My study group is having a huge argument about are contractions in writing appropriate for our research papers. Half of us think academic writing should be formal and avoid things like 'don't' and 'couldn't' . The other half says language evolves and using contractions makes writing more readable and less stuffy.
We even found conflicting sources—one university writing center says contractions are usually not encouraged in academic writing , but a government style guide says they're fine and even enhance readability .
Our professor hasn't given clear guidance. We have a big paper due next week and we need to decide. What's the consensus in the real world? Do graduate students and professors actually avoid contractions, or is this one of those rules that only matters in freshman comp?
We even found conflicting sources—one university writing center says contractions are usually not encouraged in academic writing , but a government style guide says they're fine and even enhance readability .
Our professor hasn't given clear guidance. We have a big paper due next week and we need to decide. What's the consensus in the real world? Do graduate students and professors actually avoid contractions, or is this one of those rules that only matters in freshman comp?