Lesson 9.6: Academic Vocabulary, Grammar and Style

Introduction

Welcome to Lesson 9.6 of Academic English for University Studies (EAP). In this lesson, students, we will delve into crucial aspects of academic writing that will empower you to express your ideas clearly and effectively in an academic context. The objectives of our lesson include developing both general and subject-specific vocabulary, ensuring sentence-level accuracy, and understanding the importance of editing and proofreading.

Objectives

Building subject-specific and general academic vocabulary (the Academic Word List in outline).
Achieving sentence-level accuracy: tense, articles, agreement, and punctuation for academic writing.
Understanding nominalisation, passive voice, and cautious (hedged) language.
Learning about reporting verbs and how to integrate source material smoothly.
Executing effective editing and proofreading for clarity, concision, and correctness.

Building Academic Vocabulary

What is Academic Vocabulary?

Academic vocabulary refers to words and phrases that are commonly used within academic texts across various disciplines. It differs from everyday language as it is more formal, precise, and varied. Academic vocabulary often contains terms that are essential for comprehension in specific fields (subject-specific vocabulary) as well as those that are broadly applicable across disciplines (general academic vocabulary).

The Academic Word List

The Academic Word List (AWL) consists of 570 words that are frequently found in academic texts. This list helps students focus on high-frequency words that may not be part of the everyday vocabulary but are essential for academic success. To get acquainted with academic vocabulary, take a look at a portion of the AWL:

Analyze: To examine in detail.
Concept: An abstract idea.
Establish: To set up on a firm or permanent basis.
Significant: Sufficiently great or important.

Example: Usage of Academic Vocabulary

Consider the following sentence:

"The study aimed to analyze the significant effects of social media on academic performance among high school students."

Here, the words analyze, significant, and academic performance are part of academic vocabulary, enabling precision and depth in expression.

Strategies for Building Vocabulary

Reading Academic Texts: Engage with scholarly articles, journals, and publications to familiarize yourself with academic phrases and terminology.
Use of Flashcards: Create flashcards for new vocabulary to reinforce your memory.
Practice Writing: Incorporate new vocabulary into your assignments and essays.

Sentence-Level Accuracy

Importance of Sentence-Level Accuracy

In academic writing, clarity is paramount. A single misplaced comma or tense inconsistency can alter the meaning of your work. Therefore, it's essential to understand and apply the rules of grammar and punctuation accurately.

Key Elements of Sentence-Level Accuracy

Tense: Be mindful of the tense used in academic writing. The present tense is often used to state facts, while the past tense is used to discuss completed research.

Example: "Smith (2020) found that..." vs. "This study proposes that..."

Articles: The use of definite and indefinite articles can change the specificity of your writing.

Example: “A study on climate change” implies one of many studies, while “The study on climate change” refers to a particular study.

Agreement: Ensure subject-verb agreement to maintain grammatical correctness.

Example: “The results are significant” (plural subject and verb).

Punctuation: Proper use of punctuation can clarify meaning.

Example: "Let’s eat, Grandma!" vs. "Let’s eat Grandma!"

Example of Editing for Accuracy

Before editing:

“The data indicate that many student have difficulties in there studies.”

After editing:

“The data indicate that many students have difficulties in their studies.”

Nominalisation, Passive Voice, and Cautious Language

What is Nominalisation?

Nominalisation is the process of converting verbs (or adjectives) into nouns, which can make writing appear more formal and abstract. This is common in academic writing.

Example: “To investigate the phenomenon” becomes “The investigation of the phenomenon.”

Understanding Passive Voice

The passive voice shifts emphasis from the doer to the action itself. While it is useful in shifting focus, overuse can cause ambiguity.

Example: “The experiment was conducted by the researchers” (passive) vs. “The researchers conducted the experiment” (active).

Cautious Language (Hedging)

Hedged language expresses uncertainty or caution. This is particularly useful in academic writing where generalizations can be misleading.

Example: Instead of saying “All students” say “Many students may often find…”

Example of Nominalisation and Passive Voice

“The research analyzes the impact of climate change.” (Active)

This can be transformed into:

“An analysis of the impact of climate change is being carried out.” (Passive and Nominalisation)

Reporting Verbs and Integrating Sources

Using Reporting Verbs

When integrating sources into your writing, the choice of reporting verb is critical as it conveys your stance toward the information. Common reporting verbs include:

Suggest (e.g., "Smith suggests that...")
Claim (e.g., "Jones claims that...")
Argue (e.g., "Doe argues that...")

Integrating Sources Smoothly

To effectively weave sources into your writing:

Introduce the Source: Use a reporting verb to present the source’s perspective.
Present the Evidence: Quote, paraphrase, or summarize the source.
Provide Commentary: Discuss how this evidence supports your argument.

Example of Source Integration

Incorrect Integration:

“According to research, students often succeed.”

Correct Integration:

“Smith (2020) suggests that students who engage in study groups often achieve higher grades.”

Editing and Proofreading

Why Edit and Proofread?

Editing and proofreading are crucial steps in the writing process. They help refine your arguments, improve clarity, and eliminate errors, which is essential for presenting a polished academic work.

Steps for Effective Editing

Take a Break: Step away from your writing for a while before editing.
Read Aloud: This can help catch errors that you may gloss over when reading silently.
Use Grammar Tools: Tools like Grammarly or Hemingway can help identify areas for improvement.
Seek Feedback: Ask peers or mentors to review your work and provide constructive feedback.

Common Mistakes to Look For

Run-on Sentences: Break these into clearer, concise statements.
Overly Complex Vocabulary: Simplify when possible for clarity.
Inconsistent Tenses: Ensure your verb tenses match throughout your document.

Example of Revising for Clarity

Before Editing:

“Due to the fact that there was an unexpected rise in temperatures, this has led to difficulties with crops and made farmers worry.”

After Editing:

“The unexpected rise in temperatures has caused difficulties for crops and increased farmers’ concerns.”

Conclusion

In this lesson, we explored various foundational aspects of academic vocabulary, grammar, and style essential for academic writing. By focusing on vocabulary development, sentence-level accuracy, and effective source integration, you will enhance your ability to communicate effectively in academic environments. Remember that practice is key—regularly applying these principles will make you a more competent and confident writer.

Study Notes

Academic vocabulary is essential for clarity and precision in writing.
The Academic Word List is a valuable resource for building vocabulary.
Sentence-level accuracy includes verb tense, articles, agreement, and punctuation.
Nominalisation and passive voice help create a formal tone in writing.
Reporting verbs significantly influence how sources are integrated into your work.
Effective editing and proofreading are necessary for presenting polished academic essays.