Words One Should Never Use in Academic Writing

WORDS ONE SHOULD NEVER USE IN ACADEMIC WRITING (OR, AT THE LEAST, LIMIT THEIR USAGE DRAMATICALLY!)

 Please know this is a VERY partial list. Keep this in the writing section of your binder to refer to prior to writing and when revising essays. We will be adding words to this list throughout the year.  The idea is for you to utilize your prior knowledge, as well as the thesaurus, to find stronger, more advanced and more specific words to incorporate into your writing. However, if any of these words are in a citation you are incorporating (if they are stated by someone else), then they are acceptable.

WORD REASONING Alot NOT a word! A lot Vague phrase. What is a lot for you may not be a lot for someone else. Sort of/Kind of Need I explain these? Teachers want specifics, not completely vague and undetermined comments. Like “It was, like, very bright outside.” What has this word done? Weaken your writing – don’t use it! Just Like above, just is a ‘lard’ word – adds fat, but no protein to your writing. As Same as reasoning for ‘just,’ and occasionally indicates a simile. AVOID similes and metaphors in academic writing whenever possible! Really Vague word. Find something more specific. You Never belongs in an essay! ALWAYS avoid ‘talking’ to the reader. Believe It’s your opinion. The reader knows it’s what you believe. Feel This is sensory. “I feel like going to a different movie” is wrong. “I feel sad” or “I feel hungry” is correct usage. Demonstrate emotions with words, actions, and others’ reactions. Think It’s your opinion. The reader knows it’s what you think. Give Weak word. Many better substitutes. Say Weak word. Many better substitutes. Show Weak word. Many better substitutes. Tell Weak word. Many better substitutes. Once again Restate and/or rephrase, don’t repeat. As stated before Restate and/or rephrase, don’t repeat. Finally Weak word. Just conclude or start your last statement. Lastly Weak word. Just conclude or start your last statement. Firstly Seldom used and awkward. Find a different way to start your paragraph or sentence. Secondly Seldom used and awkward. Find a different way to transition to the next idea/topic/argument. Used to Weak, ineffectual statement. Be more specific. “In the past,” “Prior to,” “Previously” etc. **People that People are not objects! ALWAYS refer to people as ‘who’ or ‘whom’ (we’ll go over the rules this week). I.e., “The students who completed their work” is correct usage. “The dog that ate the turkey is in trouble” is correct usage.

Any and all superlatives: As we discussed in class, these words convey no specifics at all. What is great, awesome, amazing, etc. to you may not be for someone else. These do not belong in academic writing, ever! Great Did you go to a great rodeo? Rodeos bore me, personally, so it could never be ‘great’ for me. What makes it “great” for you? Include specifics and details. Awesome If it inspires awe in you (the actual definition of the word), explain how and why. Amazing If it inspires amazement in you (leaving you almost speechless), explain how and why. Incredible If it’s incredible, why should I believe you? Unbelievable If it’s unbelievable, why should I listen to you?

Ending essays: Just start your conclusion. Wrap up all of your ideas. Avoid using these words. Put it all together with starting phrases such as: In summation, It has become evident, The reader should now be able to comprehend, The results of this analysis demonstrate, The central idea presented makes it clear that . . . and there are numerous other creative ways to end your essay. In conclusion To conclude To finish In concluding Wrapping it all up