Academic Writing: Complexity & Formality

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is the MOST appropriate academic alternative to 'back up' in the sentence, 'You need to back up your argument with data'?

  • Substantiate (correct)
  • Instigate
  • Obfuscate
  • Disseminate

Which of the following replacements for the word 'stuff' in the sentence, 'Participants of the study identified taking care of the children, looking after their clothes and other stuff as their common chores,' maintains the MOST formal tone?

  • Items
  • Things
  • Possessions
  • Belongings (correct)

In academic writing, what is the primary effect of using noun-based phrases compared to verb-based phrases?

  • It enhances the level of complexity and formality in the text. (correct)
  • It increases ambiguity and requires more interpretation from the reader.
  • It contributes to a more concise and direct style.
  • It reduces the overall complexity and makes the text easier to understand.

Which sentence exemplifies the effective use of nominalization to increase complexity in writing?

<p>&quot;The researchers' thorough analysis of the data led to insights.&quot; (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does nominalization contribute to the complexity often found in academic writing?

<p>By converting verbs into nouns, thus allowing for more information to be encapsulated in fewer words (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key distinction between spoken and written academic language regarding complexity?

<p>Written language often incorporates more subordinate clauses and complex vocabulary. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the use of personal pronouns generally discouraged in academic writing?

<p>They are considered too informal. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is MOST indicative of complexity in academic writing?

<p>Higher proportion of content words compared to function words. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic defines a paragraph with high lexical density?

<p>Abundance of content words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs). (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of using objective language in academic writing?

<p>To emphasize the subject matter rather than the writer's personal involvement. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences best demonstrates objectivity in writing?

<p>The data suggests a positive correlation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to consult a department's style guide regarding the use of first-person pronouns?

<p>To follow the established conventions and expectations of the field. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which revision best demonstrates how to make the sentence 'The frustrated researchers declined to provide explanations...' more impersonal?

<p>The researchers declined to provide explanations... (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to avoid subjectivity in academic writing?

<p>To present information supported by evidence and avoid exaggerations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences violates the principles of impersonality in writing?

<p>Honestly, the experiment was a complete disaster. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the sentence that best maintains objectivity and impersonality:

<p>Individual instruction addresses certain needs of a learner. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a typical characteristic of informal language that should be avoided in academic writing?

<p>The use of complex sentence structures and vocabulary. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences is most appropriate for inclusion in an academic research paper?

<p>The data indicate a significant correlation. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence demonstrates the most sophisticated academic structure and vocabulary suitable for a scholarly article?

<p>The investigation elucidates the technological impact on students' learning. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of honing students' academic writing skills, according to the material?

<p>To prepare them to express and interpret thoughts and ideas using appropriate strategies and language conventions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best exemplifies a sentence that needs revision to align with formal academic writing standards?

<p>&quot;My paper, I'll make it clear, talks about the reasons behind why students drop out of college.&quot; (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is formality important in academic and professional writing?

<p>It helps adhere to accepted rules, forms, and conventions of a writing community or discipline. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the LEAST appropriate way to enhance formality in academic writing?

<p>Using contractions frequently to save space. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following phrases is most suitable for academic writing, demonstrating an understanding of appropriate vocabulary?

<p>Investigate (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences is an example of a comma splice?

<p>She is intelligent, she is also very kind. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a 'sprawl' sentence error?

<p>A sentence containing too many subordinate or coordinate clauses strung together. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following options demonstrates correct parallel structure?

<p>We prefer hiking, swimming, and biking. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the best revision to correct the choppy sentences: 'The sun was shining. The birds were singing. It was a beautiful day.'?

<p>Because the sun was shining and the birds were singing, it was a beautiful day. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the sentence that is a 'run-on' sentence.

<p>The dog barked loudly, it wanted to go outside. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a verb fragment?

<p>Will submit. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can you best revise the following sentence to avoid sprawl: 'The movie was long, and it had many scenes, but some of them were boring, so I almost fell asleep.'?

<p>The long movie had many scenes, some of which were boring, causing me to almost fall asleep. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a prepositional fragment?

<p>After the long and tiring journey. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

To correct a sentence that reads, 'She likes to swim, hiking, and to bike,' which revision is most effective in establishing parallel structure?

