Common Errors in Academic Writing
Three of the most common phrases you'll find in academic books
are:
Due to the fact that;
It is interesting to note; and
I think that.
All three are unnecessary, and actually serve to reduce author
"authority." It is no accident that these words share the same
etymology. Both words are from the Latin auctor: creator,
past participle of augere: to create or increase.
When writing a thesis or a manuscript, it is important to
maintain author credibility throughout the work, and by working
to get rid of these three phrases, your work will be
strengthened. The first two should simply be abolished, while
the third should at least be tempered.
Due to the fact that
This phrase is more filler than anything else. The following
example illustrates how a sentence can become more authoritative
when an assertion is made as a statement of fact, rather than
merely a point of circumstance. It is a subtle change that lends
strength to the author's influence on the readers.
Due to the fact that many people like ice-cream, it is not
surprising to see restaurateurs offering this treat in their
establishments.
Better:
Many people like ice-cream, therefore, it is not surprising
to see restaurateurs offering this treat in their
establishments.
It is interesting to note
Academic writing is saturated with this poorly structured
assertion. It has become something one simply writes in
scholarly pieces, regardless of whether it makes sense or not.
Unfortunately it has a distinctly pedantic quality to it that
reduces author credibility. In its most literal sense, this
phrase draws attention to the author thinking a point is
especially fascinating, rather than the point itself being the
subject of fascination. How it is rewritten would depend
entirely on the subject matter of the whole passage, and why the
author feels it necessary to make special mention of a point.
Some use it as an aside to the primary text, sort of a little
"did you know" intermission, while others use it to draw focused
attention to an important piece of information. Because it is
used so freely in both instances, the desired effect may or may
not be achieved. For clarity, let the readers know exactly what
your intention is by including the information in your book.
It is interesting to note that some writers feel nervous
talking with an authoritative voice.
As a side note:
Readers may find it interesting that when writing scholarly
material, writers can - at times - feel unsure of their own
authority to write the material.
As an important point to be remembered:
It must be stressed that when writing a scholarly text,
writers may have feelings of insecurity in their own authority
to write the material.
I think that
While there is nothing inherently wrong with this phrase, it is
redundant. If you're writing a book or thesis, you are writing
your thoughts, and your interpretation of experiments,
statistics, or what have you. Reducing the instances of this
phrase will strengthen your authority.
I think that when writers work to eradicate redundancies and
unnecessary asides, they strengthen their authority.
Better:
When writers work to eradicate redundancies, they can
strengthen their authority.
These subtle but powerful editing tips will change the
quality of your work for the better.
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Merriam Webster's Deluxe Dictionary: Tenth Collegiate Edition
(US General Books: 1998) http://www.dictionary.com