Formal English

For your university assignments you will be expected to use ‘formal’ written English.  Many students find this form ‘unnatural’ at first, but over time and through reading and writing, these formal structures will become easier to understand and apply.  By engaging actively with your programme readings (see unit, ‘Active and critical reading’) you will become familiar with the conventions of academic writing particular to your discipline.  Another good way of increasing your familiarisation with formal English is to read the broadsheet newspapers e.g. The Irish Times.  In this regard it is more useful to read articles about issues rather than reported stories. 

Some ‘sound’ advice about what everyday words to avoid in presenting your academic work from the University of Hull at: http://www.hull.ac.uk/studyadvice/LearningResources/Quizzes/Sounding%20academic.swf
Six short online exercises are provided for you to try.