Academic Writing: An

Overview
The genre of research

• What it’s not:

• A loose collection of anecdotal information
• What it’s not only:
• Reporting of others’ knowledge
• What it is:
• Creation of knowledge
• Added security of academic support
• Contribution to a larger academic discussion
• Problems and solutions
Before you write:
Read sources critically
• Read studies similar to what you want to write
• Professional journals, master’s theses, Google scholar
• Abstracts
• Literature Reviews
• Conclusions/Discussion
• Recommendations for Future Study
• Take notes (don’t highlight!)
• Summarize/paraphrase passages
Quoting Sources (in brief)

• Use quotations sparingly and strategically.

• Use quotations only when the language is so unique that
you must use it; that is, the language adds “color, power,
or character,” to your project.
• Too many quotes are distracting; reader needs to hear
your voice.
Quote use

• Identify quotes with frames that precede, follow, or

interrupt.
• Use appropriate verb of attribution.
• Punctuate correctly.
• Quotes should be syntactically correct and integrated
into your own language.
The Art of the Paraphrase

You are writers, not re-typers.

Instances of plagiarism (from the Office of the Associate VP, CSU Fresno):
• “Failure to use quotation marks when quoting directly from
another, whether it be a paragraph, sentence or part
thereof
• Copying phrases or ideas from a book, magazine, or other
source without giving credit to the author
• Turning in a paper or computer program that is the work of
another individual”
Drafting

• Should be the least time-consuming of all steps in the

process
• If it’s taking you forever to write 1,000 words, two things
could be happening:
• 1. You don’t have a clue what you should be saying.
• 2. You're revising while you draft so that you end up with
one sentence an hour.
The Introduction: Your paper’s “first
impression”

• Introductions should:
• Introduce subject and problem
• Clearly state purpose
Strategies for Introductions

• Begin with a narrative

• Anecdotes that make the topic more “real” to reader.
• Begin with a question or series of questions.
• Shows reader that your subject is provocative and interesting.
• Begin by quoting a key source.
• Bold, expert opinion captures readers’ attention.
• Begin by citing key data
• Alarming stats emphasize importance
• Writing Studio at Duke University:
http://uwp.duke.edu/writing-studio/resources
 Review of Literature
• Examine/analyze what has already been published on your
topic
• Find the gaps (Recommendations for future research)
• Provide framework for scope of the problem
• Explain where your study “fits”
• Review must be thorough
• Currency, credibility
• Snowball your sources
• Review must be accurate
• Follow rules for specific documentation style
 Report your findings

• What trends did you find in the research?

• Did you discover something that hasn’t been addressed?
(Creation of knowledge)
• Did you gather your own data? (surveys, experiments)
• Presentation of findings in tables, figures, etc.
Conclusions

• Place the paper in a larger context

• Convince readers that what they read was meaningful.
• Go beyond mere summary and avoid repeating word-for-
word a statement you wrote earlier in the paper.
• Answers the question, “Where could we go from here?”
• Makes suggestions or calls to action
You are the author

• Paper should be predominately your ideas and opinions.

• Show your critical thinking skills.
• A paper with patched together summaries and
paraphrases, even if they’re in your own words, will not
succeed.
THE FIVE STEPS OF
THE WRITING
PROCESS
 Introduction
What is the writing process ?

Writing an essay takes time. That’s why writing is often

referred to as a process. In other words, a writer goes
through several steps before he or she has a complete essay
ready to turn in for a grade. This section of the PowerPoint
talks about those
 5 Steps of the writing process

STEP 1: PREWRITING
STEP 2: DRAFTING / ORGANISING
STEP 3: REVISING
STEP 4: PROOFREADING ( Editing and Evaluating )

STEP 5: PUBLISHING
 STEP 1: PREWRITING
“THINK”

• Decide on a topic to write about.

• Consider who will read or listen to your written
work.
• Brainstorm ideas about the subject.
• List places where you can research information.
• Do your research.
 STEP 2: DRAFTING/ ORGANISING
“WRITE”
•Put the information you researched
into your own words.
• Write sentences and paragraphs
even if they are not perfect.
•Read what you have written and
judge if it says what you mean.
•Show it to others and ask for
suggestions.
 STEP 2 CONT’D
Making an outline can help you organize what you want to
write. An outline is a rough plan for your essay and can help
make the process of writing much easier.
Essay Outline
I. Introduction Thesis: _____________________
II. Body
1. Topic Sentence: _____________
- supporting idea
- supporting idea
2. Topic Sentence: ____________
- supporting idea
- supporting idea
3. Topic Sentence: ____________
- supporting idea
- supporting idea
III. Conclusion
 STEP 3: REVISING
“MAKE IT BETTER”
•Read what you have written again.
• Think about what others said about
it.
•Rearrange words or sentences.
•Take out or add parts.
•Replace overused or unclear words.
•Read your writing aloud to be sure it
flows smoothly.
 STEP 4: PROOFREADING
“MAKE IT CORRECT” (Editing and
evaluating)
Be sure all sentences are complete.
Correct spelling, capitalization, and
punctuation.
Change words that are not used
correctly.
Have someone check your work.
Recopy it correctly and neatly.
 STEP 5: PUBLISHING
“SHARE THE FINISHED PRODUCT”

•Read your writing aloud to a group.

•Publish your work in the Student or
Parent Newsletter.
Step 5 Cont’d

In publishing your work there may be specific formatting requirements

that are needed. It may include the following requirements:

 word-processed in APA/ MLA Style

 all new paragraphs indented five spaces

 8 ½ by 11 inch white paper

 double spaced, Times New Roman size 12 font

 one inch margins on all sides

 So let’s recap:
5 Steps of the writing process
• STEP 1: PREWRITING
“THINK”

• STEP 2: DRAFTING
“WRITE”

• STEP 3: REVISING
“MAKE IT BETTER”

• STEP 4: PROOFREADING
“MAKE IT CORRECT” (Editing and evaluating)

• STEP 5: PUBLISHING
“SHARE THE FINISHED PRODUCT”