See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/350604021

Language in Academic Writing: Features and Topical Issues

Article in Linguistics and Literature Studies · March 2021

DOI: 10.13189/lls.2021.090201

CITATION READS

1 8,012

1 author:

Ifeyinwa Awagu
Pan-Atlantic University
2 PUBLICATIONS 2 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Ifeyinwa Awagu on 03 April 2021.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Linguistics and Literature Studies 9(2): 49-56, 2021 http://www.hrpub.org
DOI: 10.13189/lls.2021.090201

Language in Academic Writing: Features and

Topical Issues
Ifeyinwa Virginia Awagu

Institute of Humanities, Pan-Atlantic University, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria

Received December 27, 2020; Revised February 19, 2021; Accepted March 12, 2021

Cite This Paper in the following Citation Styles

(a): [1] Ifeyinwa Virginia Awagu , "Language in Academic Writing: Features and Topical Issues," Linguistics and
Literature Studies, Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 49 - 56, 2021. DOI: 10.13189/lls.2021.090201.
(b): Ifeyinwa Virginia Awagu (2021). Language in Academic Writing: Features and Topical Issues. Linguistics and
Literature Studies, 9(2), 49 - 56. DOI: 10.13189/lls.2021.090201.
Copyright©2021 by authors, all rights reserved. Authors agree that this article remains permanently open access under
the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 International License

Abstract The quality of language of a scholarly paper objective and analytical skills. It also posits that academic
determines its acceptability for academic publication. writers need special tutoring in the language, both for
Books, editorials and journals have distinguished styles of native and non-native speakers. Linguistic variance in
expressions, sentence construction, lexicon and mode of textual and rhetorical structure lends itself to
writing or reporting, in addition to reference and citation socio-linguistic, ethnographic translation, logical and
styles within the academic domain. Given that authors are pedagogic orientation. Academic brokerage should be
expected to communicate their organized thoughts and encouraged. Minimizing rejection might call for academic
research findings with accuracy and sensitivity, challenges communities not represented in high impact factor journals
abound in conformity to house style or grammar. to grow journals with high impact factor within national or
Sometimes, the authors encounter the interference of cultural boundaries.
structural construction or the interference of the mother
tongue for a non-native speaker writing in a second Keywords Academic Writing, Authorial Presence,
language. There is need to interrogate the specific features Clarity, Objectivity, Scholarly Language, Topical Issues
of academic writing that would guide intending authors and
qualify their manuscript for publication. Through a
conceptual and critical analysis of the literature and
guidelines laid down by some academic house styles like 1. Introduction
APA 6th Edition, this paper examines the specific features
of language that an author writing in any language for Scholarly or academic research is often characterized
publication needs to consider for acceptability. It also by some distinguished styles of expression that define its
considers some topical issues attendant to writing in intellectual boundaries. These expressions accord them
scholarly language. The findings reveal that scholarly specific language and mode of writing within the
research is a specialty, thus the language is within the discipline or domain of expertise. The language is crafted
unique set of rules governing academic writing. The nature to convey agreed features and meaning in line with the
of some scholarly research disposes them to an exclusive characteristics of scholarly research, as planned and
audience which might demand language conceptualized focused, structured, evidenced, and formal in tone [1,2].
within the boundaries of a specific discipline. In addition, Language is a tool employed to convey information, ideas
the language barrier between thoughts and written words and thoughts, all geared towards facilitating human
constitutes a hindrance for non-native speakers. The study communication. Specific instances of language use are
concludes that the language of academic report bound to the material world of the users, thus, driving
communicates and authenticates the findings, thus editors language to be context specific [3].
give priority to manuscripts that demonstrate clarity, While the nature of some scholarly research disposes
50 Language in Academic Writing: Features and Topical Issues

