1.

Formality
Used of language appropriate in aca-
demic and professional settings
Formal language is used rather than
slang or informal language in academic
writing
Academic writing is formal where the fol-
lowing should be avoided:
*Colloquial words and expressions and id-
iomatic expressions
*Abbreviated words such as can’t, doesn’t,
shouldn’t and others
 *Two-word verbs such as put off, bring up
*Expanded terms over their abbreviated equivalents
such as “as soon as possible” instead of ASAP

Ex: It is best to commence the electrolyte thickening in a

silver acetate bath.
2. Complexity
Use of more lexical words than grammatical
words
 complex ideas could be simplified using
a simple language or commonly used idioms
that are understandable to a specific target.
Example:
The participant was admitted to the graduate
program. It came to him as a surprise.

The participant’s admission to the graduate

program came to him as a surprise.
Example:
How much money will be invested should be
determined.

The amount of money to be invested should be

determined.
3. Objectivity
© Emphasis should be on the information that
you want to give and the arguments you
want to make, rather than you
© Characterized by the use of the third per-
son rather than first person
Example:
In my opinion, this is a very interest-
ing study.

This is a very interesting study.

Example:
As teachers, we need to realize the value of
feedback on student writing.

Teachers need to realize the value of feedback

on student writing.
4. Explicitness
Refers to the organization of ideas in the
text.
Shows relationships and connections of
the ideas in the text.
 Indicates the source of ideas.
TRANSI-
TIONAL
DEVICES
 ADDING
IDEAS
SEQUENCE CONTRAST
Furthermore, First, Although, but,
in addition to, second, despite,
moreover, even though,
besides, first, finally,
however,
second, finally, next, then
in contrast, in-
but also stead, on the
other hand
 CAUSE AND
EXAMPLE EFFECT TIME
As a result,
Thus, consequently,
for this reason, Until,
illustrate, for
hence, there- as long as,
example, for
fore, accord- later, so far,
instance,
ingly, when, before,
provided that,
for this after, soon
in particular
purpose
 COMPARISON
PLACE GENERALIZATION
And, simi-
Here, there, In general, larly, like-
at this point, commonly, wise,
below, be- generally, in the same
side, next to, for the most way, also,
behind, part, usually, in the same
outside, typically manner
inside
ASSERTION OR
OPPOSITION
REFERENCE
As seen in
No doubt, Table __,
surely, as mentioned,
of course, as stated,
certainly, as stated pre-
in fact viously
5. Hedging
Enables you to express a perspective on claims
that have not been acclaimed yet by others.
 The use of linguistic devices to express
hesitation or uncertainty as well as to demon-
strate politeness and directness.
Writer makes decisions about his/her stance on a
particular subject. The strength of the claims must be
considered. He/she also uses cautious language.

Ex: The lives they chose may seem overly ascetic and
self-denying to most women today.
REASONS FOR HEDG-
ING
When there are exceptions to the findings or re-
1 sults are inconclusive.
When they are sure about what they are saying
2 but want to appear more modest or show defer-
ence to their readers or colleagues

3 When they want to open up possibilities for dis-

cussions.
 LAN-
GUAGE
USED IN
HEDGING
*Introductory *Certain Lexical *Certain Modal
Verbs Verbs Verbs

Seem, Be Sure
Tend, Indicate
believe will, must
Look Like assume Would, may
Appear To Be Might,
Think Suggest
Believe
could
Doubt
*Adverbs of
*Modal Nouns *That Clauses
Frequency

- It could be
the case that
Often Assumption - It might be
Sometimes Probability suggested that
Usually Possibility - There is ev-
ery hope that
 *Modal *Modal
Adverbs Adjectives
*Phrases
Certainly
Definitely Certain
on the whole
Clearly Definite
More or less
Probably Clear
Possibly Probable
Perhaps Possible
Conceivably
Let’s compare the following sentences:
Example:
In both cases, if the policy stipulates the use of

A
either English or Filipino, the faculty, staff and
students will not support it.

In both cases, if the policy stipulates the use of

B either English or Filipino, this might not gain

the support of the faculty, staff and students.
Let’s compare the following sentences:
Example:
There are certainly cases where this would
A seem to have been the only possible method of
transmission.

There are cases where this would

B have been the only possible method
of transmission.
6. Precision
Specifying information, dates,
or figures
 Facts and figures could be quoted
from exact sources for further refer-
ence in Academic writing.
6. Precision
 Writer is advised not to use
“several workers” when he/
she can use “10 million
workers”.
Example:
Chemists had attempted to synthesize quinine for the previous
hundred years but all they had achieved was to discover was
the extreme complexity of the problem.

The volatile oily liquid beta-chloro-beta-ethyl sulphide was first

synthesized in 1854, and in 1887 it was reported to produce
blisters if it touched the skin. It was called mustard gas and was
used at Ypress in 1917, when it caused many thousands of ca-
sualties.
7. Responsibility
Demonstrating an under-
standing of the source text,
provide evidence and justifica-
tion for, any claims made
Writer must be responsible for demonstrating and
understanding of any source text used. All evi-
dences and justifications are provided to support the
claims.

Ex: I can’t go to your party tonight. I have to be up

early tomorrow for work.
 Match the informal language vocabulary
with the more appropriate formal options.
a. confirm, determine
1. Look at
b. Demonstrate, indicate
2. Show
c. Consider, monitor
3. Begin d. Commence, initiate
4. Make sure e. Revise, review
5. Go over