An Introduction to Academic Writing

Characteristics and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Olivia Valdes
Updated June 06, 2019

Students, professors, and researchers in every discipline use academic writing to

convey ideas, make arguments, and engage in scholarly conversation. Academic
writing is characterized by evidence-based arguments, precise word
choice, logical organization, and an impersonal tone. Though sometimes thought
of as long-winded or inaccessible, strong academic writing is quite the opposite:
It informs, analyzes, and persuades in a straightforward manner and enables the
reader to engage critically in a scholarly dialogue.

Examples of Academic Writing

Academic writing is, of course, any formal written work produced in an academic
setting. While academic writing comes in many forms, the following are some of
the most common.

Literary analysis: A literary analysis essay examines, evaluates, and makes an

argument about a literary work. As its name suggests, a literary analysis essay
goes beyond mere summarization. It requires careful close reading of one or
multiple texts and often focuses on a specific characteristic, theme, or motif.

Research paper: A research paper uses outside information to support a thesis

or make an argument. Research papers are written in all disciplines and may be
evaluative, analytical, or critical in nature. Common research sources include
data, primary sources (e.g., historical records), and secondary sources (e.g., peer-
reviewed scholarly articles). Writing a research paper involves synthesizing this
external information with your own ideas.

Dissertation: A dissertation (or thesis) is a document submitted at the

conclusion of a Ph.D. program. The dissertation is a book-length summarization
of the doctoral candidate’s research.

Academic papers may be done as a part of a class, in a program of study, or for

publication in an academic journal or scholarly book of articles around a theme,
by different authors.

Characteristics of Academic Writing

Most academic disciplines employ their own stylistic conventions. However, all
academic writing shares certain characteristics.

1. Clear and limited focus. The focus of an academic paper—the argument

or research question—is established early by the thesis statement. Every
paragraph and sentence of the paper connects back to that primary focus.
While the paper may include background or contextual information, all
content serves the purpose of supporting the thesis statement.
2. Logical structure. All academic writing follows a logical, straightforward
structure. In its simplest form, academic writing includes an introduction,
body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction provides background
information, lays out the scope and direction of the essay, and states the
thesis. The body paragraphs support the thesis statement, with each body
paragraph elaborating on one supporting point. The conclusion refers back
to the thesis, summarizes the main points, and highlights the implications
of the paper’s findings. Each sentence and paragraph logically connects to
the next in order to present a clear argument.
3. Evidence-based arguments. Academic writing requires well-informed
arguments. Statements must be supported by evidence, whether from
scholarly sources (as in a research paper), results of a study or experiment,
or quotations from a primary text (as in a literary analysis essay). The use
of evidence gives credibility to an argument.
4. Impersonal tone. The goal of academic writing is to convey a logical
argument from an objective standpoint. Academic writing avoids
emotional, inflammatory, or otherwise biased language. Whether you
personally agree or disagree with an idea, it must be presented accurately
and objectively in your paper.

Most published papers also have abstracts: brief summaries of the most
important points of the paper. Abstracts appear in academic database search
results so that readers can quickly determine whether the paper is pertinent to
their own research.

The Importance of Thesis Statements

Let’s say you’ve just finished an analytical essay for your literature class. If a peer
or professor asks you what the essay is about—what the point of the essay is—you
should be able to respond clearly and concisely in a single sentence. That single
sentence is your thesis statement.

The thesis statement, found at the end of the first paragraph, is a one-sentence
encapsulation of your essay’s main idea. It presents an overarching argument and
may also identify the main support points for the argument. In essence, the thesis
 statement is a road map, telling the reader where the paper is going and how it
will get there.

The thesis statement plays an important role in the writing process. Once you’ve
written a thesis statement, you’ve established a clear focus for your paper.
Frequently referring back to that thesis statement will prevent you from straying
off-topic during the drafting phase. Of course, the thesis statement can (and
should) be revised to reflect changes in the content or direction of the paper. Its
ultimate goal, after all, is to capture the main ideas of your paper with clarity and
specificity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Academic writers from every field face similar challenges during the writing
process. You can improve your own academic writing by avoiding these common
mistakes.

1. Wordiness. The goal of academic writing is to convey complex ideas in a

clear, concise manner. Don’t muddy the meaning of your argument by
using confusing language. If you find yourself writing a sentence over 25
words long, try to divide it into two or three separate sentences for
improved readability.
2. A vague or missing thesis statement. The thesis statement is the
single most important sentence in any academic paper. Your thesis
statement must be clear, and each body paragraph needs to tie into that
thesis.
3. Informal language. Academic writing is formal in tone and should not
include slang, idioms, or conversational language.
4. Description without analysis. Do not simply repeat the ideas or
arguments from your source materials. Rather, analyze those arguments
and explain how they relate to your point.
5. Not citing sources. Keep track of your source materials throughout the
research and writing process. Cite them consistently using one style
manual (MLA, APA, or Chicago Manual of Style, depending on the
guidelines given to you at the outset of the project). Any ideas that are not
your own need to be cited, whether they're paraphrased or quoted directly,
to avoid plagiarism.