them to an exclusive audience, others are accessed by Other scholarly writings relevant to the research are cited
diverse audiences. The fact that it is a scholarly research and credited in accordance with the house style. For
keeps the language within the unique set of rules example, APA 6th Form uses Reference List in place of
governing academic writing. It is prime in the evaluative Bibliography. The researcher’s affiliations, such as the
criteria for publishable academic writing. The efforts of universities, research institutions, etc., are also listed
scholars to establish the gulf between the language of according to the house style or usually at the bottom of the
basic communication and that of academic writing first page or at the end of the article.
generated common features in the language of scholarly The language of scholarly research or academic
research. language is not a specific language of communication
Authors write and rewrite academic articles for with unified meaning, such as English or French. Rather,
publication but sometimes suffer rejection on account of it is a style or mode of expression, a specialist language,
non-adherence to the language of academic writing. Some adopted within an educationally relevant and
authors identify challenges in conformity to house style methodological framework, and for an intended audience.
and grammar, or authors’ choice of effective words to The language includes all the textual materials employed
communicate organized thoughts with accuracy and by the writer to interact with the reader. Gottlieb and
sensitivity [4]. Sometimes, the authors encounter the Ernst-Slavit [5] referred to it as a complex concept.
interference of structural construction or the interference Because the purpose, audience, and context vary,
of the mother tongue for a non-native speaker writing in a variances arise in language use, selection of words,
second language. formality, sentence construction, and discourse patterns.
Through a review of the literature and guidelines laid Snow and Uccelli [6], affirming Scarcella [7],
down by some academic house styles like APA 6th specifically described academic English as “a variety or
Edition, this paper examines the specific features of register of English used in professional books and
language that an author writing in any language for characterized by the linguistic features associated with
publication needs to consider for acceptability. The paper academic disciplines.” This was validated by [5] that
posits that scholarly research is a specialty, thus the described academic language or academic English as a
language is within the unique set of rules governing register or an assortment of a language used for a specific
academic writing. The nature of some scholarly research purpose and audience in a particular context. It is typified
disposes them to an exclusive audience which might by some specific linguistic features like discourse features,
demand language conceptualized within the boundaries of grammatical constructions, and vocabulary of the
a specific discipline. Hence, people who engage in academic discipline in context across different language
academic writing, both native and non-native speakers, domains, modalities and content areas. For Halliday, it is
need special tutoring in academic language. multidimensional and dynamic in nature; each variance
evolves as the discipline evolves, but they all share certain
core features [5].
2. Scholarly Research and Language of The peculiar technicalities of the specific discipline, the
Scholarly Research or Academic academic community, as well as clear and formal
communication are observed. Though the former might
Language present some difficulty in understanding for some readers,
Scholarly research also called academic research, the fact that the research is meant for a target academic
represents properly or scientifically conducted research or landscape cannot be lost in popular readability. The
experiment, with originality, by one or more scholars. The pendulum of style of language dangles between expertise
research is intended to be made available to the scholarly and clarity. Academic language proficiency demands the
world through publication in books or scholarly journals. ability to use content–specific vocabulary, appropriate or
They are subjected to reviews and comments by the specialized grammatical structures, and discourse in
academics or experts in the field, in order to qualify for disseminating the research information. Some of the
publication. The publications are discipline-specific or characteristics are: a formal tone, precise word choice, use
multidisciplinary; example, Journal of Cross-Cultural of the third-person rather than the first-person perspective,
Psychology is published by Cultural and Social and a clear focus on the research problem under
Psychologists but accepts articles in related fields like investigation [1].
Anthropology and other cultural and behavioral studies.
The reviews and comments earn the scholarly journals 2.1. Distinctive Features of Scholarly Language
the term, peer-reviewed or refereed journals. They often
have a prescribed format for the researched articles: the The scholarly research has a communicative purpose
title, the abstract, and the main text. The title states the which constitutes the rationale that determines the
subject matter while the abstract is the summary. The schematic structure of discourse and constrains the
main text is the content and often adds graphs and charts. rhetorical choice. The language is established and
 Linguistics and Literature Studies 9(2): 49-56, 2021 51

