Academic English UK: Academic Style in Writing

Introduction

• Focus on academic style in writing.
• Academic style is a set of conventions in academic writing.
• Debate exists on specifics, but general agreement on key elements.

Key Do's and Don'ts in Academic Writing

Don'ts

• Idiomatic/Colloquial Language: Avoid using informal language.
• Phrasal Verbs: Seen as informal; prefer alternatives.
• Personal Pronouns: "I", "we", "my opinion" are informal; some institutions prohibit them.
• Contractions: Use full forms (e.g., "it will" instead of "it'll").
• Questions: Avoid question forms; use positive statements.
• Personal Adverbs: Words like "surprisingly" or "unfortunately" are too personal.
• Numbering/Bullet Points: Not common in paragraphing.
• Vague Language: Avoid "and so on", "etc."; be specific.
• Repetition: Don't repeat words; use synonyms.
• Basic Language: Avoid spoken English vocabulary.

Do's

• Passive Structures: Use passive voice (e.g., "The data was analyzed").
• Nominalization: Use nouns instead of verbs for formal structures (e.g., "An analysis of the data showed").
• Referencing Systems: Essential in academic writing.
• Hedging Language: Use cautious/tentative language to show uncertainty.
• Accuracy in Vocabulary: Differentiate between keywords.
• Precision: Be specific about figures and details.

Practice and Exercises

Sentence Rewriting Exercise

• Example sentence: "Another thing to think about is the chance of crime getting worse."
  • Identify informal words.
  • Use thesaurus for synonyms.
  • Rewrite: "Another aspect to consider is the possibility of crime becoming worse."
  • Advanced: "Consideration should be given to the possibility of crime becoming worse."

Additional Exercises

• Current Unemployment Levels: Rewrite to reflect academic style.
• Hedging Language: Use cautious language in predictions.
• Property Market Analysis: Rewriting to show change over time.

Resources

• Further Learning: Visit Academic English UK website for worksheets and resources.
• Reference Book: "Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students" by Stephen Bailey, 2014.

Conclusion

• Recommended resources and materials for further learning.
• Encouragement to explore more on academic writing styles.