One of the first things I get asked when helping a student with their academic writing is, “What does academic writing look like?” This is a question that makes complete sense when you consider it. Indeed, how can anyone know what something looks like without being shown first? How are students supposed to write academically if nobody has given them any examples?
What is Academic Writing
This is the first question you need to answer before you can write. Fundamentally, it is a style of writing that is expected from students at university. Okay. I realise that this is quite a general definition, but it sums it up quite succinctly. However, when students ask, “What does academic writing look like?”, what they mean is, “What are the main features of academic writing?”
What the Main Features of Academic Writing?
Compare these 3 paragraphs :
1. People generally think that crooks should be strung up. However, is punishment always a great idea? I think it’s terrible to only punish them.
2. It is generally thought that criminals should be punished. However, it is possible that punishment is not always a suitable approach (Arnott, 2015) because prison should change a prisoner.
3. Criminologists have stated that it is generally thought that crimes should be punished (O’Brien, 2005; Beko, 2013). However, Arnott (2015) persuasively argues that punishment is not always a suitable approach because prison should rehabilitate a criminal. Therefore, jail may not be a suitable measure.
They are all about the same issue – crime and punishment – but they are all different too. So, how are they different?
Differences
- The vocabulary is more precise and descriptive
- Paragraphs two and three both use sources to support ideas
- The language has become more impersonal
- Good use of linking words to join the ideas together
- There is use of passive grammar (which also makes the writing less personal)
- The third paragraph has more detail
- There is use of cautious language in the third paragraph (“may not be”)
These 8 areas should be included in all academic writing, regardless of level. I’ll be going into more detail on subsequent posts on academic tuition – academic writing.
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Also, there are more ideas and examples on Instagram.