Academic Writing Essentials

Academic Text

• Formal structure
• Credible sources cited
• Explores concepts and theories within a specific discipline

Introduction

• Background on the theme
• Aims of the opening paragraph
  • Capture reader interest
  • State the thesis/focus

How to Draw Reader Attention

• Questions
• Striking facts/figures
• Defining key terms
• Quotations from renowned figures/works

Body

• Main part of the essay; detailed and informative

Conclusion

• Summary of main points
• Final conclusion for the reader

Academic Text Characteristics

• Organization, unity, coherence, cohesion
• Adherence to language rules and mechanics
• Observation of specific points when writing academic texts
  • Statement of critical issues and questions
  • Evidence from credible sources
  • Precise and accurate language
  • Avoiding jargon and colloquialisms
  • Objective viewpoint
  • Inclusion of references

Six Aspects of Writing

• Writer's Purpose: dependent on discipline, topic, and goals
• Writing Tone and Style: manner of expression
• Reader's Goal: changes depending on the material
• Specific Language: specific vocabulary for each discipline
• Organization: structure of the writing, specific methods
• Discipline: specific features for a given field (e.g., charts in scientific writing)

Text Structures

• Organize information
• Help focus on concepts, anticipate content, and monitor comprehension
• Examples
  • Narrative: event/story with characters, setting, plot, and viewpoint
  • Chronological/Process/Sequence: events in order of occurrence
  • Cause & Effect: reason/explanation
  • Problem/Solution: identification of issues and proposed solutions
  • Compare/Contrast: similarities and differences between ideas/events
  • Use of transition words/phrases (e.g., first, second, cause, effect, etc.)

Reading Techniques

• Skimming: overview of the text
• Scanning: finding specific information
• Intensive Reading: in-depth understanding
• Extensive Reading: reading for enjoyment and fluency.

Principles of Intensive Reading

• Overview (survey)
• Summarize
• Purpose
• Test
• Understanding
• Reading

Benefits of Extensive Reading

• Exposure to contexts
• Vocabulary improvement
• Practice processing language automatically
• Fostering a love of reading
• Building confidence and reducing anxiety

Thesis Statement

• Sentence to capture a position/main idea
• Makes an assertion/prediction.
• Summarizes the conclusion.

Three components of Thesis Statements

• Topic: main subject
• Controlling Idea: opinion, view, feeling about the topic
• Sub-topic: supporting reasons

Steps in Writing a Thesis Statement

• Start with a question
• Write an initial answer
• Develop the answer
• Revise and refine

Integrating Sources

• Incorporating other scholars' ideas.
• Methods: summarizing, paraphrasing, quoting

Summarizing

• Reducing a passage's detailed text to its core meaning
• Skills: understanding key points, and combining details/examples/ supporting ideas.

Summarization Techniques

• Selection: capturing major ideas/key terms
• Rejection of unnecessary detail
• Substitution of several sentences into a single one

Formats of Summarizing

• Idea Heading
• Author Heading

Paraphrasing

• Restating ideas in your own words (without changing the meaning)

Types of Outline:

• Alphanumeric: main headings/topics noted with Roman numerals
• Full Sentence: each topic written as a full sentence.
• Decimal: using decimals to note headings and subheadings.

Critical Writing

• Evaluates and interprets a piece of literature.
• Follows objectivity and balance.
• Critique: evaluating a piece of work objectively.
• Purpose of critical approach: understand significance, appreciation of author's work; exploring beauty and complexity.
• Summary: brief and concise
• Analysis: more in-depth, point by point exploration.
• Critique: a combination of summary and analysis.

Critical Approaches in Writing a Critique

• Feminist
• Marxist
• Reader-Response
• Psychoanalytic
• New Historicism
• Queer

Balanced Review

• Presents facts & truthfulness
• Constructive criticism: providing suggestions for improvement
• Objectivity: avoiding bias using facts and evidence

Techniques for Maintaining Objectivity in Review Writing

• Use facts and data
• Present opposing viewpoints
• Avoid personal judgments and opinions
• Avoid using emotional language

Reviewing Different Forms of Art and Events

• Literature reviews (books, plays, poetry)
• Visual arts: paintings, sculptures, installations
• Performing Arts: theater, dance, music
• Film & Television shows
• Events: concerts, exhibitions, festivals