1. Formal Tone and Language:
* Avoids colloquialisms, contractions, and slang: Instead of "It's really important," write "It is crucial." Instead of "The study looked at," write "The study investigated."
* Uses precise and unambiguous language: Avoid vague terms like "a lot" or "many." Use specific quantifiers like "a significant number" or provide exact numbers.
* Maintains objectivity: Avoid subjective opinions or emotional language. Focus on presenting factual information and evidence. For example, instead of "This amazing discovery proves...", use "This study suggests that..."
Example: Instead of: "The experiment totally blew our minds!" Use: "The experimental results yielded unexpected and significant findings."
2. Structure and Organization:
* Clear and logical structure: Follows a consistent structure (e.g., Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion). Each section has a clear purpose and flows logically to the next.
* Use of headings and subheadings: Breaks down complex information into manageable chunks and improves readability.
* Concise and focused paragraphs: Each paragraph develops a single idea and uses topic sentences to clearly state the main point.
Example: A well-structured paragraph would start with a clear topic sentence outlining the main point, followed by supporting evidence and analysis, concluding with a transitional sentence linking to the next paragraph.
3. Citations and Referencing:
* Consistent use of a citation style: Adheres to a specific style guide (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) for in-text citations and the bibliography/works cited page. This ensures proper attribution of sources and avoids plagiarism.
* Accurate and complete citations: Provides all necessary information (author, date, title, etc.) for each source.
Example: (Smith, 2023) ... followed by a complete entry for Smith's work in the bibliography.
4. Evidence-Based Argumentation:
* Supports claims with evidence: Relies on empirical data, scholarly research, and credible sources to support arguments. Avoids unsupported assertions or generalizations.
* Acknowledges limitations: Openly discusses the limitations of the research and potential biases.
* Objective analysis and interpretation: Presents data and evidence objectively, avoiding biases in analysis and interpretation.
Example: Instead of: "This shows that X is better than Y," use: "The results indicate that X outperformed Y in [specific measure], although further research is needed to determine the generalizability of this finding."
5. Formal Sentence Structure:
* Complex sentence structures: Uses a variety of sentence structures (simple, compound, complex, compound-complex) to create a sophisticated and engaging style, but avoids overly long and convoluted sentences.
* Precise word choice: Selects words carefully to convey the intended meaning accurately and effectively.
* Avoids clichés and jargon (unless in a specialized field and clearly defined): Opt for clear, concise language that is easily understood by the intended audience.
Example: Instead of: "It's like, really hard to..." Use: "The challenges encountered in..."
By adhering to these conventions, scholarly articles ensure that research findings are presented in a clear, concise, and credible manner, allowing for rigorous peer review and contribution to the broader academic community.