ACADEMIC WRITING

What is Academic Writing?

Academic Writing, like other language skills, is a process not product.

Often times you will have to use Academic Writing to communicate information in your
academic subjects.

ELEMENTS OF ACADEMIC WRITING

An orientation towards ideas

Independent thinking

Analytical skills

Critical disposition

An ability to rise above the personal and the communal

BASIC COMPONENTS OF AN ACADEMIC PAPER

Introduction

Body

Conclusion

Introduction

Attention-getting material of your paper

Introduces the subject, issue, or topic

Introduces the tone of the paper

Common method: funnel-shaped opening

Moves from general to specific

Begins with a general statement (thesis statement), then provides the supporting
details, then a restatement of the thesis

Body

The meat of an academic paper

Presents, discusses, and examines all pieces of evidence

Cites sources

Provides opinions or arguments

Contains the following elements:

A good topic sentence

Strong supporting evidence

Effective transitions

Conclusion

Presents the implication of an idea

Convinces the readers for the last time

Signals the closure

Some strategies to conclude an academic paper

Use of analogy and comparison

Provides recommendations

Reveals the essence of your thesis

Makes a brief remark of your feelings about a topic

TITLE

Captivates the readers

Consistent with the tone of the essay

Relevant to the essay content

Must be written last

ASPECTS OF ACADEMIC WRITING

What must be considered in writing academic texts?
ASPECT 1: AUDIENCE

To whom am I writing? (e.g. professionals, students)

Who are my target readers?

Particular

General

How can my target readers understand the text?

Text features

Message

Word choice

Argument

Sentence types and lengths

Tone

ASPECT 2: PURPOSE

Why am I writing?

To inform

To explain

To persuade

To inspire

To entertain

Remember!

In academic writing, the general purpose is to express and not to impress.

ASPECT 3: STRATEGY

Reflect whether you are a skilled or unskilled writer.

Do you choose the subject based on your interest or on the interest of your
instructor?

Do you choose the subject based on your experience or on its uniqueness?

Are you often trapped by writers block phenomenon?

Do you feel that your first draft is always close to perfection?

Do you edit and rewrite your work more than once?

Do you often try to impress your readers than to inform them?

Do you always keep your readers in mind as you write your paper?

Do you often ask someone (not from your group) to give feedback on your work?

ASPECT 4: ORGANIZATION

How will you arrange your ideas?

Follow the format of the paper you wish to write. (e.g. format in writing a
research paper, essay, speech, business letter, announcement, etc.)

Decide on the mode of development you will use in writing.

Use various strategies in organizing your paper.

Outlining

Use of graphic organizers

ASPECT 5: TONE AND STYLE

How do you want to present your paper to your readers?

TONE refers to the writers attitude toward the reader and the subject of the message.

Remember!

Reread your paper several times to reflect on the tone of language use sarcastic,
neutral, sexist, persuasive, informative, explanatory, entertaining or inspirational.

In academic writing, avoid sexist, sarcastic, judgmental, and emotive language.

STYLE

The mark that you want to leave your readers