Academic Writing: An

Overview
Whether you knew it or not when you
started, conducting research is the
defining feature of your graduate
career. If you plan to stay in
academe, it will be the defining
feature of your academic life.
--Lesli Mitchell
The Ultimate Grad School Survival Guide
The genre of research
What its not:
A loose collection of anecdotal information
What its not only:
Reporting of others knowledge
What it is:
Creation of knowledge
Added security of academic support
Contribution to a larger academic
discussion
Problems and solutions
Before you write:
Read sources critically
Read studies similar to what you want to
Read studies similar to what you want to
write
Professional journals, masters theses, Google
scholar
Abstracts
Literature Reviews
Conclusions/Discussion
Recommendations for Future Study
Take notes (dont highlight!)
Summarize/paraphrase passages
Quoting Sources (in
brief)
Use quotations sparingly and
strategically.
Use quotations only when the
language is so unique that you must
use it; that is, the language adds
color, power, or character, to your
project.
Too many quotes are distracting;
reader needs to hear your voice.
Quote use
Identify quotes with frames that
precede, follow, or interrupt.
Use appropriate verb of attribution.
Punctuate correctly.
Quotes should be syntactically
correct and integrated into your own
language.
The Art of the
Paraphrase
You are writers, not re-typers.
Instances of plagiarism (from the Office of the Associate VP,
CSU Fresno):
Failure to use quotation marks when quoting

directly from another, whether it be a paragraph,

sentence or part thereof
Copying phrases or ideas from a book, magazine,

or other source without giving credit to the

author
Turning in a paper or computer program that is

the work of another individual

Drafting
Should be the least time-consuming of
all steps in the process
If its taking you forever to write 1,000
words, two things could be happening:
1. You dont have a clue what you
should be saying.
2. You're revising while you draft so
that you end up with one sentence an
hour.
 The Introduction: Your
papers first
impression
Introductions should:
Introduce subject and
problem
Clearly state purpose
Strategies for
Introductions
Begin with a narrative
Anecdotes that make the topic more real to reader.
Begin with a question or series of questions.
Shows reader that your subject is provocative and
interesting.
Begin by quoting a key source.
Bold, expert opinion captures readers attention.
Begin by citing key data
Alarming stats emphasize importance
Writing Studio at Duke University:
http://uwp.duke.edu/writing-studio/resources
Review of Literature
Examine/analyze what has already been
published on your topic
Find the gaps (Recommendations for future
research)
Provide framework for scope of the problem
Explain where your study fits

Review must be thorough

Currency, credibility
Snowball your sources

Review must be accurate

Follow rules for specific documentation style
 Report your findings
What trends did you find in the
research?
Did you discover something that hasnt
been addressed? (Creation of
knowledge)
Did you gather your own data?
(surveys, experiments)
Presentation of findings in tables,
figures, etc.
Conclusions

Place the paper in a larger context

Convince readers that what they read was
meaningful.
Go beyond mere summary and avoid
repeating word-for-word a statement you
wrote earlier in the paper.
Answers the question, Where could we
go from here?
Makes suggestions or calls to action
You are the author

Paper should be predominately your

ideas and opinions.
Show your critical thinking skills.
A paper with patched together
summaries and paraphrases, even if
theyre in your own words, will not
succeed.