Academic Style (Academic Writing)

Summary

In the 'Academic English UK' video, the focus is on the conventions of academic style in writing. The presenter outlines key 'do's' and 'don'ts', emphasizing the use of academic vocabulary and passive structures, while avoiding colloquialisms, personal pronouns, contractions, and vague language. The video also touches on the importance of referencing, hedging language, and specificity. Exercises are provided to practice rewriting sentences into an academic style, and resources for further learning are recommended, including a worksheet and Stephen Bailey's book on academic writing.

Takeaways

• 📘 Academic style refers to the conventions associated with academic writing, with key elements that are generally agreed upon among academic English teachers.
• 🚫 Avoid using idiomatic or colloquial language; instead, utilize academic vocabulary, such as terms from the Academic Word List.
• 🙅‍♂️ Limit the use of phrasal verbs, personal pronouns (like 'I'), contractions, and questions in academic essays as they are considered informal.
• 💬 Omit personal adverbs that create a narrative feel, such as 'surprisingly' or 'unfortunately', to maintain an objective tone.
• 📋 Avoid using numbering and bullet points in paragraphing, as well as vague language like 'and so on' or 'etc.'; be specific.
• 🔄 Refrain from repetition, which can indicate a lack of vocabulary or an inability to use synonyms effectively.
• 📚 Use more passive structures and nominalization to formalize your writing, for example, 'The data was analyzed' or 'An analysis of the data showed'.
• 🔗 Incorporate referencing systems to give credibility and context to your academic writing.
• 🤔 Employ cautious or tentative hedging language to express uncertainty or to qualify statements in academic writing.
• 🔍 Be precise with vocabulary, differentiate between keywords, and use specific figures to convey accuracy in academic writing.
• 🖊️ Practice rewriting sentences to make them more academic by identifying and replacing informal words with their academic counterparts.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is the academic style in academic writing, focusing on the conventions and elements that should or should not be included.

What is the definition of academic style according to the video?

Academic style is the set of conventions often associated with academic writing, which includes a general agreement among academic English teachers on the key elements to include or avoid.

What are some 'do nots' in academic writing as mentioned in the video?

Some 'do nots' in academic writing include using phrasal verbs, personal pronouns (like 'I', 'we'), contractions, questions forms, personal adverbs, numbering and bullet points in paragraphing, vague language, repetition, and basic language used in spoken English.

What are some 'dos' in academic writing according to the video?

Some 'dos' in academic writing include using academic vocabulary, passive structures, referencing systems, cautious or tentative hedging language, accurate vocabulary, and being specific with figures and synonyms.

Why should idiomatic or colloquial language be avoided in academic writing?

Idiomatic or colloquial language should be avoided in academic writing because it is seen as informal and not suitable for the formal tone required in scholarly work.

How can one find alternatives to informal words in academic writing?

One can find alternatives to informal words by using resources like thesaurus.com or by using Google with the '+' operator to find synonyms that are appropriate in the given context.

What is the significance of using passive structures in academic writing?

Passive structures are significant in academic writing as they can make the writing more formal and objective, which is preferred in scholarly work.

What is the role of hedging language in academic writing?

Hedging language is used in academic writing to show that the writer is not 100% certain of the facts stated, adding a level of caution and tentativeness to the claims made.

Why is it important to be specific in academic writing?

Being specific in academic writing is important to demonstrate precision, accuracy, and a clear understanding of the subject matter, as well as to avoid ambiguity.

What is the recommended approach to rewrite a sentence to make it more academic according to the video?

The recommended approach includes identifying informal or non-academic words, finding synonyms using resources like thesaurus.com, and considering changes to sentence structure, such as using passive voice or nominalization.

What resource is suggested in the video for practicing academic writing style?

The video suggests using a worksheet available on the Academic English UK website under the 'academic style' section, which requires a small fee of 50 pence.

Which book is recommended in the video for further understanding of academic writing?

The book recommended in the video is 'Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students' by Stephen Bailey, published in 2014.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Academic Writing Style

The video script begins with an introduction to the topic of academic style in writing, emphasizing the importance of adhering to certain conventions. The speaker invites viewers to consider what should and should not be included in academic writing. Key elements of academic style are listed, including the use of academic vocabulary, avoidance of idiomatic or colloquial language, phrasal verbs, personal pronouns, contractions, questions, personal adverbs, numbering and bullet points, vague language, and repetition. The speaker also highlights the need for using more passive structures, referencing systems, cautious language, and being precise with vocabulary and figures. Examples of both incorrect and correct academic language use are provided to illustrate the points made.

