Academic Writing: Clarity of Expression

2.

Essential Features of
Academic Writing
CLARITY
EVIDENCE-BASED
ARGUMENTATION
PURPOSE
WEEKS 1, 2 & 3

3.

The aims of this session are to
Review the aspects of clear writing style
Clarity of
expression
Clarity of
ideas
Clarity of focus

Clarity of expression
Be concise
i.e. be straight to the point, avoid
‘empty’ or ‘decorative’ expressions
wordy
concise
However, it must be remembered
that timely completion of
assignments is, no doubt, have
significant positive effect on
student’s academic performance
Timely completion of assignments
might relate to student’s academic
performance

5.

Clarity of expression
Be concise
Remove unnecessary intensifiers and qualifiers
Examples:
1. We found the proposal [quite] feasible
2. The remark was [entirely] accurate

6.

Clarity of expression
Be concise
Remove unnecessary intensifiers and qualifiers
YOU TRY…
1. The scene was extremely typical
2. Such behaviour is fairly unique for animals
3. The courtyard was so round in shape

7.

Clarity of expression
Be concise
Replace wordy expressions with one word, if possible;
replace multi-word verbs with one verb
Examples:
At this point in time > currently
In spite of the fact that > although
Look into > investigate
Deal with > address

8.

Clarity of expression
Be concise
Replace wordy expressions with one word, if
possible; replace multi-word verbs with one verb
YOU TRY…
First and foremost, the data were outdated > ……
The next thing worthy of attention was the sample >
In the not too distant future >

9.

Practice I-A (be concise)
INSTRUCTORS
You can use the activity as a Perusall assignment
in class or at home
You can also convert this activity sheet into a short
quiz

10.

Clarity of expression
Be specific
Specify what you mean: provide details, examples and
explanation so your meaning is clear. Avoid using vague
categories (vague=too general)
Example:
Cameron use the skills learnt in the course to start his
business
What skills? What course?

11.

Clarity of expression
Be specific
Consider the following examples of generic (vague(mversus
specific writing
General term
More specific term
Very specific term
Students
Middle school students
Students 12 to 15
Night time
After 7 pm
Between 7 pm and 10
pm Central Time
Commuters
Train commuters
Commuters on the
Astana-Karaganda
train

12.

Clarity of expression
Be specific
Explain any key concepts and terminology in your work and identify
abbreviations
Note: use the full form of the abbreviated name or phrase in the first
instance, including the abbreviation in parentheses; after that you
can use an acronym.
E.g. A United Nations (UN) representative, is a diplomat appointed
by a member state to represent its interests at the UN.

13.

Practice I-B (be specific)
INSTRUCTORS
You can use the activity as a Perusall assignment
in class or at home
You can also convert this activity sheet into a short
quiz

14.

Follow-up
Assigned activity (can be turned into Perusall
assignment): ‘Academic Writing – Clarity Activity IC)
Assigned recorded lecture:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PFKupwz2Y
gDlwINgsOhni7Te7zMqMarW

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