what is academic writing

what is academic writing

The Importance of Academic Writing

1. Definition of Academic Writing

This part of the process can be summed up best by the questioning “so what?” asked by frustrated instructors trying to push a student towards a more insightful analysis.

Typically, academic writing aspires to be a new understanding or a new argument about existing knowledge or a new idea. So you may have already chosen a perspective on your topic and an audience you would like to write for. This central argument forms the backbone of your writing, directing it to your specific audience and using the appropriate information and mode of persuasion.

To consider the problem another way, an essay assignment may be more limiting in terms of the amount and types of sources used, while a research paper, in some ways, serves as a broader, more detailed exploration of the topic. It allows you to work with it in greater depth and complexity. This is the central goal of academic writing: to integrate and synthesize ideas from your own perspective. This involves avoiding simply reproducing information from a single source, rewriting an article in your own words, or only describing a text using an extremely general argument.

Academic writing is “thesis-driven,” meaning that the starting point is a particular perspective, idea, or thesis applied to the chosen topic of study. It expects the central argument to be reflected in everything written about the topic. Writing for school, on the other hand, often revolves around knowledge of the topic at hand, which, of course, can be necessary for understanding and draws on a variety of sources to both analyze and interpret information.

2. Benefits of Academic Writing

A written argument includes the components of academic writing. You are expected to present an informed point of view and you are supported in doing so through access to teaching/learning resources. At university, the type of writing that you will be expected to produce will be linked to the focus or major of your study. A written task demonstrating reflective thinking and critical analysis is required and can take many different forms. These tasks include (but are not limited to) critical literature reviews, an annotated bibliography, reflective journals, portfolios and reports. For some students, the most challenging writing tasks are those required at higher levels of study. Departmental expectations, program and course objectives, and the nature of the discipline are key factors in determining the level of complexity and detail required in written assignments. Written assignments at postgraduate levels can be very demanding and are often linked to professional writing in the relevant field. For example, a task requiring a student to develop a learning module on a particular health issue for the purpose of professional development, self-directed learning, continuing education, etc.

3. Key Elements of Academic Writing

Finally, one must edit their work to ensure that the argument at hand is clear and easily understandable. This involves ensuring that the work is free of grammatical and syntactical errors.

As indicated, the main purpose of academic writing is to advance an argument, and much of the written work at university consists of arguments of one type or another. In general, academic writing is not about getting a high grade effort, but rather it is about developing and communicating knowledge in a clear and effective manner. It is also important to pay attention to word choices in academic writing. Among other things, the choice of words conveys an author’s understanding of the material they are presenting. This is a reflection of understanding rather than a demonstration of ignorance when failing to edit for precise words and various terms to express an idea. Because the intent is to explain something to someone, a clear understanding and use of the terms and concepts is essential.

Academic writing is structured around a set of disciplinary conventions in a context where the main purpose of writing is to transmit knowledge and understanding in some field. This is largely a matter of the teacher’s or institution’s requirements. In writing assignments, which range from short responses to complex research projects, the author must consider the requirements and expectations of the assignment in order to establish and maintain a strong authority or voice. This typically involves the inclusion of what is usually called a thesis statement, which concisely explains to the reader what the article is about and what it intends to accomplish.

4. Tips for Effective Academic Writing

Avoid fallacies at all costs. This can be assured by continual checking and re-checking of your work (very annoying, yes). Remember, you are aiming for logic and persuasion, any lapse is the loss of a reader. Now, if you are successful in all that has been said, it is likely that someone may still not see things your way. No worries. If you have truly put the effort in, writing a detailed account of your argument, the matured reader should respect your position and gracefully agree to disagree. Finally, even though this is an argument, do make a consideration of the opposing view. A paper can appear very biased, and a simple thought process on the contrary view can often strengthen your own position.

Next, you will be making a persuasive argument. Don’t lose sight of the Drum Major’s speech. Now, to persuade effectively, you need to anticipate and consider the objections that might be made of your case. This is very important and is often neglected. If someone stops reading your paper before the end, you want them to disagree with you. You should be awaiting a challenge to your argument, and it is much easier to fend off a tough opponent if you’ve got the brainstorm being fresh thoughts you’ve just created.

Use formal language and avoid conversational style of writing. Be specific. Avoid vague statements. It will keep your writing focused and organized. Keep your reader engaged to the end. But if you’re not engaging enough, then it will let the reader know without him having to say it. From the very start, you want to avoid rejection of your paper by your oh so esteemed reader. Remember you are writing for an audience and want to meet his/her expectations. So to sum it up, make it precise and thought-provoking.

Filter information and have a particular goal from the start. Your paper should provide an argument. It will be the central point, and the reader should be clear about your intention in writing the paper. Any irrelevant material means a loss of focus. Subtly infuse the introduction with the essence of your argument and highlight it at the end. Various moves in getting to your specific destination, but make sure each move is logical. Build on the previous move and maintain the attention of the reader. Make your work interesting and informative. It’s a tough balance though.

5. Conclusion

This paper presents academic writing as a tool and an aid to learning and to clarify the students’ thoughts. The importance of academic writing can be reduced to this: it is what the students are to construct the assignment with, it is the proof that is the evidence, and it also has a sound presence. Writing is mainly used to deliver a message to the world, and by proving something, that message has a higher chance of being longer lasting. This is important because if someone learns something about a particular topic and it leaves them intrigued, that information needs to be available where there is not always someone to explain it. This could be in the year to come or maybe the next. With proven information, future findings can be based on that solid foundation. However, with no evidence, a point is invalid. It is often seen in situations such as when a bill is passed in parliament, there are always reasons behind why things have changed, and if information cannot be proven, decisions can be detrimental in the long term. Writing, as well as a message, is learning. In order to achieve the best possible evidence and the clearest message, there needs to be a full understanding of the topic. This understanding will be reflected in the writing, and even though writing is a product of learning, it is learning itself, and it will enhance the knowledge of the writer. This leads to personal growth and inner understanding of self and knowledge. Academic writing must be clear because what knowledge is to be gained from improper evidence and a muddled message? It is both the possession of clear information for others and knowledge for self.