05:02

🔍 Enhancing Academic Writing with Hedging and Nominalization

In the second paragraph, the focus shifts to improving academic writing through the use of hedging language and nominalization. The speaker explains how to rewrite sentences to make them more academic by using synonyms and cautious language to express uncertainty. The process of finding appropriate synonyms is discussed, suggesting the use of online thesauruses and Google to identify suitable alternatives. The script provides examples of how to transform a verb into a noun to create a more formal structure, such as changing 'consider' to 'consideration.' The speaker also encourages viewers to practice rewriting sentences to enhance their academic writing skills, offering exercises and resources for further learning, including a worksheet and a recommended book titled 'Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students' by Stephen Bailey.

Keywords

💡Academic Style

Academic style refers to the conventions and writing practices typically used in scholarly work. It is characterized by formality, precision, and the use of specialized vocabulary. In the video, academic style is the central theme, emphasizing the importance of adhering to these conventions to ensure the credibility and seriousness of academic writing. Examples from the script include the avoidance of idiomatic or colloquial language and the use of academic vocabulary such as that found in the Academic Word List.

💡Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are a type of verb phrase in English that consists of a verb and a preposition or adverb. The script mentions that phrasal verbs are considered informal and should be limited in academic writing. This is because they can make writing seem less formal and more conversational, which is not the desired tone in academic texts.

💡Personal Pronouns

Personal pronouns such as 'I' and 'we' are used to refer to oneself or a group. The video script advises limiting their use in academic writing because they can create an informal tone. Some institutions may not even accept the use of 'I' in formal academic essays, as it is seen as too personal and not objective.

💡Contractions

Contractions are shortened forms of words, often created by combining a verb and a pronoun. The script points out that contractions should be written in full form in academic writing to maintain a formal and precise language style. For instance, 'it'll' should be written as 'it will'.

💡Questions

The use of questions in academic writing is generally discouraged, as it can appear informal and less assertive. The script suggests that positive statements should be used instead, which aligns with the formal tone expected in academic texts.

💡Personal Adverbs

Personal adverbs, such as 'surprisingly' or 'unfortunately,' are used to express personal feelings or opinions. The video script advises against their use in academic writing to avoid a narrative feel and to maintain an objective and impersonal tone.

💡Numbering and Bullet Points

Numbering and bullet points are organizational tools often used in lists or to highlight points. However, the script notes that they are not commonly used in paragraphing within academic writing, as they can disrupt the flow of formal prose.

💡Vague Language

Vague language, such as 'and so on' or 'etc.,' is discouraged in academic writing because it lacks specificity. The script emphasizes the need for clear and precise language to convey ideas accurately and to avoid ambiguity.

💡Repetition

Repetition of words is seen as a sign of limited vocabulary and an inability to use synonyms effectively. The script points out that it should be avoided in academic writing to demonstrate a rich and varied use of language.

💡Basic Language

Basic language refers to the simple, everyday words used in spoken English. The video script advises against using such language in academic writing, which requires a higher level of vocabulary and complexity to convey ideas with precision and formality.

💡Passive Voice

The passive voice is a grammatical construction where the object of the action is the subject of the sentence. The script suggests using passive structures in academic writing to create a more formal and impersonal tone, as seen in the example 'the data was analyzed'.

💡Nominalization

Nominalization is the process of turning a verb into a noun. The script mentions this as a technique to increase the formality and complexity of academic writing, such as 'an analysis of the data showed'.

💡Referencing Systems

Referencing systems are methods used to cite sources in academic writing. The script highlights the importance of using these systems to give credit to original authors and to establish the credibility of the work.

💡Hedging Language

Hedging language is used to express caution or uncertainty in academic writing. The script explains that words and phrases that show tentativeness, such as 'possibly' or 'might,' are important to convey that the writer is not making absolute claims.

💡Precision

Precision in academic writing means using exact terms and figures to convey information clearly and without ambiguity. The script emphasizes the need for precision to ensure the accuracy and reliability of academic texts.

Highlights

Definition of academic style in academic writing as conventions often associated with it.

Agreement on key elements of academic style among most academic English teachers.

List of dos and don'ts in academic writing style.

Avoidance of idiomatic or colloquial language in favor of academic vocabulary.

Limitation on the use of phrasal verbs due to their informal nature.

Restriction on personal pronouns like 'I' and 'we' in academic essays.

Full form writing of contractions to maintain formality in academic writing.

Use of positive statements instead of questions in academic essays.

Omission of personal adverbs to avoid a narrative feel in academic writing.

Avoidance of numbering and bullet points in paragraphing for academic formality.

Specificity over vague language in academic writing to maintain clarity.

Repetition seen as a lack of vocabulary; use of synonyms is encouraged.

Avoidance of basic spoken English in academic writing for higher formality.

Use of passive structures for a more formal academic tone.

Incorporation of nominalization to increase complexity and formality.

Importance of using referencing systems in academic writing.

Use of cautious or hedging language to show uncertainty in statements.

Precision in vocabulary and the use of specific figures for accuracy.

