Academic Writing.
Most English learners will encounter academic English because of IELTS and will know that the basic differences between everyday and academic English is use of vocabulary and the use of longer sentences.
Two weeks ago I looked at how ideas are connected using linking words and so in this post I'll look more at academic vocabulary.
Below is a simple table of the differences:
Everyday English
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Academic English
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Short Sentences.
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Complex/Compound Sentence &
Relative Clauses.
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Idioms.
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Linking Words.
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Phrasal Verbs.
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Formal vocab and collocations.
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Contracted Forms.
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Use of the Passive.
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The first thing you can do to make your writing more formal is not to use contracted forms (I'm/They've etc) and use the full form (I am/ They are etc).
The next is to try and write longer sentences using linking word like: Although, however, in spite of, consequently, on the other hand, as a result and sequencing words: Firstly, secondly... in conclusion.
Regarding vocabulary the formal words are generally the Latin based words (Sorry, but I know that this is only useful for people who speak some European languages and not much help if your first language is Turkish or Japanese etc).
If you are trying to increase your academic vocabulary try keeping a list of common English words with more formal synonyms.
The site below gives you the 60 most commonly used academic words. If you put these words with their everyday synonym:
Commence - Start.
Cease - Stop.
Then you will have an excellent base to work with.
Next week I will look at academic collocations. Be you can't wait!
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