Summary of "Academic Style (Academic Writing)"

Summary of “Academic Style (Academic Writing)” Video

The video from Academic English UK explains the conventions of academic style in academic writing, emphasizing what should and should not be included to maintain formality and clarity.

Main Ideas and Concepts

Definition of Academic Style Academic style refers to the conventions commonly associated with academic writing. While there is some debate about its exact nature, there is general agreement on key elements that should be included or avoided.
Dos and Don’ts of Academic Style The video presents a clear list of what to avoid and what to use in academic writing to maintain an appropriate academic style.

Detailed List of Dos and Don’ts

Don’ts (Avoid in Academic Writing)

Avoid idiomatic or colloquial language.
Do not use phrasal verbs (verbs + prepositions) as they are informal; find formal alternatives.
Avoid personal pronouns (I, we, my opinion) since they create an informal tone. Some institutions prohibit the use of “I” in essays.
Do not use contractions; write words in their full form (e.g., “do not” instead of “don’t”).
Avoid question forms; prefer positive statements.
Avoid personal adverbs that personalize language (e.g., “surprisingly,” “unfortunately”).
Do not use numbering or bullet points within paragraphs.
Avoid vague language such as “and so on,” “etc.”; be specific.
Avoid repetition of the same words; use synonyms to demonstrate vocabulary range.
Avoid basic spoken English vocabulary; aim for formal, academic vocabulary.

Dos (Use in Academic Writing)

Use passive voice structures to create a formal tone (e.g., “The data was analyzed” instead of “We analyze the data”).
Use nominalization (turn verbs into nouns) to make sentences more formal and complex (e.g., “An analysis of the data showed…”).
Use referencing systems to support claims.
Use cautious or tentative hedging language (words and phrases that show uncertainty or probability).
Use accurate and precise vocabulary, distinguishing between key terms carefully.
Be specific, especially when presenting data or figures.

Methodology for Improving Academic Style

Identify informal or non-academic words in a sentence.
Use online resources like thesaurus.com or Google to find synonyms and more formal alternatives.
Choose the most appropriate academic words based on context and frequency.
Rewrite sentences replacing informal words with academic vocabulary.
Apply nominalization to verbs to increase formality.
Use hedging language to express caution or tentativeness.

Practice Examples and Exercises

Example sentence: “Another thing to think about is the chance of crime getting worse.”

Identify informal words: “thing,” “chance,” “getting.”
Use synonyms and rewrite: “Another aspect to consider is the possibility of crime becoming worse.”
Further formalize by nominalization: “Another aspect for consideration is the possibility of crime worsening.”

Additional practice sentences with model answers include:

“Currently, the rate of unemployment is at an unprecedented level.”
“It has been proposed that by 2017 a vaccine for malaria will have possibly been discovered.” (Use of hedging)
“After 2013, the Japanese property market house value fell dramatically.”
“Since 2013, the price of property fell dramatically in Japan.”

Additional Resources

Worksheet and further practice materials available on the Academic English UK website (small fee applies).
Recommended reference book: Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students by Stephen Bailey (2014).

Speakers and Sources Featured

Primary Speaker: Presenter from Academic English UK (unnamed).
Referenced Author: Stephen Bailey (author of the recommended handbook).

This video provides a comprehensive overview of academic style, practical advice on avoiding informal language, and exercises to help learners apply these principles in their writing.