Writing: Academic Writing Style
Academic writing style is the C1 writing capstone — the register that distinguishes university-level work from upper-intermediate prose. The format covers depersonalisation (avoiding I think in favour of evidence-based claims), nominalisation (verb-and-adjective ideas converted to noun-phrase analysis), hedged claims (may, might, tends to, appears), formal vocabulary (Latinate over Germanic), and dense subordination structure. Learners build the academic-register skill essential for higher education and advanced Cambridge exams.
This worksheet builds C1 writing fluency with academic style.
Worksheet preview
What’s inside:
- A model academic paragraph with annotated style features
- Vocabulary box with formal-register and hedging terms
- Style-shifting drill: convert everyday sentences into academic register
- Nominalisation task: convert verb-based sentences into noun-phrase equivalents
- Original-writing task: write a 400-word academic-style paragraph on a topic of interest
- Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes
Common challenges: Depersonalisation at C1 — I think people should → It can be argued that. Nominalisation balance: too little reads as B2 prose; too much reads as impenetrable. Hedging precision: may (some possibility), might (less likely), could (theoretical), tends to (generally true).
For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR C1, in advanced classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study — particularly university-bound learners. Maps directly onto Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) and C2 Proficiency (CPE) Writing. Part of the Reports, Articles & Reviews collection — the natural next step is Filling in Forms and Short Messages, which returns to the foundational practical-writing entry.
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