Language Styles

Readable style is important in any area. However, every subject has its own vocabulary. It is the same with style: If you want to improve yours, you have to control your vocabulary. Every group demands that its new members master a voice and vocabulary testifying that they have accepted the values of the group. The aspiring economist or engineer must learn not only to think like a professional, but also to sound like one.

We use special language to help us manage how our readers follow and understand us. Some kinds:

• Rhetorical actions: explain, show, argue, claim, deny, suggest, contrast, add, expand, summarize;

• Parts of our discourse: first, second, third; to begin, finally;

• Logical connections: therefore, however, consequently, if so;

• Hedges to our beliefs: It seems that, perhaps, I(we) believe;
• Guides for our readers: Consider now; Recall; Imagine . . .

When academic writers use the first person, they typically use /or we in introductions, where they announce their intentions: We claim that. . ., We shall show . . . , We begin by . . . If they use this mode of writing at the beginning, they are likely to use it again at the end, when they summarize: We have suggested . . . , I have shown that. . . , We have not claimed... On the other hand, academic and scholarly writers rarely use the first person to describe particular actions that they performed in their research. For example:

1. The model has been subjected to statistical analysis.

2. An inability to export sufficient crude oil for hard currency needs is proposed here as the cause of the collapse of the Soviet economy.

3. The assembly of extensive data is being considered, but no evaluation has yet been made in regard to the potential of its reliability.

Most universities and colleges encourage standard, uncomplicated prose for writing papers.

•Writing that is too formal is not effective.

•Informal Writing with inappropriate language is not acceptable.

• Standard English is defined as writing that achieves an academic
accuracy without resorting to stiff, unnatural styles.

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Stylistic weaknesses to avoid are:

• Wordiness;

• Redundancy;

• Gender-bias;

• Cliches;

• Loose construction;

• Euphemisms.

A careful use of transitional phrases is encouraged to keep writing smooth and coherent. Writers must develop a sense of audience.

Standard English did arise from impulses toward control. But sometimes we come across the style that, instead of revealing ideas, hides them. When we find that kind of writing in government regulations and directives, we call it bureaucratese; when we find it in contracts and judicial pronouncements, legalese; in scholarly articles and books, academese. Whenever you write technical prose, your audience is likely to include some readers who will not understand all your terminology, so for them you must define your terms. Unlike matters of style, we must write correct English. "Correctness" does not require good taste, only a good memory. Many of us do see clearly, and feel deeply, and think carefully, but cannot write well to share those visions and feelings and thoughts. But in fact when we write clearly, we are better able to think and feel and see.

II. Ответьте на вопросы.

1. How do you understand the expression "readable style?"

2. Why do we use special language in our professional activities?

3. What is characteristic for academic writing?
3. What can one hide behind language?

5. How many pages do you read a week?

6. Why is it so good to write well?