When you are writing in an academic context, it is important that you use a more formal style than you would in ordinary day-to-day writing. Whether you are writing a test, an essay, or an email to your professor you should express yourself using the right academic register. The following are some tips for maintaining an appropriate, formal register in your academic writing.
- Avoid first person and personal opinions.
- I think that the government should spend more money on alleviating poverty.
- The government should spend more money on alleviating poverty.
- Avoid second person references to the reader.
- You may be surprised that the zebra mussel is an invasive species in many countries.
- The zebra mussel is an invasive species in many countries.
- Avoid excessive emotion (especially with adjectives and adverbs).
- It is insane that the ozone layer has deteriorated so much in the last few decades.
- The ozone layer’s deterioration over the last few decades is a serious issue.
- Avoid slang and overly familiar language.
- Freons are kind of super bad for the ozone layer.
- Freons are detrimental to the ozone layer.
- Avoid assumptions and generalizations.
- It is obvious that biological pest control is more efficient than pesticides.
- This paper argues that biological pest control is more efficient than pesticides.
- Avoid contractions.
- It’s not certain on what day William Shakespeare was born.
- It is not certain on what day William Shakespeare was born.
- Try to vary the lengths of your sentences—avoid too many short declarative sentences.
- Zebra mussels are not native to Canada. They are a serious problem. They were first discovered in North America almost 30 years ago.
- Though Zebra mussels are a serious problem, they are not native to Canada. They were first discovered in North America almost 30 years ago.
Exercise
Access 4-2 Academic Writing Register in the Student Resources for some practice.