How to Write a Critical Essay

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byOlivia Valdes
Updated August 26, 2019

A critical essay is a form of academic writing that analyzes, interprets, and/or

evaluates a text. In a critical essay, an author makes a claim about how particular
ideas or themes are conveyed in a text, then supports that claim with evidence
from primary and/or secondary sources.

In casual conversation, we often associate the word "critical" with a negative

perspective. However, in the context of a critical essay, the word "critical" simply
means discerning and analytical. Critical essays analyze and evaluate the
meaning and significance of a text, rather than making a judgment about its
content or quality.

What Makes an Essay "Critical"?

Imagine you've just watched the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."
If you were chatting with friends in the movie theater lobby, you might say
something like, "Charlie was so lucky to find a Golden Ticket. That ticket changed
his life." A friend might reply, "Yeah, but Willy Wonka shouldn't have let those
raucous kids into his chocolate factory in the first place. They caused a big mess."

These comments make for an enjoyable conversation, but they do not belong in a
critical essay. Why? Because they respond to (and pass judgment on) the raw
content of the movie, rather than analyzing its themes or how the director
conveyed those themes.

On the other hand, a critical essay about "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate
Factory" might take the following topic as its thesis: "In 'Willy Wonka and the
Chocolate Factory,' director Mel Stuart intertwines money and morality through
his depiction of children: the angelic appearance of Charlie Bucket, a good-
hearted boy of modest means, is sharply contrasted against the physically
grotesque portrayal of the wealthy, and thus immoral, children."

This thesis includes a claim about the themes of the film, what the director seems
to be saying about those themes, and what techniques the director employs in
order to communicate his message. In addition, this thesis is both
supportable and disputable using evidence from the film itself, which means it's a
strong central argument for a critical essay.
Characteristics of a Critical Essay
Critical essays are written across many academic disciplines and can have wide-
ranging textual subjects: films, novels, poetry, video games, visual art, and more.
However, despite their diverse subject matter, all critical essays share the
following characteristics.

1. Central claim. All critical essays contain a central claim about the text.
This argument is typically expressed at the beginning of the essay in
a thesis statement, then supported with evidence in each body paragraph.
Some critical essays bolster their argument even further by including
potential counterarguments, then using evidence to dispute them.
2. Evidence. The central claim of a critical essay must be supported by
evidence. In many critical essays, most of the evidence comes in the form
of textual support: particular details from the text (dialogue, descriptions,
word choice, structure, imagery, et cetera) that bolster the argument.
Critical essays may also include evidence from secondary sources, often
scholarly works that support or strengthen the main argument.
3. Conclusion. After making a claim and supporting it with evidence, critical
essays offer a succinct conclusion. The conclusion summarizes the
trajectory of the essay's argument and emphasizes the essays' most
important insights.

Tips for Writing a Critical Essay

Writing a critical essay requires rigorous analysis and a meticulous argument-
building process. If you're struggling with a critical essay assignment, these tips
will help you get started.

1. Practice active reading strategies. These strategies for staying focused

and retaining information will help you identify specific details in the text
that will serve as evidence for your main argument. Active reading is an
essential skill, especially if you're writing a critical essay for a literature
class.
2. Read example essays. If you're unfamiliar with critical essays as a form,
writing one is going to be extremely challenging. Before you dive into the
writing process, read a variety of published critical essays, paying careful
attention to their structure and writing style. (As always, remember that
paraphrasing an author's ideas without proper attribution is a form
of plagiarism.)
3. Resist the urge to summarize. Critical essays should consist of your
own analysis and interpretation of a text, not a summary of the text in
general. If you find yourself writing lengthy plot or character descriptions,
 pause and consider whether these summaries are in the service of your
main argument or whether they are simply taking up space.

How to Write a Great Book Report

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How to Write a Great Book Report

o Before You Write
o Key Elements
o Plot
o Genre
o Character
o Theme
o Symbols and Motifs
o Conflict
o Point of View
o Historical Context

Hero Images / Getty Images

byGrace Fleming
Updated October 11, 2019

One assignment has lasted the test of time, uniting generations of students in a
common learning exercise: book reports. While many students dread these
assignments, book reports can help students learn how to interpret texts and gain
a broader understanding of the world around them. Well-written books can open
your eyes to new experiences, people, places, and life situations that you may
have never thought about before. In turn, a book report is a tool that allows you,
the reader, to demonstrate that you have understood all the nuances of the text
you just read.

What's a Book Report?

