Characteristics of academic words include:
* Low frequency: They are not commonly used in everyday speech.
* Formal tone: They contribute to a formal and objective writing style.
* Specific meaning: They have precise definitions, often with nuances that differ from their less formal counterparts.
* Abstract concepts: They frequently refer to abstract ideas, concepts, and processes.
* Technical vocabulary: In certain fields, they may represent specialized jargon.
Examples: Instead of "sad," an academic text might use "melancholic." Instead of "big," it might use "substantial" or "extensive." Instead of "look," it might use "investigate" or "analyze."
Identifying academic words is crucial for comprehension, especially for students learning a new subject or language. The density of academic words in a passage can indicate its difficulty level.