WEEK 5 TUTORIAL TASK:

ACADEMIC WRITING SKILLS: FORMAL WRITING

ACTIVITY 1

1. Identify the different types of informal language in the following paragraph by underlining them.

Americans disagree whether the death penalty is a bad idea or not. Some people don’t think that the death
penalty is humane, while many conservatives believe that it’s fair punishment for bumping off someone, even
if the murderer is under 18 years old. I believe the death penalty is a good way to stop kids from killing each
other. Nobody would commit a crime. When you find out that guys you know have been fried for a crime.

2. Follow the instructions below to make the language more formal.

First, work on your own. Then, discuss with a small group. Finally, discuss as a class.

IDENTIFY INFORMAL LANGUAGE MAKE THE LANGUAGE MORE ACADEMIC

a. Generalizations Be more specific

Some people A number of people

b. Vague language Use more specific words

Americans disagree whether the death penalty is a bad The American populace argue about the death
idea or not penalty

c. Using “you” instead of a specific person/group Replace with a specific person/group

When you find out that guys you know Children

d. Informal words and expressions Use more formal words

Kids Children

e. Phrasal verbs used in conversation Replace with a one-word verb

Found out that Discover

f. Contractions Remove the contraction

Don’t Do not
It’s It is

g. Incomplete sentences (Fragments) Join the fragment to a complete sentence

Nobody would commit a crime. When you find out Nobody would commit a crime when you discover
that guys you know have been fried for a crime. people you know have been penalized.

h. Slang Use a more formal words

Bumping of someone Murder
Fried Penalize

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ACTIVITY 2
 Identify the different types of informal language in the following sentences by underlining them.
 Rewrite the sentences to make the language more academic.
 First, work on your own. Then, compare your answers in a small group, explaining the changes you made.
 Finally, discuss as a class.

NON-ACADEMIC LANGUAGE REWRITE IN ACADEMIC LANGUAGE &

PROVIDE BRIEF EXPLANATIONS

1. It was the first time such a workshop was It was the first time such a workshop was carried out
carried out to recruit more people who have the to recruit more people who have the passion for
knack for writing. writing

2. All thirteen of us came with just one thing on All thirteen of us came with just one thing on our
our mind – a big desire to gain knowledge and mind – a significant desire to acquire knowledge and
enjoy the session. enjoy the session.

3. It was not merely passive learning, where we It was not merely passive learning, where the
just sit and listen to a lecture being delivered. students simply sit and listen to a lecture given.

4. It certainly required a little bit of effort on our It certainly required a minimal amount of effort on
part. out part.

5. Perhaps that was when every participant felt a Perhaps that was when every participant felt a
little bit unsure. certain amount of hesitation.

6. However, after several minutes, we were all However, after several minutes, we were all giving it
giving it a go – to be perfectly honest, we were a chance – to be completely truthful, we were all
all enjoying the challenge. enjoying the challenge.

7. The truth of the matter is, improving one’s The truth of matter is, improving one’s writing is not
writing is not an easy task by any means, an easy task by any means, without a doubt, it
without a doubt, it takes lots of hours of required many hours of practice.
practice.

8. Basically, they dealt with the relevant aspects of Basically, they dealt with necessary factors of report
report writing. writing.

9. In addition, the presenters were cool and they In addition, the presenters were professional and

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 were easy to get along with. That too, by the were easy to get along with. Consequently, they
way, made the learning more fun and made the learning more enjoyable and compelling.
interesting.
ACTIVITY 3
Read the following sentences and tick A (academic) or NA (non-academic). Work individually. Then, discuss your
answers with a small group. Finally, discuss as a class.

Sentences A NA Explanation

1. I couldn’t finish the interview on time. NA The use of slang words or short
form “I couldn’t”

2. The initial tests were completed and the results A Use of academic diction and
analyzed by June 2008. formal tone

3. I’d like to start by drawing your attention to previous NA The use of slang words or short
research in this area. form “I’d” and informal word
“draw”

4. In the 1990s, some researchers started to point out A Use of academic diction and
the problems with this theory. formal tone

5. He agreed with me that this procedure didn’t make NA The tone is informal and the
much sense. words used tend to be
conversational

6. We’ll repeat the test sometime next year. NA The use of slang words or short
form “We’ll” and informal words
are used

7. While it is still too early to draw firm conclusions from A Use of academic diction and
the data, preliminary analysis suggests the following formal tone
trends are present.

8. In addition, the research attempts to answer two A Use of academic diction and
further related questions. formal tone

ACTIVITY 4
Rewrite these sentences to make them more academic, and remember, there might be several possible
answers.

A. Change to the 3rd person.

1. My essay will cover four main areas.
The essay will cover four main areas

2. You need to take all factors into consideration.

They need to take all factors into consideration
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3. We should monitor the results more closely.
They should monitor the results more closely

4. In my opinion, the evidence seems flawed.

The evidence seems flawed

5. I will challenge this idea in my essay in the essay

This idea will be challenge in the essay

6. If you want to improve writing, you need to practise a great deal.

To improve writing,practising a great deal is a need

7. We feel that the government should take action.

The government should take action

8. When you go to college, you must organise your time effectively.

Organising time effectively is a must when going to college

9. I do not agree with this solution.

This solution is hard to agree with.

10. If we want to help the situation, we could raise money.

They could raise money if they want to help the situation