{"id":70,"date":"2020-02-15T16:19:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-15T16:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/?p=70"},"modified":"2022-11-03T15:49:29","modified_gmt":"2022-11-03T15:49:29","slug":"top-tips-for-formal-academic-writing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/2020\/02\/15\/top-tips-for-formal-academic-writing\/","title":{"rendered":"Top tips for formal academic writing"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p>The world of academic writing can be a terrifying place, full of tricky rules and customs. If you\u2019re a student working on an essay, thesis or paper, you might have been told that the writing you\u2019ve poured your heart and soul into is too informal. This vague bit of feedback isn\u2019t much use on its own. But fear not, the Post-Graduate Proof-Reader is here to remove the mystery with some tips which will allow your words to rub shoulders with the greats.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" class=\"wp-image-71\" src=\"http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/photo-boards-25QCezs8-oo-unsplash-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/photo-boards-25QCezs8-oo-unsplash-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/photo-boards-25QCezs8-oo-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/photo-boards-25QCezs8-oo-unsplash-768x511.jpg 768w, http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/photo-boards-25QCezs8-oo-unsplash-1200x799.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/>\r\n<figcaption>You don&#8217;t have to be scared of academic writing any more!<br \/><br \/>Photo by <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@aplaceforcreation?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\">Photo Boards<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/s\/photos\/scared?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\">Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><strong>No abbreviations<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>You may find you\u2019re using more shorthand than you realise. You\u2019re sadly unlikely to be encouraging your readers to BYOB to your essay \u2013 but you may well be using eg, ie or etc. These are not good academic language, so always make the following substitutions:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>eg = for example<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>ie = such as<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>etc = and so on<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The only exception to this is acronyms. If you\u2019ve defined a term with an acronym the first time you use it, use that acronym each subsequent time. For example: <em>In this thesis, I have used interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Smith devised IPA in the mid-90s\u2026 <\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><strong>Hedging your bets <\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Research is a tentative world. Experiments are flawed. Some results are replicated, others are disproven. When you\u2019re analysing qualitative data, there is often room for another interpretation. As such, it can be hard to know when you can confidently state that such-and-such a finding is bona fide or when you should be more cautious.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Think about your subject matter, as this will help you decide on your tone of voice. Let\u2019s look at an example from some hypothetical qualitative findings. If a participant you\u2019ve named Emma says:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><em>I finally had to accept that I needed dialysis, and that made me really depressed<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>you can afford to be bold in how you phrase your interpretation. You don\u2019t need to say \u2018It appeared that the thought of dialysis distressed Emma\u2019; she\u2019s telling you in clear and unambiguous language that she was depressed, so it\u2019s fine to state that as a fact.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>However, Emma might go on to say:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><em>Although the ward was chaotic, the only company I had was the bleeping of the machines<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>This is more ambiguous, so reflect that by saying \u2018it seems Emma felt isolated.\u2019 You can apply the same logic to the rest of your paper; if an existing finding or theory is uncontroversial, report it as so. Hedge your bets with anything more ambiguous.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"621\" class=\"wp-image-73\" src=\"http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/nicolas-cool-Cd2QnIKU6dk-unsplash-1024x621.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/nicolas-cool-Cd2QnIKU6dk-unsplash-1024x621.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/nicolas-cool-Cd2QnIKU6dk-unsplash-300x182.jpg 300w, http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/nicolas-cool-Cd2QnIKU6dk-unsplash-768x466.jpg 768w, http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/nicolas-cool-Cd2QnIKU6dk-unsplash-1200x728.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/>\r\n<figcaption>Be cautious when describing ambiguous findings &#8211; or you could fall into dangerous territory! <br \/><br \/>Photo by <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@shotz?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\">Nicolas Cool<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/s\/photos\/caution?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\">Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><strong>&#8216;The model states&#8230;&#8217; &#8211; or does it? <\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Remember that models, papers, theories and chapters are not sentient and cannot suggest, confirm or deny anything themselves. It is always the people who wrote or created those ideas who have the agency.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For example, \u2018a recent paper agrees\u2019 is not right, whereas \u2018the authors of a recent paper agree\u2019 is. \u2018The ANOVA demonstrated\u2019 is not right, whereas \u2018our use of ANOVA demonstrated\u2019 is.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>This can be a hard one to get right but keep trying and it will become second nature. <a href=\"https:\/\/academicguides.waldenu.edu\/writingcenter\/apa\/other\/anthropomorphism\">This article<\/a> on the issue from Walden University is helpful if you want to read more about this. <br \/><br \/>*Note that in APA 7, the rules on anthropomorphism, as this rule is known, have relaxed. Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/03\/19\/using-anthropomorphism-in-academic-writing\/\">blog<\/a> to read more about this.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><strong>Humanising language<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>It\u2019s important for all academics \u2013 and especially psychologists \u2013 to use language in a way that is respectful of people and mindful of diversity. For example, rather than the unwieldy \u2018he or she\u2019, use \u2018they\u2019, which is not only neater but also makes space for people who identify as non-binary.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Always state a person\u2019s humanity before other identifying factors, especially factors which might be stigmatising. So rather than \u2018HIV patient\u2019, you should say \u2018person living with HIV\u2019. \u2018Participants\u2019 is a better word than either \u2018subjects\u2019 or \u2018patients\u2019 as it implies an active rather than a passive stance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Not only is language like this better for humanity, it is also in line with British Psychological Society (BPS) guidelines and the standards of most journals where you might be sending your work.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" class=\"wp-image-74\" src=\"http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/hian-oliveira-7-gtkXm2b5U-unsplash-1-681x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/hian-oliveira-7-gtkXm2b5U-unsplash-1-681x1024.jpg 681w, http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/hian-oliveira-7-gtkXm2b5U-unsplash-1-199x300.jpg 199w, http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/hian-oliveira-7-gtkXm2b5U-unsplash-1-768x1155.jpg 768w, http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/hian-oliveira-7-gtkXm2b5U-unsplash-1-1200x1805.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px\" \/>\r\n<figcaption><br \/>Share the love by using language which puts people first<br \/><br \/>Photo by <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@holliver?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\">Hian Oliveira<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/s\/photos\/black-white-people-hugging?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\">Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><strong>Hire PGPR <\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If all this feels like far too much like hard work, don\u2019t worry \u2013 just get in touch with us via the form below, and we can do all the heavy lifting for you. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class='_form_4'><\/div><script type='text\/javascript' src='https:\/\/drjohannaspiers.activehosted.com\/f\/embed.php?static=0&id=4&6A8E651E44B71&nostyles=0&preview=0'><\/script>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The world of academic writing can be a terrifying place, full of tricky rules and customs. If you\u2019re a student working on an essay, thesis or paper, you might have been told that the writing you\u2019ve poured your heart and soul into is too informal. This vague bit of feedback isn\u2019t much use on its &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/2020\/02\/15\/top-tips-for-formal-academic-writing\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Top tips for formal academic writing&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[13,11,12,47,18,8],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":345,"href":"http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70\/revisions\/345"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/postgradproofreader.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=70"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}