accepted by the culture of a specific discourse community in rhetorical conventions acceptable in English speaking
whose members share the broad communicative purposes societies. Thus, common linguistic medium does not mean
[8]. Scholarly language, though subject to specific genres, that discourse strategies - rhetorical devices, syntactic and
is explicit, formal and factual as well as objective and referential markers denoting objectivity - are shared [10].
analytical in nature. It is designed to be very precise, The choice of words is such that communicates the
concise, courteous and authoritative. The features of context of the writing the best way. Use of vocabularies,
scholarly language can be discussed along the following with meanings that are very specialized to the discipline,
titles: objectivity, clarity, analytical and authorial are important. They enable accurate understanding of
presence. concepts within the text. Frugality with words makes the
article more readable, so the technical terminologies
i) Objectivity should be concise. An appropriate level of specificity in
Objectivity is concerned about facts based on the the choice of words helps to eliminate bias.
research and not opinion and biases, nor facts influenced From the title of the scholarly research, through the
by opinion and biases. The writer assumes an authoritative abstract, to the main text, informative expressions testify
stance, stating strengths of the argument confidently. The to objectivity. Declarative and interrogative titles are less
language presents arguments and not value judgements. It objective because either they are incomplete or call
is neither meant to be confrontational nor dismissive, but attention only to a part of the research [4]. The type of
sometimes, these are necessitated by the academic research article determines the language of the abstract.
environment. The perspectives contrary to that of the Descriptive expressions are commonly used in review
writer are given the appropriate narrative tone that abstracts.
conveys fairness and objectivity. The argument needs to
be described accurately without biased expressions. The ii) Clarity
tone is also a factor in establishing the writer’s position. It Ideas are stated as concisely as possible. Clear writings
has to be convincing. avoid vague expressions, sweeping statements and
Bias as against objectivity in scientific writing is repetitions. They do not employ words open to the
contained in evaluative statements that are overt or possibility of the reader misinterpreting the design and
implied. The writer has to avoid the use of words or purposes of the study. The concrete words and
expressions that are judgmental of race, gender, sexual terminologies that convey specific meanings are used,
orientation, or any identifiable group. Bias can also be by while those that can evolve nuanced meaning within the
way of assumptions or constructions or use of sensitive discipline are avoided. Much as appropriate use of
labels to describe groups. specialist language and a formal style of expression are
Another angle in discussing objectivity as a feature of allowed, excessive use of complex or obscure words and
scholarly language is the place of a convincing language. complicated sentence constructions give the impression
Much as scholarly research is largely a matter of that the article is more about style than substance [12].
documentation, rigorous testing, and other objective Consistency in use of identical conceptual language in the
controls, a formal convincing language is essential. Some text creates clarity.
critics argue that no matter how "objective" your facts, A chosen tense is more appropriate, but the results of
statistics, results of experiments, or quotations from the findings are usually expressed in the past tense. The
respected sources, the argument is still by its very nature APA 6th edition recommends the use of the past tense
"subjective" [9]. Given that it is a hypothesis that is when reporting one’s result or discussing another
investigated and proven, the language is such that the researcher’s work, but present tense in discussing the
readers will be convinced. implications of the result and the conclusion. Examples,
The language of scholarly research demands objectivity “This study demonstrated that;” “The import of the result
in expression. The author needs to demonstrate a clear is that.”
focus on the research problem under investigation. It is better to write in positive terms. Example, “the
Objectivity can be reflected in the writers’ approaches to findings revealed that” is clearer than “the findings did not
the development of the topic, the written discourse reveal.” Short sentences are more effective. Smooth run of
paradigm, and use of syntactic and referential markers expression is achieved by use of simple sentences. The
[10]. Academic discourse communities have the structure of the text aids explicit presentation of ideas to
prescribed level of normativity for rhetorical and syntactic the extent that the reader follows. This demands
features that express objectivity. Atkinson [11] contends adherence to the grammatical structure of the given
that the superordinate notion of “scientific objectivity” is language. For example, the common pitfalls in the English
partly conventional in origin. In some established language are the use of fragmented sentences, dangling
territories, the pronouns “we” and “us” are appropriate modifiers, punctuation, etc. Nominalization of verbs is
alternatives for “I” and “me”. Dialectical and cultural used only when appropriate.
variances are identified in objectivity devices and markers The importance of grammatical correctness to clarity is
52 Language in Academic Writing: Features and Topical Issues

