Module 6 Worksheet

Practice with Common Errors in Academic Style

TASK: Identify the common academic style errors in the sentences below – don’t focus on
grammar, focus on the points we covered in the lesson

1. This is a really big problem that we need to solve as soon as possible.

2. It’s unlikely that this issue will be resolved in the short-term.

3. It is obvious that the current situation is terrible and a perfect solution needs to be
found. How will this be achieved?

4. And another key point is that education is costly. But this is outweighed by the
enormous benefits of the education system.

5. So, the impacts of this issue are severe.

6. Children need to broaden their horizons to be able to reach for the stars and become
who they were meant to be.

7. This is a sort of key to unlocking this problem, and may be one of the sole methods
that will have a good effect for a lot of people who are impacted so seriously by the
issue at hand.

8. (ADVANCED): If a worker at a large company wants to succeed, he or she must work

long hours and meet tight deadlines, which is highly stressful. This can result in
symptoms like headaches and fatigue, which may make the worker less productive.

(Suggested answers on next page)

 SUGGESTED ANSWERS
1. This is a significantreally big problem that we need to solveneeds to be solved as soon as
possible.
– “really big” is not academic. “We” is a personal pronoun – using the passive voice is better
here to avoid it.

2. It is’s unlikely that this issue will be resolved in the short-term.

- “It’s” is a contraction. Do not use contractions in academic writing.

3. It is obvious evident that the current situation is terrible problematic and a perfect viable
solution needs to be found. How will this be achieved?This can be achieved in several ways.

– “obvious”, “terrible”, and “perfect” are all emotive words. More neutral, academic
language should be used instead. “How will this be achieved?” is a rhetorical question – do
not use questions in academic writing.

4. And In addition, another key point is that education is costly. But However, this is
outweighed by the enormous benefits of the education system.
- You must never begin a sentence with “and/but/so” – they are coordinating conjunctions,
and therefore they can only connect two independent CLAUSES, not two SENTENCES.

5. SoThus, the impacts of this issue are severe.

- Again, you cannot begin a sentence with “and/but/so”.

6. Children need to broaden their horizons to be able to reach for the stars and become who
they were meant to be.
- Rewrite the entire sentence!!! This is very cliché, over-the-top and reads like a poem or a
motivational speech. Be direct and objective!

7. This is a sort of key to unlocking this problem???, and may be one of the sole methods that
will have a good effect for a lot of people who are impacted so seriously by the issue at
hand.
- “sort of” is not academic or concise. “unlocking this problem” is a metaphor, and a bit
unusual. This sentence is far too long and rambly – you could say the same information in
fewer words, e.g. “This method may be the optimal choice to address the issue efficiently.”

8. (ADVANCED): If a worker at a large company wants to succeed, he or she must work long
hours and meet tight deadlines, which is highly stressful. This can result in symptoms like
headaches and fatigue, which may make the worker less productive.
- This sentence can be improved by focusing less on the INDIVIDUAL and more on the
BIGGER PICTURE. It is not concise and does not show the implications for SOCIETY.
Imagine many workers feel this way. What is the result? Focus on key CONCEPTS,
e.g. “Long work hours and tight deadlines cause significant stress for workers. This can result
in widespread mental and physical health problems, which can in turn decrease work
productivity, thus impacting company profits and GDP output.”