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

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore the critical elements of verb tense, voice, and reporting in academic writing. Understanding how to use these components effectively is essential for clear and professional communication in your written work.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Use the appropriate tense in academic writing, including present tense for established knowledge and past tense for specific studies.
Choose the correct tense when reporting research and citing sources.
Create accurate reporting structures and use the verbs that introduce sources correctly.
Understand the use of conditionals and modals for expressing possibility, necessity, and recommendation.
Maintain tense consistency throughout a piece of writing.

Verb Tense in Academic Writing

Conventional Tense Use

Academic writing often follows specific conventions for verb tense use. Here are the commonly used tenses:

Present Tense: This is used when discussing established knowledge and universal truths. For example:
"The Earth revolves around the Sun."
"Studies show that exercise contributes to better mental health."

Past Tense: This tense is typically used when discussing specific studies or completed research. For example:
"Smith (2020) found that..."
"The results indicated that..."

Using the correct tense helps convey whether you are referencing established facts or specific research findings.

Examples of Tense Usage

Let’s see how to change verb tense based on context:

Present Tense Example:
The theory suggests that molecules behave more energetically at higher temperatures. (This is a general statement).
Past Tense Example:
The experiment demonstrated that temperature affects molecular behavior. (This refers to a specific study).

Make sure to choose the verb tense that aligns with the nature of your discussion.

Reporting Research and Citing Sources

Tense Choices for Reporting

When reporting research, the choice of tense can indicate whether you are discussing ongoing relevance or completed findings. Use:

Present Tense for ongoing studies or when the findings are still relevant.
"Johnson (2023) argues that social media impacts communication styles."

Past Tense for specific experiments or studies that are completed.
"Williams (2019) studied the effects of climate change on polar bears."

Reporting Structures

When introducing sources, specific verbs can clarify the relationship between your statement and the cited work. Some reporting verbs include:

Argue
Suggest
Find
Report
Claim

For example:

"Smith (2021) suggests that..."
"Jones (2018) claimed that..."

Examples of Reporting Verb Usage

Using accurate reporting verbs makes your writing more authoritative. Let's look at how these verbs shape your writing:

"Taylor (2022) reports that urbanization leads to increased pollution levels." (More factual)
"Lee (2021) argues that social media has both positive and negative effects." (An opinion)

Modals and Conditionals in Academic Writing

Conditionals

Conditionals can express possible outcomes or hypotheses. For example:

If the study continues, we may find more evidence supporting the hypothesis.
In this case, “may” indicates possibility.

Modals for Necessity and Recommendation

Modals also help convey necessity or recommendations:

Use must to express necessity:
Readers must be aware of the limitations of the study.
Use should for recommendations:
Researchers should consider alternative methodologies.

Maintaining Tense Consistency

Consistency in tense is crucial in academic writing. Mixing tenses can confuse readers. Here are some tips:

Stick to one tense when describing current research findings.
If you start in the present tense, continue using it if you’re discussing ongoing concepts.
Only switch to past tense when discussing completed studies or historical data.

Using a consistent tense helps enhance the flow of your writing and creates a smoother reading experience.

Conclusion

Understanding verb tense, voice, and reporting structures is key to executing effective academic writing. By choosing the appropriate tenses and maintaining consistency, students can improve the clarity and credibility of their academic work.

Study Notes

Present Tense: Use for established facts and ongoing relevance.
Past Tense: Use for completed studies and specific findings.
Reporting Verbs: Choose verbs like argue, suggest, and find to clarify relationships with sources.
Conditionals: Express possibilities and hypotheses with if-clauses.
Modals: Use must for necessity and should for recommendations.
Consistency: Maintain the same tense throughout your writing for clarity.