examples of academic writing

examples of academic writing

The Importance of Academic Writing

1. Introduction

The introduction to this essay will serve to lay out the general groundwork for the discussion that will follow. It will begin with a broad definition of what academic writing is and will move to offer some idea of the various factors that have led to its existence throughout the history of the human race. From here, a working definition of the essay question will be explored, offering an outline of what the writer believes to be the extent of the existing role of academic writing in today’s global society. The purpose here is to inform the reader of the writer’s views on the extent of the importance of academic writing and to offer a preliminary window into the reasoning that will follow. Finally, the introduction will offer a brief overview of the structure of the essay, mentioning briefly at what points certain issues will be discussed in further detail. This will be expanded upon in more detail in the opening to subsequent paragraphs.

2. Benefits of Academic Writing

The benefits to the reader are what keep the writer motivated. No matter how skilled a given person may be in their area of expertise, chances are that it is a rare occasion when they will willingly sift through a dry, dense block of information regarding a subject. Just as a science publication will often employ picture to illustrate data, one can think of writing as an attempt to paint images with the words, and good academic writing as a harmonious unison of words and picture. Well-written documents also have a higher chance of being widely read. This may sound very idealistic, but essentially the more people who read a given document, the greater the chance that its ideas and eventual conclusions will come to be the accepted stance on the subject at hand. This should be the goal of any person attempting to spark change via new ideas.

There are countless benefits to writing for the energy of papers, articles, theses, and the like. Aside from serving as proof of one’s knowing in an area, the ended concoct can serve as a quick source for anyone interested in learning about the substance. In the process of writing, it is possibly that you will make new discoveries. This is a crucial step in terms of learning; for even if one does not encounter any new knowledge, the act of sorting and classifying what one does know can serve to bring forth new ideas. Last but not least, there’s the sheer satisfaction of it. “Words are the instruments with which we orchestrate our triumphs and disasters,” so to a writer, every word well written is a small victory.

3. Key Elements of Academic Writing

Understanding Argument Most good academic writing, including essays and research papers, goes through a process of analysis in order to ensure that the writer is clear about and able to prove the point that the paper is making. Analysis involves breaking the argument down into its constituent parts and evaluating the relative merits of those parts. Once analysis is done, the writer can identify weak points, strong points, and where any argument is irrelevant and in need of condemnation. This is important because to write an effective argument, the paper must be able to present an argument where most if not all of its points are proven. Pointless arguments that have no merit are avoided, as are arguments in which the writer of the paper isn’t clear about what he is trying to prove. These situations often result in a muddled paper with no clear direction. Signposting in the argument (giving clear indications about what is to be proven and how) is also an important function of good academic writing. All “researched” writing, that is writing that is not descriptive or literary, builds on previous knowledge. It is rare to have knowledge that no one else has had, so all writing learns from the writing of others. Due to the plethora of information that is available on most topics, relevance is very important in academic writing. A good paper will only use material that is directly relevant to the point that is being proven. This is evaluated primarily through the analysis of argument but can also involve evaluating the quality of the sources used. These points are very important when writing an essay, where the whole essay must be in line with the thrust of the argument.

4. Tips for Effective Academic Writing

4. Be well-organised The reader should be clear about the direction your argument is heading in, and not have to read between lines of tangential prose. Use signposts and subheadings. Flowcharts and diagrams can also be effective ways of organizing what can be complex information.

3. Write about what is relevant You may want to show your breadth of understanding, but for most discussions it is inappropriate to include a lot of material outside the immediate subject or to venture onto the peripheries of the topic. Try to keep the focus narrow and the analysis meticulous.

2. Be concise The ability to write in a clear, informed and simple manner is crucial to your success in the university. Other writing (for example essays) require writing to be brief and simple. With academic writing, the focus should be as clear, in-depth and detailed as possible. The aim is not to simplify, but to simplify expression. You should aim to turn complex ideas or arguments into clear and informed prose. This is achieved through comprehensive analysis and a thorough understanding of the topic, and not by simplifying your language.

1. Use formal language This means standard English; avoiding colloquial terms and text speak. The use of “I believe that…” is often a good start. Make sure you are clear and consistent. Use technical terminology and such techniques as passive voice where appropriate.

Academic writing requires you to develop an argument, a clear line of thought. This will help to improve your writing, and you will also have a better understanding of the topic. This is essentially a written debate where you are using your skill at reasoning, backed up by carefully selected evidence to make a case for and against an argument, or to present a persuasive solution. Your aim is to provide these in a way that will make it easy to assess your argument.

Four key features of academic style

5. Conclusion

An essay is more formulaic than a piece of reflective writing, but also less prescriptive than it may seem. Given the primacy of the content over the form, it is too often possible to ‘bull it through’, relying on a dense style and abstruse language to compensate for a lack of understanding. But for the capable thinker, the next step up is always attainable, and even with limitations imposed by the worst teaching, it is always better to strive for an ideal. And striving is just the thing education is supposed to encourage.

If the first skills are about playing the game, these are about making the game worthwhile. And thus we arrive at the trickiest aspect of academic writing: thinking. It is difficult and rewarding, often more so the latter if done with a consciousness of its difficulty. A good thinker does not a good essay make. The two are rather akin to a cooked meal and its recipe.

Academic writing is not the sole property of the individual that undertakes it. It is a social activity and should be used to enhance the society it seeks to understand. Hence, the reason we place such importance on referencing. It is far more than just a dodging of plagiarism. It is an acknowledgment of a duty to other writers and an attempt to enrich the intellectual commons. Because the knowledge that we are hoping to contribute to is far greater than our own personal bits of information. It is always being shaped, added to, and modified by countless minds. Therefore, as efficiently as possible, we solve our academic problems. We write it down so that others can immerse themselves in the total knowledge of an issue and see what we see. The more clearly we can communicate it, the more firmly it becomes integrated into the common understanding. And as language is the most enduring and traditional monument of a culture, there is a strong incentive to get it right. Hence, proper usage of grammar and clear, unambiguous expression is essential.