Key Idea: The HL essay needs a formal, precise, academic register. That means critical vocabulary, exact effects and clear sentences, with casual and vague words cut.
| Cut | Use instead |
|---|---|
| 'a lot', 'really', 'stuff' | Formal, precise wording |
| 'interesting', 'good' | The exact effect |
| The longest word you know | The right word |
Critical vocabulary
- conveys
- evokes
- juxtaposes
- undercuts
Academic does not mean pompous: precise beats fancy.
Precise or fancy? Precise: the exact word, not the longest.
What is wrong with 'interesting'? It is vague. It names no effect.
Give two critical verbs. Any two of: conveys, evokes, juxtaposes, undercuts.
Which casual words should you cut? Words like 'a lot', 'really' and 'stuff'.