Lesson 8: Academic Writing

1. Lesson 8: Academic Writing Topics Why Do We Write in College? Types of Academic Writing Steps to Follow for Academic Writing

2. Why Do We Write in College • The college community aims to contribute and build knowledge across a range of disciplines. • Academic writing (and reading) is the best way to build to that knowledge. • When you write a research paper, you are making a meaningful contribution to the body of academic knowledge.

3. Types of Academic Writing Types of Academic Writing include: • Case Studies • Research Reports • Essays and Papers • Exams

4. Steps to Follow for Academic Writing • Analyze the Audience • Determine the Purpose • Choose the Structure and Content • Use the Appropriate Language

5. Analyzing the Audience • How you write will partly be determined by who your audience is. • Reader’s needs can vary greatly and should be your primary consideration when writing. • If your audience are experts, your writing should be written in language accepted by that discipline.

6. Writing for an Unknown Audience • If you are not sure who your audience is, consider a well-educated, academic audience and make your writing • Clear • Concise • Balanced • Well organized • Well-reasoned

7. Determining the Purpose A clearly defined purpose clarifies your writing. • The more clearly you understand the purpose of your writing, the easier it will be to convey that purpose to the reader. • Your purpose will often be reflected by the type of paper you write.

8. Choosing the Structure and Content Standard guidelines to follow when writing academically • Develop a central idea or thesis. • State the thesis toward the beginning of the paper. • Support the thesis with evidence and information. • Research and cite sources in your writing. • Document all sources used. • Organize you paper to meet the acceptable framework and standards for your assignment.

9. Using the Appropriate Language Academic Language should • Follow conventions of standard American English • Use Standard Vocabulary • Generally be written in third person • Be authoritative and neutral in tone