<p>She likes swimming, hiking, and biking. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of parallel structure?

<p>He enjoys reading books, playing the guitar, and watching movies. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences is most improved by correcting its parallel structure?

<p>He likes to sing and dancing is fun for him. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence correctly uses 'either' in negative constructions?

<p>I haven't seen that movie, and she hasn't either. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Select the sentence that uses 'already' and 'all ready' correctly.

<p>They were all ready to leave when the phone rang; they had already packed their bags. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences correctly avoids the redundant use of 'and' with 'etc.'?

<p>She enjoys painting, drawing, sculpting, etc. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Choose the sentence that uses 'quite' in its correct context.

<p>The movie was quite boring. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the sentence that correctly uses the infinitive form after 'to'.

<p>We need to study for the exam. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of a hedging device to express uncertainty?

<p>The results strongly suggest a potential correlation, but further investigation is required. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the sentence that correctly combines two independent clauses into a compound sentence.

<p>The sun was shining brightly, and the birds were singing. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences is a complex sentence?

<p>Because it was raining, I took my umbrella. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher aims to convey the idea that a particular outcome is possible but not certain. Which of the following word choices would be most appropriate?

<p>Potentially indicates (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences is a compound-complex sentence?

<p>Although I was tired, I finished my work, and then I went to bed. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the sentence that contains a sentence fragment.

<p>Running quickly to catch the bus. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences most effectively uses hedging to present a claim in academic writing?

<p>The evidence strongly suggests that... (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon to join two related independent clauses.

<p>I went to the store; I had forgotten my wallet. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Personal Pronouns

Words like 'I' and 'we' used in writing.

Contractions

Shortened forms of words like 'can't' or 'won't'.

Formal Language

Language that follows established writing rules for academic settings.

Colloquial Expressions

Informal language not suitable for academic writing.

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Complex Sentence Structure

Sentences that include multiple clauses and advanced vocabulary.

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Academic Vocabulary

Formal language used specifically in academic writing.

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Slang

Informal language often used in conversation; not formal.

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Language Conventions

Accepted norms for writing within a discipline or community.

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Nominalization

The process of converting verbs or adjectives into nouns.

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Complexity in Writing

A style characterized by the use of complex structures and advanced vocabulary.

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High-Frequency Academic Words

Commonly used words in academic literature that convey precise meanings.

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Noun-based Phrases

Phrases that replace clauses with a focus on nouns for brevity and clarity.

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Subordinate Clauses

Dependent clauses that provide additional information but cannot stand alone.

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Academic Tone

A formal style of writing appropriate for scholarly communication.

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Exploitive Practices

Actions that take unfair advantage of a situation or person.

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Differentiation

The process of distinguishing or recognizing differences within items or concepts.

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Lexical Density

The ratio of content words to total words in a text.

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Content Words

Words that carry meaning, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.

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Objectivity in Writing

A writing style that emphasizes facts over personal opinions.

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Impersonality in Writing

A writing approach that avoids subjective language and unsupported claims.

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Third Person Pronouns

Pronouns that refer to others (he, she, they) instead of the writer.

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Subjectivity

Involvement of personal feelings or opinions in writing.

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Evidence Support

Statements must be backed up with factual data or examples.

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Guidelines for Writing

Rules given by institutions on how to present writing effectively.

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Hedging Devices

Words or phrases that express uncertainty or likelihood, such as probable or possible.

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Probability

The measure of the likelihood that an event will occur, often expressed as a percentage or fraction.

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Simple Sentence

A sentence that contains a single independent clause with no dependent clauses.

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Compound Sentence

A sentence with two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or semicolon.

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Complex Sentence

A sentence containing one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

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Compound-Complex Sentence

A sentence that has at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

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Sentence Fragments

Incomplete sentences that lack a main clause or do not express a complete thought.

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Run-on Sentences

Sentences that improperly connect independent clauses without appropriate punctuation or conjunctions.

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Choppy Sentences

Short, disjointed sentences strung together that disrupt flow.

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Sentence Sprawl

Overly long sentences with too many clauses, making them hard to read.

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Comma Splice

Joining two independent clauses with just a comma, creating an error.

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Parallel Structure

Using the same grammatical forms to create balance in writing.

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Appositive Fragment

A fragment that describes a noun but lacks a verb, creating incompleteness.

