ACADEMIC WRITING

Academic Writing

 It takes the form of a formal

paper that follows specific standards
such as the use of a formal language,
referencing where sources are given
credit, and specific grammatical
patterns, organization and argument.
 Academic Writing

 It is different from other

types of writing such as
creative writing and
journalistic writing due to its
distinct content and format.
 CHARACTERISTICS
1. AUDIENCE
Guidelines for understanding
your audience (Trimmer, 2004):
a. Who are the readers that will
be most interested in my
writing?
b. What do my readers know or
think about my subject?
 CHARACTERISTICS

c. Why will my readers read my

writing?
d. How can I interest my readers
in my subject?
e. How can I help my readers read
my writing
 2. PURPOSE

- refers to the writer’s objective in writing

about a certain topic.
 to explain (inform, educate)
 to entertain (amuse)
 to persuade (convince, or
change reader’s mind)
 3. VOICE

( Academic Voice)
It is used to distinguish
between your thoughts and
words and those of other
authors.
DIRECT VOICE
- is either your own or that of
other writers that you quote
directly.

INDIRECT VOICE
- When you make a summary or
paraphrase someone’s ideas.
 4. CONVENTIONS
-it refers to the rules about
appearance and format of the writing.

In academic writing
you need to follow specific
standards, rule, and format
( grammar, punctuations, spelling,
organizations, style, and citations)
 ACADEMIC WRITING
FEATURES
 FORMALITY
In general this means in an essay
that you should avoid:
a. colloquial words and
expressions; ""stuff", "a lot of",
"thing", "sort of",
b. abbreviated forms: "can't",
"doesn't", "shouldn't"
c. two word verbs: "put off", "bring up“.

d. sub-headings, numbering and

bullet-points in formal essays -
but use them in reports.

e. asking questions.
 IMPERSONALITY
An objective tone can be achieved
through the use of impersonal
language. Avoid characteristics of
personal language such as:
using personal pronouns,
using judgmental words that
indicate your feelings about a
subject, and using words that
are emotive.
 HEDGING

the concept of cautious language,

often called "hedging" or "vague
language". In other words, it is
necessary to make decisions about
your stance on a particular subject,
or the strength of the claims you are
making.
 TIPS:SURVIVING ACADEMIC
WRITING
1. Know your topic and the demand of
the task.

2. Understand your audience.

3. Specify your purpose.

4. Specify your role.

• Academic writing is a formal style of writing
commonly used in educational and research
settings. It involves the creation of scholarly
documents such as research papers, essays,
theses, dissertations, and academic articles.
Effective academic writing requires adherence
to specific conventions and standards to
ensure clarity, accuracy, and credibility. Here
are some key principles and tips for academic
writing:
• 1. Clarity and Precision:
• Use clear and precise language to convey your ideas. Avoid jargon, vague
language, or overly complex sentences.
• 2. Formal Tone:
• Maintain a formal and objective tone throughout your writing. Avoid
colloquial language, contractions, and personal pronouns (e.g., "I," "we").
• 3. Structured Organization:
• Follow a clear and logical structure with an introduction, body, and
conclusion. Each section should serve a specific purpose in advancing your
argument.
• 4. Thesis Statement:
• State a clear thesis or research question early in your work. This thesis guides
your writing and provides a central focus.
• 5. Evidence and Citation:
• Support your arguments with evidence from reputable sources. Cite your
sources properly, following a specific citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
• 6. Academic Sources:
• Rely on peer-reviewed, scholarly sources for research papers and essays.
Academic journals, books, and reputable websites are good places to find
• 7. Critical Analysis:
• Evaluate and critically analyze sources and existing research. This
involves identifying strengths and weaknesses in previous work
and making a contribution to the field.
• 8. Cohesion and Transitions:
• Use transitional phrases and clear topic sentences to ensure your
writing flows smoothly from one idea to the next.
• 9. Conciseness:
• Be concise and avoid unnecessary repetition or wordiness.
Academic writing values economy of words.
• 10. Proofreading and Editing: - Carefully proofread and edit your
work for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting errors.
Consider seeking peer reviews or using professional editing
services.
• 11. Academic Integrity: - Always give proper credit to sources
through accurate citations and references to avoid plagiarism.
Follow your institution's academic integrity guidelines
• 12. Avoiding Bias: - Present a balanced and objective perspective in
your writing. Be aware of and avoid biases, whether related to
gender, ethnicity, or any other factor.
• 13. Use of Headings and Subheadings: - Organize longer documents
with headings and subheadings to improve readability and help
readers navigate your work.
• 14. Revision: - Plan for multiple drafts and revisions. Academic
writing often benefits from multiple rounds of editing and
refinement.
• 15. Style Guides: - Familiarize yourself with the specific style guide
(e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) required by your institution or publication,
and adhere to it closely.
• 16. Avoiding Plagiarism: - Understand what constitutes plagiarism
and how to avoid it. Properly attribute ideas and words that are not
your own.
• 17. Ask for Feedback: - Seek feedback from professors, advisors, or
peers. Constructive criticism can help improve the quality of your
work.
Identifying Formal Language:
1. Which of the following sentences is an example of
formal language typically used in academic writing?
a) "The experiment went really well, and it was super
interesting."
b) "The experiment was conducted successfully and
proved to be intellectually stimulating."
c) "The experiment was awesome, and I had a blast
doing it."
2. Recognizing Citation Styles:In academic writing,
which citation style is commonly used in the field of
humanities, such as literature and history?
a) APA b) MLA c) Chicago d) IEEE
3. Understanding the Purpose of an Abstract:
What is the primary purpose of an abstract in an academic paper?
• a) To summarize the key findings of the study
• b) To provide an introduction to the topic
• c) To present a list of references
• d) To offer a personal opinion on the subject
• Identifying Formal Structure:
•
4. In academic writing, what is the typical structure of a research
paper, starting with the introduction?
• a) Introduction, Methods, Results, Conclusion, References
• b) Introduction, Literature Review, Methods, Results, Discussion,
Conclusion, References
• c) Introduction, Discussion, Results, Conclusion, References
5. Recognizing Formal Tone:
• Which sentence maintains a formal tone appropriate for
academic writing?
• a) "I think the data suggests that the hypothesis might be
true."
• b) "The data strongly supports the hypothesis."
• c) "The data is kind of inconclusive, I guess.“
6. Identifying Scholarly Sources:
• In academic research, which of the following sources is
generally considered more credible and suitable for scholarly
writing?
• a) A blog post
• b) A peer-reviewed journal article
• c) A Wikipedia page
• Recognizing Objective Language:
7. In academic writing, what is the preferred use of pronouns when
presenting research findings?
• a) Use "I" to maintain a personal connection with the reader.
• b) Avoid "I" and use third-person pronouns like "he," "she," or "they" to
maintain objectivity.
• c) Use "you" to engage the reader directly.
• Understanding Formal Citations:
8. What information is typically included in a full citation of a scholarly
article in APA style?
• a) Author's first name, title of the article, date of publication, and page
number
• b) Author's last name, title of the article, name of the journal, volume
and issue number, page range, and DOI (Digital Object Identifier)
• c) Author's last name, title of the article, date of publication, and
website URL