AN APPROACH TO

ACADEMIC WRITING

PROF. MARIA CECILIA M. JALBUENA

COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
 AUDIENCE

PURPOSE

ORGANIZATION

STYLE

FLOW

PRESENTATION
Figure 1. Considerations in academic writing.
AUDIENCE
Understand your audience’s expectations and prior
knowledge

PURPOSE AND STRATEGY

 Audience, purpose and strategy are typically interconnected.
 If the audience knows less than the writer – the writer’s
purpose is instructional.
 If the audience knows more than the writer – the writer’s
purpose is usually to display familiarity, expertise and
intelligence.
ORGANIZATION
Information is presented to readers in a structured format.
Use appropriate patterns of organization.

 One common strategy is to organize information in terms of

problem-solution. It has four parts:
1. Description of a situation
2. Identification of a problem
3. Description of a solution
4. Evaluation of the solution
EXAMPLE:
1. Description of a For over 20 years now biologists
situation have been alarmed that certain populations
of amphibians have been declining. These
declines have occurred both in areas
seemingly undisturbed by people. However,
offering clear proof of the declining numbers of
2. Identification amphibians has been difficult because in most
of a problem cases there is no reliable data on past
population sizes with which to compare recent
numbers. Moreover, it is not entirely clear
whether the declines are actually part of a
natural fluctuation in populations arising from
droughts or a scarcity of food. To address this
problem biologists are changing the way they
observe amphibian populations.
EXAMPLE:
One good documentation method involves
3. Description
of a solution
counting species over the course of several
years and under a variety of climatic
conditions. This method should yield reliable
data that will help researchers understand the
4. Evaluation of
a solution extent to which amphibian populations are in
danger and begin to determine what can be
done to stem the decline in populations.
SOME OTHER WAYS OF ORGANIZING
INFORMATION
CAUSE-EFFECT
 Focusing on one cause and multiple effects as in an
earthquake or describing multiple causes and one effect as
in global warming

CLASSIFICATION
 Categorizing as suggested by the ff. example:
“Earthquake effects on underground structures can be
grouped into two categories: (1) ground shaking and (2)
ground failure such as liquefaction, fault displacement, and
slope instability.
STYLE
•make sure communications are written in the appropriate style.
•observe consistency
•determine whether voice should be active or passive
•use acceptable style in terms of area of study
•choose the more formal alternative when selecting a verb, noun, or
other part of speech

e.g. Scientists are looking into innovative ways to combat AIDS.

Scientists are determining innovative ways to combat AIDS.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING A FORMAL
ACADEMIC STYLE
1. Generally avoid contractions (but keep in mind that in
some fields it may be okay to use them)
Export figures won’t improve until the economy is stronger.
Export figures will not improve until the economy is stronger.

2. Use the more appropriate formal negative forms.

not…any no
The analysis didn’t yield any new results.
The analysis yielded no new results.
not…much little
The government didn’t allocate much funding.
The government allocated little funding.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING A FORMAL
ACADEMIC STYLE
not…many few
This problem doesn’t have many viable solutions.
This problem has few viable solutions.

3. Limit the use of run-on expressions such as and so forth and etc.
These semiconductors can be used in robots, CD players, etc.
These semiconductors can be used in robots, CD players, and other
electronic devices.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING A FORMAL ACADEMIC
STYLE
4. Avoid addressing the reader as you. (except when you are writing
a textbook or instructional material)

You can see the results in Table 1.

The results can be seen in Table 1.

You can classify individuals as Morning Types (MTs), Evening Types (ETs),
or Neither Types (NTs).
Individuals can be classified as Morning Types (MTs), Evening Types
(ETs), or Neither Types (NTs).
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING A FORMAL ACADEMIC
STYLE
5. Be careful about using direct questions. In some fields
they are common, while in other they are not.

e.g. What can be done to lower costs?

It is necessary to consider how costs may be lowered.

or
We now need to consider how costs may be lowered.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING A FORMAL ACADEMIC
STYLE
6. Place adverbs within the verb.
In academic writing adverbs are often placed midposition rather than
in initial or final positions. In informal English, adverbs often occur at the
beginning or end of sentences.

e.g. Actually, very little is known about the general nature and prevalence
of scientific dishonesty.
Very little is actually known about the general nature and prevalence of
scientific dishonesty.

This model was developed by Krugman originally.

This model was originally developed by Krugman.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING A FORMAL ACADEMIC
STYLE
7. Consider whether you should split infinitives.
Although the prescriptive view of grammar condemns the use of split
infinitives (placing an adverbial modifier between to and the infinitive as
in to sharply rise), they are sometimes used to avoid awkwardness or
ambiguity.

e.g. We need to adequately meet the needs of those enrolled in the

program.

Neural networks have the ability to correctly classify new patterns.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING A FORMAL ACADEMIC
STYLE
8. Aim for an efficient use of words.
Use as many words you need to express your points; try to use no more
than you really need.

e.g. It may be difficult to make a decision about the method that we

should use.
Choosing the proper method may be difficult.

