1.4 Academic Language and Register
Understand and use academic language when working with texts.
45 min
6 oppgaver
Academic vocabularyRegisterFormal language
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What is Academic Language?
Academic language is the formal language used in schools, universities, and professional settings. It differs from everyday conversational English in several important ways.
Characteristics of Academic Language:
- More formal vocabulary
- Complex sentence structures
- Precise and specific terms
- Objective tone
- Clear organization
- Evidence-based arguments
Why Learn Academic Language?
- Required for school assignments
- Essential for higher education
- Used in professional contexts
- Helps you express complex ideas clearly
Register: Formal vs Informal
Register refers to the level of formality in language use.
Informal Register:
- Contractions: don't, can't, won't
- Slang and colloquialisms
- First person (I think...)
- Simple sentence structures
- Phrasal verbs: put up with, figure out
Formal/Academic Register:
- No contractions: do not, cannot
- Precise vocabulary
- Third person or passive voice
- Complex sentences
- Single-word verbs: tolerate, determine
Examples:
| Informal | Academic |
|---|---|
| lots of | numerous, many |
| get | obtain, acquire |
| show | demonstrate, illustrate |
| think about | consider, examine |
| but | however, nevertheless |
Academic Vocabulary (Tier 2 Words)
Tier 2 words are high-utility academic words used across subjects.
Analysis words:
- analyze, examine, investigate
- compare, contrast, distinguish
- evaluate, assess, critique
Explanation words:
- therefore, consequently, thus
- because, since, due to
- as a result, accordingly
Argument words:
- argue, claim, assert
- support, justify, validate
- challenge, refute, contradict
Description words:
- significant, substantial, considerable
- primary, fundamental, essential
- complex, intricate, multifaceted
✏️Example: Converting Informal to Academic
Rewrite this informal text in academic style:
"Kids today spend way too much time on their phones. It's really bad for them and messes up their sleep."
Academic version:
"Research indicates that contemporary adolescents allocate excessive time to smartphone usage. This behavior has been associated with significant negative consequences, including disrupted sleep patterns."
Key changes made:
- "Kids" → "contemporary adolescents"
- "way too much" → "excessive"
- "on their phones" → "to smartphone usage"
- "really bad" → "significant negative consequences"
- "messes up" → "disrupted"
- Added hedging: "Research indicates," "has been associated with"
- Removed contractions
- More complex sentence structure
📝Oppgave 1
Replace the informal words/phrases with more academic alternatives:
a
a lot of people think...
b
the problem got worse
c
scientists found out that...
d
this shows that...
📝Oppgave 2
Rewrite this informal paragraph in academic style:
"Social media is everywhere now. Basically everyone uses it, especially young people. Some folks say it's great for staying connected, but others think it's making us lonely and depressed. It's pretty complicated."
📝Oppgave 3
Identify the register (formal/academic or informal/conversational) of each sentence and explain why.
a
"The study demonstrates a significant correlation between sleep deprivation and cognitive performance."
b
"Not getting enough sleep really messes with your brain."
c
"It's like, nobody even cares about that stuff anymore."
d
"Recent research suggests that public attitudes toward this issue have shifted considerably."
📝Oppgave 4
Academic language often uses "hedging" to show that claims are not absolute. Add appropriate hedging language to these overly strong claims.
a
"Climate change will destroy all coastal cities by 2100."
b
"Students who use phones in class always get worse grades."
c
"Exercise is the best cure for depression."
📝Oppgave 5
Build your academic vocabulary. For each everyday word, write the academic equivalent and use it in a sentence.
a
big
b
bad
c
help
d
use
📝Oppgave 6
Write a short academic paragraph (100-150 words) about one of these topics. Focus on using academic register, hedging language, and formal vocabulary.
Topic choices
a) The impact of social media on teenagers
b) The importance of learning foreign languages
c) Whether school uniforms should be introduced in Norway
Summary
Key Points:
1. Academic language is the formal language used in education, research, and professional contexts. It differs from everyday English in vocabulary, structure, and tone.
2. Register refers to the level of formality. Academic register avoids contractions, slang, and first-person statements, favoring precise vocabulary and complex sentence structures.
3. Tier 2 words are high-utility academic vocabulary used across subjects (analyze, demonstrate, significant, consequently). Building this vocabulary is essential for academic success.
4. Hedging means softening claims to show uncertainty (may, might, suggests, tends to). It is a hallmark of academic writing.
5. Converting between registers is a key skill. Understanding when to use formal vs. informal English helps you communicate effectively in different contexts.
Key Vocabulary:
- Register - the level of formality in language
- Hedging - language that softens claims and shows uncertainty
- Tier 2 words - academic vocabulary used across multiple subjects
- Formal register - language appropriate for academic and professional contexts
- Colloquialism - an informal word or expression used in everyday conversation
Sources and Further Reading
- Coxhead, A. (2000). "A New Academic Word List." TESOL Quarterly, 34(2), 213-238.
- Academic Word List (AWL): victoria.ac.nz/lals/resources/academicwordlist
- Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English. Oxford University Press.
- Bailey, S. (2018). Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students. Routledge.