Academic Writing

Copyright 2016
Edited: Shinta Desiyana F
Academic Writing
 Academic writing is clear,
concise and based on research –
to increase knowledge

 Uses deductive reasoning, third

person voice, and is more formal
than some other types of
writing
Use of Deductive
Reasoning
Starting with a clear and direct argument (thesis statement) and argued
using noted authorities in the field to prove the statement
Semiformal
Voice
No slang, acronyms, or contractions and using higher levels of
vocabulary than ordinary speech or writings.
Third Person Point-of-
View
Third person voice should be
used. (Use “The author
believes” instead of “I think”
and similar statements.)
No first or second person
references. (“The reader must
conclude” instead of “You
should know.”)
What is the Purpose of the
Writing?
General purpose
To inform, persuade or entertain Exposition
To explain or clarify
something

Specific purpose Description

Addresses assigned subject or To describe something
question:

Argument and Persuasion

Presents reasoned approach with
Narration
supporting data to convince To tell a story
the
reader
What is expository
writing?
• Expository writing is an explanation of a topic by answering the
questions:
• Who
• What
• When
• Where
• Why
• How
• What types of development are used for expository writing?
• Cause and Effect
• Comparison and Contrast
• Definition
• Description
•
 Introduction
 The introduction (opening paragraph) basically accomplishes two
goals:
 Gives an overview or background on the topic in broad terms
 Then narrows the scope of the topic to the presentation
 Prepares the reader for what is to come in the following writing
 Provides main points that will be discussed and why those are most
important to the subject matter
 Grabs the readers attention
 Bod
y (body paragraphs) are the
 Developmental paragraphs
heart of an essay.
 Contains only one main idea stated by the topic sentence
of that paragraph
 Analyzes the evidence
 Directly supports the thesis statement
 Paragraphs are arranged in logical progression
 The paragraphs should flow smoothly from one to the
next and have internal fluidity while presenting
supporting
 Conclusion
 The conclusion is the summary paragraph. It
should accomplish the following:

 Clearly restates the thesis sentence but not in

verbatim form
 Briefly summarizes the evidence presented in the
writing
 Provides a final judgement on the subject matter
discussed by tying all themes and ideas together
 Citing Sources
 Why use quotations, paraphrases, and summaries?
 Are required for each main point since the author

cannot include personal feelings or opinions

 Are clearly identified in proper required formatting

form and style

 Provide evidence to support the argument of the writing

 Are used at strategic places in the writing to

support statements made

 What are the differences between quoting,
paraphrasing, and summarizing?
Quoting Paraphrasing Summarizing

 Must be in proper required  Must be in proper required  Simplifies and shortens

format and style format and style
 Must match source  Paraphrasing is putting
document word for word another
 Must give attribution to person’s words into your
original source and own
author  Simplifies original source
 Must provide supporting information
material  Must give attribution to
 Must have meaningful original source and author
placement  Must provide supporting
material
original source main ideas
 Is in the authors own
words
 Shortens the original
work
but retains original
meaning
 Must give attribution to
original source and author
 Must provide supporting
material
 Must have meaningful
THANK YOU