CU Scarborough - Academic Skills: Writing Assignments

Assignment Types

Writing Style & Register

An academic piece of writing should have an academic formal register (style). A formal register is designed to place a distance between the writer and the reader. 

I/you/we/they/he/she

The general rule is to avoid using first person in academic writing. It is encouraged to use formal language.

For example: 

Instead of ‘they say’, ‘I will explain x’, or ‘you can see x’ you could write ‘it is claimed that’, ‘x will be explained’, or ‘x can be seen’.

Contractions

Avoid using contractions (short forms) e.g. ‘it’s’, ‘don’t’, ‘won’t’, hasn’t’, or ‘can’t’. Instead, use the long form as it is generally considered to be more formal e.g. ‘it is’, ‘does not’, ‘will not’, ‘has not’, or ‘cannot’.

Slang

Avoid using colloquial words and expressions or vague terms, such as ‘stuff’

‘like’, ‘about’, or ‘basically’.

sort of/kind of → reasonably, relatively, rather, somewhat

lots of/a lot of → a number of, numerous, a significant/considerable number of

really/very → highly, extremely, exceptionally

like → such as

Linking Words

Use linking words to help your writing sound more scholarly. Linking words will also help you to maintain flow and establish clear relationships between ideas. 

Avoid using ‘and’, ‘so’ or ‘but’ at the beginning of sentences, and try to avoid using ‘etc.’ and ‘like’ (to exemplify). 

• Addition = in addition, moreover, furthermore, additionally, along with 
• Cause and effect = as a result, consequently, therefore, thus, hence 
• Contrast = however, in contrast, on the other hand, while, whereas 
• Illustration = for example, for instance, such as namely, including

Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs (multi-word verbs) are less common in academic writing. For example, instead of using the terms ‘take out’ and ‘put in’, the writer might use ‘extract’ and ‘insert’. 

look into → investigate 

break out → start

come over → approach 

carry on → continue

cut down → reduce 

look at → observe

Resources