Writing Academically: Strategies for Pupils
Academic writing is a crucial skill for students and early career researchers, as it allows them to contribute to new knowledge and insights within their respective fields. This style of writing is distinct from general writing, with a focus on formal, clear, and objective language, and a structure that presents information logically and straightforwardly.
To excel in academic writing, it's essential to understand the nuances of this writing style and differentiate it from general writing. Here are seven key strategies to help improve academic writing skills:
1. **Understand the Assignment and Its Purpose Deeply:** Thoroughly read and dissect the assignment prompt to identify keywords, action verbs, and any technical requirements. Break down the prompt into smaller questions to ensure you fully grasp what is expected.
2. **Plan and Organize Before Writing:** Create a detailed outline or plan before starting to write. Academic writing requires a clear, logical structure with a beginning, middle, and end. Organize points linearly from general ideas to more specific arguments.
3. **Use a Formal, Clear, and Objective Style:** Academic writing is formal, impersonal, and objective. Avoid slang, contractions, and casual language. Focus on clarity, precision, and logical flow, supporting claims with evidence from scholarly sources.
4. **Build Strong Paragraphs and Cohesion:** Each paragraph should start with a clear topic sentence and include only information relevant to that main point. Use transitions and linking words to ensure smooth flow between paragraphs and sections.
5. **Regular Practice and Feedback:** Practice writing regularly through exercises, journaling, and peer review. Writing is a skill honed over time by drafting, revising, and seeking feedback from peers or mentors.
6. **Manage Time Effectively:** Work backwards from your deadline to allocate time for planning, drafting, revising, and taking breaks. Scheduling downtime during writing helps maintain mental clarity and avoids burnout.
7. **Understand and Apply Proper Citation and Avoid Plagiarism:** Learn the appropriate citation styles required by your field and ensure every source is correctly credited. Being diligent about citations distinguishes academic writing and maintains scholarly integrity.
Academic writing is well-referenced, citing scholarly sources to support arguments and evidence. The choice of words is essential for clear and effective writing, using technical vocabulary and avoiding slang.
By mastering these aspects, students and early career researchers can elevate their academic writing effectively, distinguishing it clearly from general writing. Here's a summary table comparing academic writing and general writing:
| Aspect | Academic Writing | General Writing | |----------------------|-------------------------------------|---------------------------------| | Purpose | To contribute to scholarly discourse, demonstrate critical thinking | To inform, entertain, or persuade general audience | | Tone/Style | Formal, objective, precise | Informal to formal, varies by context | | Structure | Clear, logical, with thesis and evidence | Flexible, narrative or conversational | | Evidence | Supported by scholarly sources | May rely on personal opinions or anecdotal evidence | | Language | Technical vocabulary, no slang | Everyday language, colloquialisms allowed | | Citation | Required, rigorous | Usually not required or informal |
[1] Purdue OWL. (n.d.). Academic Writing. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing.html [2] The Writing Centre, University of Western Ontario. (n.d.). Peer Writing Tutoring. https://www.uwo.ca/student/cw/peerwriting/ [3] The University of Auckland. (n.d.). Academic Writing. https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/student/student-life/student-success/academic-skills/academic-writing.html [4] The University of Manchester. (n.d.). Academic Writing. https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/academic-skills/writing/academic-writing/ [5] The University of Sheffield. (n.d.). Academic Writing. https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/skills/studyadvice/academicwriting/academicwriting
- To further enhance academic writing skills, seek out resources such as writing support services and language editing tools that can provide guidance and help refine writing style.
- A plagiarism checker is essential for ensuring submission readiness, as it verifies that research papers comply with academic honesty standards.
- In the realm of education-and-self-development, online-education resources offer courses focused on improving academic writing, providing valuable insight and practical tips.
- For those submitting research papers, it's paramount to ensure the paper is not only grammatically correct but also academically translated, when necessary, to maintain its original meaning and impact.
- To elevate academic writing skills and promote a broader understanding of the subject matter, consider attending webinars or workshops focusing on academic writing, research paper development, and other education-and-self-development topics.
