Writing Right: How to Make Your Academic Language Objective, Fair, and Formal

Hello writers! When you shift from casual blogging or conversation to academic writing, you need to adjust your language. Academic work demands objectivity, precision, and formality. This article, inspired by core principles in academic publishing, will guide you through making your language bias-free, controlling your tone, and cutting out casual expressions to ensure your work is taken seriously.

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1. Achieving Bias-Free and Gender-Neutral Language

In academic writing, it is crucial to use language that is sensitive and avoids assumptions or unfair characterizations about specific groups, including those based on gender, race, age, or religion.

Avoiding Sexist Language

A common area to check for bias is gendered or sexist language.

	Sexist Term	Non-Sexist Alternative
	Mankind	People, human beings
	Foreman	Supervisor
	Postman	Postal worker
	Chairman	Chairperson, head, chair
	Businessman	Business executive, business person
	Waiter/Waitress	Server/food server
	Policeman or policewoman	Police officer
	Male nurse	Nurse
	Woman doctor	Doctor

Strategies for Gender-Neutral Pronouns

• Use combinations like "she or he" or "her/him" to replace a generic male pronoun.
• Use plural pronouns to avoid a male pronoun. For example, instead of, "Someone has left his or her briefcase behind," use "Someone has left their briefcase behind" (Note: using singular 'they' is more common now, though the source calls this "informal").

• Rephrase to use plural nouns: Instead of "Man and his intellectual development," use "People and their intellectual development" or "Intellectual development in humans".
• Use parallel terms when referring to groups: Instead of "The men and girls in the office," use "The men and women" or "The boys and girls".

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2. Maintaining Objectivity and Formal Tone

Academic language is typically objective, avoiding first-person phrases, strong emotions, and everyday slang.

Avoiding First Person and 'It' Statements

In academic writing, you're rarely asked to use the first person ("I") unless you are producing reflective writing. Using the passive voice or 'it' statements can help you express ideas more objectively.

Instead of...	Use...
I believe that...	It could be argued that...
I think that...	It seems that...
I found that...	It was found that...

⛔ Emotive Language

This style of writing appeals to the reader's emotions, often using exaggeration. While common in journalism, academic writing relies on evidence and merit to persuade, not emotion.

• Emotional Statement: There is a shocking link between the overconsumption of dark chocolate and horrifying cases of severe indigestion.
• Objective Statement: According to research, there is a link between the overconsumption of dark chocolate and indigestion.

Academic language avoids 'blanket statements' and is more cautious in its expression of facts.

⛔ Colloquial Language

Colloquial words and expressions are used in everyday spoken language but are not found in formal academic language.

Colloquial Statement	Objective/Formal Statement
Lots of kids are having a bash at eating dark chockie.	Many children are starting to eat dark chocolate.

You should replace colloquialisms like "sussed out," "pretty substantially," "mountains of research," "main bit," and "pushing their own barrow" with more formal vocabulary.

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Conclusion

Making your language bias-free, objective, and formal are critical steps toward academic integrity and effective communication. By actively eliminating gendered terms, replacing "I" statements, and stripping away emotional and colloquial language, you ensure your ideas are presented with the seriousness and rigor that scholarly work demands. A commitment to this style allows your evidence and analysis to speak for themselves.

What’s the most difficult type of informal language for you to catch in your own writing?