English Language Teaching Centre
GUDLAVALLERU ENGINEERING COLLEGE
FACULTY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Scholarly Communication
HANDOUT 2
TRAINER
Introduction to the vocabulary of scholarly
communication
1 Everyday vocabulary and academic uses
Many words in scholarly communication are the same as everyday vocabulary, but they are often used with a
slightly different meaning. Here are a few examples:
Word
Meaning in everyday use
Meaning in academic use
discipline
ability to control oneself or others
Standards of discipline in schools have
declined.
draw a line under a word, phrase, etc.
Underline your family name on the form.
area of study
Nanotechnology is a relatively new
discipline
emphasize
These
figures
underline
the
improvement in retail sales.
reliable; of a good standard
We have no solid evidence that
radiation has caused the problem.
underline
solid
firm and stable in shape; not liquid or gas
The lake was frozen solid.
2 Informal, neutral and formal vocabulary
Scholarly communication tends to avoid informal vocabulary and use either formal or at least neutral
expressions. In any case, there is no place for colloquial expressions in scholarly communication. Knowing
whether an expression is colloquial, informal, neutral, or formal is important for a researcher.
Neutral
in short, briefly,
basically
only
almost/more or less


Formal
in sum, to sum up
Neutral
try
Formal
attempt
sole(ly)
virtually
mainly
typical of
primarily
characteristic of
The building is a prime example of 1920s architecture. [excellent in quality or value]
The group’s primary concern is to protect human rights. [main / most important]
3 Nominalisation
Scholarly communication puts a lot of information into noun phrases rather than spreading it out over a whole
sentence. Look at this example.


Ordinary language:
Radiation was accidentally released over a 24-hour period, damaging a
wide area for a long time.
Academic language:
The accidental release of radiation over a 24-hour period caused
widespread long-term damage.
Advantages of nominalisation:
 It allows the writer to be more concise (It is often used in scholarly communication as well as
journalism as a way of keeping to strict word limits);
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


4
It leads to more efficient writing;
It can make a text sound more authoritative; and
It can be used, like the passive voice, to hide agency (who carried out an action).
Phrases frequently used in scholarly communication
Just a few examples:
 in terms of

 in addition

 for the most part

in the case of
a great deal of
a wide range of
TASKS
1 Each word in the box can be used in two ways, one an everyday way, and the other a typically
academic/scholarly way. Complete each pair of sentences using the same word for both sentences
and making any necessary grammatical changes.
generate
turn
solid
underline
character pose
confirm
identify
nature
focus
a. She loves to pose for photographs in front of her fabulous house.
The events pose a threat to stability in the region.
b. It was difficult to focus the camera on the flower as it was so small.
Attention should be focused on the more important issue of ecological awareness.
c. I called the airline and confirmed my reservation.
The data confirmed my hypothesis that animal-lovers can enjoy better health.
d. The power plant generates electricity for the whole region.
The issue always generates a great deal of debate among scholars.
e. The murderer was identified from fingerprints discovered at the scene.
In this theory of history, progress is closely identified with technology.
f. She became interested in nature conservation.
The first lecture in the series was on the nature of human communication
g. Ram is a very interesting character. I hope you meet him.
The book attempts to explain the fundamental character of social life.
h. I saw her turn to her husband and whisper something in his ear.
Let us now turn to the subject of town planning
i. He always underlines every new word when he is reading.
The study underlines the fact that very little research exists on the subject.
j. The liquid became solid as the temperature was lowered.
The study lacks solid evidence and therefore its conclusions are doubtful.
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2
Use more formal alternatives to the words in bold. Make necessary grammatical changes.
a. The book is mainly concerned with the problem of policing the internet. primarily
b. Almost every school in the country had reported problems with the new system. Virtually
c. The work of the Institute is not only devoted to cancer research. solely
d. Basically, the study has demonstrated a significant link between the two events. In sum, To sum up,
In summary
e. We tried to find a new way of understanding the data. attempted
f.
The study is a really good example of the way sociologists collect their data. prime
g. The reaction is typical of the way large corporations keep control of their markets. characteristic
3
Rewrite each sentence with a noun phrase related to the word in bold. Use a noun from the same
family as the underlined word. (See 3. Nominalisation on page 1 before you attempt this exercise.)
a. The World Wide Web has grown rapidly since it was created in 1991.
The World Wide Web has grown rapidly since its creation in 1991.
b. The model provides a framework to transcribe intonation and analyse it.
The model provides a framework for the transcription and analysis of intonation.
c. Producing food is an important source of income for this country.
Food production is one of the most important sources of income for this country.
d. Potter (1998) points out how important knowledge structures are in building critical analysis skills.
Potter (1998) points out the importance of knowledge structures in building critical analysis skills.
e. Improving what students understand about the way advertising works may have more potential for
creating discerning consumers.
Improving students’ understanding of how advertising works may have more potential for creating
discerning consumers.
f.
Boush and Rose (1994) measured what middle-class students know about advertiser tactics and how
skeptical they were of advertising.
Boush and Rose (1994) measured middle-class students’ knowledge of advertiser tactics and their
scepticism of advertising.
g. Students also learn about the processes involved in how advertising messages are created.
Students also learn about the processes involved in the creation of advertising messages.
4
The following are statements about a research report. Fill in the blanks in the statements with
suitable phrases from the box.
as a whole
as opposed to
a wide range of
by means of
due to
for the most part
for this reason
in greater detail
to a great extent
with respect to
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a. Joslav used an eight-point scale in the questionnaire, as opposed to a four-point one, by means of
which he showed that attitudes covered a very wide range.
b. Qualitative data obtained by means of meticulous physical observation supports the questionnaire
data to a great extent.
c. The researchers quote a wide range of sources.
d. The study examined the issue in greater detail, in particular, from the point of view of the
community.
e. The community as a whole does not seem to care about crime and discipline.
f.
For the most part, the members of the community seem to see violence as something that is outside
of them.
g. The poor relationship between the parents and the children seems to be due to the fact that they do
not spend enough time together.
h. With respect to home life, parents should take more responsibility for their children.
i.
For this reason, we decided to repeat the experiment.
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