Successful academic writing requires the use of English that is impartial (neutral) and objective, and uses language that is fair and balanced.

For further assistance, advice or tutoring/coaching in these skills contact Dr Bill Wrigley.

Avoid emotional, exaggerated or judgmental language

Examples:

✖ The results from this study make the most wonderful contribution to the field.

✓ The results from this study provide an important contribution to the field.

✖ This treatment method will have enormous implications for the future.

✓ This treatment method is likely to have significant implications for the future.

✖ The response rate for the questionnaire was awesome.

✓ The response rate for the questionnaire was higher than expected.

Avoid subjective language involving the personal pronoun

Generally, it is advisable to limit or avoid using the personal pronouns – I, you, we, and us. This is because the personal pronoun can convey a personal, partial or subjective approach. However, some disciplines allow for the judicious use of personal pronouns in some essays, assignments and journal articles.

Example:

✖ I interviewed a total of nine students during the first semester.

✓ A total of nine students were interviewed during the first semester.

Avoid the use of ‘You’

It is important to avoid referring to the reader or people in general as you:

Example:

✖ You will be surprised to know from us that there are several species of this bird.

✓ It is important to know that there are several species of this bird.

✖ In public, you cannot wear what you want wherever you go.

✓ In public, people cannot wear what they want wherever they go.

✖ You will notice that the data for males has been omitted from Table 3.
✓ In Table 3, the data for males has been omitted.

Avoid using rhetorical questions

It is also important to avoid the use of rhetorical questions. A rhetorical question makes a point for which a reply is not expected. Clearly, this is not appropriate for academic writing, as the focus of an academic essay is to provide a logical argument on the topic.

Example:

✖ What is the current state of affairs with the economy?

✓ The current economy shows that….

✖ How can this be addressed?

✓ This essay will address the issue by….