Words for Academic Writing
Academic writing should be precise without being stiff. Use verbs that show analytical thinking and connectives that signal how ideas relate. Avoid both informal hedges (“basically,” “sort of”) and bloated phrases that pad the page without adding meaning.
Analytical verbs
Argument verbs
arguescontendsassertsclaimspositsmaintainsadvancesdemonstrates
Evidence verbs
illustratesindicatessuggestsimpliesrevealsshowssupportscorroborates
Challenge verbs
questionschallengescomplicatesdisputesrefutescontradictsundermines
Connectives that sharpen logic
Adding
furthermoremoreoverin additionsimilarlylikewise
Contrasting
howeverneverthelessconverselyby contrastyet
Concluding
consequentlythusthereforeas a resultaccordingly
Padding to cut
Replace these phrases
in order to → todue to the fact that → becauseat this point in time → nowfor the purpose of → forin the event that → if
Before & after
Before
Basically, the data sort of shows that performance went up.
After
The data indicates a measurable improvement in performance.
Before
Due to the fact that the sample was small, results were not very reliable.
After
Because the sample was small, results were less reliable.
Tips
- Cite specific evidence with each claim. Verbs like “indicates” must be backed by data.
- Cut filler. Academic style does not mean inflated style.
- Use the simplest verb that carries the precise meaning you intend.