In the broadest terms, a book report describes and summarizes a work of fiction
or nonfiction. It sometimes — but not always — includes a personal evaluation of
the text. In general, regardless of grade level, a book report will include an
introductory paragraph that shares the title of the book and its author. Students
will often develop their own opinions about the underlying meaning of the texts
through developing thesis statements, typically presented in the opening of a
book report, and then using examples from the text and interpretations to
support those statements.

Before You Start Writing

A good book report will address a specific question or point of view and back up
this topic with specific examples, in the form of symbols and themes. These steps
will help you identify and incorporate those important elements. It shouldn't be
too hard to do, provided you're prepared, and you can expect to spend, on
average, 3-4 days working on the assignment. Check out these tips to ensure
you're successful:

1. Have an objective in mind. This is the main point you want to present
or the question you plan to answer in your report.
2. Keep supplies on hand when you read. This is very important. Keep
sticky-note flags, pen, and paper nearby as you read. If you're reading an
eBook, make sure you know how to use the annotation function of your
app/program.
3. Read the book. It seems obvious, but too many students try to take a
shortcut and simply read summaries or watch movies, but you often miss
important details that can make or break your book report.
4. Pay attention to detail. Keep an eye out for clues that the author has
provided in the form of symbolism. These will indicate some important
point that supports the overall theme. For instance, a spot of blood on the
floor, a quick glance, a nervous habit, an impulsive action, a repetitive
action... These are worth noting.
5. Use your sticky flags to mark pages. When you run into clues or
interesting passages, mark the page by placing the sticky note at the
beginning of the relevant line.
6. Look for themes. As you read, you should begin to see an emerging
theme. On a notepad, write down some notes on how you came to
determine the theme.
7. Develop a rough outline. By the time you finish reading the book, you
will have recorded several possible themes or approaches to your objective.
Review your notes and find points that you can back up with good
examples (symbols).

Your Book Report Introduction

The start of your book report provides an opportunity to make a solid
introduction to the material and your own personal assessment of the work. You
should try to write a strong introductory paragraph that grabs your reader's
attention. Somewhere in your first paragraph, you should also state the book's
title and the author's name.

High school-level papers should include publication information as well as brief

statements about the book's angle, the genre, the theme, and a hint about the
writer's feelings in the introduction.

First Paragraph Example: Middle School Level

"The Red Badge of Courage", by Stephen Crane, is a book about a young man
growing up during the Civil War. Henry Fleming is the main character of the
book. As Henry watches and experiences the tragic events of the war, he grows up
and changes his attitudes about life.

First Paragraph Example: High School Level

Can you identify one experience that changed your entire view of the world
around you? Henry Fleming, the main character in "The Red Badge of Courage",
begins his life-changing adventure as a naive young man, eager to experience the
glory of war. He soon faces the truth about life, war, and his own self-identity on
the battlefield, however. "The Red Badge of Courage", by Stephen Crane, is
a coming of age novel published by D. Appleton and Company in 1895, about
thirty years after the Civil War ended. In this book, the author reveals the
ugliness of war and examines its relationship to the pain of growing up.

The Body of the Book Report

Before you get started on the body of the report, take a few minutes to jot down
some helpful information by considering the following points.

 Did you enjoy the book?

 Was it well written?
 What was the genre?
 (fiction) Which characters play important roles that relate to the overall
theme?
 Did you notice reoccurring symbols?
 Is this book a part of a series?
 (nonfiction) Can you identify the writer's thesis?
 What is the writing style?
 Did you notice a tone?
 Was there an obvious slant or bias?

In the body of your book report, you will use your notes to guide you through an
extended summary of the book. You will weave your own thoughts and
impressions into the plot summary. As you review the text, you'll want to focus on
key moments in the storyline and relate them to the perceived theme of the book,
and how the characters and setting all bring the details together. You'll want to be
sure that you discuss the plot, any examples of conflict that you encounter, and
how the story resolves itself. It can be helpful to use strong quotes from the book
to enhance your writing.

The Conclusion
As you lead to your final paragraph, consider some additional impressions and
opinions:

 Was the ending satisfactory (for fiction)?

 Was the thesis supported by strong evidence (for nonfiction)?
 What interesting or notable facts do you know about the author?
 Would you recommend this book?

Conclude your report with a paragraph or two that covers these additional points.
Some teachers prefer that you re-state the name and author of the book in the
concluding paragraph. As always, consult your specific assignment guide or ask
your teacher if you have questions about what is expected of you.

Differences between Professional, Academic, and

Technical Writing
Aside from professional writing, there are two other existing types of writing
that are currently being used. They are academic writing and technical writing.
There are a number of differences that tells professional writing apart from
academic and technical writing and they are all discussed below.you can also
see Abstract Writing Samples and Templates.

