Academic Writing: An

Overview
 Definition
 Academic writing is clear, concise, focused,
structured and backed up by evidence. Its
purpose is to aid the reader's understanding. It
has a formal tone and style, but it is not complex
and does not require the use of long sentences
and complicated vocabulary.
 Academic writing is characterized by evidence-
based arguments, precise word choice, logical
organization, and an impersonal tone.
 Purposes
 to report on a piece of research the writer has
conducted
 to answer a question the writer has been given
or chosen
 to discuss a subject of common interest and give
the writer’s view
 to synthesize research done by others on a topic
 Common types of …
 Notes - A written record of the main points of a
text or lecture, for a student’s personal use.
 Report - A description of something a student
has done e.g. conducting a survey.
 Project - A piece of research, either individual or
group work, with the topic chosen by the
student(s).
 Essay - A general term for any academic essay,
report, presentation or article.
 Common types of …
 Essay - A general term for any academic essay,
report, presentation or article.
 Dissertation/ Thesis - The longest piece of
writing normally done by a student (20,000+
words) often for a higher degree, on a topic
chosen by the student.
 Paper - The most common type of written work,
with the title given by the teacher, normally
1000–5000 words.
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.