L2.2. Objectivity Nominalization Hedging

Features of Academic Writing
1. Use of formal words or expressions. Therefore, you should avoid

the following informal use of language:
abbreviations run-on sentences
phrasal verbs non-standard expressions
sentence fragments rhetorical questions
adverbs observe parallelism
2. Predominant use of the objective point of view

3. Use of nominalization
4. Use of hedging language
5. Citation of scholarly sources
USES
OBJECTIVE
POINT OF
VIEW
Learning Objectives:
01 Describe the objectivity in

an academic writing.
02 Rewrite sentences for a

formal and objective tone.
Writing must be impersonal and
maintain a certain level of social
distance.
OBJECTIVE POINT OF VIEW

• In academic writing, there are debates around the
appropriate use of first-person pronouns (I, we) and
gendered pronouns (he, she).
• Second person pronouns (you, yours) should almost

always be avoided.

On Using Active Voice:
• doers may be highlighted in the writing if
they are an important element in establishing • The landslide killed a lot of people.
the main point. • The volunteers will deliver the relief goods.
On Using Passive Voice:

• results of actions are usually highlighted • A lot of people were killed by the landslide.
instead of the doers if the latter are an • The relief goods will be delivered by the
unimportant element in the conveyance of volunteers.
message.

WAYS TO
ACHIEVE
OBJECTIVIT
Y:
Start!
Avoid the use of
personal pronouns.
Poor Example:
01 Improved Version:
You need to conduct the The researchers need to

experiment. conduct the experiment.
Avoid using
rhetorical questions
as it marks “closeness” with the
reader.
Poor Example:
How can these problems be Certain measures must be

solved? discovered to solve the
problems.
Avoiding emotive language that
shows biases and
lessens objectivity.
Poor Example:
The investigators were very The investigators did not

shocked to see the outcome expect the result.
of the tests.
1. Use of formal words or expressions. Therefore, you should avoid the
following informal use of language:

NOMINALIZAT
ION
01
Define nominalization in
academic writing.
02
Restructure sentences
using nominalization.
process of derivation
turning verbs and adjectives (transformational
into nouns or nominal groups grammar)
to create a more formal tone in
academic papers also called as
“nouning”
NOMINALIZATION
This structure allows
much information to be included in the
academic text.
Nominalization also allows writers to
convey an objective, impersonal
Since the use of nouns
tone.
enable writers to
condense several ideas in a single
sentence.
PURPOSE OF
NOMINALIZATION
VERB NOUN
Intend Intention
Intervene Intervention
Distort Distortion
Evolve Evolution
Interfere Interference
Discriminate Discrimination
Decide Decision
Assume Assumption
Collect Collection
Investigate Investigation
EXAMPLES:
ADJECTIVES NOUN
Applicable Applicability
Careless Carelessness
Difficult Difficulty
Intense Intensity
Shifty Shiftiness
Happy Happiness
Slow Slowness
Afraid Fear
elderly elder
EXAMPLES:
What do you notice with the structure of the paragraph
below?
The earthquake caused loss of life. The earthquake

caused massive property damage. The earthquake
changed the landscape of the village.
The earthquake was a disaster that

caused loss of life, property damage, and
permanent changes in the landscape.


USES HEDGING
LANGUAGE
01 Define hedging language.
02
Identify words or phrases used as
hedging language.
03
Discuss the importance of hedging
in academic writing.
04
Rewrite sentences using hedging
language
Academic writers often use cautious
or tentative language, known as
‘hedging’ Distinguish the difference
to make claims that reflect the between a fact or truth.
evidence available at the time of
writing.
USES HEDGING LANGUAGE

e.g.
seem,
tend, It may be possible to obtain .
look like,
It is important to develop .
appear to be,
think, It is useful to study .
believe,
doubt,
be sure,
indicate,
suggest
USES HEDGING LANGUAGE

What effect is created by the following examples?
The President’s decision may create conflict among

government agencies.
Avila (2016) appears not to have included in the

report the adverse effects of the treatment.
The President’s decision will create conflict

among government agencies.
Avila (2016) did not include in the report the

adverse effects of the treatment.
What effect is created by the example?
Children living in poverty do

poorly in school.
Children living in poverty tend

to do poorly in school.
01 02
Authors tone down their statements One could consider hedges as ways of
in order to reduce the risk of being more precise in reporting
opposition. results.
FOUR REASONS TO USE

HEDGING LANGUAGE
03 04
Hedges may be understood as positive Hedging functions to conform to
or negative politeness strategies an established writing style
in which the writer tries to appear in English.
humble rather than arrogant or all-
knowing.
FOUR REASONS TO USE

HEDGING LANGUAGE

THANKS
Fajardo, M. (2016). English for Academic and Professional Purposes. Course Pack.
Ateneo de Naga Press.
Purdue Owl University. Retrieved from

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/mechanics/parallel_structure.html
Santos, P. and Margate Jr., M. (2016). Academic and Professional English for 21st
Century Learners: An Interactive Approach. LJ Graphics and Literacy Exponent.
Scribbr. (2019). Using pronouns in academic writing. Retrieved from

https://www.scribbr.com/academic-writing/pronouns/#:~:text=In%20academic%20writing%2C%20there%20are,should%20a
lmost%20always%20be%20avoided.
ThoughtCo. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/nominalization-in-grammar-

1691430
Valdez, P. (2016). English for Academic & Professional Purposes. The Phoenix Publishing
House, Inc.
REFERENCES

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Features of Academic Writing

1. Use of formal words or expressions. Therefore, you should avoid

2. Predominant use of the objective point of view

01 Describe the objectivity in

02 Rewrite sentences for a

OBJECTIVE POINT OF VIEW

• Second person pronouns (you, yours) should almost

OBJECTIVE POINT OF VIEW

On Using Passive Voice:

OBJECTIVE POINT OF VIEW

You need to conduct the The researchers need to

How can these problems be Certain measures must be

The investigators were very The investigators did not

2. Predominant use of the objective point of view

The earthquake caused loss of life. The earthquake

The earthquake was a disaster that

abbreviations run-on sentences

2. Predominant use of the objective point of view

01 Define hedging language.

USES HEDGING LANGUAGE

USES HEDGING LANGUAGE

The President’s decision may create conflict among

Avila (2016) appears not to have included in the

The President’s decision will create conflict

Avila (2016) did not include in the report the

Children living in poverty do

Children living in poverty tend

FOUR REASONS TO USE

FOUR REASONS TO USE

2. Predominant use of the objective point of view

Purdue Owl University. Retrieved from

Scribbr. (2019). Using pronouns in academic writing. Retrieved from

ThoughtCo. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/nominalization-in-grammar-

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