validated in [13] which investigated scholarly peer-review reasoning. The use of clear topic sentences in
comment for research publication in English Language. well-structured paragraphs enables the reader to follow
The study observed that regardless of discipline, “lexis the line of argument without difficulty. Though the
and syntax” attracted considerable comment compared to narrative links between sentences and paragraphs are
“discourse and rhetoric” under scholarly language needed to enable the reader to follow the argument, as is
employed in the manuscripts submitted for peer review. common in other forms of writing, the structure is formal,
The Iranian non-native speakers of English language cohesive and logical. The various parts must be connected
researchers’ submissions came as an example of the clear to form a unified whole.
indication that the referees of international high-profile Various linguistic styles are employed to engage the
journals find syntactic and lexical use of English much reader while sustaining the argument. Swales et al [15]
more problematic than text structure. Specifically, “lack examined the use of imperatives in scholarly writing. The
of clarity” ranked the most frequently commented theme study scanned for imperatives used in both main text and
in the manuscripts among others. Lexis and syntax feature notes, and instances were collated and analyzed. The
as important aspects of clarity and precision, which are the findings revealed that main-text imperatives tend to
building blocks of academic writing. It added that congregate in sections where the principal argumentation
academic writing training, hence, should address such occurs, but are very unevenly distributed across fields. As
issues as balance in the use of active and passive voice, such, the authors use them for various strategic purposes
consistency in the use of tense, the natural sequence of the such as engaging the reader, achieving text economy, or
parts of speech, lexical choice of scientific terminology, manifesting personal style.
clarity, and brevity.
However, some disciplines seem to weigh clarity in iv) Authorial Presence
discourse and rhetoric against clarity in lexis and syntax. Authorial presence is the way the writer reveals his
[13] pointed out that the humanities researchers stressed identity in his relationship with the readers and the
the superiority of the transitions or link from one section academic community within the research article. There are
of the research article to another. The knowledge of the diverse conventions of different disciplines and academic
moves of the different sections of an article is more writing cultures, on how and the extent to which writers
fundamental in the academic writing training of this group can be explicitly visible in the discourse. These variations
of researchers. They may need to focus on how to manage make the mode of language employed in establishing
the transitions of the different sections of an article to authorial presence seem highly problematic for writers
make for clarity and brevity, more than the emphasis on and students alike. The choices range from the
rhetorical devices. self-effacing task which involves authors eradicating
In conclusion, clarity in writing reflects on clarity in themselves from their texts through third person narratives,
thought. Academic research is far more than mere fact to self–citation with exclusive first pronouns [16].
recording. The language is a key to transmitting The scholarly language of some academic writing
knowledge and rendering an impact on the field. Without cultures demands a presentation of the research in the
clarity and proper use of language, readers will not grasp third person narrative and not first person. The authorial
the full message or impact of the article. Even with cutting presence is not usually direct in some traditions. It is often
edge findings, unconventional language quality, including manifested in the tone, use of personal pronouns and
errors in grammar, spelling or language usage, could directives in the writing. The use of I, we, me, us, you,
render the article unacceptable for publication [14]. etc., infuse subjectivity in the research and rob it of
empirical evidence. This is not generalized to all traditions
iii) Analytical and genres. The personal pronoun “we” is acceptable in
The subject matter of scholarly research resides in some traditions, whereas some traditions indicate the
empirical perspectives of knowledge. An appreciation of author’s voice in the phrase “the researcher” or
the intricacy of this subject matter is demonstrated “researcher” [17]. The self-mention is in the form of the
through critical analysis. Use of analytical language aids a detached self. Other forms are the individual self and the
critical presentation of both the perspectives in review and collective self.
the new perspectives. This language approach enables the The author assumes an objective stance in presenting
writer to dissect all sides of the subject matter by way of the body of knowledge and academic debate related to the
contrast, comparison, explanation, validation and such subject matter. The language is such that threads a
like. Hartley [1] opines that it also means that you explain, well-documented, coherent, and logically structured piece
give reasons, draw conclusions, make suggestions and of writing without the direct visibility of the author. This
recommendations and support this with evidence. is particularly important when proposing solutions to
The language style of scholarly research is primarily problems or recommended courses of action [12].
argumentative. Arguments are presented to support claims; Conventional language of citation in the body of the work
therefore, they have to present a thorough and consistent is employed to show the source of the voice, and all
 Linguistics and Literature Studies 9(2): 49-56, 2021 53

