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W1 - Intro To Academic Writing

This document provides an introduction to academic writing. It defines academic writing and distinguishes it from personal writing. Academic writing uses formal tone and language without abbreviations or slang. It aims to demonstrate knowledge on a topic to an audience like teachers. The document outlines characteristics of effective academic writing like convincing content with depth of thought, clear organization in a deductive or inductive structure, and proper use of language and tone for the audience.

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Intan Nur Dania
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2K views

W1 - Intro To Academic Writing

This document provides an introduction to academic writing. It defines academic writing and distinguishes it from personal writing. Academic writing uses formal tone and language without abbreviations or slang. It aims to demonstrate knowledge on a topic to an audience like teachers. The document outlines characteristics of effective academic writing like convincing content with depth of thought, clear organization in a deductive or inductive structure, and proper use of language and tone for the audience.

Uploaded by

Intan Nur Dania
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction To Academic

Writing

Effective Academic Writing

Audience and Tone


1
Adapted from: Harris B Leonhard, Discoveries in Academic
Writing, Thomson Heinle Publishers, 2002
2 Learning Outcomes

By the end of the lesson, students should be


able to:

 define academic writing


 identify the differences between personal and
academic writing
 identify the characteristics of effective
academic writing
 apply appropriate tone for related audience
3 Lecture Overview

 What is academic writing?


 Personal writing versus academic writing
 Effective academic writing
 Organization
 Audience and tone
4 What is Academic Writing?

 A generic term for all writing done in high


school and college classes.
5

 Academic writing is different from


creative writing used in stories.

 Academic writing also differs from writing


used in personal writing such as letters to
friends, family members.
6
 In academic writing, the words and
grammar and the way of organizing ideas
are probably different from what you are
used to in other types of writing.

 Elements such as format, sentence


structure and organization are essential in
academic writing.
7 Academic Writing vs Personal
Writing
 Sentences are formal.
 No abbreviations, slangs, contractions.
 However, in personal writing, sentences
are informal and abbreviations, slangs,
contractions and incomplete sentences
are allowed.
8 Personal Writing vs Academic Writing
Features of Personal Writing:
1. Purpose: communicate with close and personal
members on any issue/matter.
2. Your knowledge of topic: subjective depending
on the purpose of writing.
3. Audience: personal acquaintance who may have
varying degrees of knowledge on the topic.
4. Criteria for evaluation: informal, simple
sentences.
5. Statistical and graphic support: almost none.
9
Features of : Academic Writing
1. Purpose: demonstrating what you know about
the topic, in a way that justifies a high grade.
2. Your knowledge of topic: less than the teacher
who evaluates the writing.
3. Audience: teacher who requests the
assignment and who will read it from beginning
to the end.
4. Criteria for evaluation: organization, depth,
logic, clarity, unity and grammar.
5. Statistical and graphic support: Sometimes
used to explain and persuade.
10
Differences between Personal &
Academic Writing
Personal Academic
(Informal/Colloquial) (Formal/Technical)
Audience close friends and family professors, lecturers
Tone informal, friendly formal, objective, serious
Vocabulary slang, idioms, contracted academic, wide range, concise,
forms accurate
Style simple or compound simple, compound, complex
sentences sentences, sentence variety
Language fragments, run-on should have no errors
sentences, misspellings,
punctuation errors
Content conversational, maybe depth of thought, unified
repetitive
Organization maybe less structured clear, coherent, well planned
than formal writing
11 Effective Academic Writing

Three major characteristics:

Convincing content
Clear organization
Effective use of the language
12 Convincing Content

The content is informative and thought-


provoking.
use specific and logical details, examples,
facts, statistics and case studies to support
generalizing.

The support is relevant.


 the support relates directly to the thesis and
should not digress away from the main point.
13 Convincing Content
The content shows depth of thought.
shows elements of critical thinking –
analysis of information
interpretation of facts
making judgments
drawing conclusions
 summarizing
 defending opinions
14 Convincing Content

The writer must have a clear purpose and


strong control over the content.
the message is clear, logical and to the
point.
15 Clear Organization

 Most academic writing in English is


linear:

Introduction
Body
Conclusion
16 Clear Organization

Two approaches used in academic writing:


deductive and inductive approach

Deductive: Generalization is stated first


followed by supporting details and facts.

Inductive: Supporting details stated first


followed by generalization.
17 Effective Use of English Language

 Sentences must be clearly written.


 Include subject-verb agreement, spelling,
punctuation.

 Style
 Use complex and compound-complex sentences.
 Avoid too many simple sentences .
 Frequent use of conjunctions such as for, and, nor,
but, or, yet and so.
 Use a wide vocabulary range.
18

Audience and Tone


19 Audience

 Importance of Audience
 In academic writing, writers need to consider who their
readers/audience are.

 An important feature is the control of audience and tone


(formality).

 Correct level of formality helps writers connect with the


audience.
(eg with friends – informal language – indicates close
relationship)
(eg with lecturers – formal language – indicates
respect)
20 Audience
 When planning to write, consider the
following factors:
1. Identify Audience
 Audience’s age, gender, social status, level
of education, special interest or needs,
profession, cultural or racial background,
feelings and attitudes, or relationship.
2. Purpose/Occasion
 Fulfilling an academic assignment,
completing essay test, getting a scholarship
21 Tone

Importance of Tone
Expression of an attitude in your writing
 Objective
 Persuasive
 Enthusiastic
 Serious
Tone:
22 Objective
Language used in formal report

Example:
a) A hazard exists if contact is made with this part
while it is whirling.

b) Warning. Turn off all power before you remove


the cover. The blade underneath could slice
off your fingers.
23 Tone: Persuasive

 Language used in formal proposal for thesis or


final year project.

Example:
The purpose of this study is to discover a more
efficient way to produce hydrocarbons. The
financial support for this study will benefit
many users. The researchers will be able to
investigate the problems comprehensively…
24 Tone: Enthusiastic

 Writing in favor of a particular subject for


possible recommendation or acceptance, for
instance sharing a new finding with intended
readers

Example:
The discovery of medicinal properties in this
bacteria will eradicate Alzheimer’s Disease.
This is a very important and exciting discovery
in the world of medicine.
25 Tone: Serious

 Serious language: Language used to convey the


seriousness of an event/item or a discovery.

Example:
Our study has shown that if we do not recycle,
natural resources will be depleted in 2010 and
planet Earth will be barren. This will cause
economic and environmental disasters.
26

The End

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