Academic Writing Techniques and Structures

Language Used in Academic Text

• Academic writing serves three main purposes: to inform, to argue, and to persuade.
• It requires careful thought, adherence to rules and practices, and formal yet accessible language.
• Common forms of academic writing include reviews, conference papers, and research papers.
• Knowledge of the writer is often greater than that of the reader.
• Academic writing is characterized by its formal and objective style, contrasting with the subjective nature of non-academic writing.

Text Structure

• Description: Offers a detailed depiction to create a mental image for the reader.
• Comparison/Contrast: Examines similarities and differences between subjects.
• Problem & Solution: Describes an issue and proposes a response or resolution.
• Order/Sequence: Organizes content chronologically or in step-by-step procedures.

Techniques in Summarizing Academic Text

• Summarizing involves condensing main ideas into original wording.
• Plagiarism: Using others' ideas or words without citation.
• Paraphrasing: Rephrasing text while maintaining original meaning.

Stating the Thesis Statement

• A thesis statement outlines the central argument of a paper and guides the reader.
• It states a debatable claim that could be challenged.
• Distinction between thesis statements and factual statements is critical:
  • Thesis: "Students should wear uniforms to promote equality."
  • Fact: "There are many homeless people in the Philippines."

Outlining Text

• Outlining organizes thoughts logically, serving as a pre-writing strategy.
• It streamlines the revision process, minimizing rearrangement of ideas later.
• Topic Outline: Provides an overview using short phrases.
• Sentence Outline: Dives into detail using complete sentences to share more depth.

Critical Writing

• Reader-Response: Focuses on personal interpretation and meaning-making while reading.
• Feminism: Analyzes the depiction of women and their influence in literature.
• Sociological Criticism: Emphasizes the impact of social environments on literary analysis.
• Biographical Approach: Considers the author’s life and background for deeper insight.
• Formalism: Views literary texts as having timeless and universal meanings.

Writing a Critique

• A critique expresses judgment about art, events, or programs for the readers' benefit.