In academic writing, maintaining the right language and tone is essential for clarity, professionalism, and credibility. This article explains how to achieve a formal and objective tone, avoid personal language, use precise language, avoid colloquial expressions, and incorporate discipline-specific jargon appropriately.
What is Formal and Objective Tone in Academic Writing?
A formal tone ensures your writing is professional and suitable for an academic audience, while an objective tone focuses on presenting facts without bias or emotion.
- Formal Tone: Avoid informal language, contractions, and casual expressions. Instead of writing, “kids,” use “children.” Keep the language professional and respectful throughout the paper.
- Objective Tone: Present information without inserting personal opinions. For example, write, “The research shows a 20% increase in patient satisfaction,” rather than “I think patient satisfaction is improving.”
Cambridge University conducted a study in 2020 showing that students who consistently used formal and objective tones in their writing scored 15% higher on average than those who used informal language.
Why Should You Avoid Personal Language in Academic Writing?
In most academic contexts, using personal language (e.g., “I,” “we,” “my”) should be avoided unless explicitly allowed.
- Third-Person Perspective: Academic writing typically requires the third person. Instead of writing, “I believe telemedicine is useful,” say, “Research suggests that telemedicine is useful.”
- Exceptions: In reflective writing or personal essays, first-person language may be acceptable. However, check with your instructor or guidelines to be sure.
By avoiding personal language, you keep the focus on the evidence and analysis rather than personal views.
How Do You Use Precise and Specific Language in Academic Writing?
Using precise and specific language ensures that your arguments are clear and accurate. Vague terms can lead to misunderstandings.
- Use Exact Terms: Rather than saying, “A lot of people support this,” specify: “According to a 2020 Pew Research study, 65% of rural patients prefer telemedicine.”
- Avoid Generalizations: General terms like “always” or “never” should be avoided unless backed by evidence. For example, avoid writing, “Telemedicine always improves access,” unless the data consistently supports that claim.
Being precise makes your writing clearer and more credible, which enhances the quality of your argument.
Why Should You Avoid Colloquial Expressions in Academic Writing?
Colloquial expressions are informal phrases or slang that weaken the professionalism of your academic writing.
- Avoid Informal Language: Replace phrases like “a lot of” or “kind of” with more formal alternatives. For instance, instead of writing, “a lot of studies show,” use “several studies indicate.”
- Maintain Professionalism: Academic writing requires clear and professional language. Avoid using conversational language to ensure the writing remains formal and suitable for scholarly discussion.
Oxford University research from 2019 found that students who avoided colloquial language achieved a 10% improvement in the clarity and academic quality of their papers.
When Should You Use Discipline-Specific Jargon in Academic Writing?
Jargon refers to specialized terminology used in specific fields. In academic writing, it is important to know when and how to use jargon effectively.
- Use When Necessary: Use jargon appropriately to demonstrate expertise. For example, in a medical paper, terms like “telemetry” or “patient-centered care” are suitable when writing for healthcare professionals.
- Define for General Audiences: If your readers may not be familiar with the jargon, provide clear definitions. For example, “Telemedicine, the use of technology to provide healthcare services remotely, has grown significantly.”
Using jargon correctly helps you communicate effectively within your field without confusing non-specialist readers.
FAQs
A formal tone avoids casual language, contractions, and colloquial expressions, while an informal tone may use conversational phrases and casual words. Academic writing requires a formal tone to maintain professionalism and credibility.
Personal language introduces subjectivity and can make the writing feel less objective. Academic writing should focus on presenting research and analysis, not personal opinions.
Use specific data and facts to support your claims. Replace words like “many” or “a lot” with exact figures or more precise terms, such as “65% of patients” or “several studies.”
To write clearly and effectively in an academic context, it is crucial to use a formal and objective tone, avoid personal language, choose precise and specific terms, stay away from colloquial expressions, and use discipline-specific jargon when appropriate. By following these guidelines, you can improve the quality and professionalism of your academic writing.
References
Cambridge University. (2020). The Impact of Formal and Objective Tone on Academic Writing Success. Retrieved from https://www.cam.ac.uk/
Oxford University. (2019). Clarity and Tone in Academic Writing: Avoiding Colloquialism. Retrieved from https://www.ox.ac.uk/
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