What Is Academic Writing: Two Chances to Define the Indefinable.
You can run, or you can hide, but it will always be lurking. Few things are as ominously complicated or intimidating. Can you figure out what academic writing is, after all? Well, there is actually an answer! As the experts say,
Academic writing requires organizing your ideas efficiently to convey your major argument, while marshaling the requisite supplementary material to arrive at a unique conclusion.
“Pardon?”
Let’s try that again…
Academic writing is... thinking carefully of what you mean, writing it down clearly, and proving it with reference to authoritative sources or examples, thereby leaving your audience gasping with admiration at your triumphant and irrefutable conclusion.
That’s right. Academic writing is that easy.
What is Academic Writing?: Reaching Beyond Commonplace Ideas.
But, what is good academic writing? Every original paper should offer readers a unique idea. To capture the essence of a superb academic paper, think big.
- Consider the topic offered (say, business management systems);
- Identify main features and specifics (e.g., strategic planning);
- Search for the related problems (for example, strategic marketing);
- Look at the issue globally (for example, compare marketing plan development across countries).
What is Academic Writing? It includes critical elements and originality
When checking out what academic writing is, you’ll find that it clearly includes:
…your writing style.
What is an academic writing style? – Compare the following:
At first, Barnaby Rudge bored me, but then it got interesting.
…and alternately…
Paul Marchbanks (2006) has noted that Barnaby’s disability constrains his role in his community more than in Dickens’ later ‘idiot’ characters, but I feel that he is actually autistic.
Who said that description and analysis must be separate? Combine the two into a critique section instead!
…an element of surprise.
“Iago is evil” is your thesis. But Iago also never lies. Amaze and delight your readers by demonstrating his internal conflict of good and evil.
However, to amalgamate these elements into a coherent paper takes several skills. In mastering them, you will discover what academic writing is.
What Is Academic Writing? Specific Guidance On Presenting Your Ideas.
When investigating what academic writing is , you’ll discover its complexity and the many skills needed. In addition, there are details of presentation you will need to know. So, what are academic writing skills, then? Here are details.
Proper formatting
(e.g., APA: as Smith (2012) says…)
Careful choice of words
(e.g. “Johnson’s unsupported ideas” instead of “Johnson’s silly ideas”);
Impeccable grammar and punctuation: Be sure to set your ‘proofing tools’ for the language in which you will be graded!
Structuring the paper
(e.g., introduction – facts – arguments – conclusion, not facts – facts – conclusion);
Reasonable argumentation
(e.g., “Lincoln abolished slavery, which made him famous” instead of “I like Lincoln because he was good”).
These basic elements are the essentials of academic paper writing. No need, now, to ask, “What is academic writing?” - you have the answer!
You can see how straightforward English academic writing really is, after all. What is more, it offers you fun scope for your creativity. You would never have thought so, would you?
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