Exercises provided to practice rewriting sentences with an academic style.

Use of online resources like thesaurus.com for finding academic synonyms.

Google's utility in finding synonyms and appropriate words in context.

Rewriting examples to demonstrate the transformation of informal to academic language.

Availability of a worksheet for further practice on the academic English UK website.

Recommendation of the book 'Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students' by Stephen Bailey.

Transcripts

hello and welcome to academic English UK

today's video is on academic style in

academic writing all the links are below

but if you want further information then

go to our website forward slash writing

okay we're going to start with a

definition of academic style so academic

style is the conventions often

associated with academic writing now

although there is much debate over what

exactly academic style is generally

there is an agreement among most

academic English teachers to the key

elements that should or should not be

included the following is a list of the

do's and the don'ts so before we begin

I'd like you to think about what you

should not do in academic writing and

what you should do considering academic

writing style so to give you an example

know idiomatic or colloquial language

should be used and the yes would be

academic vocabulary should be used such

as the academic word list pause this

slide and see if you can think of four

or five knows and four and five yeses

okay so the knows no phrasal verbs

phrasal verbs are seen as informal these

are verbs plus prepositions and there

you should be limited and alternatives

should be found personal pronouns i we

in my opinion again these are seen as

informal they create informal structures

and there you should be limited some

universities and departments do not

accept I in written academic essays

contractions

it'll should be written in full form for

example questions is not common to use

questions forms in academic essays and

positive statements should be written

personal adverbs again personalizing

language creates a more narrative feel

so words like surprising unfortunately

should be omitted numbering and bullet

points in paragraphing is not common

vague language such as and so on etc is

also not normally accepted and we should

be more specific

repetition repeating the same words

constantly is seen as lack of vocabulary

and an inability to use synonyms finally

basic language that we use in spoken

English should be avoided in academic

writing here are some examples with

possible alternatives ok the yes is yes

we should be using more passive

structures so for example language like

we analyze the data could be changed

into a more formal structure the data

was analyzed we can also take this one

step further and make it more complex by

using nominalization or now structures

by taking the verb analyzed and using it

as a noun an analysis of the data showed

we should be using referencing systems

we should be using cautious or tentative

hedging language these kind of words

these adverbs and verbs are used just to

show that we are not a hundred percent

certain of the facts that we state we

should be accurate in our vocabulary and

show the differences between keywords

and we should be precise and show the

exact specific figures so being specific

is a key part of academic writing right

if you would like to test yourself here

is the same slide with the words omitted

please pause this and see if you can

name some of the nose and the yeses okay

academics

I'll practice so see if you can rewrite

this sentence so it's more academic

another thing to think about is the

chance of crying getting worse so pause

this slide and see if you can rewrite it

please answer so the first thing you

should do really is look at the sentence

and see if you can highlight the

informal or non academic words so here

we have thing think about phrasal verb

chance and getting our informal words

from here you should perhaps go to the

Internet something like the Saurus comm

is a good website to go to to check

synonyms so if I put anything for Soros

calm highlights the key words that are

specific to that one word and the

brighter orange the key more frequent

words and the lighter orange the less

frequent where's connected to that word

you can also use Google and Google you

can put anything plus in and this will

highlight a whole list too and you can

pick words that you feel are appropriate

to the word in context so through that I

come up with a list so I could use thing

area aspect feature point or think about

I could change to consider note

understand acknowledge chance

possibility probability situation and

getting them the most common similar

word to this is becoming I then choose

which word I'd like to use or which is

the most appropriate so here I'm

choosing aspect consider possibilities

becoming and then I rewrite the sentence

so another aspect to consider is the

possibility of crime becoming worse I

can take this to a further step which is

binominal izing it so here I'm changing

main verb into a noun form so I take

consider and I turn it into the noun of

consideration consideration with a

preposition and it's done and it's more

academic so I would like you to do these

exercises your first one please pause

this slide and see if you can rewrite

this using some of the information

you've learned from today on sir

currently the rates of unemployment is

at an unprecedented level see pause this

slide see if you can rewrite it answer

it has been proposed that by 2017 a

vaccine for malaria will have possibly

been discovered notice hedging cautious

language next pause the slide answer

after 2013 the Japanese property market

in-house value fell dramatically or

since 2013 the price of property fell

dramatically in Japan for all of these

exercises there are a variety of answers

and these are just some of the possible

answers you could use if you want more

then please go here academic English UK

/ academic style where there's a

worksheet and everything I've talked

about today you can download

unfortunately it will cost you 50 pence

but it's a good investment and there's

lots more on our website a lot of what

I've done today has been taken from this

book

academic writing a handbook for

international students this is stephen

bailey 2014 it costs about 25 pounds and

here's the link here

connected to the publisher thank you for

watching my video today if you would

like more information on academic style

or academic writing please go to our

website forward slash writing thank you