Lesson 6.5: Verb Tense, Voice and Reporting in Academic Writing

Introduction

Welcome, students! In this lesson, we will explore the essential components of verb tense, voice, and reporting in academic writing. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand these concepts and apply them effectively in your writing. 📝

Learning Objectives

• Explain the main ideas and terminology behind Applying Lesson 6.5: Verb Tense, Voice and Reporting in Academic Writing.
• Apply Foundation Academic English and Study Skills reasoning or procedures related to Applying Lesson 6.5: Verb Tense, Voice and Reporting in Academic Writing.
• Connect Applying Lesson 6.5: Verb Tense, Voice and Reporting in Academic Writing to the broader topic of Lesson 6.5: Verb Tense, Voice and Reporting in Academic Writing.
• Summarize how Applying Lesson 6.5: Verb Tense, Voice and Reporting in Academic Writing fits within Lesson 6.5: Verb Tense, Voice and Reporting in Academic Writing.
• Use evidence or examples related to Applying Lesson 6.5: Verb Tense, Voice and Reporting in Academic Writing in Foundation Academic English and Study Skills.

Verb Tense

Verb tense is crucial in academic writing as it indicates the time a certain action occurs. The most common tenses used are the present, past, and future.

Present Tense

The present tense is often used to discuss facts, generalizations, or ongoing actions.

Example:

• “Climate change affects ecosystems worldwide.”

Here, affects is in the present tense, indicating a current fact.

Past Tense

The past tense is generally used to describe completed actions or findings.

Example:

• “Researchers discovered a new species last year.”

The word discovered illustrates an action that has already been completed.

Future Tense

Future tense expresses actions that will happen later.

Example:

• “The study will investigate the effects of pollution.”

Using will investigate makes it clear that the action is anticipated.

Verb Voice

Voice can change how information is presented. There are two primary voices: active and passive.

Active Voice

In active voice, the subject performs the action.

Example:

• “The scientist conducted the experiment.”

Here, the subject (scientist) is performing the action (conducted).

Passive Voice

In passive voice, the subject receives the action, which can shift focus.

Example:

• “The experiment was conducted by the scientist.”

The focus shifts from the doer (scientist) to the action (experiment). While passive voice can be useful in some contexts, it's generally more direct to use active voice in academic writing.

Reporting Verbs

Reporting verbs are used to summarize or report on someone else’s work or ideas. Common reporting verbs include: claim, suggest, argue, and demonstrate.

Using Reporting Verbs in Context

Reporting verbs help attribute ideas to their originators. It’s important to choose the correct verb to convey the right level of certainty or interpretation.

Example:

• “Smith argues that climate change is accelerating.”

Using argues indicates that Smith has a strong opinion on the matter.

Example:

• “Johnson suggests that more research is needed.”

Here, suggests implies a more tentative stance.

Conclusion

Understanding verb tenses, voice, and reporting in academic writing is vital for clear and effective communication. These elements not only show when actions occur but also help convey the relationship between ideas and their authors. As you write academic papers, recall the significance of these aspects to ensure clarity and precision.

Study Notes

• Verb tenses indicate when actions occur: present, past, and future.
• The active voice emphasizes the doer, while the passive voice emphasizes the action or recipient.
• Choosing the right reporting verb helps convey the author's attitude towards the information.
• Use present tense for facts, past tense for completed actions, and future tense for upcoming research or studies.
• Aim for clarity in your writing by focusing on the appropriate verb tense and voice.