sources are properly cited. evident in the pressure faced by non-native speakers
Scientific writing is identified by its stand on the issues publishing research in international journals.
of truth, thought and language. There is need to present Given the presumed dominance of English Language in
the new result coherently within the existing body of international publications, [20] assessed native and
knowledge. This stance makes the scientist replaceable in non-native English speakers along the line of choice of
that the experiment or research could be replicated by any linguistics and rhetorical devices in the scholarly research
other person. The authorial invisibility emphasizes this written in English. The study complemented interview
philosophy. However, some traditions allow the author’s data with textual analysis. The textual analysis revealed
voice to come through the use of the first-person pronouns several intercultural differences as regards the degree of
in the introduction, conclusion, proposal of a new authorial visibility/ invisibility in the texts. It advocated
approach, encouragement of a new direction, suggestion the maintenance of cultural diversity in international
of a new design, but not in the discussion of experimental publications. Such scholars may retain some
results [18]. culture-specific traits, while adapting to the rhetorical
Wu and Zhu [8] that following the social semiotic conventions for writing papers in the second language.
view that language performs social functions, the research Using Spanish as an example, it highlighted that the
article is not taken as purely objective reporting of an tradition keeps authorial visibility to a minimum.
independent and external reality. Rather, it should be seen Directives are best framed as evidence-based
as a narration of investigation, a process of reconstructing recommendations, not as instructions that demand the
research, and a channel for distributing and advancing readers to do one thing or the other. Conversational or
academic knowledge. As such, it involves two levels of informal tones such as use of slangs and idioms are not
communication: the convincing style of the research permissible. Expressions specific to regional dialects
report and the appropriate presentation of authorial self to expose the writing to variances in interpretation.
readers to enhance his reputation. They conclude that
research articles not only convey disciplinary content, but 2.2. Topical Issues in Features of Scholarly Language
also establish the desired authorial presence through the
linguistic choices. These are embedded in the scholarly The linguistic variances, in terms of academic research,
language of the genre. across different cultural and national traditions are issues
The combined effect of the language of authorial in the use of scholarly language. Scholars sometimes write
presence is validated in an earlier research by [16] in their native language for an international audience.
emphasizing that the choices which express the writer’s While such writers may compose an academic text that
presence not only affect the ideational meaning that aligns totally with the local/ national norms and fits the
writers convey, but also influence the impression they expected lexico-grammatical and rhetorical patterns in the
make on their readers. The import of [16] and [8] is that writer’s native academic culture, the same situation might
the choice of scholarly language of the research article not correspond with the translated text meant for an
establishing authorial presence is guided by the purpose of international publication [21]. A discourse of the features
the self-mention. Self-mention is deemed a powerful of the language of scholarly research in a cross-cultural
rhetorical strategy of emphasizing a writer’s contribution context lends itself to practical dimensions in
[16]. socio-linguistic, ethnographic translation, logical and
A cross-cultural approach to the analysis of the pedagogic orientation. For example, a translation of a
linguistic elements of authorial references was adopted in scholarly research from English to German faces the
[19]. Specifically, the use of the first-person subject challenge of the translation approach to adopt, particularly
pronouns and passive voices in research articles in English in terms of its textual and rhetorical structure.
and Italian was analyzed to determine whether personal While investigating the role of peer reviewers in
and impersonal authorial references as realized by these accepting or rejecting manuscripts with off-network
features are susceptible to variation across academic sources, [13] reinstated that language use and style are the
writing cultures. The results indicate variations that were most frequently highlighted areas of the reviewed articles
ascribed to the adoption of differing interpersonal that place them below the required standard for
strategies, subjectivity or objectivity, within the two publication.
academic discourse communities. There is a challenge in achieving a close concurrence
The existence of different scholarly traditions triggers a with the conventions of the target academic culture in
line of inquiry: the extent to which culture-specific order to increase the article’s chances of publication. The
practices in the linguistic manifestations of the writer’s options are either surface-level adjustments or other
persona (e.g., use of personal pronouns as self-mention significant textual reorganization. This might amount to
devices, use of attitudinal lexis) establish credibility, essentially re-writing the text, possibly ending in a clash
highlight research outcomes and ultimately seek the of the different scholarly language styles and academic
acceptance of the community of experts [20]. This is experiences. Existing studies recommend a pedagogical
54 Language in Academic Writing: Features and Topical Issues

