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 HS C 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: Gains the readers attention 2. Identifies the focus, or thesis, that is developed in the main part (body) of the essay
1.

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. 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: 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 Point 1 Point 2 Point 3

Then all B:

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 Aand 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. Comparing it to something else 2. Telling what it is not 3. Describing it in detail

4. Classifying it by explaining the different kinds 5. Using exemplification

Process
There are two kinds of process essays: 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: 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.