Academic Writing

By Rosemary Jones

Looking at the big picture

Academic writing is based on analysis - the process
of breaking down ideas - to increase one's
understanding. It uses deductive reasoning,
semiformal voice, and third person point-of-view.

Use of deductive reasoning - Stating the

thesis (main idea) early and then following
with supporting examples and details make
complicated ideas easier to understand.
Semiformal voice - This means no slang, colloquialism (common expressions of
ordinary speech), contractions of nouns and verbs, etc.
Third person point-of-view - Third person points-of-view (e.g., he, she, it, and they
as well as their accusative, dative, and possessive forms) should be used. No first and
second person points-of-view (e.g., I, you, we) are used in academic writing.

Characteristics of academic writing

Purpose
General purpose - to present information that displays a clear understanding of a subject
Specific purpose - varies according to the assignment:
Argument and Persuasion - To persuade readers to accept the writer's opinion
Exposition* - To explain something
Description - To describe something
Narration - To tell a story
* The purpose of writing in HSC English 181 and 182 is exposition.

What is expository writing?

Expository writing is an explanation of a topic by answering the following questions:

What is it?
What does it do?
What does it resemble?
How does it work?
How does it come about?
Why is it important?

What types of development are used for expository writing?

Cause and Effect

Comparison and Contrast
Definition
Description
Process

Structure of academic writing

Introduction
The introduction (opening paragraph) basically accomplishes two goals:
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1

Gains the readers attention

Identifies the focus, or thesis, that is developed in the main part (body) of the essay

There are several ways to draw the readers attention to the subject:

Open with a series of questions about the topic.

Present startling or unusual facts or figures.

Define an important, subject related term.

Quote a well known person or literary work.

Body
Developmental paragraphs (body paragraphs) are the heart of an essay.

They must clearly and logically support the thesis.

They must be arranged in the best possible way, e.g. chronologically, order of
importance, etc.

The paragraphs should flow smoothly from one to the next, e.g. the first sentence in each new
paragraph serves as an effective link to the preceding paragraph. In addition, minor supporting
ideas are linked together within the paragraphs in a smooth manner.

Conclusion
The conclusion is the summary paragraph. It should accomplish the following:

Remind the reader of the paper's thesis by paraphrasing it

Tie together all of the important points in the essay by way of a summary and
draw a final conclusion for the reader.

Development
General-to-specific sequence
The topic sentence should be the first sentence in a paragraph. The topic sentence is a general
statement introducing the paragraph and is followed by specific details that expand, explain,
or illustrate the topic sentence.

Unity
All the sentences should relate to one topic.

Completeness
Supporting ideas should be developed enough to cover the topic.

Coherence
Coherence equals connection and consistency. All sentences in a paper should be related
logically and grammatically to make a whole that allows the reader to follow the writers train
of thought step by step. Body paragraphs should flow smoothly from one to the next, e.g. the
first sentence in each new paragraph serves as an effective link to the preceding paragraph. In
addition, minor supporting ideas are linked together within the paragraphs in a smooth

manner. Within a paragraph, there are three major ways to develop coherence through related
sentences:
1
2
3

1. Repetition of important words and pronouns - Repetition of key words helps

the reader follow from sentence to sentence as important terms are defined and the
relationship between them is explained.
2. Synonyms and substitutions - Synonyms are two or more words that have nearly
the same thing. Substitution is a word that describes the subject.
3. Transitional expressions - Transitional expressions are words and phrases that
point out the exact relationship between one idea and another, one sentence and
another, e.g. therefore, however, for example, finally, etc.

Just as the sentences within a paragraph should flow smoothly, so the paragraphs within an
essay should be clearly linked one to the next. The first sentence of each new paragraph is
linked to the thesis statement or to the paragraph before. The following are four ways to link
paragraphs:
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2
3
4

1.
2.
3.
4.

Repetition of key words or ideas from the thesis statement

Reference to words or ideas from the preceding paragraph
Use of transitional expressions
Use of transitional sentences

A closer look at development

Comparison and Contrast
There are two ways to present similarities and differences between two things being compared
or contrasted.
Block (whole vs. whole)
This method presents all the information about A and then provides parallel information about
B.
First all A:

Point 1
Point 2
Point 3

Then all B:

Point 1
Point 2
Point 3

This pattern is good for short compositions. The reader can easily remember what was said
about A by the time he or she gets around to B.
Point-by-point (topic by topic)
This method moves back and forth between A and B, presenting one point about A and then
going to the parallel point about B. Then, it moves to the next point and does the same.
First A, Point 1
First A, Point 2
First A, Point 3

Then B, Point 1
Then B, Point 2
Then B, Point 3

This pattern is better for longer papers, where it might be hard for the reader to remember
what the writer said about A by the time he or she gets to B a few paragraphs later. By going
back and forth, the writer makes it easier for the reader to keep the contrasts or comparisons
in mind.

Extended Definition

There are five basic methods to expand a definition:

1
2
3
4
5

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Comparing it to something else

Telling what it is not
Describing it in detail
Classifying it by explaining the different kinds
Using exemplification

Process
There are two kinds of process essays:
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2

1. The how-to essay gives readers directions on how they can do something, e.g.
perform a chemistry experiment. This process is generally written in the passive voice.
2. The explanation essay tells readers how something develops, e.g., photosynthesis,
plasmodium, the life cycle of the malarial parasite, etc. This process is generally
written in the active voice and uses simple present tense.

Citing sources
Why use quotations, paraphrases, and summaries?
Quotations, paraphrases, and summaries serve many purposes:

Provide proof or credibility to ones writing

Refer to work that leads up to the work the writer is doing now
Give examples of two or more points of view on a subject
Add depth or breadth to ones writing

What are the differences between quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing?

Quoting
Quotations must match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the
original author.
Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing is putting another persons ideas into ones own words using ones own sentence
structure and style of writing. A paraphrase simplifies a selection; it does not necessarily
shorten it. Paraphrased material must also be attributed to the original source.
Summarizing
To summarize, one must put the main thoughts or ideas into ones own words, but it is only
necessary to include the main points. Summarizing cuts a selection down to about one-third
of its original length. Its purpose is to shorten a passage without sacrificing its basic meaning.
Once again, it is necessary to attribute the ideas to the original source.

What is meant by APA reference and parenthetical citation?

The reference page and parenthetical citation are necessary in essays that contain ideas that
are not based on background knowledge and are not commonly known; in other words, this is
information that comes from source material.
Science students use the APA reference style sheet, one of many style sheet conventions, as a
guideline for accurate formatting of academic papers.
Following the guidelines of such a style sheet is important for three reasons:
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2
3

1. The reader can gain deeper knowledge of a subject matter.

2. The reader can check for the relevance of summaries, paraphrases, and quotations.
3. The reader can verify quoted, summarized, and paraphrased material.