Academic style

Avoid vague, general and conversational language.

Academic writing uses formal language, which means avoiding the use of slang and colloquial language associated more commonly with speech, text chat, as well as publications, such as newspapers, magazines and online media. It is very rare that you will see informal language used in academic publications, unless it is in a direct quotation.

Here are a few tips for writing in a more formal style in your assignments:

1. Be specific

When making statements in your writing, specific details and examples should be given. What?, Who?, Why?, Where? and When? are all good questions to ask yourself as you research and write but also consider the next level of detail in your questioning. For example: In what way is it important?, Who do they represent?, Exactly how much?, To what extent? and What are the specific factors involved?

2. Spell out contractions

3. Use formal verb forms

4. Avoid informal shortened forms

Note: There are shortened forms that are appropriate to use in academic writing. In general, most shortened forms (TAFE, ASIC, ASIO, ACT, UNSW) should be spelt out in full in the first instance in your assignment, followed by the shortened form in brackets. For example, Australian Capital Territory (ACT). It is sometimes acceptable to not spell out commonly known shortened forms in full (DVD, PIN, CIA).

Further reading:

• Academic Phrasebank, University of Manchester

Even from first year, your role should be one of an objective critic.

1. Draw on logic and evidence, rather than emotion and uninformed opinion

Objective writing involves making evaluations based on evidence, as well as existing points of view that are supported by evidence. And it is not only research essays and reports – even personal reflective writing is often somewhat objective to the extent that it draws on theory and is limited to reflecting on your professional learning experience (rather than your personal life).

It is important to understand that, even from first year, your role is one of an objective critic. Language that is judgemental and based on uninformed opinion, rather than fact, has no place in good academic writing.

Pronouns such as our and we should be avoided, as they imply a gross generalisation and are often used by writers for manipulative emotive effect.

Evaluate how you describe things in your own writing. Words such as terrible, outrageous, awful, glorious, wonderful and shocking imply personal judgement, which should be avoided in academic writing.

2. Avoid stereotypes

Uninformed assumptions and generalisations are not acceptable in academic writing.

In your writing at university, you will need to express your opinion, or point of view, fairly and without bias. This means not making careless assumptions or generalisations about groups of people. You will need to ensure that you think carefully about any statements you make about people based on their gender, sexuality, ability, ethnicity, age or belief.

You are expected to critically analyse evidence, hypotheses and opinion. The language of stereotypes – uninformed assumptions and generalisations – are never acceptable in academic writing.

Also, keep in mind that a person’s gender, ethnicity, or other attributes, need only be included where it is relevant to the topic. For example, is the fact that the person you are describing is Aboriginal or a woman or a Muslim relevant to your topic? If not, consider removing these descriptors.

Here are some examples of gender-neutral language that can be used:

3. Objective vs. subjective language

In most assessments, you will be expected to use objective language. This means avoiding the use of personal pronouns, such as I and my. However, there are always exceptions, so discuss this with your lecturer or check your unit guide to determine exactly what is expected for each assessment. In reflective writing assignments and tasks, for example, you may be expected to use these personal pronouns when drawing on your personal experience of the course.

Further reading:

• Objective Language, The University of Adelaide
• Appropriate language, Purdue Online Writing Lab

Using cautious language actually strengthens your argument.

You may notice from your unit readings that it is quite rare that writers will claim to be 100% certain of their findings, recommendations or opinions - even when supported by solid evidence. Why is this? In order to strengthen their argument, academic writers often use cautious language, such as may indicate, suggests that or probably. By using cautious language, the writer accepts that there is almost always room for doubt and further questioning. This is an accepted academic writing technique that you can use in your assignments.

In much academic writing, the following absolutist phrases are usually avoided: always, forever, all, absolutely, never, none.

Across a range of disciplines, phrases are used to show some caution (sometimes called tentative phrases). These phrases can be used to avoid unreasonable certainty in your own statements and opinions and you can also use these phrases when interpreting and analysing your readings.

Some of these tentative phrases include: indicate, appear, perhaps, suggest, probably, could, would, might, may, possibly, probably, conceivably, arguably, usually, more likely, less likely, and potentially.

Further reading:

• Tentative statements, Monash University
• Being cautious, Academic Phrasebank, Manchester University