Scientific/academic style
Morphological features:
a) Terminological word building and word-derivation: neologism formation by affixation and conversion.
b) Restricted use of finite verb forms.
c) Use of the author’s we instead of I.
d) Frequent use of impersonal constructions.
Syntactical features:
a) Complete and standard syntactical mode of expression.
b) Syntactical precision to ensure the logical sequence of thought and argumentation.
c) Direct word order.
d) Use of lengthy sentences with subordinate clauses.
e) Extensive use of participial, gerundial and infinitive complexes.
f) Extensive use of adverbial and prepositional phrases.
g) Frequent use of parenthesis introduced by a dash.
h) Abundance of attributive groups with a descriptive function.
i) Preferential use of prepositional attributive groups instead of the descriptive of-phrase.
j) Avoidance of ellipsis, even usually omitted conjunctions like ‘that’ and ‘which’.
k) Prevalence of nominal constructions over the verbal ones to avoid time reference for the sake of generalization.
l) Frequent use of passive and non-finite verb forms to achieve objectivity and impersonality.
m) Use of impersonal forms and sentences such as mention should be made, it can be inferred, assuming that,etc.
Lexical features:
a) Extensive use of bookish words e. g. presume, infer, preconception, cognitive.
b) Abundance of scientific terminology and phraseology.
c) Use of words in their primary dictionary meaning, restricted use of connotative contextual meanings.
d) Use of numerous neologisms.
e) Abundance of proper names.
f) Restricted use of emotive colouring, interjections, expressive phraseology, phrasal verbs, colloquial vocabulary.
g) Seldom use of tropes, such as metaphor, hyperbole, simile, etc.
Compositional features:
a) Types of texts compositionally depend on the scientific genre: monograph, article, presentation, thesis, dissertation, etc.
b) In scientific proper and technical texts e.g. mathematics: highly formalized text with the prevalence of formulae, tables, diagrams supplied with concise commentary phrases.
c) In humanitarian texts (history, philosophy): descriptive narration, supplied with argumentation and interpretation.
d) Logical and consistent narration, sequential presentation of material and facts.
e) Extensive use of citation, references and foot-notes.
f) Restricted use of expressive means and stylistic devices.
g) Extensive use of conventional set phrases at certain points to emphasize the logical character of the narration, e. g. as we have seen, in conclusion, finally, as mentioned above.
h) Use of digressions to debate or support a certain point.
i) Definite structural arrangement in a hierarchical order: introduction, chapters, paragraphs, conclusion.
j) Special set of connective phrases and words to sustain coherence and logic, such as consequently, on the contrary, likewise.
k)Extensive use of double conjunctions like as… as, either… or, both… and,etc.
l) Compositionally arranged sentence patterns: postulatory (at the beginning), argumentative (in the central part), formulative (in the conclusion).