Lesson 9.7: Academic Vocabulary, Grammar and Style

Introduction

In this lesson, we will focus on essential aspects of Academic English that will help you succeed in your studies at the university level. The objectives of this lesson are to build your academic vocabulary, enhance your grammar skills, and develop your writing style to meet the requirements of academic writing.

Learning Objectives:

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

• Build subject-specific and general academic vocabulary using the Academic Word List.
• Demonstrate sentence-level accuracy in tense, articles, agreement, and punctuation for academic writing.
• Apply nominalisation, passive voice, and cautious (hedged) language.
• Use reporting verbs and integrate source material smoothly into their writing.
• Edit and proofread their work for clarity, concision, and correctness.

Academic Vocabulary

Importance of Academic Vocabulary

When studying in a university setting, having a strong academic vocabulary is crucial. This includes not only general academic terms but also subject-specific vocabulary related to your field of study. A good starting point is the Academic Word List (AWL), which consists of words that are commonly found in academic texts.

Building Your Vocabulary

To build your academic vocabulary, consider the following strategies:

• Read Widely: Engage with academic journals, books, and articles related to your major. This exposure will help you familiarize yourself with terminology and context.
• Use Flashcards: Create flashcards for new words, including their definitions, synonyms, and example sentences. Regularly review these cards.
• Explore Word Families: Understand the different forms of a word (e.g., 'analyze', 'analysis', 'analytical') to enrich your vocabulary further.

Example

If you encounter the word 'analyze' in a text, make sure to note related forms such as 'analysis' and 'analytical'. This will enhance your understanding and usage of the term in different contexts.

Grammar Accuracy in Academic Writing

Sentence-Level Accuracy

Academic writing requires a high level of grammatical accuracy. This includes correct use of tense, articles, agreement, and punctuation.

Tense

The present tense is often used when discussing established facts (e.g., 'Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.'). The past tense is used when describing previous research (e.g., 'Smith (2020) found that...'). Be mindful of which tense is appropriate in your writing context.

Articles

Using articles correctly can be tricky. For instance:

• Use 'the' when referring to something specific (e.g., 'the experiment') and 'a' or 'an' for something non-specific (e.g., 'a study').

Example

• Correct: 'The results indicate that...'
• Incorrect: 'Results indicate that...'

Agreement

Ensure subject-verb agreement in your sentences. For example, 'The list of items is on the table' is correct since 'list' is singular.

Punctuation

Correct punctuation enhances clarity. Use commas to separate items in a list and periods to end sentences.

Advanced Writing Techniques

Nominalisation

Nominalisation involves turning verbs into nouns to create a more formal tone. For example:

• Verb: 'decide'
• Nominalised form: 'decision'

Using nominalisation allows you to construct sentences that read more formally, which is ideal for academic writing.

Example

• Informal: 'The committee decided to postpone the meeting.'
• Formal: 'The committee made the decision to postpone the meeting.'

Passive Voice

The passive voice is used to emphasize the action or outcome rather than the subject performing the action. For example:

• Active voice: 'The researcher conducted the experiment.'
• Passive voice: 'The experiment was conducted by the researcher.'

Cautious Language

Cautious or hedged language is essential in academic writing because it shows that you recognize the possibility of alternative interpretations. Use terms like 'suggest', 'may', or 'might.' For example:

• Instead of saying, 'The results prove...', you might say, 'The results suggest that...'

Integrating Source Material

Using Reporting Verbs

When integrating quotes or paraphrased material from sources, use reporting verbs to indicate how you are using that information. Common reporting verbs include 'argue', 'suggest', 'claim', and 'report'.

Example

• 'According to Smith (2022), the findings indicate that...'
• 'Jones (2021) suggests that...'

Editing and Proofreading

Importance of Editing

Editing and proofreading are critical steps in the writing process. They help improve clarity, concision, and correctness in your work.

Strategies for Effective Editing

1. Take a Break: After writing, take a break before reviewing your work. This will help you view it with fresh eyes.
2. Read Aloud: Hearing your writing can help you catch errors and awkward phrasing.
3. Check for Clarity: Ensure that your main ideas are clear and that your sentences are concise.
4. Use Tools: Consider using grammar and plagiarism checkers to assist in identifying mistakes and ensuring originality.

Conclusion

In this lesson, we covered essential aspects of Academic English, including vocabulary development, grammar accuracy, advanced writing techniques, and strategies for effective editing and proofreading. These skills are crucial for your success in university studies. By practicing these techniques, students will enhance their academic writing and be better prepared for future assignments.

Study Notes

• Focus on building academic vocabulary using the Academic Word List.
• Pay attention to grammatical accuracy in tense, articles, and punctuation.
• Use nominalisation, passive voice, and cautious language to enhance formality.
• Integrate source material with appropriate reporting verbs.
• Edit and proofread to improve writing clarity and correctness.