Writing at •
Develop your critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Understand, analyse, interpret and evaluate disciplinary,
University
• Develop, explain and justify your own ideas, position
Three characteristics of academic writing
Not just
description
Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish
between what it means to write a
description, an analysis, or a critique.
Critical analytical writing incorporates
aspects of all three but the focus is on
analysing the evidence and using this to
take a position, thereby developing an
argument.
provides background or
Description
summarises the topic
identifies aspects and
characteristics of the topic
Analysis through deep engagement
with evidence to develop an
argument
articulates an argument by
explaining the relationships
Critical
between the aspects and
Analysis
characteristics
of the topic
professional and technical knowledge
Evidence Language
Your argument (position/recommendation Move from more general (eg introducing) to more
etc) must be supported by evidence. specific (eg expanding/elaborating) and back to more
general (eg summarising) within the structure of the
What counts as evidence can vary from text. For example:
one discipline or profession to another,
Paragraphs: topic - supporting - concluding sentences
the diagram gives some examples. The Essays: introduction - body - conclusion
boundaries between different types of
evidence are not always clear and there When and what words to use:
is some overlap.
Paraphrase states, indicates, argues,
and cite as shown by, according to,
evidence as suggested in
similarly, alternatively, therefore,
Literature Express consequently, however, in contrast,
books,
relationships in comparison, for example,
journal articles, as a result
reports
considerably, effectively,
Evaluate significant, difficult, successful
Data Artefacts may, probably, often, frequently,
Moderate most, some, in most cases,
data sets, case abstract constructs
in this example, in this situation
studies, interviews, (eg brands, movements),
questionnaires physical objects/places/
firstly, secondly, finally,
spaces, online places/ Signpost
spaces, texts (books, film) in summary, in conclusion
Be precise and consistent with the words you use,
especially for discipline-specific terminology.
Nixon&Hoadley/IML/UTS