One of the most common complaints students have when they write is that it is not clear to them when to use jargon. Some teachers state up front "NO JARGON", which leaves many of us puzzled as to what in particular to avoid. But most often, there is simply no guidance. Check out the short video below for some insight.
In short, you can use jargon when you know that you are using it right, and when - basically - you just can't do without it.
A lot of academic writing boils down to doing your best within the constraints you are given. In the case of the use of jargon, this is especially true.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when trying to write a compelling academic paper is to use the right words for the right occasion. This post aims to help you understand what the right word for the right occasion is.
You want to make sure that your reader understands what you are trying to say. As such, you are trying to be as clear as possible in as few words as possible. This is the real point of an extensive vocabulary. Advanced vocabulary allows you to be accurate, while remaining maximally communicative and concise. The bonus is that advanced vocabulary also makes you sound smart and confers a certain "academic tone" to your paper.
Occasionally, people try to skip straight to the "sounding smart" and "academic tone" part, without paying enough attention to the accuracy, clarity, and communication parts of this game.
DON'T DO IT!
The best way to ensure that you paper receives optimal consideration is by it having a good internal logic, a nice presentation, and accurate vocabulary. As such, try to avoid using vocabulary you are unfamiliar with in order to make your paper look better. Using big words in the wrong way never makes you look good...
Take home message: Academic tone comes from using a polite register and appropriate vocabulary.
A couple of years ago I embarked on a career change. I felt that my PhD wasn't offering me the opportunities that I wanted to be truly generative. I felt that I learned a lot (A LOT) both in an academic and non-academic (just life) sense, but that it was time to move on.
Since then, I have continued to be engaged in the research world - and hope that flame continues to burn strong. I have also started a tutoring and online learning company called NBE Education.
I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to share what I have learned over these past 10 years on the topics of psychology, stress, health, and learning.
One of the things that I have found myself focusing on a lot when I tutor university-level students is academic writing (the other is statistics). I think that writing is something that many of us struggle with, especially in academe, which is bound by very strict rules regarding 1) what you can say, and 2) how you can say it.
To help people out with their writing, and encourage students to write their brilliance (tell the world!) I have created an online course that goes through some of the nitty-gritty of academic writing. The course isn't really designed for the first-time academic writer; it's for people who have written college-level papers before, but feel like they just aren't where they need to be. Maybe you feel like you somehow still can't seem to get your message across. Maybe you feel like you struggle with some basic issues such as how to write a good introduction, how to close you paper in the conclusion. If any of these apply, this course is for you!
If you don't want to spend the money I have also started a YouTube channel where I share some tips and tricks about academic writing, and will be sharing and posting more videos on more topics in the future.
I am so excited to be embarking on this new phase, and hope that you will stay with me throughout this transition!
Thank you to everybody who has followed me for all theses years, and here's to many more!
