ACADEMIC LANGUAGE
Using Appropriate and Exact Language
Standard American English



Standard American English is the dialect used in
academic writing.
It is called ‘standard’ because it is also used in
business, the professions, and the media.
Standard American is accepted as the common
language just like the dollar is accepted as the
common currency.
Standard American English

Standard American English does vary. Think about
the differences between:
 The
President’s State of the Union Address
 The writing in your text book
 The informal chit-chat between anchors on AM TV.
Standard American English

There are several common features of Academic
writing using standard American English:
 It
follows the conventions of standard American English
for grammar and usage.
 Excludes
forms encouraged by rapid communication in emails and texts like incomplete sentences, no capital letters,
and shortened spelling.
 It
uses standard vocabulary.
 Does
not include slang, ethnic or regional dialects, or
another language.
Standard American English

It creates distance between the reader and the
writer with the third person (he, she, it, they).
 First
person is sometimes used to express personal
opinions, but should not be used in explanation (I
discovered that grammar exercises should be taught…)
 Second person should only be used when addressing
readers directly (as in your text book). Even then, it can
sound too ‘chummy’ or condescending. (You should never
split an infinitive)
Standard American English

It is authoritative and neutral.
 Allows
writers to express themselves confidently, not
timidly.
 Allows writers to refrain from hostility.
 Allows writers to refrain from too much enthusiasm.
Standard American English Activity

Turn to page 96 in the Little, Brown handbook and
complete exercise 10.1.
Denotation and Connotation

Denotation- The dictionary definition of a word.
 Consult
a dictionary if you are unsure of a word’s
meaning.
 Distinguish between similar sounding words that have
different meanings.
*
Older people often suffer infirmaries. [places for the sick]
 Older people often suffer infirmities. [disabilities]
Denotation and Connotation

Connotation- The emotional response many words
carry. They can evoke specific feelings that shape a
reader’s response and can be a powerful tool for
writers.
Denotation and Connotation

The following words have related denotations, but
different connotations:
 Pride-
sense of self worth
 Vanity- excessive regard for oneself
 Firm- unchangeable, unyielding
 Stubborn- unreasonable, bullheaded
 Enthusiasm-excitement
 Mania-excessive interest or desire
Idioms

Idioms are expressions that do not fit the rules of
meaning or grammar.
 Put
 See
up with; plug away at
page 175 in Little Brown for a list of some common
idioms with prepositions.
Denotation /Connotation and Idioms
Activities


Turn to page 173 in the Little, Brown handbook and
complete exercise 18.5.
Complete exercise 18.8 on page 176.