There are some inorganic materials that can be used by bioengineers in

the process of tissue engineering that have been shown to be very
promising.
Some inorganic materials used in tissue engineering have shown great
promise.
FLOW
moving from one statement in a text to the next
establishing a clear connection of ideas

A. Lasershave found widespread application in medicine. Lasers

play an important role in the treatment of eye disease and the
prevention of blindness. The eye is ideally suited for laser
surgery. Most of the eye tissue is transparent. The frequency and
focus of the laser beam can be adjusted according to the
absorption of the tissue. The beam “cuts” inside the eye with
minimal damage to the surrounding tissue—even the tissue
between the laser and the incision. Lasers are effective in
treating some causes of blindness. Other treatments are not. The
interaction between laser light and eye tissue is not fully
understood.
FLOW
B. Lasershave found widespread application in medicine. For
example, they play an important role in the treatment of eye
disease and the prevention of blindness. The eye is ideally
suited to laser surgery because most of the eye tissue is
transparent. Because of this transparency, the frequency and
focus of the laser beam can be adjusted according to the
absorption of the tissue so that the beam “cuts” inside the eye
with minimal damage to the surrounding tissue—even the tissue
between the laser and the incision. Lasers are also more
effective than other methods in treating some causes of blindness.
However, the interaction between laser light and eye tissue is not
fully understood.
FLOW
Linking words and phrases can help a writer maintain flow
and establish clear relationships between ideas
Subordinators – although, even though, because, since, while,
whereas
Sentence connectors – furthermore, in addition, moreover,
therefore, as a result, consequently, hence, thus, in other words,
that is, in contrast, however, on the other hand, conversely, for
example, for instance, on the contrary, as a matter of fact, in
fact
Phrase linkers – in addition to, despite, in spite of, because of,
due to, as a result of, unlike
FLOW
Semicolons join two completely independent sentences and
work much like a full stop.
Air traffic delays due to high traffic volume have increased
considerably over the last decade; these delays have become a
major public policy issue.

Semicolons can be used with sentence connectors. Note the use

of comma after the connector.
Increasing the size of airports is one solution to traffic congestion;
however, this is a long-term solution whose benefits may not be
seen for many years into the future.
FLOW
Because semicolons are a “stronger” type of punctuation (they
mark a stronger break in the flow of ideas) than commas, they
can be used to chunk longer sentences into parts.
In recent years, GNP growth rates have varied considerably for
the countries in this study (China, 6%; U.S., 3%; Japan, 1%).

In addition, semicolons can be used to separate rather long

items in a list.
Some of the solutions to the air traffic delay problem include
increasing the size of airports that routinely experience major
flight delays; overhauling the air traffic control so that more
flights can be safely handled; and increasing landing fees during
peak periods.
FLOW
Sometimes a dash is used to introduce a list as well.
The beam “cuts” inside the eye with minimal damage to the
surrounding tissue—even the tissue between the laser and the
incision.

Dashes are often used to intrude into a sentence with some

additional information.

Another way to maintain flow is to use this/these + a noun

to join ideas together.

ESL lecturers know that students need to understand the differences

between formal and informal language. However, this
understanding cannot usually be acquired quickly.
FLOW
In recent years, the number of students applying to Ph.D.
programs has increased steadily, while the number of places
available has remained constant. This situation has resulted in
intense competition for admission.

The phrases in italics contain a summary noun or word that

refers back to the idea in previous sentence.
PRESENTATION
1. Consider the overall format of your written work.
Does your paper look as if it has been carefully prepared?
Are there clear paragraphs?
Is the line spacing appropriate?
Have you used standard fonts and sizes?

2. Proofread for careless grammar mistakes.

Do subjects and verbs agree?
Have the appropriate verb tenses been used?
Have the articles a, an, and the been used when necessary?
Is the used too much?
PRESENTATION
3. Check
for misspelled words, even if you have spell-checked
your work.
Has correct homophone been used?
Did the spell-checker miss anything?
PRACTICE EXERCISE
Identify the usage and spelling errors in the following:

Their is considerable doubt weather this solution will be

affective. The initial reaction too the report has not been
complementary. In fact many observers belief that
collapse of the system is eminent.
There is considerable doubt whether this solution
will be effective. The initial reaction to the report
has not been complimentary. In fact, many
observers believe that collapse of the system is
imminent.
Their – determiner: belonging to or associated with the people or
things previously mentioned or easily identified.
There – adverb: used when pointing or gesturing to indicate the place
in mind.

Weather – noun: climate; meteorological conditions

Whether – conjunction: expressing a doubt or choice between
alternatives.

Effective –adjective: successful in producing a desired or intended

result.
Affective – adjective: relating to moods, feelings, and attitudes.

To – preposition: expressing motion in the direction of (a particular

location).
Too – adverb: to a higher degree than is desirable, or possible;
excessively; in addition; also.
Compliment – noun: a polite expression of praise or admiration.
“She paid me an enormous compliment."
Complement – noun: a thing that completes or brings to perfection.
“The libretto proved a perfect complement to the music."

Belief – noun: something one accepts as true or real; a firmly held opinion or
conviction.
“We're prepared to fight for our beliefs."
Believe – verb: accept (something) as true; feel sure of the truth of.
“The superintendent believed Lancaster's story."

Eminent – adjective: famous and respected within a particular sphere or

profession.
“He is one of the world's most eminent statisticians."
Imminent – adjective: about to happen.
“They were in imminent danger of being swept away."