Expressing your ideas in university writing involves more than effective language and correct grammar. In many ways, it’s also about the right choice of words.
If you’ve ever had a teacher (or whoever checks your paper) flag you for inappropriate diction, chances are, you’re using English poorly in parts. Bear in mind: using an academic writing software could have saved you from a lot of the trouble. Chances are, you’re erring on the side of one or more of these:
Jargon. Technical and specialized terms work well for an audience in a very specific industry. If you’re writing for a more general readership, though, they should be avoided.
Pretentious passages. Big words, lofty language and other writing intended to impress never work out. They’re pretty transparent, too.
Slang. Aside from being out of place in a formal school paper, the exact same slang can mean slightly different things to different people. Add to this the fact that they’re quickly outdated and you’ve got one of the poorest choices in expressions you can find.
Immature wording. Some words and phrases may be valid from your writing software’s point of view, but they could still sound too childish for a formal university document. Words like “doggies” and “puppies” come to mind.
Cliches and other overused expressions. These make your writing sound unimaginative to the point of being boring.
Mixed and confusing metaphors. Done right, metaphors can make plainly-written work more vivid and colorful. Done poorly, however, they can lead readers down a confusing path to the point of sounding ludicrous on occasion.
