More “Rules” for Academic Writing

- Introduce standard views carefully and specifically (e.g. “21st century

American males” vs. “People”)
- Avoid “says” or any of its derivations
- In your summary (and elsewhere), use accurate, present tense verbs:
X acknowledges, argues, agrees, complains, emphasizes, etc.
- In your lead ins, use accurate, present tense verbs/phrases:
X insists
As Doctor X explains
According to X, in her book, Title, X maintains that
X complicates matters further when he writes that
- Instead of “story” write: essay, book, article, piece
- Introduce the author and title together; afterward refer to the author by
his/her last name
- Avoid beginning with “there” or “this”
- Never begin or end a paragraph with a direct quote; never begin a sentence
with a direct quote
- Use transitional words/phrases to lead readers and show connections (see
page 349 in the NFG for examples)
- Use the “sandwich method” for quotes and paraphrases