features of academic writing

features of academic writing

The Importance of Academic Writing

1. Introduction

Academic writing is an important skill that every student needs to master. It can help them further succeed in their academic as well as professional ventures. It is a necessary skill that one must have in order to be successful. First, to understand the importance of academic writing and to really become a proficient writer, one must also understand the various components of the actual writing process. Understanding the different parts of the writing process can also aid a writer in becoming more proficient at this skill. This helps a writer better understand the different fundamentals of the writing process and, in the end, will help him incorporate them into his writing. With all this being said, the ultimate goal of academic writing is for one to decide whether or not a set of information is beneficial to their intended audience. In order to do this, the writer must then identify what is the purpose and who is the intended audience of their article. This further allows the completion of a mental equation to ensure that writing a particular article suits what they had in mind. At times, one might find how they got off topic and then spend an excessive amount of time writing an article that does not directly correspond to their original intention. Using this equation will keep a writer on the right path in completion of their article. Finally, this equation will help a writer identify the audience level because if an article is too complex or overly simplified for an intended audience, it can, at times, render ineffective.

2. Clear and Concise Language

A writer should write using clear, concise language. Clear and concise writing follows the rule that less is more. It avoids verbose, convoluted phrasing in an effort to communicate an idea as simply and efficiently as possible. This is not to say that long, complex sentences are forbidden in academic writing. What it does say is that language should be economized – meaning that unnecessary words and jargon are avoided. Words should be included in a paper where they convey the idea more effectively than its synonyms. Similarly, any sentence longer than three typed lines is probably obscuring its idea. It is generally possible to convey the point of a long sentence more clearly using two or three short ones. Finally, a writer can look at their choice of noun and adjective to make phrasing more concise. Often an adverb and a strong verb can replace a weaker verb + adjective or verb + adverb + noun combination. For example, “he walked unsteadily” can become “he staggered”. Adhering to these rules can be difficult at first, but soon becomes second nature and vastly improves a paper. A short, clear paper can have just as much impact as a long, complex one. In some cases, professors may even assign a minimum length to a paper. This type of padding is never necessary and often detracts from writing quality. It may disappoint some students to learn that intelligent-sounding writing is not necessarily intelligent thought. Inexperienced writers sometimes mistakenly think that adopting a complex style will make their ideas sound more intelligent. This is not the case – writing which employs impressive vocabulary and long, convoluted sentences is often hard to read and lacks clarity. Intelligence should be judged based on ideas and reasoning. If a writer has developed a clear plan of what they want to say, writing should be simple. The mark of depth and intelligence is not a thesaurus which has been overused, but an idea which has been refined. Being able to translate that idea into clear language is a skill which takes students far too long to master. However, many are happy with the result – a paper which can be easily understood and has minimal flaws in grammar and style is guaranteed a good mark. Finally, given the increasing shortage of time in people’s lives, one can speculate that attention spans are decreasing. A paper which can make its point clearly and quickly will be attractive to a reader who is skimming for information. Keeping this reader in mind can sometimes help a writer to cut out waffle and get to the point of a paper.

3. Proper Citation and Referencing

Citing your sources and avoiding plagiarism will help you develop good writing habits that will carry through your academic and professional career.

Failure to properly cite your sources can result in accusations of plagiarism. This is a serious offense and can result in expulsion from the college or university. Plagiarism is the act of claiming someone else’s work as your own and is a direct violation of the student code of conduct at colleges and universities.

Follow carefully the instructions given by your teacher. If no instructions are given, common methods for citing sources are footnotes, or endnotes, in parentheses, or as a separate page. Make sure to properly cite the source in the format in which it was presented. Failure to do so can result in a lower grade or a failed assignment. Different types of sources require different forms of citation. For example, a book is cited differently from a website or a journal article. Common citation style and citation software will help you properly cite your sources. This will save you the time of having to write citations manually, as well as ensure that you have cited your sources properly. Depending on the assignment, you may be required to only use class sources or to research your own and find sources independently. Always ask your teacher if you are confused about what is expected of you.

4. Critical Thinking and Analysis

Remember, the most important aspect of thinking and analysis is that it should result in a clearer understanding of the subject on which you are working, a better-developed argument, or a more cogent hypothesis. This should be reflected at all stages of your work, including the ways in which you make notes and the methods you employ to marshal information.”

Reflecting on what you know, what you don’t know, and what you need to find out are all essential preludes to beginning work, as is mapping out the likely direction your work will take. This is an ever more complex task as the possibilities for academic work become multitudinous in terms of both the type of work and the topics and ways in which information can be accessed. Be prepared to spend time thinking about your work before you begin.

“Academic work is, by its nature, based on a combination of thinking and analysis. At various times, everyone has difficulty with the process of critical thinking, analysis, and the application of logic. Your work must always reflect your own thinking and not simply reproduce the views of others, no matter how well you may have understood them.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, developing as an academic writer is important. Becoming more aware of your written language and form is always a step in the right direction. Also, implementing these strategies in your writing will only have beneficial effects: clear, influential, and valuable writing will provide a voice for your work and bring a greater sense of gratification. Throughout the process of improving as a writer, I will take these lessons with me. I will continuously refer back to these strategies as a checklist when I am editing my work. I believe that academic writing can always be improved; there is no limit I can ever reach, but I can always strive to get closer. The skill level of an individual is reflected in everything that they produce, and in terms of writing, there is always room for enhancement.