Contractions

Eliminate Contractions / Use Real Words

• Contractions are the short-hand version of two 'real' words.  
• 'Real' words are what is expected when reading an academic paper.

Contractions Detract

Contractions are the short-hand version of two 'real' words.   Contractions are the words formed from two abbreviated words, such as "it's," "shouldn't," and "would've".

Formal writing (academic writing) requires formal voice and 'real words' from Standard English.  'Real' words are expected when reading or writing an academic paper.  

Contractions, a form of colloquialism, will often show up in literature and blog writing; however, they are to be revised out of an academic paper before final submission to a class.

"...colloquialism is the use of informal words, phrases, or even slang in a piece of writing. Colloquial expressions tend to sneak in as writers, being part of a society, are influenced by the way people speak in that society." (Literary Devices Editors)

Please write full words, following Standard English guidelines when composing academic papers. 

REMEMBER: Colloquial vocabulary includes words and expressions that are used in everyday spoken language. They do not provide the exactness needed in an academic setting (Fowler & Allen, 1992).

For more specifics on contractions in formal writing, you can review this blogger's reflection (through APA Style Blog) on the topic: Contractions in Formal Writing: What's Allowed, What's Not

Works Cited

Literary Devices Editors. “Colloquialism.” Literary Devices.net.       

     2013. Web. 4 Nov. 2014.

Unilearning Project, et al. “Checklist of Language to Avoid in 

     Academic Writing.” Academic Writing: Language to Avoid Check-

     List, University of Wollongong, 2006, 

     unilearning.uow.edu.au/academic/2e.html.

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