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In other words, everything that influences language choices in writing or

conversation.

It matters who is involved, where they're involved and

what method is being used to communicate.

When register is correct, we can we hardly notice it.

It means that language and grammar are presented correctly for

the type of text or conversation.

When register is incorrect,

you notice that the language does not match the type of text of conversation.

A paper that starts with a sentence such as,

I reckon that the research findings are cool, would make the reader stumble.

Although, this may be a possibly correct statement,

it would be written in the wrong register for a research publication.

The language of academic writing differs from everyday speech, which generally

uses informal language, hesitations, repetitions and incomplete sentences.

In a face to face situation, we tend to rely on the listener to give us

usual clues as to whether what they're saying has been understood.

If not, we can rephrase or try to explain something in a different way.

In written language, however,

others cannot anticipate the response of the readers and, therefore,

the language needs to be more precise if they wish to communicate effectively.

Since writers cannot respond to the reader's facial expressions or

body gestures, they have to rely on words and

punctuation marks to express their full meaning.

Writing is, therefore, a demanding skill.

Academic writing, in particular, requires an extensive vocabulary,

a good command of grammar, thorough knowledge of spelling and

punctuation rules and an ability to put ideas down in a logical order.

Writing also requires an understanding of how style

is affected by both purpose and audience.

In academic texts, the writing style is influenced by a number of factors,

including: the aim of writing (for example,

to inform, to propose or to persuade).

The structure of writing, whether it is a research paper or a technical report.

Vocabulary, whether it is ceremonial, formal.

Context, which can be personal or professional.

The reader or readers (colleagues, reviewers).

And the relationship between the reader and

the writer, whether they are on friendly terms or distant from other.

We refer to different levels of formality in English as different registers.

according to different contexts, different purposes and different audiences.

We commonly recognize registers because of their specialized vocabulary,

but also because of particular uses of grammar.

representation of academic texts.

Recognition of register creates a starting point and a framework of analysis for

an area of study, and helps to structure and interpret texts.

Although register is a complex idea, the most common aspect looked at in

language learning is the degree of formality.

A register may range from very formal to very informal or

from very official to ceremonial to familial and friendly.

Formal language generally uses different words and

longer sentences than informal language, and

is intended to create the impression of social distance between people.

Informal register is occasionally used in academic writing.

When using an informal register, there is usually a close relationship between

the writer, audience and topic, with a degree of casualness.

However, care must be taken in order not to mistake informal for

familiar registers.

The features of this register are different from the familiar register,

as more care is taken with grammar.

However, the tone is conversational,

using colloquial language compared to the formal register.

A formal register is the register that is mostly often used in academic writing.

It is a register where strong opinions can be expressed objectively.

It does not break any of the rules of written grammar, and

often has a set of rules of what not to do when using this register.

The following extract is from Crystal's book, A Dictionary of Linguistics and

Phonetics.

Ceremonial register, modern academic writing rarely uses this register.

Sometimes, it may be encountered when

reading transcriptions of speeches or historical documents.

Often, misunderstandings in recognizing the difference between ceremonial and

formal registers occur when writers are experimenting with vocabulary.

A dictionary will help you make the right choice.

And reading academic texts will help you become more familiar

with appropriate choices.

Here are centered the hopes, and aspirations and

faith of the entire human race.

Academic writers need to select the words and structures that are most appropriate

for the situation and most likely to achieve the desired effect.

There are very definite rules and

conventions that prevent the use of colloquialisms, for example, okay,

or slang expressions, for example, guy or guys, and contractions,

for example, didn't or it's, in all styles of formal written English.

In this example, note how very different the language is used to explain and

define the word research.

Beginning with a conversational way of explaining the word,

the definitions become increasingly more formal,

with the last one being a formal academic definition.

Register

Academic Literacy

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