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What forms of language should be avoided to ensure objectivity?
Which aspect is crucial for academic and professional writing?
What can cause readers to doubt the validity of a writer's statement?
What does writing with judgmental language often indicate?
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What type of language can lead to a loss of credibility in academic writing?
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How can writers ensure their language remains objective?
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What is a potential consequence of primarily using personal judgments in writing?
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Which phrase exemplifies judgmental language?
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Which verb indicates a degree of uncertainty in academic writing?
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What type of verbs can be used to express likelihood in academic writing?
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Which of the following adjectives best conveys a definitive claim?
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Which phrase effectively demonstrates hedging in academic writing?
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Which of the following nouns implies a level of uncertainty?
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Which adverb suggests a possibility rather than certainty?
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What is the primary purpose of using hedging in academic writing?
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Which of the following modal verbs indicates a suggestion rather than a command?
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What is a primary reason for using hedged language in reporting?
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How does hedged language aid in politeness strategy?
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What is a potential downside of using hedged language excessively?
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What determines the level of formality in writing?
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In which type of writing is hedged language most commonly utilized?
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What is an important balance to maintain when using hedged language?
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Which tone is recommended when addressing an unknown audience?
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One key feature of hedged language is to minimize the possibility of what?
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What are the two main purposes of writing in academic or specific fields?
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Using hedged language can improve communication by acknowledging what?
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What type of tone has no place in academic or professional writing?
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What does hedging in language indicate about the author's confidence?
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When is it acceptable to use a semi-formal tone?
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What is the main difference between formal and informal writing?
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What is the primary purpose of using personal language in writing?
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Why is it important to adjust writing style based on the audience?
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In what type of writing is personal experience considered less important?
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What does the purpose of writing to reinforce or change attitudes involve?
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Which of the following phrases exemplifies clear and direct language?
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What kind of language should be avoided in academic writing?
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Why is explicitness important in writing?
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What is an example of a vague statement?
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How should figures be used in a statement?
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What is the effect of using figurative language in academic writing?
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Study Notes
Formality in Academic Writing
- The level of formality should be determined by the audience's expectations and the writer's purpose.
- Three levels of formality exist: formal, semi-formal, and informal.
- Formal tone should be used when speaking to an unknown audience.
- Semi-formal tone can be used when speaking to someone well-known.
- Informal tone has no place in academic or professional writing.
Purpose of Material
- Writing in academia or a specific field of expertise has two main purposes:
- To help other learn about a subject, carry out a task, or make a decision.
- To reinforce or change the attitude and motivate readers to take action.
Objectivity in Academic Writing
- Academic and professional language should be objective and unbiased.
- Avoid the following to ensure objectivity:
- Personal language
- Judgemental language
Explicitness in Academic Writing
- Use clear and direct language.
- Avoid figurative language like metaphor, simile, and irony as they can obscure meaning.
- Instead of saying, "This night is colder compared to last night," state, "This night is colder as the thermostat reads 25°C. Whereas, last night, we had 30°C for the whole night."
- The second statement offers a clear explanation with figures.
Hedging
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Hedging is when a writer or speaker minimizes the strength of their claims to avoid being absolutely certain or definitive.
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Hedging is commonly used in academic writing, legal documents, and news reports.
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Examples of hedged language include:
- Use of modal verbs (e.g., could, might, may)
- Modal adverbs (e.g., possibly, perhaps)
- Modal adjectives (e.g., possible, probable)
- Use of "It is thought that..." or "It may be suggested that..."
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One should use hedging sparingly as readers/listeners might be confused as to where the writer or speaker stands on a specific issue.
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The goal is to balance explicitness and caution in your writing so it does not appear you lack confidence in your thoughts and ideas.
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Description
This quiz explores the different levels of formality in academic writing, including formal, semi-formal, and informal tones. It also emphasizes the importance of objectivity and explicitness in academic communication. Test your understanding of how to communicate effectively in academic contexts.
