Research Project

Informal Speaking Vocabulary

Academic Writing Vocabulary

What is the difference?

a lot of good/bad

go up/go down/stay the same

Retirement is something most of us must face sooner or later.

a considerable amount;

beneficial/favorable;

increase/decrease/stabilize

Retirement is inevitable.

More formal, doesn’t use

every day or informal language

Illness

Food

Gadgets

Respiratory infection

Traditional Italian cuisine

Portable electronic devices

More specific

can’t

doesn’t

won’t

cannot

does not

will not

Use full verb forms rather than contractions

Researchers looked at the way strain builds up around a geological fault.

Researchers examined the way strain intensifies around a geological fault.

Avoids phrasal verbs

The new marketing strategy caused a really big reaction

The new marketing strategy caused a significant reaction. (Or considerable/dramatic

/explosive)

Avoids adverbs such as ‘really’, ‘very’, ‘just’.

Everybody needs his own copy.

Informal Speaking Style

Everybody needs his or her own copy or

Everybody needs their

own copy

Academic Writing Style

Gender inclusive

What is the difference?

There is no way that the new ad campaign can be implemented within the budget.

It seems unlikely that the new ad campaign can be implemented within the budget.

Use a more cautious

tone. How cautious

depends on the level of

certainty provided by your

evidence.

Everybody knows that we have had a good year. You can see from the graph

that sales have gone up significantly over the quarter.

It is generally accepted that this year has been favorable with respect to profit margins. As can

be seen from the graph, sales have increased significantly over

the quarter.

Academic writing is impersonal, so avoid

using personal pronouns.

It is my belief that ...

I am sure that ..

It can be concluded that … In light of the evidence …

It can be argued that …

It is evident from the data that …

Use 3rd person or refer to

the evidence.

Informal Speaking & Expressing Opinion

Academic Writing – Expressing Opinion with evidence to support it

What is the difference?

Prescribing anti‐psychotic drugs to patients suffering from post‐operative dementia is harmful.

The fact that prescribing anti‐psychotic drugs to patients suffering from post‐ operative dementia care is harmful has been supported by Matheson (2007).

Watkins study indicated recovery rates were 20% faster for patients given daily therapy of specially designed mental exercises. (2010)

Support your statements with evidence from readings, and cite them using the appropriate referencing guide.