1. Professional Writing
Professional writing is the type of writing commonly used in the workplace to
help facilitate work processes. One of the purposes of professional writing is to
professionally and courteously communicate with other members of a group or
organization, and is done to get a reward or for profit. The use of professional
 writing is also not limited to a business or organization as professionally written
works have audiences outside their group or organization. Examples of
professional essay writing are the following:

 reports

 email messages

 memorandum

 letter examples

 case studies

 journals

 proposals

 contracts template

2. Academic Writing
When you say academic writing, you would automatically think of writing for the
sake of providing information to schools or universities. This tells us that the
audience for such type of writing is limited within the school setting and they are
the students, professors, principals, etc. Academic writing is used to help students
learn to express themselves and what they have learned through writing different
kinds of writing papers.

 thesis papers,

 academic papers,

 monographs,

 academic books,

 presentation template,

 dissertation, and
 research paper.

If you want to hone your skill on this particular type of writing, check out How to
Write in an Academic Style to help guide you.

3. Technical Writing
Technical writing is similar to professional writing in the sense that they are both
used in the workplace. It is different from that of professional writing because it
focuses on the specific and specialized technical topics, like engineering,
technology, science, and law.

 Manuals or handbook

 Articles on the Web

 End user documentation

 Operations guides

 Installation guides

You may also be interested in other related titles, like Grant Writing Samples and
Templates, Employment Writing Samples and Templates, and One-Page Writing
Samples and Templates.

What Are the Core Skills Required in Professional

Writing?
In order for one to be able to provide or produce a professionally written content,
writers need to posses the core skills required in professional writing. The
required core skills are organized thought, good communication, excellent
grammar and language skills, clarity and conciseness. Each of these core skills
are discussed below. you can also see Reflective Writing Samples.

1. Organized Thought
Having an organized chain of thought will make it easy for anyone to write
clearly and be more productive. Providing a write-up or an output that has an
organized way of conveying information is very important in professional
writing. Readers will find the content easy to understand and follow. you can also
see One-Page Writing Samples & Templates.

2. Good Communication
Since communication is one of the main uses of professional writing, this is why
good communication is one of the core skills being required. Good
communication does not only mean good in the language use, but it also means
being able to connect and convey the information across the entire
organization. you can also see Employment Writing Samples and Templates.

3. Excellent Grammar and Language Skills

Work that is done professionally should be free from any forms or errors, like
grammar and spelling errors. Excellent grammar and language skills are expected
from anyone who works as professional writers and has taken on professional
writing as a job. you can also see Commentary Writing Samples.

4. Clarity and Conciseness

The use of technical terms and difficult words should not be a reason why a
written output does not appear clear and concise. This is exactly the reason why
being excellent in grammar and language skills is a core requirement because
people who have this skill are able to use technical or difficult terms without
sacrificing the clarity and conciseness of the written output.

If you posses all these required core skills then you have what it takes to become
a professional writer. If you are interested to learn more about other writing -
related topics then you might want to check them out on our website. Some of the
writing-related articles we have there are Application Writing
Samples, Reflective Writing Samples and Templates, and Abstract Writing
Samples and Templates.
What Are the Different Writing Styles?
There are four main writing styles used in professional writing and they are
narrative writing style, the descriptive writing style, the expository writing style
and the persuasive writing style. Each of these styles determine the goal of the
writer on what they want to convey to their audience or what they want their
audience to know.

1. Narrative Writing Style

This style of writing involves telling a story or a personal encounter and engaging
the readers to the story being told. The narrative writing style is often written in
first person and uses “I” sentences to effectively involve their readers and make
them feel a part of the story. A very common example of the narrative writing
style are narrative essays about oneself that students are required to write as part
of their school requirements.

2. Descriptive Writing Style

Making a description of someone or somethings is like painting a picture of that
someone or something. But instead of using painting materials, you use words to
create the painting. The descriptive writing style is more on showing the readers
rather than tell them what someone or something is like. The best descriptive
writers appeal to the emotions and senses of their readers that often leads them to
reminisce similar experiences or situations from their past.

3. Expository Writing Style

The expository writing style states the facts about something. What the writer
writes about using this style are definitions, uses, and importance of things based
on facts and other statistical data. This style of writing is very different from the
narrative and descriptive styles because the writer does not show their emotions
in their work, which is essential in the two former writing styles.

4. Persuasive Writing Style

Being persuasive means being able to convince someone to believe in what you
are telling them. In a persuasive writing style, the writer convinces their readers
to accept or believe in their point of view. Persuasive writers use the power or
reasoning, logic, facts, and expert opinion to get the readers to believe in them.

Are you interested to learn more about writing styles? If so, then you might want
to check out these wonderful articles we are offering for free on our website
like Informative Writing Samples and Templates, Argumentative Writing
Samples and Templates, and Commentary Writing Samples and Templates.