Academic writing often depends upon the use of academic jargon; much as the term jargon is often used pejoratively, its core meaning is specialized language used by a particular group (whether academic or professional). Such language may sometimes be used in ways that are overblown or unnecessarily wordy. But it is important to remember that, properly used, academic or professional jargon is a means of communicating more economically than would be possible with less specialized language. Here is an example, drawn from the academic discipline of philosophy:
When it comes to particular cases, is it possible for a consequentialist to respond in any coherent fashion to deontological arguments? Or for the deontologist to respond in any coherent fashion to consequentialist arguments? Inevitably, the two will talk past each other.
When it comes to particular cases, is it possible for someone who believes that whether an action is right or wrong depends largely on the consequences it produces to respond in any coherent fashion to the arguments of someone who believes that the rightness or wrongness of actions must be based on those actions possessing inherent qualities according to which each action is required, permitted, or forbidden? Or for the latter to respond in any coherent fashion to the arguments of the former? Inevitably, the two will talk past each other.
The first of these, in which the specialized jargon of academic philosophy is used, is obviously far more economical. To be sure, consequentialist and deontologist are terms to be avoided if you are writing for an audience with no philosophical background. But if you are writing for an audience of philosophers or philosophy students, such terms are essential tools of the trade.
In everyday usage, of course, jargon is often used as a synonym for unnecessarily technical or difficult language. Language of that sort is indeed to be avoided:
needs checking:
In order to ensure that the new delivery structure for regional renal care will be optimally functional, there must be accessibility for populations throughout the region to interdigitated modalities of care.
revised:
If the new system of regional renal care is to work well, hospitals and clinics must be located in or near the main population centres.
needs checking:
Our plan is more philosophical than operational in terms of framework.
revised:
We are at the idea stage; our plan hasn't been tested yet.
The goal in academic writing, then, is to balance the requirements of the academic discipline with those of communication—to write in a varied and flexible style, using everyday words and expressions when appropriate, and using academic terms when those are the most effective and economical means of expression.
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