Are you struggling to write your assignment? And don’t know where to begin? If yes, then this blog is for you! Academic writing is different from any other type of writing. It requires analytical thinking and a logical approach.
Academic writing can be complicated and stressful but it doesn’t have to be. Once you understand the principles behind it you can acquire the skills to ace it. This blog post will provide you with all the information you need to write great assignments with ease.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Academic Writing
Academic writing is a form of critical analysis typically associated with college and university courses. Students are required to analyse and interpret various subjects by presenting their findings in writing. Academic writing begins with choosing a topic and forming an outline. The next step is collecting relevant research material and sources to support your ideas with evidence. Academic writing is different from other types of writing because it requires students to be critical and use evidence to support their ideas.
Type of Academic Writing
Academics who mostly write with the intent to publish, write journal articles, reports, books and chapters in an edited collection. While the most common academic writing that students encounter in their life are:
Essay
An essay is a short piece of writing which outline the writer’s perspective or story.
Research Paper
A research paper is an extended essay based on independent research, often in response to a question of student choice.
Thesis/Dissertation
Thesis/dissertation is the final research project that is undertaken by students at the end of their degree on a topic chosen by the students.
Research Proposal
Research proposal is an outline of a potential topic that students write for a future research project to get it approved by their professors.
Literature Review
It summarizes and synthesizes the existing knowledge on a particular topic, usually to inform the approach of new research.
Lab Report
A lab report is a write-up of the aims, methods, results and conclusion of a lab experiment.
Annotated Bibliography
It is a list of citations with brief, descriptive and evaluative paragraphs.
The Dos and Don’ts of Academic Writing
Before we dive into specific tips and strategies, let’s first examine some of the dos and don’ts of academic writing. By following these rules, you can ensure you will produce high-quality assignments every time.
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Academic Writing is… |
Academic Writing is not… |
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The Dos of Academic Writing
It should be Formal and Unbiased
The goal of academic writing is to present information objectively. The goal is to present an argument based on the evidence being analysed, not the author’s personal opinion. In academic writing, every assertion needs to be backed up with relevant evidence.
To avoid being biased in your paper, it is crucial to present the work of other researchers and the result of your own research in a fair and accurate way. This means outlining your methodology clearly and honestly presents the limitations of your own research.
As the readers of your paper will be most likely from an academic background, therefore your tone, voice and language should be appropriate and formal. Avoid using colloquialisms, slang, contractions, cliches and other informal languages.
It should be Clear and Concise
Academic writing ought to be clear, concise, effective and communicative. To make sure that your reader understands exactly what you mean, it is crucial to utilize clear and precise language. This means being as clear as you can while avoiding vague jargon. Your writing should have the attributes of precision and balanced writing.
Proper Structured
The second step is to organize the arguments and concepts in a proper structure once they are all properly aligned. Different writing styles, including APA, MLA, Chicago, etc., should be followed. Therefore, check with your professor to see which writing style they prefer.
Well sourced
Evidence in academic writing refers to the knowledge, opinions, arguments, and references that show your knowledge of the subject. Likewise, citing the authors and other research papers make your arguments strong and unwavering. It is important to consider which sources are also able to avoid plagiarism and inaccurate information. Sources are referred to in two different ways, such as in-text citations and bibliography
Correct and Consistent
As well as following the rules of grammar, punctuation and citation, it’s important to consistently apply stylistic conventions regarding:
- How to write numbers
- Introducing abbreviations
- Using verb tenses in different sections
- Capitalization of terms and headings
- Spelling and punctuation differences between UK and US English
It is most important to follow and apply the same rules throughout the paper.
The Don’ts of Academic Writing
It is not Personal
Generally, academic writing is not personal. Although the author’s identity does occasionally come up at some point, for instance, in the acknowledgements or in a personal reflection— but for the most part, the text should primarily focus on the research itself.
Always avoid using the second-person pronoun “you” when speaking directly to the reader. For generalisations, use the impersonal pronoun “one” or an alternative phrase. Similarly, using the first person pronoun “I” in academic writing is initially discouraged, but it is now increasingly accepted. If you are unsure whether to use the first person or not, pay attention to the norms in your field or consult your professor.
Long-winded
Many students mistakenly believe that their writing isn’t academic unless it’s very complicated and long-winded. This is not a wise approach to take. Be as precise and direct as you can.
If a phrase can be removed or replaced with one that is clearer without changing your meaning, do so. Aim to replace phrasal verbs in your writing with their one-word equivalents in order to avoid being redundant.
Academic Writing Tips for Students
Start With a Strong Hook
The first paragraph of your paper is the most important. It is also the first thing your professor will read. It needs to be engaging and attention-grabbing right off the bat. A strong hook will pique your reader’s curiosity and inspire them to read the rest of your paper. When brainstorming ideas for your paper, start with the topic itself. What is the main idea? What are some interesting facts related to it? Keep in mind that the best hooks are specific and provocative. They should also reflect the main idea of your paper.
Develop an Outline
An outline is a written list of the points you plan to make in your paper. It helps you organize your thoughts, decide what to include, and write an essay in the correct format. Every type of academic essay has a specific format. Make sure you know the correct format for your paper before you begin writing. Your professor will include this information in the course syllabus. You can also find examples of different paper formats online.
Use Transitions Effectively
Transitions are words or phrases that help readers understand the flow of your paper. Transitions show how one idea relates to another. They also help your reader stay engaged by keeping their focus and attention. You can use transitions in a variety of ways. You can use them to transition between paragraphs, sentences, and even phrases. For example, you could begin one sentence with “first,” transition to the next with “second,” and end the sentence with “third.” You could also use transition words to link ideas within the same sentence. Most papers have a basic organizational pattern, such as chronological order or cause and effect. You could transition between sections using transition words such as “next,” “finally,” “first,” “furthermore,” etc.
Avoid Plagiarism
Many institutions have stringent policies prohibiting plagiarism because it is cheating. Therefore, even a small amount of it might have terrible consequences such as cancellation of the assignment or getting poor grades. It is important for a writer to cite all the external sources used. As academic papers should be written in “own words” it is advisable to paraphrase direct quotes and then cite them.
Proofread
Finally, after you have finished your final draft it should be read and reread and any grammatical or sentence errors should be corrected before you hand in your paper. Remember you can always ask someone to help you with the proofreading
Don’t Be Ashamed To Ask For Help
No one knows everything which includes you too. So if you are stuck somewhere or don’t understand the format or anything related to academic writing, ask for help. Most of the time your professors are more than happy to help you with whatever you want so don’t be shy.