approach of instruction and guidance in the styles and research among multilingual scholars in relation to
genres of written academic discourse in the second publication in peer reviewed international journals
language to acquire skills that are proving increasingly published in dominant international languages such as
indispensable in the modern marketplace. This can English. The precise nature of the activities of the
develop the writers’ sensitivity to different styles, non-native speaker writing in the language of the native
cultivate their ability to switch between diverse styles, and speaker who is the broker in the mediation process lends
enhance their skills in formulating spoken and written the mediation to unequal power play. It makes the terrain
messages in ways that are maximally effective, and take of acceptability of the scholarly research of such scholars,
into account the context of the target for international publication, more limited and complex.
culture/situation/audience [21]. [24] opined that international authors sometimes perceive
Mediation of academic literacy in scholarly research is biases based on language skills, country of origin, or other
another prevalent issue. It refers to the various ways that factors. It found that reviewers and editors often make
literary brokers help writers interact with the written text, remarks on grammar and diction in manuscripts from
within and outside contractual relationships [21]. Though second-language authors. It cited an example of a study of
there is paucity of research explicit on mediation in medical manuscripts written by Italian researchers where
relation to scholarly research, the notion of mediation is about 44% of all reviewer comments dealt with language
evident in [22]. The study, while looking at text issues.
interventions, explores hypothetically the activities of Interestingly, Mudrak [24] observed the need and
those the authors referred to as “shapers” of texts written appropriateness of reviewer’s comments on the language
by Dutch-speaking scientists. These are language in a manuscript, but mentioned that a large number of
professionals - journal reviewers and editors - as well as language issues can make the author feel defensive and
members of the author’s discourse community, whose may even create concern that the manuscript is being
extensive intervention brings the research to the standard judged more harshly than it would have been if the
of publication in an international journal. This is manuscript had been written by a native English speaker.
mediation in writing scholarly research informed by the By way of recommendation, the study added that the
discourse community. possibility of perceived bias could be avoided if the
Lilies and Curry [23] examined the occurrence of instructions for authors should include a statement
literacy brokering in academic text production. The stressing the need for a certain threshold of English
phenomenon is a familiar practice in academic publishing language quality. This provides reviewers the benchmark
but had not been subjected to a rigorous systematic and guideline to properly assess their content and explain
empirical research. The study specifically investigated the the rationale behind any comments on the language in a
experiences of multilingual scholars who live and work in manuscript. Such comments can be taken constructively
the peripheral contexts of the non-Anglophone center. and not in a pejorative manner.
Using a text-ethnographic approach, it revealed the extent Despite the on-going definitions, a conceptualization of
and nature of literacy brokering in broad terms and academic language within an agreed logical framework
explored in detail the trajectories of three texts as they that could guide educationally relevant research is a
move from local peripheral scholarly research contexts challenge. The focus of such framework ought to
(national publication within their locality) toward supersede the linguistic features for a practice that would
publication in the center (English-medium international generate better directly useful information, like analysis of
journal). It established that there are different orientations the content standards, discourse, etc. [6].
in mediation according to the need for the mediation: A systematic and critical approach to scholarly
language or content focused. An important finding is that language ought to draw on factors such as discipline,
though scholars tend to frame brokers’ interventions in intellectual traditions, and genre and writing styles. This
terms of language or discourse, the brokers tend to orient would demonstrate recognition of the complexities of
to content. academic cultures and communities.
Apart from the key finding in [23], it is observed that
the rhetorical changes instigated by brokers can be
understood as Western Anglo academic literacy practices, 3. Conclusions and Recommendation
where specific notions of textual unity and, conversely,
digressions are privileged. Such rhetorical practices are Editors give priority to manuscripts that are clearly
dynamic even within center disciplinary contexts. There is written. No matter the quality of an academic research, it
an example of brokers from two different English-medium is the language of the report that communicates and
international journals with different approaches to the authenticates the findings. The language of scholarly
rhetorical treatment and function of experiments. research is permeated with specific characteristics that
The relevance of the findings to this discussion lies in accommodate the peculiar technicalities of the specific
the intricacies of standard of language in scholarly discipline, the academic community, as well as clear and
 Linguistics and Literature Studies 9(2): 49-56, 2021 55

