9 Academic Style and Clarity Free Online FlashCards

How can you make vague academic wording more precise?

Use specific descriptions instead of vague terms when the evidence allows.

How should a writer describe evidence that does not prove a conclusion?

Do not say evidence “proves” a conclusion when it only suggests or supports it.

When should academic writers define a technical term?

Use technical terms when they suit the readers and purpose; define unfamiliar terms when needed.

What makes an academic sentence direct and easy to follow?

Put the subject, its action, and the main point where readers can identify them readily; place related ideas close together.

When is passive voice useful in academic writing?

Active voice often clarifies who performed an action. Passive voice can be useful when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or less relevant than the process or result.

How should writers handle overloaded sentences?

Break up a sentence when it carries too many claims or qualifications, but vary sentence lengths for readability.

What is the purpose of transitions between ideas?

Use transitions to show how ideas relate, rather than adding them as decoration.

What does concision require—and what should it preserve?

Remove repetition, filler, and roundabout phrasing while retaining explanation needed to understand a difficult idea.

How can you revise a verb-plus-noun construction?

Replace a verb-plus-noun phrase such as “conducted an analysis of” with the direct verb “analyzed.”

When should a writer retain a qualifying phrase?

Keep qualifiers such as “may,” “often,” and “in this sample” when they accurately limit a claim.

What characterizes an appropriate academic tone?

Academic tone is measured, respectful, and evidence-based; avoid unsupported certainty or emotional language that substitutes for reasoning.

What determines the appropriate level of formality?

Formality depends on purpose, audience, discipline, and instructor guidance; first person and contractions are not always inappropriate.