ACADEMIC STYLE
In the same way that recipes or letters use a particular style and form of language, academic
assignments usually follow a particular style.
Here are some guidelines:
Be concise and specific
To write in a precise way:
use specific examples to illustrate your points
cut out as much dead wood as possible
ask other people to read your work to look for any irrelevant or vague material.
Use the terminology of your subject or discipline and be clear about what you are saying. Dont assume that a
tutor will simply know what you mean. When you really know your subject you should be able to articulate the
main ideas and explain the main terms to someone who hasnt studied in your area.
To build your subject vocabulary:
keep your own glossary (list) of subject words at the back of a folder
develop a list of power words, ones that say a lot succinctly: e.g. nocturnal is a more precise word for
is active at night
use a thesaurus and a subject-specific dictionary
Be tentative
Academic writing is cautious in presenting findings. Most theories are open to some modification.
To indicate new and emerging research, use words or phrases such as:
suggests that
There is a possibility that
Studies indicate that
It would seem that
For knowledge that is more established, use:
it is probable
the majority of
There is a tendency for,
Recent studies confirm
For example:
Mahlab (1994) suggests that there are significant differences in communication.
Study Tips: Academic Style
May 2012
Use impersonal language
You are often asked to make judgements and include your own views on an issue. However, in most subject
areas you are required to avoid the pronoun I.
The fact that you are not reporting another persons view implies that the view is your own. In fact, whatever is
included in your essay that is not attributed to someone else, [i.e. Jones (1987) demonstrates that, according
to Smith (1994)...] is assumed to be yours.
For example:
So instead of saying I think that all guns should be banned you can say strict government control of guns is
required.
Use formal language
A university assignment requires a more formal type of language. Allow plenty of time to revise your expression
after you have composed the main content.
You need to:
Avoid slang (e.g. cool) and language that is too casual (e.g. pretty awful).
Use full forms rather than abbreviations, e.g. does not rather than doesnt.
Consider the use of nominalisation (making noun structures) e.g. comprehension is aided by repetition
rather than you can understand something better if it is repeated.
Be careful: too much nominalisation can make your writing unnecessarily complex and tedious to read.
Use strong reporting words
When you use other peoples research you can give it extra significance by using a more precise reporting
word, e.g. Jacob (1998) concedes that the test is not 100% reliable. is more powerful than Jacob says that...
Useful reporting words include:
claim, describe, outline, examine, discuss, state, suggest, observe, identify, consider,
assert, propose, contend, support, recommend, purport, dismiss, refute, dispute,
contradict, disagree, concur, point out, show, confirm, demonstrate, attributeto,
calculate, contend, argue, reveal, maintain
NB:
NB : The more you read academic material, the faster you will pick up the appropriate academic style, and the
more academic reporting words you will acquire.
Use
Use your own voice
voice
Your assignment should be in your own words to reflect your thinking.
If you rely too much on quotes from different sources, your assignment task may lack cohesion and
unity of style.
Make your own paraphrases and summaries of research using proper citations.
If English is not your first language, ask someone to read your assignments before you submit them,
but dont be afraid to use your own voice.
For more information visit the RMIT Learning Lab
Study Tips: Academic Style
May 2012