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Gerund Fragment

A fragment using a gerund but lacking a complete thought.

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Gerunds

Verbs ending in -ing that function as nouns in a sentence.

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Infinitives

The base form of a verb, usually preceded by 'to', used to express actions.

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Incorrect Use of 'Also'

Using 'also' in place of 'either' in negative sentences is wrong.

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Confusion of 'Already' and 'All Ready'

'Already' implies time; 'all ready' means fully prepared.

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Verb After 'To'

The verb following 'to' should always be in its base form.

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Using 'and' with 'etc.'

Avoid using 'and' before 'etc.' as it's redundant.

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Meaning of 'Quite'

'Quite' means wholly or greatly, not a small amount.

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Study Notes

Features and Aspects of Academic and Professional Writing

  • This presentation covers key features and aspects of academic and professional writing.
  • Learning objectives include understanding the purpose of writing features, identifying tone through phrase changes, utilizing hedging devices to soften claims, supporting claims with evidence, and employing technical language.
  • A key feature of academic writing is a structured argument.
  • Introductions in academic texts aim to present the main argument or thesis.
  • Maintaining an objective tone, avoiding emotional language and personal bias, is typical in academic texts.
  • "It can be argued that" is an example of hedging.
  • Hedging language, such as "it appears," "may suggest," and "possibly," softens claims and avoids overgeneralizations.
  • Academic writing generally employs formal tone and clear language, avoiding slang and informal language.
  • Essential quotes enhance argumentation while citing sources.

Key Points: Features of an Academic Text

  • Key features include formality, complexity, objectivity, explicitness, hedging, and structurally correct sentences.

Formality in Writing

  • Formal language levels are essential in academic and professional settings.
  • This style adheres to rules, forms, and conventions within specific writing communities (disciplines).
  • Avoid colloquial expressions ("wanna," "gonna").
  • Limit two-word prepositional verbs.
  • Avoid contractions and abbreviations.
  • Employ formal and academic vocabulary (e.g., 540 academic words).
  • Avoid personal pronouns (I, you, he, she, they).
  • Avoid rhetorical questions.

Complexity in Writing

  • It involves more noun-based phrases.
  • Using more content/lexical words rather than function words than typical in spoken language.
  • It uses more subordinate clauses and complex words/phrases.
  • Nominalization is used to transform verbs (or word types) to nouns, leading to more complex phrasing.

Objectivity in Writing

  • Objectivity focuses on the subject matter rather than the writer.
  • It utilizes the third-person perspective (rather than first person).
  • University guidelines may allow first or second-person usage.
  • Consult style guides for consistent application.

Impersonality in Writing

  • Impersonal writing avoids subjectivity.
  • Avoid statements unsupported by evidence.
  • Avoid exaggerated descriptions using adjectives or adverbs.

Explicitness: Maintaining the Flow in Writing

  • Explicit writing maintains clear connections between ideas in the text.
  • Explicitness helps the reader determine whether the idea is the writer's or based on sources, clearly indicating sources.
  • Transition words are used to enhance explicitness, connecting ideas and demonstrating relationships, such as comparison, contrast, or cause and effect.

Hedging in Writing

  • Hedges express tentativeness and possibility.
  • Hedging allows expressions of perspective on arguments that haven't yet been widely accepted.
  • Hedging can also be viewed as cautious and nuanced language.
  • Hedging devices diminish the assertive nature of claims.
  • Hedges are used to avoid definitive or strong claims, expressing varying degrees of certainty.
  • Examples include "may," "might," "could," "possibly," "probably," "seemingly," and "approximately."

Constructing Structurally Correct Sentences

  • Sentences should have complete thoughts to be understood.
  • There are several sentence structure types (e.g., simple, compound, complex, compound-complex).
  • Fragments (incomplete thoughts), run-on sentences (multiple thoughts in one sentence), choppy sentences (disjointed), and sprawl sentences (excessively long and complex) are common errors.
  • Parallel structure maintains consistent grammatical structures.
  • Specific sentence components (e.g., subject, predicate) are essential parts of sentences.
  • Avoiding common errors like comma splices and using appropriate conjunctions improve sentence construction.

Presentation Activity Examples

  • Multiple examples of different aspects of writing, helping to identify and illustrate the features discussed.

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