Use of language Guide to academic writing in business vill
Use of language Guide to academic writing in business VIII
Use of language Four principles of English academic writing Formality Modesty Clarity Efficiency
Use of language Four principles of English academic writing • Formality • Modesty • Clarity • Efficiency Modesty
Modesty The proper degree of asserting your opinion (表达观点的“适度”) To preserve the rigor(严密) of academic writing
Modesty • The proper degree of asserting your opinion (表达观点的“适度”) • To preserve the rigor (严密) of academic writing
Use of language Examples of mistakes that second-language students tend to make Try to work out what the mistakes are and how you could correct them
Use of language • Examples of mistakes that second-language students tend to make • Try to work out what the mistakes are and how you could correct them
Modesty Example 1: Trait theory is the best leadership theory This statement is too strong It is better not to use the word best and The student can explain why this theory is useful
Modesty Example 1: • Trait theory is the best leadership theory. • This statement is too strong. • It is better not to use the word ‘best’ and • The student can explain why this theory is useful
Modesty Example 2: Students are very weak in their basic mathematical knowledge due to over dependence on calculators Overgeneralize(过度概括), too sweeping: Revision: Some students' mathematical knowledge may suffer because of their over-dependence on calculators
Modesty Example 2: • Students are very weak in their basic mathematical knowledge due to overdependence on calculators. • Overgeneralize (过度概括), too sweeping: • Revision: • Some students’ mathematical knowledge may suffer because of their over-dependence on calculators
Modesty a way to ensure academic modesty is to use cautious language This is also called hedging(栅栏≥卫护) language because to hedge against something'means to protect yourself from Its consequences
Modesty • A way to ensure academic modesty is to use cautious language. • This is also called ‘hedging’ (栅栏→卫护) language, because ‘to hedge against something’ means to protect yourself from its consequences
Modesty Example 3: In order to encourage consumers to try their goods for the first time, a number of promotional methods should be applied as follows For making a suggestion -"could is better than"should
Modesty Example 3: • In order to encourage consumers to try their goods for the first time, a number of promotional methods should be applied as follows … • For making a suggestion – “could” is better than “should
Modesty Other examples of the hedging language In other words this method of public relations is likely to be more effective and the company could benefit from using it to avert future crises
Modesty Other examples of the hedging language: • In other words, this method of public relations is likely to be more effective and the company could benefit from using it to avert future crises
Modesty Other examples of the hedging language Psychologists and anthropologists tend to have a different interpretation of what is realistic Compare: Psychologists and anthropologists have a different interpretation of what is realistic
Modesty Other examples of the hedging language: • Psychologists and anthropologists tend to have a different interpretation of what is realistic. • Compare: – Psychologists and anthropologists have a different interpretation of what is realistic