formal communication. These are evident in the rhetorical [5] Gottlieb, M., Ernst-Slavit, G. “Academic Language: A
and syntactic features and house style of academic Centerpiece for Academic Success in English Language Arts”
pp 1-9 .2013. https://uk.sagepub.com
discourse communities. Given that the objective is to
present a clear communication of the scholarly research, [6] Snow, C. E., Uccelli, P. “The Challenge of Academic
the rubrics have to be adhered to. These include Language” in Olson, D.R. Torrence, N. (Eds) Handbook of
observance of the grammatical structure and rules of the literacy. New York: Cambridge University Press. pp112 –
115, 2009 https://books.google.com.ng
specified language.
By way of appropriate use of scholarly language, [7] Scarcella, R. “Academic English: A Conceptual
publishing research in one’s native language is difficult Framework”. The University of California Linguistic
enough, but second-language authors face additional Minority Research Institute. Technical Report 2003.
challenges [24]. The language barrier generates certain https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED531333
levels of complexities for both the scholar-author and the [8] Wu, G., Zhu, Y. “Self-Mention and Authorial Identity
scholar-reviewer. These can be scaled through some Construction in English and Chinese Research Articles: A
measures, such as providing reviewers’ information about Contrastive Study. Linguistics & the Human Sciences Vol
writing in clear language to improve the exchange 10 (2) pp133-15, 2014 http://web.a.ebscohost.com
between international authors and reviewers. [9] Kendra, G. “Graduate Writing Resource”. 2013. The
Lillis and Scott [25] expressed concern to explore the University of Arizona https://www.gwr.arizona.edu/balanci
intricacies of an academic communication, and ng1.htm
particularly writing, in the face of what is often powerful
but restricted and deficit official discourse or language. [10] Hinkel, E. “Objectivity and Credibility in L1 and L2
Academic Writing” in Hinkel, E. (Ed) Culture in Second
They employed the term “academic literacy” as a dynamic Language Teaching and Learning. Cambridge: Cambridge
phenomenon embedded in – rather than separate from – University Press pp 3-10, 1999
research activity, and, thus, advanced a common level of
understanding for scholars in scholarly research and [11] Atkinson, D, “Discourse Analysis and Written Discourse
publication that will emphasize a shared communicative Convention.” Annual Review of Applied Linguistics 11
pp57-76, 1991. ResearchGate https://www.researchgate.net
purpose.
Finally, the language of scholarly writing is that which [12] USC Libraries “Organising your Social Science Research
expresses simply, specifically, formally and convincingly, Paper: Academic Writing Style”. Research Guides,
that which it is meant to express. The readability does not University of Southern California. http://libguides.usc.edu/
writingguide/academicwriting
need special skills, but it has to go beyond the language of
the ordinary. [13] Zare, J.; Mahmoudi-Gahrouei, V.; Ketabi, S.,
A discourse of the features of the language of scholarly Keivanloo-Shahrestanaki, Z. “English for Research
research in a cross-cultural context lends itself to practical Publication Purposes: The Case of Sholarly Peer Review
dimensions in socio-linguistic, ethnographic, translation Comments. English for Research Publication. Ibérica 32
pp153-178 173, 2016. http://web.a.ebscohost.com
logical and pedagogic orientation
It would be a good consideration for academic [14] Griffies, S. M., Perrie, W. A. & Hull, G. “Elements of style
communities not represented in high impact factor for writing scientific journal articles.” Publishing Connect,
journals to grow journals with high impact factor within 2013. Elsevier. https://www.publishingcampus.elsevier.com
national or cultural boundaries.
[15] Swales, J., Ahmad, U., Chang, Y., Chavez, D., Dressen, D.,
Seymour, R. “Consider This: The Role of Imperatives in
Scholarly Writing.” Applied Linguistics. Vol. 19 (1),
pp97-121, 1998. https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/19.1.97

