etc. devices.

    Single-word negatives are more formal. Not many of the Few participants saw a
    participants saw a change.
    change.
    The study showed no
    The study did not contradictory findings.
    show any
    contradictory findings.

    “There is” and “There are” can usually be There was little Little evidence
    cut from the beginning of sentences. evidence… appeared…

    Limit the use of coordinating conjunctions And the study also The study also
    (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) at the compared… compared…
    beginning of sentences.

    In many disciplines, writers do not utilize I can explain this fact This fact can be explained
    first person (I/me/my/mine or we/our/ours), by… by…
    or they use it sparingly. Avoid first person
    pronouns unless they are used frequently
    in your field, in a specific writing genre (e.g.
    personal reflection) or in a certain part of a
    paper (e.g. in introductions to state the
    purpose of research).

    Passive voice: Although grammar checkers caution against the use of passive voice, it is used in academic
    writing when the agent of the action is unimportant. Thus, limit, but not completely avoid passive voice in
    your writing.

    2/5

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