Writing Task 2 · Academic language · Lesson 14 of 18
Qualified language and academic style
Make careful claims without losing your position, and replace informal, emotive or non-inclusive language with an academic style.
In this lesson you will
- use qualified language so that you don't claim more than you can prove
- keep your own position clear while you qualify your claims
- replace informal words, abbreviations and emotive language
- use gender-neutral, respectful vocabulary
Part A
Unqualified and qualified language
Academic writers are careful not to claim too much. Evidence only shows what we know at the moment, and new knowledge can change it. Qualified language shows that you understand this.
| Unqualified (claims too much) | Qualified (careful and accurate) |
|---|---|
| This paper proves that… | This paper seems to indicate that… |
| Working from home leads to misunderstandings. | Working from home can lead to misunderstandings. |
| All teenagers spend too much time online. | Many teenagers appear to spend too much time online. |
| Tool | Examples |
|---|---|
| Modal verbs | may, might, can, could |
| Verbs | seems to, appears to, tends to, suggests, indicates |
| Adverbs | often, generally, usually, probably, largely |
| Quantity words | many, most, some, a significant number of |
| Adjectives | likely, possible, more likely |
Qualified or unqualified?
The qualified sentences come from our model answers.
- It can be difficult to stay motivated.
- Nobody can stay motivated at home.
- Misunderstandings are more likely.
- Online communication always causes misunderstandings.
- Working from one's residence can also lead to higher productivity.
- Everyone is more productive at home.
Qualify the claims
Complete each sentence with one word from the box to make the claim more careful: can, many, tends, generally, may. Use each word once.
- young people find it hard to buy a home.
- Regular exercise to improve people's mood.
- Studying abroad be very expensive.
- Older people are less confident with new technology.
- This policy reduce traffic in city centres.
Qualify your claims, not your position
The band descriptors reward “a clear and fully developed position”. Qualify what you say about the world, but be clear about what you think.
- ✓ I firmly believe that working from home is better, because it can lead to higher productivity.
- ✗ Perhaps it might possibly be somewhat better, in a way, to work from home.
Choose the best sentence
The best sentences make a clear point and a careful claim. Too little qualification sounds exaggerated, and too much sounds as if you have no opinion.
Part B
Other features of academic style
- Use gender-neutral, respectful language: humankind rather than mankind.
- Check your punctuation, spelling and grammar carefully.
- Avoid abbreviations (TV → television), and write words in full (don't → do not).
- Avoid slang and informal phrases (kids, a lot of, stuff).
- Avoid emotive language, and choose adjectives and adverbs carefully, because they often express a judgement. Write a serious concern, not absolutely terrible.
What about “I”? In Task 1, keep your opinion out completely. In Task 2, the question often asks for your opinion and for examples “from your own knowledge or experience”, so you can use I believe and personal examples. Just express them formally: I would argue that…, not I feel like…. Lesson 15 explains this in more detail.
Choose the academic word
- kids
- a lot of
- TV
- ads
- stuff
- absolutely terrible
Gender-neutral words
- mankind
- policeman
- fireman
- chairman
- A student should check his work. → Students should check the work that ___ have done.
Rewrite in academic style
Rewrite this paragraph. Replace the informal language and qualify the claims.
Kids watch way too much TV and it's absolutely terrible. All parents don't care about this stuff. I feel like the government should do something about ads because they make kids want a lot of toys.
Many children appear to spend an excessive amount of time watching television, which is a serious concern. Some parents may not be fully aware of this problem. I would argue that governments should regulate advertisements aimed at young people, as these are likely to encourage children to want a large number of toys.
Checklist for your writing
- Have I claimed too much? Look for all, every, always, never, proves.
- Is my position still clear?
- Have I written everything in full? No abbreviations or contractions.
- Is it formal? No slang, and no emotional language.
- Is it gender-neutral and respectful?
- Have I checked punctuation, spelling and grammar?
Model answers and lesson materials by Tips4IELTS.