Commonly Used Words in Related Work
tracked; examined; found; showed; analyzed; discussed; introduced; observed; investigated; studied; considered; proposed; suggested; applied; presented; applied; presented; developed; conducted;
##Using Academic Language
Verbs:
In spoken English, the “verb + preposition” is often used to express an action. For written academic style, we often prefer a single verb whenever possible.
Informal: Researchers looked at the way strain builds up around a fault.
Formal: Researchers observed the way strain accumulates around a fault.
Non-vocabulary-related recommendations
Avoid contractions
e.g., won’t -> will not / isn’t -> is not / don’t -> do not
Use the more appropriate formal negative forms
e.g., not … any ->no / not … much -> little / not many -> few
The analysis did not yield any new results. -> The analysis yielded no new results.
The problem does not have many viable solutions. -> The problem has few viable solutions.
##Conciseness
Replace a phrase with a word or a long sentence with a short one
- based on the fact that -> because
- at the present time -> now
- for the purpose of -> for (or to)
- the present study -> this study
- there were several students who completed -> several students completed
- despite the fact that -> even though
Change negatives to affirmatives
- Not different -> similar
- Not the same -> different
- Not allow -> prevent
- Not notice -> overlook
- Not often -> rarely
- Not stop -> continue
- Not include -> omit
##Coherence and Flow
Linking words and phrases can help a writer maintain flow and establish clear relationship between ideas.
Addition: Furthermore, In addition, Moreover, In addition to
Adversative: Although, Even though, However, Nevertheless, Despite, In spite of
Cause and effect: Because, Therefore , As a result, Consequently, Hence, Because of, Due to, As a result of
Clarification: In other words, That is
Contrast and Compare: In contrast, However, On the other hand, Conversely, Similarly, Unlike, Similar to, Consistent with
Illustration: For example, For instance
Connect sentences with “this/these + summary word”
- These arguments were supported by
- This decision can lead to positive outcomes.
EX1: According to a recent survey, 26% of all American adults, down from 38% thirty years ago, now smoke. This decrease can be partly attributed to the mounting evidence linking smoking and fatal diseases, such as cancer.
EX2: nowadays, laptop computers are lighter, more powerful, and easier to use than they were ten years ago. These improvements have led to an increase in the sales of these machines.