Essential elements in academic writing

Academic English

- a variety of English sharing research

- formal
-

Academic writing

- variety
o rules, conventions and expectation
- academic works that communicate research, information and ideas as clearly as possible.
- present arguments in clear organized and scholarly manner.
- scholar communication among intellectuals and students.
- any writing to fulfil college or university requirements including publication, research and
conference papers or any assignment in academic settings.
- two types of writing
o students' writing
 college and university assessment
 purpose: learning
 audience: tutor or professor

o experts' writing
 publications
 purpose: new knowledge and creation
 audience: same field experts
- not simple description but information, date etc analysised and evaluated

types of academic writing

1. abstract
2. annotated bibliography
3. academic journal article
4. book report
5. conference paper
6. dissertation
7. essay
8. explication
9. literary criticism
10. research paper
11. research proposal
12. textbook
13. thesis

features of academic writing

1. formality
 a. no colloquial words
b. no abbreviated or contracted form
c. no two words verb
d. no sub-heading, numbering and bulletpoint in essay but in report
e. choose words
f. no asking question
2. complexity
3. precision
a. information, data and figure
4. objectivity
a. no personal words
5. explicitness
a. connections between sentences and paragraphes
6. organization
a. well-organised
b. flow in logical reasoning
7. hedging
8. responsibility
a. sources understanding
9. planning
10. logical and argumentative

Academic writing purpose

to inform knowledge but not to entertain

"The purpose of academic writing is to share one's knowledge and understanding of a topic with others
as clearly as possible." (McLaren, 2003)

general characteristics of academic writing

1. Focus on specific research questions.

2. Logical reasoning: use objective facts and impartial (third-party)
assessment rather than subjective feeling (biases) and preoccupied
judgment that involve critical thinking based upon best possible
available evidence.
3. Use a clear and precise (subject- and discipline-specific) language.
4. Use coherent (organized) structure that presents unified (not self-
contradictory or vague) ideas in answering a research question.
5. *Source citations: Use of relevant primary/secondary source references
and include a reference list (cited works) or bibliography, when
appropriate.
Basic Academic Writing

1. think
2. choose the best
3. outline
4. write right

Academic Writing Elements

- thesis
- motive
- evidence
- analysis
- style
- keyterms
- tone and stance
- structure
-