Mini-Module: How to Use Academic Vocabulary

Academic or Non-Academic: Can you tell them apart? 

In each pair of words below, one is academic and one is not. Drag the academic word to the box on the right. (If you prefer it, the same activity in text form is at the bottom of the page.)

Here is the same activity in text form.

Think about what makes a word suitable for academic writing. 

Are there any general rules you can use in future to help you choose the most appropriate word or expression? 

For example:

• Is the length of a word / phrase important? 
• Do people use different words when they are writing compared to when they are speaking - and why is that?

When you are ready, go to the next page.