ELC1012 Week 1 recap (Academic Writing Style)

Which of the following is NOT a recommended alternative for the colloquial expression "a lot of"?

• A great deal of

• A considerable amount of

• A bunch of

• Numerous

Answer explanation

"A bunch of" is more informal and less precise than the other options. "A great deal of," "a considerable amount of," and "numerous" are all suitable formal alternatives for "a lot of."

Which of these is considered a cliché and should be avoided in academic writing?

• In conclusion

• Furthermore

• In a nutshell

• Subsequently

Answer explanation

"In a nutshell" is considered a cliché and should be avoided in academic writing as it oversimplifies complex ideas. In contrast, terms like "In conclusion" and "Furthermore" are more formal and acceptable.

What is the recommended replacement for the vague adjective "good" in academic writing?

• Nice

• Awesome

• Organized

• Cool

Answer explanation

In academic writing, the adjective 'good' is often too vague. 'Organized' is a more precise term that conveys clarity and structure, making it a suitable replacement for 'good' in this context.

Which of these words should be avoided to maintain objectivity in academic writing?

• Significant

• Substantial

• Fantastic

• Crucial

Answer explanation

The word 'fantastic' is subjective and conveys personal opinion, which undermines objectivity in academic writing. In contrast, 'significant', 'substantial', and 'crucial' are more neutral and appropriate for scholarly discourse.

What is the correct way to write "it's" in academic writing?

• its

• it is

• it's

• it has

Answer explanation

In academic writing, "it's" is a contraction for "it is" or "it has". However, contractions are generally avoided in formal contexts. Therefore, the correct way to write it is "it is".

Which of the following is an appropriate way to start a sentence in academic writing?

• And

• But

• Because

• However

Answer explanation

'However' is appropriate to start a sentence in academic writing as it indicates a contrast or exception. In contrast, 'And', 'But', and 'Because' are typically used to connect clauses rather than start sentences.

What is the recommended alternative for "not many" in academic writing?

• A small number of

• Few

• Not a lot of

• Barely any

Answer explanation

In academic writing, 'few' is a more precise and formal alternative to 'not many.' It conveys a small quantity without the informal tone of 'not a lot of' or 'barely any,' making it the best choice.

Which of the following is NOT recommended for improving the style of academic writing?

• Using synonyms to avoid repetition

• Employing the passive voice

• Starting sentences with "And" or "But"

• Avoiding rhetorical questions

Answer explanation

Starting sentences with "And" or "But" is generally discouraged in academic writing as it can lead to informal tone and disrupt the flow of ideas. The other options are accepted strategies for enhancing clarity and style.

What is the recommended approach for presenting examples in academic writing?

• Using "etc." at the end of a list

• Using "and so on" to conclude examples

• Using "such as" to introduce examples

• Listing all possible examples exhaustively

Answer explanation

The correct approach is using 'such as' to introduce examples, as it clearly indicates that what follows are specific instances related to the topic. Other options are less precise and may imply an incomplete list.

Which of the following is a recommended way to improve the objectivity of academic writing?

• Using personal pronouns like "I" and "we"

• Employing hedging techniques

• Including strongly emotional language

• Starting sentences with "Because"

Answer explanation

Employing hedging techniques helps to present arguments more cautiously and objectively, reducing bias. This contrasts with using personal pronouns, emotional language, or starting sentences with 'Because', which can introduce subjectivity.