Vocabulary bank
Recognizing fixed phrases from legal English (3) Make sure you understand these key phrases from law.
voluntary manslaughter involuntary manslaughter justifiable homicide self-defence
gross negligence malicious intent mandatory sentence diminished responsibility
Recognizing fixed phrases from academic English (3) Make sure you understand these key phrases from general academic English. One of the …
In some circumstances, … Even so, … …, as follows: …
The writers assert/conclude/suggest that …
In this sort of situation … It is obvious/clear that … It appears to be the case that … Research has shown …
The evidence does not support this idea. Recognizing levels of confidence in research or information
In an academic context, writers will usually indicate the level of confidence in information they are giving. When you read a ‘fact’ in a text, look for qualifying words before it, which show the level of confidence. There is a strong tendency for writers to be tentative when stating facts.
Examples:
It appears to be the case that … / This suggests that …(tentative) The evidence shows that … / It is clear that … (definite/confident)
Recognizing ‘marked’ words
Many common words in English are ‘neutral’, i.e., they do not imply any view on the part of the writer or speaker. However, there are often apparent synonyms which are ‘marked’. They show attitude, or stance.
Examples: The accused hit the victim. (neutral) The accused battered the victim. (marked)
Battered implies that the writer thinks the accused used particularly strong force.
When you read a sentence, think: Is this a neutral word, or is it a marked word? If it is marked, what does this tell me about the writer’s attitude to the information?
When you write a sentence, particularly in paraphrasing, think: Have I used neutral words or marked words? If I have used marked words, do they show my real attitude/the attitude of the original writer?
Extend your vocabulary by learning marked words and their exact effect. Examples: Neutral sad
Marked tragic, appalling, heartrending
say, state take hit
assert, maintain, claim, argue, allege grab, seize, snatch
batter, whack, thump, smack
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