be writing a sociolinguistic study of slang itself, it really has no place in academic writing. Even if you are writing somewhat casual responses in an online discussion for a class, you should avoid using slang or other forms of abbreviated communication common to IM (instant messaging) and texting. Choosing to Be Straightforward Some writers choose to control meaning with flowery or pretentious language, euphemisms, and double-talk. All these choices obscure direct communication and therefore have no place in academic writing. Study the following three examples that clarify each of these misdirection techniques. Example Misdirection Involved Alternative Flowery or Your delightful The speaker We are really pretentious invitation arrived seems to be sorry, but we language completely out of trying very have a prior the blue, and I hard to relay commitment. I would absolutely serious regrets hope you have love to attend for having to a great event. such a significant refuse an and important invitation. But event, but we the overkill already have a makes it sound commitment. insincere. My father is The speaker My father is s follicly challenged. wants to talk bald. about his or her father’s lack of hair without having to use the word “bald.” Double-talk I was unavoidably The speaker I’m sorry to be detained from was busy with a late to the arriving to the colleague after meeting. Work evening meeting work and is ran later than on time because I trying to usual. became explain being preoccupied with tardy for an
be writing a sociolinguistic study of slang itself, it really has no place in academic writing. Even if you are writing somewhat casual responses in an online discussion for a class, you should avoid using slang or other forms of abbreviated communication common to IM (instant messaging) and texting. Choosing to Be Straightforward Some writers choose to control meaning with flowery or pretentious language, euphemisms, and double-talk. All these choices obscure direct communication and therefore have no place in academic writing. Study the following three examples that clarify each of these misdirection techniques. Example Misdirection Involved Alternative Flowery or pretentious language Your delightful invitation arrived completely out of the blue, and I would absolutely love to attend such a significant and important event, but we already have a commitment. The speaker seems to be trying very hard to relay serious regrets for having to refuse an invitation. But the overkill makes it sound insincere. We are really sorry, but we have a prior commitment. I hope you have a great event. My father is follicly challenged. The speaker wants to talk about his or her father’s lack of hair without having to use the word “bald.” My father is bald. Double-talk I was unavoidably detained from arriving to the evening meeting on time because I became preoccupied with The speaker was busy with a colleague after work and is trying to explain being tardy for an I’m sorry to be late to the meeting. Work ran later than usual. s
Handbook%20for%20Writers.docx