Academic Writing Terminology

verb to have relevance or influence on something

preposition to have a connection or relation to something

• The new evidence will bear upon the outcome of the trial.
• Your decision will bear upon the success of the project.
• How you present yourself will bear upon your chances of getting the job.
• The weight of her responsibilities seemed to bear upon her shoulders.

noun a roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words than necessary to express an idea

• The speaker's constant use of circumlocution made it difficult for the audience to follow his main point.
• Stop with the circumlocution and just get to the point already!
• Quit beating around the bush and just say what you mean instead of using circumlocution.
• Her circumlocution was like a maze, leading me in circles without ever reaching a clear conclusion.

noun a temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing

• The professor's digression during the lecture made it difficult to follow the main topic.
• Sorry for the digression, but have you heard about the new restaurant opening in town?
• I went off on a total digression during our conversation and completely lost track of what we were talking about.
• Her mind often wandered into digressions, exploring different ideas and possibilities.

adjective rambling or digressive

• The professor's lecture was highly discursive, covering a wide range of topics.
• I got lost in the discursive conversation between my friends about the latest TV show.
• I couldn't follow the discursive ramblings of that guy at the party.
• Her mind was like a discursive river, flowing from one idea to the next without pause.

noun a long essay on a particular subject, especially one written as a requirement for a doctoral degree

• She spent months researching and writing her dissertation on environmental sustainability.
• I finally finished that super long dissertation for my degree.
• I can't believe I aced my diss without even trying!
• His dissertation on the art of persuasion was like a masterpiece in itself.

adverb to a high degree; very; extremely

• Her research on climate change is eminently thorough and well-documented.
• The new restaurant in town is eminently popular among young people.
• That movie was eminently lit, I couldn't stop laughing!
• His eminently creative mind always comes up with innovative solutions.

noun a short piece of writing on a particular subject

verb None

adjective None

adverb None

pronoun None

preposition None

conjunction None

interjection None

article None

• The student submitted a well-researched essay on the impact of climate change.
• I have to write an essay about my summer vacation for school.
• I totally BS-ed my way through that essay and still got an A.
• Her life story could be compared to a beautifully crafted essay, with each chapter revealing a new layer of depth.

noun a note of reference, explanation, or comment usually placed below the text on a printed page

• The author included a footnote at the bottom of the page to provide additional information.
• I always skip over the footnotes when reading a book.
• I added a little footnote at the end of my essay just to be extra.
• The footnote in his speech hinted at a deeper meaning behind his words.

noun language that is meaningless or is made unintelligible by excessive use of technical terms

adjective characterized by jargon or pretentious language that is difficult to understand

• The legal document was filled with so much gobbledygook that it was difficult to understand.
• I tried reading that scientific article, but it was full of gobbledygook.
• The instructions were written in total gobbledygook, I had no idea what to do.
• Her explanation was like gobbledygook to me, I couldn't make any sense of it.

noun a detailed written study or essay on a single subject, usually within a limited scope

verb none

adjective none

adverb none

pronoun none

preposition none

conjunction none

interjection none

article none

• The professor published a monograph on the history of ancient civilizations.
• I found a really interesting monograph about climate change at the library.
• I'm not really into monographs, I prefer reading more casual stuff.
• Her thesis was like a monograph of her thoughts and experiences.

noun a written document that presents a position or viewpoint on a particular issue or topic

• The committee members presented their well-researched position paper on climate change.
• We need to work on our position paper for the project presentation.
• I totally aced my position paper on legalizing marijuana.
• His position paper on leadership was like a guiding light for the team.

noun a form of written or spoken language that is not in verse or metrical structure

adjective relating to written or spoken language that is not in verse or metrical structure

• The author's prose was elegant and sophisticated, showcasing her mastery of language.
• I love reading her prose because it feels like she's just talking to me.
• Her prose is lit, I couldn't put the book down!
• His prose was like a beautiful painting, each word carefully chosen to create a vivid image.

noun A noun is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'head' is a noun that refers to the top or upper part of something, such as a document or a person's body.

adjective An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun. In this case, 'running' is an adjective that describes the type of head, suggesting that it is in motion or actively being used.

• The running head on each page of the research paper should include the title of the paper.
• Make sure the running head at the top of the page has the paper's title on it.
• Don't forget to slap the running head with the paper title on every page.
• Think of the running head as the paper's crown, always displaying its title proudly.

noun books - a written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers

verb hit - to strike or come into contact with forcefully

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

article a word that is used to introduce a noun and specify its definiteness

• In order to succeed in your exams, it is important to hit the books regularly and study diligently.
• If you want to pass that test, you better hit the books starting tonight.
• I can't go out tonight, I have to hit the books for my final tomorrow.
• To excel in your career, you need to hit the books and continuously educate yourself.

adjective characterized by vague or exaggerated gestures or language, especially to avoid addressing an issue or problem directly

• The speaker's argument was dismissed as being too handwavy and lacking concrete evidence.
• Don't give me that handwavy explanation, I want to know the real facts.
• Stop being so handwavy and just tell me the truth.
• His promises were as handwavy as a mirage in the desert.

noun a small or minor literary or musical work

adjective relating to or characteristic of a small or minor literary or musical work

• The professor assigned a reading of a philosophical opuscule for the next class.
• I found this little opuscule in the bookstore and thought it looked interesting.
• I can't believe how short that opuscule was, I finished it in one sitting.
• Her speech was like a literary opuscule, concise yet impactful.

adverb to such an extent or degree; so

preposition to the extent that

• The evidence presented was compelling insomuch that the jury had no choice but to convict the defendant.
• I was so tired last night, insomuch that I fell asleep on the couch before dinner.
• I can't believe how good that movie was, insomuch that I want to see it again.
• Her passion for music was evident insomuch that it flowed through her every word and action.

noun a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance

adjective existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence

• The concept was too abstruse for most of the students to grasp.
• I find abstract art to be too abstruse for my taste.
• I can't understand this abstr stuff, it's too complicated.
• Her mind was like an abstr puzzle, always challenging to decipher.

noun a term used in reference to a specific location

adverb a Latin phrase meaning 'to the place'

• The coordinates provided were accurate ad loc.
• The address is right ad loc.
• I'll meet you ad loc.
• He always seems to know exactly where he is ad loc.