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Academic Writing - Mid-Term - Contents PDF
Academic Writing - Mid-Term - Contents PDF
1..Introduction
As noted by Smith (2012), writing for academic purposes is quite different from
writing for other purposes and is not a skill that most writers master before they
enter a higher education institution. Developing academic writing skills
includes learning to conform to acceptable conventions with regards to style,
tone and presentation while at the same time learning how best, as first-time
academic authors, to develop presenting their own voice and position.
This paper, with the aim of improving awareness of academic writing, points
out common differences between academic style and other writing contexts.
Van der Krogt (2013) cites that writing is about using words to communicate,
and academic writing is about choosing words carefully to communicate
complex ideas to a range of readers and audiences.
Writing is something that most people do all the time. For example, people send
e-mails or texts, update their Facebook information or may write in a diary. In
everyday writing, everyone typically aims to communicate events in their lives to
other people. Humans personally reflect on these events. What everybody includes
in personal writing is judgements of situations and thoughts and feelings.
evidence of their research. Academic, or critical, writing is the way authors take
part in the academic debate. Researchers assess the evidence and arguments of
others, and contribute their own.
Bowker (2007) indicates that personal writing contexts are used a lot
throughout daily life. For instance, a person can write an email to a friend or
reflect on what happened during the day in personal diary.
• It is expected that in writing about these life events, writers will include
their personal judgements and evaluations, which may be measured by
feelings and thoughts.
First, some kind of structure is required, such as a beginning, middle, and end.
This simple structure is typical of an essay format, as well as other assignment
writing tasks, which may not have a clearly articulated structure.
• The concluding paragraph is also a good point at which to move the essay
forward to touch on implications or future advancements surrounding the
issues addressed.
Hence, it is vital that writers are clear. Punctuation as well as the conventions
of grammar are universally known systems (within English speaking cultures)
that maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity in expression.
Interestingly though, there are other situations where writers may find
themselves adhering to some of the principles underlying academic writing.
Yet, aside from all this, there are still some features of covering letters and
meeting minutes that are distinct from other aspects of academic writing.
Traditionally, academic topics have focused on abstract things, like ideas and
concepts, which cannot, necessarily, be given in a concrete or physical form.
• Therefore, the very nature of academic writing is also different from many
practically-oriented or socially oriented writing tasks. This is because
academic writing tasks require writers to look beneath the surface for
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underlying principles, theories, and concepts that can offer mainstream as well
as alternative explanations for common practices, processes, and procedures.
Whatever subjects writers are studying, the readers – usually the markers – need
to be able to understand exactly what writers are trying to say.
Even though assignments may cause a lot of unexpected stress, they are a fact of
university life. Therefore, it is worth authors’ investment in time and
commitment to develop good writing skills. In doing so, authors will not only
be rewarded by better grades, but also by more efficient and effective procedures
in which to carry out writing tasks, both at university and in later life.
• They are activities that allow writers to form own opinions, often
guided and based on the literature.
• They also require writer to turn opinions into a clearly presented argument.
To this end, assignments are NOT just about grades – they allow writers to
develop and enhance own thinking, writing, and evaluation skills, which can
have spin-offs in many other aspects of present and future life.
5. Conclusion
Academic writing is a special genre of writing that prescribes its own set of
rules and practices. These rules and practices may be organized around a formal
order or structure in which to present ideas, in addition to ensuring that ideas
are supported by author citations in the literature. Further, academic writing
adheres to traditional conventions of punctuation, grammar, and spelling.
Finally, in contrast to many other personal writing contexts, academic writing
is different because it deals with the underlying theories and causes governing
processes and practices in everyday life, as well as exploring alternative
explanations for these events.