How to make your writing more academic?

You can make your writing more academic by employing some simple techniques.

Use formal vocabulary

Write discuss rather than talk about. Write repair instead of fix.

I would like to discuss this matter with you.

You must get someone to repair the roof.

Limit the use of phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions. While these expressions are very common in spoken English, they are not considered appropriate in formal writing. That said, you don’t necessarily have to eliminate them from your writing, but reduce their usage.

Use an impersonal style

You can make your writing more impersonal by avoiding or limiting the use of personal pronouns. In Task 2, you may be asked to give your own opinion. In this case, it is perfectly all right to use the pronoun I. In other cases, avoid using the pronouns I and we. You can avoid I and we by using the passive voice or by beginning your sentences with an introductory it.

• Write It is felt that… instead of I feel that…

More examples are given below.

• Many things can be done to reduce atmospheric pollution. (Instead of ‘We can do many things to reduce atmospheric pollution.’)

Avoid the misuse or overuse of transitional adverbs like besides, furthermore, however and on the other hand. Of course, they are essential to ensure the flow of ideas between sentences and paragraphs, but you don’t have to begin every sentence with a transitional adverb.

Passive voice

While passive voice is not exactly considered appropriate in business writing, it is very common in academic writing. By using passive voice, you can discuss yourself from your writing. This is an effective way of making your writing impersonal.