The Academic Phrasebank
The Academic Phrasebank is a great resource for academic writers. It aims to provide you with examples of some of the phrases you can use in your work, and help with writing critically, giving examples, compare and contrast, describing trends and quantities, etc.
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Abstract: A short summary of an article or document.
Account for: Similar to ‘explain’ but with a heavier focus on reasons why something is or is not the way it is.
Analyse: To break down something into its parts to understand it better.
Apply (to): Put something to use, show how something can be used in a particular situation.
Argue: To present a reasoned case or argument in support of a particular point of view.
Assess: To evaluate or judge the quality or value of something.
Assume: To accept something as true without proof.
Compare: To identify similarities between two or more things.
Contrast: To identify differences between two or more things.
Context: The circumstances or setting in which something occurs.
Critically evaluate: To give your opinion on something, supporting your judgment with evidence and considering both strengths and weaknesses.
Database: A collection of organised information, often articles or research data, that can be searched electronically.
Define: To give the precise meaning of something.
Demonstrate: To show or prove something clearly.
Describe: To give a detailed account of something.
Devise: Think up, work out a plan, solve a problem etc.
Discuss: To present different points of view on a topic, supported by evidence.
Dissertation: A long piece of writing, usually on a topic chosen by the student. A dissertation is usually the last major assignment at the end of a course of study.
eBook: An electronic version of a book
Evaluate: To assess the worth or value of something.
Examine: Look closely at something. Think and write about the detail, and question it where appropriate.
Explain: To make something clear or easy to understand.
Explore: Consider an idea or topic broadly, searching out related and/or particularly relevant, interesting or debatable points.
Factor: Something that contributes to or influences a result.
Identify: Show that you have recognised one or more key or significant piece of evidence, thing, idea, problem, fact, theory, or example.
Illustrate: To provide examples or evidence to clarify or support an idea.
Indicate: Point out. This does not usually involve giving too much detail.
Interpret: To explain the meaning or significance of something.
Inter-Library Loan: If you need a book or journal that we don’t have in the Library we can try to borrow it for you from libraries throughout the UK. More information can be found here.
Journal: An academic journal is a magazine like publication on a particular subject that is published at regular intervals.
Justify: To give reasons or evidence to support an opinion or action.
List: Make a list of a number of things. This usually involves simply remembering or finding out a number of things and putting them down one after the other.
Outline: To give a brief summary of the main points of something.
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Plagiarism: The act of passing someone else’s work off as your own.
Plan: Think about how something is to be done, made, organised, etc.
Report on: Describe what you have seen or done.
Review: Write a report on something.
Specify: Give the details of something.
State: Express briefly and clearly.
Summarise: To give a concise overview of the main points of something.
Trace: Outline or follow the development of something from its initiation or point of origin.
Work out: Find a solution to a problem.