Session 1

Question 1

What are Language norms/features to look for in academic writing?

Answer 1

1. Definition of key terms
2. Referencing the ideas of others
3. Nominalizations
4. Dense noun strings
5. Passive versus active voice
6. Linking adverbials
7. Evaluating
8. Using other “persons” than saying I

Question 2

What is a Nominalization?

Answer 2

Turning a word that could be in a verb or adjective into an abstract noun.

Question 3

What can Nominalizations be used for?

Answer 3

Nominalizations can be used to remove the agent. This is one way academic texts create distance between an actor and a result.

Question 4

What should we look for in an analyzing and writing academic text?

Answer 4

Being clear & concise:
1. Look for complex noun strings and see if they are clear.
2. Look for nominalizations and see if it would be clearer to use a verb or adjective. This might mean more short sentences, but that is okay.
3. Look for passive constructions and consider whether thy are necessary.
4. Use linking adverbials to clearly connect ideas. Don’t make your reader guess the connection.

Question 5

What should we consider when using Passive vs. Active Voice?

Answer 5

1. The order of a clause affects the way in which the information is processed by the audience.
2. Consider whether the actor/doer is important in a description but do not automatically use passive just because people have said it is a feature of academic writing.

Question 6

How should be evaluated in an Academic writing?

Answer 6

There should be a use of more formal language to create distance. Often academic writing cleverly utilizes different use of person when evaluating.