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English 7 Lecture

The document discusses two types of academic writing: student academic writing and expert academic writing. It then outlines seven key features of academic writing: being structured, evidenced, critical, precise, balanced, objective, and formal. Academic writing should have a clear structure, be supported by evidence, include analysis and evaluation, use precise language, consider multiple perspectives, focus on arguments rather than the author, and employ formal style.

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JULIA SALVADOR
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10 views3 pages

English 7 Lecture

The document discusses two types of academic writing: student academic writing and expert academic writing. It then outlines seven key features of academic writing: being structured, evidenced, critical, precise, balanced, objective, and formal. Academic writing should have a clear structure, be supported by evidence, include analysis and evaluation, use precise language, consider multiple perspectives, focus on arguments rather than the author, and employ formal style.

Uploaded by

JULIA SALVADOR
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TWO TYPES OF ACADEMIC WRITING

1. Student Academic Writing

What: used in schools in preparation for college studies

Audience: teachers/professors

Purpose: demonstrate knowledge

2. Expert Academic Writing

What: writing for Publication / Academic journals/ books

Audience: other experts in the field

Purpose: create new knowledge

FEATURES OF ACADEMIC WRITING

1. Structured

Academic Writing should have a clear structure in order for the

reader to easily follow the main ideas and its arguments. Structure

often derives from the genre of writing.

Examples: Reports and Essays

Reports should always begin in (1) Introduction, followed by

(2)Method section, then (3)Result Section and the (4)Discussion

Section.

An Essay on the other hand, the structure includes the

(1) Introduction with its Thesis then (2) Body Paragraphs, each has a topic sentence, and finishes with a
(3) Conclusion containing a summary. Well-structured means the writing should be:

1. COHERENT – logical progression of ideas

2. COHESIVE – different parts are clearly connected by using reference words and transition signals

2. Evidenced This means opinions and arguments in academic writing should be supported by evidence:
 FACTS – this is strengthened by a citation

 REASONS – using the word “due to”

 EXAMPLES

 STATISTICS

 CITATIONS
3. Critical

Academic Writing does not simply describe. Information should be analyzed and evaluated that is the
writer should make judgement about the information before it is used. In order to be able to write
critically, you need to understand the topic in depth that is why great deal of research is needed.

4. Precise Academic Writing should use clear and precise language. This includes the use of technical
(subject-specific) vocabulary. Sometimes such vocabulary may need defining, for example if: - The term
is not commonly used by other experts - The student needs to demonstrate understanding to teacher
(student writing)

5. Balanced Academic writing should give consideration to all sides of the issues and avoid bias. An
academic writer should show how strong their claims are. This is often done using HEDGES/BOOSTERS.

6. Objective

In Academic Writing, emphasis should be placed on the arguments or

information, rather than the writer.

Example:

Instead of: I heated the water.

Better: The water was heated.

7. Formal

Instead of: In my opinion…

Better: It can be seen that…

Academic writing tends to use more complex sentences and avoid

contractions and colloquial/informal words.

a. Avoid contractions

Example:

Informal: This isn’t the case.

Formal: This is not the case.

b. Academic Vocabulary

There are “academic” words and collocations which are used more frequently than in non-academic
writing. See Academic Word List (AWL) and Academic Collocation List (ACL)

Example:

Informal: There are lots of reasons

Formal: There are significant number of reasons


Informal: Conditions changed a lot

Formal: There was considerable variation in the

conditions.

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