What are the most effective techniques for writing with a professional tone in academic books?

2 Avoid jargon

Jargon is any specialized or technical language that is used by a specific group or field of study. While this language can be useful for communicating with peers and experts, it can also be off-putting and confusing for readers who are not familiar with the terms. Thus, it’s important to avoid using jargon in academic books unless it is absolutely necessary. If you do use jargon, make sure to explain it or provide a definition for your readers. For instance, instead of writing “The authors applied a SWOT analysis to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the project” you could write “The authors used a method called SWOT analysis, which stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, to evaluate the project” in order to give more context and clarity to those who may not know what SWOT analysis means.

3 Balance formality and readability

Writing with a professional tone does not necessitate the use of complex or obscure words, long or convoluted sentences, or excessive punctuation. In fact, these can make your writing harder to comprehend and reduce your credibility and impact. Instead, you should strive for a balance between formality and readability in your academic books. Formality involves using appropriate and respectful language, avoiding slang and contractions, and abiding by the conventions of your discipline. Readability entails using simple and precise words, short and varied sentences, and clear and coherent paragraphs. For instance, instead of writing: “The aforementioned phenomenon can be elucidated by the application of a multifaceted theoretical framework that encompasses various dimensions of sociocultural and historical factors”, you could write: “To explain this phenomenon, we can use a theory that covers different aspects of social, cultural, and historical factors”. This way, you make your writing more accessible and appealing for your readers without compromising your professionalism.

4 Acknowledge different perspectives

Writing with a professional tone also means that you respect and acknowledge different perspectives on your topic, particularly those that oppose your own. This displays that you understand the complexity and breadth of your field, and that you have done extensive research into the evidence and arguments from various sources. To recognize different perspectives, use phrases like “some scholars argue”, “others contend”, “a possible alternative explanation”, or “a limitation of this approach”. These phrases help to introduce and evaluate diverse viewpoints, and to showcase your critical thinking and analysis skills.