Academic Language in Research

1. Academic Language in Research

ACADEMIC LANGUAGE
IN RESEARCH
Dr. Nasirova Gulnora

2. Academic Vocabulary Awareness in Research Writing

Focus: Recognizing and using appropriate academic vocabulary in theses and
articles
Learning Outcomes:
• Identify formal academic vocabulary vs. informal language
• Recognize discipline-specific lexical choices
• Apply precise vocabulary in academic sentences

3. Warm-up / Discussion (10 min)

Compare everyday vs. academic writing.
Example:
“We found out that…” vs. “The results indicate that…”
“ Bizga ma’lum bolishicha”… “Natijalar shuni ko’rsatadiki …”

4. Handout B: Sample Abstract (for analysis)

Excerpt from a research article:
“We found out that students who study in groups get
better results. A lot of participants said they felt more
motivated. This shows that group learning is really
important for academic success.”
Tasks:
•Identify informal vocabulary or phrases.
•Suggest formal academic alternatives using Handout A.

5.

Uzbek/Russian equivalent
Informal
Formal / Academic Equivalent
a lot of
numerous, a considerable number of
find out
discover, identify
show
demonstrate, indicate
get
obtain, achieve
think
suggest, propose
really important
significant, crucial
fix
resolve, address
deal with
address, tackle
cause
lead to, result in
lots of people
participants, respondents

6. Handout C: Sentence Transformation Exercise

• Rewrite the sentences using formal academic language:
1. The study shows that using apps helps students learn faster.
2. We found out that exercise is really important for mental health.
3. Lots of students think group work is fun.
4. This proves that sleep affects memory.
• Hints: Replace informal verbs and phrases with formal equivalents and hedging
where appropriate.

7. Practical Application Sheet (Own Work)

Task:
• Highlight informal words or phrases
• Rewrite the paragraph using formal academic vocabulary
• Exchange with a partner for peer feedback
Students bring one paragraph from their own thesis or article and:

8. 1. Vocabulary / Lexical Features

• Use formal, precise, and discipline-appropriate words.
• Avoid slang, contractions, and overly casual phrases.
• Include hedging expressions for cautious claims (e.g., may, might, appears to,
suggests).
• Use reporting verbs accurately (demonstrate, indicate, argue, propose).

9. 2. Grammar and Syntax

• Complex sentences to show logical relationships.
• Correct use of passive voice when focusing on results (The experiment was
conducted…).
• Accurate verb tense: past tense for methods/results, present for general
knowledge/theories.
• Nominalization (turning verbs/adjectives into nouns) for conciseness and formal
tone (investigation → investigate).

10. Cohesion and Coherence

• Clear linking words to structure arguments (however, therefore, in contrast, as a
result).
• Paragraph structure: topic sentence → supporting evidence → concluding
sentence.
• Logical flow between sections (introduction → methods → results → discussion).

11. Rhetorical and Stylistic Features

• Objectivity: avoid personal opinions (I think… is usually replaced with neutral
phrasing).
• Hedging to prevent overgeneralization.
• Evidence-based statements: claims must be supported by citations or data.
• Conciseness: avoid redundancy and unnecessary words.

12. Formatting and Conventions

• Correct citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).
• Proper use of tables, figures, and labels.
• Section headings and structure consistent with discipline norms.

13. Wrap-up / Reflection (5 min)

• Quick oral feedback: Which words were hardest to formalize?
• Homework: Collect 10 academic phrases from recent articles in their research
field.