Parrett 1

Trevor Parrett
Dr. Werner
English 113
13 January 2015
Parameters of Academic Writing
What do fiction, sports journals, movie scripts, newspapers, and science fiction all have
in common? They all are examples of text that is not academic in nature. These forms of media
are not based on tested research that is backed up by fact and discovery as academic writing is.
Generally, academic writing can be defined as the organization and composition of facts and
thoughts in a clear, concise, and professional manner, typically used to explain the extent of a
novel idea. This art form is arguable, but reproducible. It is intense, yet informative. In many
ways, academic writing is exemplified by all departments at Hope College.
When I hear academic, I think, higher education. From a broad standpoint, this
means post high school. In the context of academic writing, this makes sense. Eleventh graders
do not write primary literature. Oftentimes, it is the professors and those with a doctorate who
have the knowledge and resources to produce such work. These works include, but are not
limited to, academic journals, essays, abstracts, book reports, and dissertations. These modes of
writing have one main thing in common: they all aim to communicate brilliant findings in a clear
and comprehensible, yet academic, fashion. That was the goal of my report that I had to write for
Introduction to Biology Lab II course. My group and I were expected to convey our results of a
stomata density experiment in a clear, and concise way. When many minds work together, all
viewpoints are considered. This aids in reducing ambiguity in the writing and allows the reader a
more comprehensive understanding.

Parrett 2
Academic writing can be ancillary to previous findings or can report a new discovery.
With the vicissitudes of life, there will always be new explorations and innovations. Academic
writing allows for a mode by which this information can be presented to reveal findings
discovered in the academic microcosm. The breakthroughs are characteristically written in a
pragmatic and direct style. Pundits aim to eliminate folderol and tangents. Where fiction authors
aims to write with panache, academic literature is written conservatively. Where sports journals
enjoy focusing on one player, academic literature must cover all the facts. Academic writing is
equivalent to nothing else. It serves its own need, and it is deliberate.
Academic writing largely works to complete one goal: the pursuit of the answer. Scholars
work diligently and precisely to obtain accurate information. Coupled with a professors previous
knowledge, these facts are presented in text with the objective to renew the mind, enrich the
disciplines, and transform the culture to some extent. Information is presented so that people
consider an idea in a new light. An academic text can be thought of as a puzzle piece.
Researchers in all fields try to find a fit for their individual pieces until all the pieces connect to
form a comprehensive picture. As the puzzle comes together, the disciplines are enriched. Upon
completion, the mind can be renewed, and the existing culture can be transformed.
Word Count: 497