REFERENCES [16] Hyland, K. “Humble Servants of the Discipline?

Self-Mention in Research Articles”. English for Specific
[1] Hartley, J. “Academic writing and publishing: A Practical Purposes. Volume 20(3) pp. 207-226. 2001. Science Direct.
Guide.” Routledge, 2008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780 http://www.sciencedirect.com
203927984
[17] Shehzad, W., Sohail, A. “Rhetorical Convention for
[2] University of Leeds “Academic Writing: What is Academic Academic Writing.” Kashmir Journal of Language Research
Writing? University of Leeds Library https://library.leeds.a Vol. 151) pp115-139, 2012. http://web.a.ebscohost.com
c.uk
[18] Mark, C. A. “How to Write a Good Scientific Paper”.
[3] Victoria Institutions. “Codes of Realty! What is Language?”.
Bellingham-Washington: SPIE pp11-18, 2018. https://spie.
Brain to Brain Communications Pp. 11 – 14, 2011
https://books.google.com.ng org/samples/9781510619142.pdf

[4] Lang, T. A. “Writing a Better Research Article” Journal of [19] Molino, A. “Personal and impersonal authorial references: A
Public Health and Emergency, Vol. 1. 2017. contrastive study of English and Italian Linguistics Research
http://jphe.amegroups.com/article/view/4265/5102 Articles”. Journal of English for Academic Purposes.
 56 Language in Academic Writing: Features and Topical Issues

Volume 9 (2) pp 86-101, 2019 Science Direct. 223-243, 2003. doi:10.1016/S1060-3743(03)00037-7

http://www.sciencedirect.com
[23] Lillis, T. Curry, M. J. “Professional Academic Writing by
[20] Pérez-Llantada, C. “Native and Non-native English Scholars Multilingual Scholars”: Interactions with Literacy Brokers
Publishing Research Internationally: A Small-Scale Study in the Production of English–Medium Texts. Written
on Authorial (in)Visibility”. Journal of Applied Linguistics Communication 23 (3), 2006. Sage Publications.
Vol 4(2) pp.17–238, 2009. Equinox Publishing https://s3.am http://wcx.sagepub.com
azonaws.com/academia.edu.documents [24] Mudrak, B. “Understanding the Needs of International
Authors.”. Learned Publishing, 26, (2) pp. 139-147 2013.
[21] Chovanec, J., “Written Academic Discourse in English:
Wiley Online Library, http://web.a.ebscohost.com
From Local Traditions to Global Outreach”. Brno Studies in
English Volume 38, No. 2, 2012 [25] Lillis, T., Scott, M. “Defining Academic Literacies Research:
Issues of Epistemology, Ideology and Strategy.” Journal of
[22] Burrough-Boenish, J. “Shapers of Published NNS Research Applied Linguistics. Vol. 4 Issue 1, pp. 5-32. 2007.
Articles”. Journal of Second Language Writing, 12(3), http://web.a.ebscohost.com

View publication stats