8 Tips to Avoid Taboo Words in Academic Writing

1. WHAT ARE TABOO WORDS? WHAT ARE TABOO WORDS? When you write a report, a thesis, or a dissertation, many words may be appropriate during informal conversations but are considered inappropriate in academic writing. Such words are called taboo words. These words are informal, subjective, vague, and are considered incorrect in this context. However, these taboo words can only be used when you are directly quoting a source. Assignment help can guide on the words to be avoided in your writings. CATEGORISI CATEGORISING TABOO WORDS IN ACADEMIC WRITING NG TABOO WORDS IN ACADEMIC WRITING All taboo words used in academic writing can be grouped into the following categories: 1. 1.TOO INFORMAL TOO INFORMAL All formats of academic writing are formal. The content used here is very different from the content used for blogs and articles. TABOO WORD EXAMPLE CORRECT USAGE A bit I might be a bit late for work. I might be late/running late for work. A couple of, a lot of Few people are coming over tonight. A couple of people are coming over tonight. He won’t do it today. He will not do it today. Isn’t, can’t, don’t, won’t America My cousin has come from America. My cousin has come from the United States of America. Sort of, kind of I am feeling sort of cold today. I am feeling somewhat cold today. Till Wait here till it's 9. Wait here until it is 9. You can see the results. You, your (in second person) One can see the results/The results can be seen. 2. 2.TOO UNSOPHISTICATED TOO UNSOPHISTICATED Your formal work should have words and terms that are uncommon to use daily. Your writing may come across as rudimentary or immature if you use simple and basic terms. To improve your writing and to leave a lasting impression on your professor, you may want to use terms that people do not use often. It gives the idea that you are thorough with your understanding of the assignment you are working on. However, it is important to use sophisticated words only where necessary. Elongated words do not necessarily improve the quality of your writing as long as they convey the meaning directly.

2. EXAMPLE CORRECT USAGE TABOO WORD Bad The weather was bad yesterday. The weather was unpleasant yesterday. Big A matter of big concern. A matter of major concern. Get He gets good feedback from his customers. He receives good feedback from his customers. Give The ending gives the readers a clue about the sequel. The ending offers the readers a clue about the sequel. Good That is one good example. That is one useful example. Show This image shows that… This image illustrates that… 3. 3.THE BEGINNING OF THE BEGINNING OF AN INFORMAL SENTENCE AN INFORMAL SENTENCE While some phrases may be acceptable contextually, using the same words at the beginning of a sentence might give an informal look. It is better to not use such words if there is any confusion. EXAMPLE CORRECT USAGE TABOO WORD Also Also, the opposition party was in favor of the bill. Moreover, the opposition party was in favor of the bill. So So, we can conclude that our statement was right. Therefore, we can conclude that our statement was right. Besides Besides, every investor contributed a percent to the deal. Additionally, every investor contributed a percent to the deal. And She had no other option but to agree. And she had no other option but to agree. 4. 4.TOO EXAGGERATED TOO EXAGGERATED Academic writing should stir clear of any exaggeration. Adverbs, intensifiers, and superlatives should be avoided in the content as they boast highly about something and might get misinterpreted. It is better to use such words cautiously and only if they add value to the context. TABOO WORD EXAMPLE CORRECT USAGE

3. Always, never Scientists always argue when it comes to the theory of evolution. Scientists typically/commonly argue when it comes to the theory of evolution. The ideal solution to the problem. Perfect, best, worst, most, and other superlatives The perfect solution to the problem. Bees are needed for the ecosystem. Very, too, extremely, and other intensifiers Bees are very important for the ecosystem. 5. 5.TOO VAGUE TOO VAGUE Using words with no certain or definite meaning can mess up the reader’s interpretation. All academic writing should be as specific as possible. TABOO WORD EXAMPLE CORRECT USAGE Thing The report has many things to say. The report has many details to say. Stuff He is dealing with his stuff. He is dealing with his problems. A long time, whileIt’s been a long time/while since we met.It’s been years/months since we met. 6. 6.TOO SUBJECTIVE TOO SUBJECTIVE In academic assignments, it is okay to express your point of view. But there are a few words that are subjective and can be taken in different ways by the readers. TABOO WORD EXAMPLE CORRECT USAGE Naturally The participants naturally wanted to know more. The participants wanted to know more. She received good feedback. Wonderful, beautiful, good, bad, etc She received positive feedback. Obviously, definitely, of course, etc The figures obviously speak for themselves. The figures clearly speak for themselves.

4. 7. 7.GENERALLY UNNECESSARY OR INCORRECT GENERALLY UNNECESSARY OR INCORRECT These taboo words do not just apply to academic writing but various formats also. Incorrect or unnecessary words should never be taken into consideration. TABOO WORD EXAMPLE CORRECT USAGE Has/Have got This lesson has got three chapters. This lesson has three chapters. Helps to/serves to This point helps to add more meaning to the text. The point adds more meaning to the text. Literally I am literally starving. I am starving. This study would of considered... This study would have considered. Would of/had of 8. 8.OTHER TABOO WORDS OTHER TABOO WORDS Words that fall into the following categories should be avoided:  Jargon - Technical words that readers may not immediately understand.  Clichés - Overly used expressions like every cloud has a silver lining.  Abbreviations - Words like info, photo, TV, fridge, etc.  Slang - words like cool, dope, legit, etc.  Gender-biased words - words like firemen, mankind, salesmen, maid, etc. SYNOPSIS SYNOPSIS Taboo words should not be used as they lower the effectiveness of the text. There are exceptions when it comes to argumentative essays, personal statements, or quoting sources. The preface and the acknowledgment sections of your academic assignments can be free from these rules. An online assignment help service will guide you in writing effective and error-free academic essays.