Academic Writing

 is a process that starts with posing a question, problematizing a concept,

evaluating an opinion, and ends in answering the questions or questions posed,
clarifying the problem , and/or arguing for a stand.

 is thinking; you cannot just write anything that comes to your mind.
 requires deliberate, thorough, and careful thought and that is why it involves
research.
 In writing academic paper….
 You have to abide by the set rules and practices in writing.
 You have to write in a language that is appropriate and formal but
not too pretentious.
 You also have to consider the knowledge and background of your
audience.
 You have to make sure that you can back up your statement with a
strong and valid evidence.
 Academic Writing…
process that starts with:
 Posing a question
 Problematizing a concept
 Evaluating an opinion
 Answering the question/questions posed or
 Clarifying the problem or
 Arguing for a stand
 Academic Writing…
Purposes

• to inform
• to argue a specific point
• to persuade
Academic Writing Versus Other Writing Contexts
Complexity
Formality
Precision
Features of
Academic Writing
Accuracy
Objectivity
Responsibility
Explicitness
 Features of Academic Writing
Complexity: The language is relatively more complex and has longer words with
a more varied vocabulary and a grammatical complexity.

Formality: Academic writing is relatively formal. It does not include colloquial

expression that we consider natural in daily dialogues we have with friend or
colleagues.

Precision: Academic writing is precise. Factual information, figures or charts,

should all be provided and nothing written there should leave room to
interpretation.
 Features of Academic Writing

Accuracy: An accurate use of vocabulary is a must in a text that wants to be

academic. Extra attention should be paid when using words with a specific
meaning.

Objectivity: Written language is in general objective rather than personal. It has

fewer words that refer to the writer or the reader. The main emphasis should be on
the information that you want to give and the arguments you want to make, rather
than the writer getting involved in a personal manner.
 Features of Academic Writing
Responsibility: Academic writing should be treated with responsibility. Everything
stated should be accompanied by proofs and justifications and no assumptions are
allowed. Sources should also be mentioned.

Explicitness: The author of an academic writing is responsible to make it explicit

and for making clear how different parts of the text are connected between them and
why they are relevant for the central theme. There are certain words that can be used
in order to emphasize this connection and they are called transitional words.