EAP: Module 12 Refining Academic Vocabulary

Introduction

Academic vocabulary is essential for writing clearly and persuasively in academic contexts. It enables you to express ideas with precision, avoid repetition, and convey complex concepts effectively. This module will guide you in building and refining your academic vocabulary, using appropriate language to enhance your writing.

Characteristics of Academic Vocabulary

• Formal: Avoids colloquial expressions and slang.
• Precise: Conveys ideas with clarity and avoids ambiguity.
• Abstract: Often used to discuss concepts rather than concrete items (e.g., “analysis,” “significance”).
• Disciplined-Specific: Includes terms commonly used in a particular field of study (e.g., “photosynthesis” in biology, “fiscal policy” in economics).

Examples of Academic Vocabulary

Informal: “The results were good.”
Academic: “The results were significant and demonstrated a substantial improvement.”

Informal: “Lots of people agree.”
Academic: “A significant proportion of individuals concur.”

Strategies for Expanding Academic Vocabulary

• Read Academic Texts: Exposure to academic articles, books, and journals helps you learn commonly used words and phrases.
• Use a Vocabulary Journal: Record new academic words, their meanings, and example sentences for regular review.
• Practice Synonyms: Learn multiple words with similar meanings to avoid repetition (e.g., “important,” “significant,” “critical”).
• Study Academic Word Lists: Familiarize yourself with lists like the Academic Word List (AWL) to focus on high-frequency academic terms.

Using Academic Vocabulary Effectively

• Avoid Overcomplicating: Use academic terms appropriately without overloading sentences with jargon.
• Choose the Right Word: Ensure your word choice fits the context and meaning.
• Be Concise: Avoid redundant phrases (e.g., “completely unique” can simply be “unique”).

Practice

Rewrite the following sentences using more formal academic vocabulary:

1. “This study looks at how people use social media.”
2. “A lot of researchers think this is an important issue.”
3. “The results were really good for the participants.”

Short Quiz