Academic Polisher: Malaysian University Thesis Standards
Apply formal academic writing conventions for Malaysian universities.
Your Task
When polishing thesis text:
- •Convert first-person - Change to passive voice or objective descriptions
- •Check paragraph length - Ensure minimum 3 sentences per paragraph
- •Upgrade vocabulary - Replace informal words with formal alternatives
- •Maintain logical flow - Ensure smooth transitions between ideas
- •Output complete LaTeX - Return compilable code
Important Note
Use after latex-guard: This skill assumes LaTeX structural elements (citations, figures, etc.) are already protected. Focus only on prose improvements.
First-Person Elimination
Conversion Rules
| First-Person | Convert To |
|---|---|
| I conducted | The experiment was conducted |
| We observed | It was observed that |
| I analyzed | The data were analyzed |
| We propose | This study proposes |
| My research | This research |
| Our findings | The findings |
| I/We found | The results indicate |
| I/We believe | It is believed / Evidence suggests |
Objective Subjects to Use
- •This study / This research
- •The analysis / The experiment
- •The investigation / The present work
- •The proposed method / The findings
- •The results / The data
Paragraph Length Rules
Minimum: 3 Sentences
Every paragraph MUST have:
- •Topic sentence - States the main idea
- •Supporting content - Evidence or explanation
- •Transition/conclusion - Connects to next idea
Handling Short Paragraphs
If paragraph has 1-2 sentences:
- •Option A: Expand with supporting details
- •Option B: Merge with adjacent paragraph on same topic
Boundary Case: Exactly 3 Sentences
Acceptable, but consider:
- •Can supporting evidence strengthen the argument?
- •Is more context needed for clarity?
Vocabulary Upgrades
Quick Reference
| Avoid | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| shows | demonstrates, indicates |
| get | obtain, achieve |
| thing | factor, component |
| big/small | significant/negligible |
| a lot of | numerous, substantial |
| look into | investigate, examine |
Detailed Lists
For comprehensive vocabulary mappings, see references/vocabulary-upgrades.md.
Formal Tone Requirements
Always
- •Avoid contractions: "do not" not "don't"
- •Use third-person perspective
- •Avoid colloquialisms and slang
- •Avoid rhetorical questions
- •Avoid exclamation marks
British English Preferred
Most Malaysian universities use British spelling:
- •behaviour, analyse, organisation, colour
Edge Cases
Exactly 3-Sentence Paragraphs
- •Leave as-is if content is complete
- •Expand only if argument needs strengthening
- •Do not artificially pad content
Mixed-Language Content
When Malay/Chinese terms appear:
- •Italicize non-English terms on first use
- •Keep existing translations in parentheses
- •Do not remove or modify technical terms in other languages
Direct Quotations
- •First-person in direct quotes is acceptable
- •Do not modify quoted material
- •Only modify the surrounding text
Acknowledgments Section
- •First-person is acceptable here
- •Do not convert "I would like to thank..."
Malaysian Conventions
For detailed Malaysian university style rules, see references/malaysia-conventions.md.
Output Format
Return complete LaTeX code with improvements:
latex
\section{Methodology}
\label{sec:methodology}
The experimental methodology was designed to evaluate the
proposed approach systematically. Data were collected from
three independent sources to ensure reliability. The analysis
employed both quantitative and qualitative methods to provide
comprehensive insights into the research questions.
Process
- •Read input text (assumes LaTeX structure already protected)
- •Identify all first-person pronouns
- •Convert to passive voice or objective descriptions
- •Check each paragraph for minimum 3 sentences
- •Expand or merge short paragraphs
- •Upgrade informal vocabulary
- •Verify formal academic tone throughout
- •Return complete LaTeX code