Communication for Academic Purposes

Summary

This video covers key elements of academic writing, focusing on clarity, formality, and structure. It emphasizes the importance of coherence and cohesion, proper proofreading, and using nominalizations and passive voice for a formal tone. Hedging is discussed as a way to express cautious language and avoid making overstatements, with examples of modal verbs and qualifying adverbs. The video also highlights the significance of correct APA citation, encouraging viewers to consult reliable resources like Purdue OWL. Overall, the video provides practical tips for improving academic writing and citations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focus on improving writing by being explicit, clear, and well-structured with coherence and cohesion.
• 😀 Proofreading is essential before submitting any academic paper to ensure correct grammar, spelling, and clarity.
• 😀 Use nominalizations (noun forms of verbs) to make writing sound more formal, as in transforming 'perform' into 'performance'.
• 😀 Passive voice is more formal and focuses on the action's receiver, e.g., 'The cost savings can be used' instead of 'The company can use the cost savings.'
• 😀 Hedging language is crucial in academic writing to avoid making overly certain or extreme claims. Use cautious phrases like 'might,' 'could,' or 'it is believed.'
• 😀 Use modal verbs like 'may,' 'might,' 'could,' and 'would' to express different levels of possibility or uncertainty in academic writing.
• 😀 Qualifying adverbs like 'several,' 'a few,' or 'many' help to avoid overgeneralizations and make statements more precise and accurate.
• 😀 Academic writing should avoid overcommitment to facts by using impersonal subjects and passive voice, e.g., 'It is believed that...' instead of 'I believe that...'.
• 😀 Attitudinal signals (e.g., 'arguably,' 'apparently,' 'ideally') help convey the writer's stance or uncertainty toward the subject matter.
• 😀 Proper citation in APA format is crucial for academic integrity, and reliable resources, such as Purdue OWL, should be consulted for citation guidelines.

Q & A

What is the importance of coherence and cohesion in academic writing?

Coherence and cohesion help to make writing clear, logical, and easy to follow. Using appropriate words and phrases ensures the reader can easily understand the arguments and points made.

Why is proofreading important in academic writing?

Proofreading ensures that grammar, spelling, and clarity are correct, preventing errors that could undermine the professionalism and quality of the work before submission.

What are nominalizations, and how do they contribute to formality in writing?

Nominalizations are the process of turning verbs into nouns. For example, 'perform' becomes 'performance.' This makes the writing more formal and precise, often used in academic settings.

How does passive voice contribute to formal academic writing?

Passive voice shifts the focus from the doer of the action to the receiver of the action, which is often seen as more formal. For instance, 'The company can use the cost savings' becomes 'The cost savings can be used.'

What is hedging in academic writing, and why is it necessary?

Hedging involves using cautious language to avoid making definitive claims. It helps convey uncertainty and provides safety nets in situations where the writer is not fully sure about their statement.

Can you provide examples of hedging devices used in academic writing?

Hedging devices include modal verbs like 'might,' 'could,' 'may,' and adverbs like 'apparently' or 'arguably.' These words express possibility or uncertainty and help soften the impact of a claim.

How does the use of modal verbs contribute to hedging in writing?

Modal verbs such as 'could,' 'might,' 'may,' or 'would' indicate varying levels of possibility or uncertainty, which is crucial in academic writing where absolute certainty is often not possible.

What role do qualifying adverbs like 'several' or 'many' play in academic writing?

Qualifying adverbs help to avoid over-generalization by indicating the extent or frequency of something without making absolute claims. For example, 'many' instead of 'all' or 'several' instead of 'most'.

Why is it important to follow citation guidelines, such as APA format?

Proper citation ensures academic integrity by giving credit to original sources, helps readers trace the source of information, and avoids plagiarism. APA format is commonly used for its consistency and structure.

What resources can be used for learning how to apply APA citation format?

The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) is a credible resource that provides detailed guidelines for APA citation, helping writers adhere to correct citation standards.