Academic Writing
In order to produce well written assignments in an
Academic Style there are certain features and structures you have to
contemplate. The following list includes some of the specific
aspects that American university professors demand.
Ø
Consider
·
The kind of assignment
ü
Essays –
Reports – Presentations – Reflective Pieces – Summaries – Annotated
Bibliographies
ü
Read your
module handbooks
Ø
Understand
·
The learning outcomes of the
task
ü
What you
are being asked
ü
What is
expected of you
ü
Interpret and
answer the question appropriately
Ø
Employ
ü
Formal
language
ü
Correct
grammar
ü
Linkers
and conjunctions
ü
Well
structured sentences and paragraphs
ü
Proper
punctuation and spelling
ü
References
in the style of the subject
Ø
Allow
ü
Re-reading
ü
Editing
ü
Proofreading
Structure of a well written paragraph
Ø Shape
ü Indent or skip a line
Ø Topic sentence
ü One central idea per paragraph
ü Think of an interesting topic and
give your opinion
ü No details- General- Thesis
statement
Ø Body
·
General
ü All ideas connected with the topic
sentence idea
ü Supporting ideas/ arguments for the
topic sentence
ü Order of importance considering the
strongest arguments
ü Order of chronology considering
events
·
Length
ü Any
ü Consider the kind of writing
·
Details
ü Importance of your thesis statement
ü Reasons that support your ideas
ü Examples and Theories to discuss the
topic
Ø Flow
ü Bridges/Linkers- connect ideas to
each other
ü Avoid repetition
ü Key terms- can be repeated
ü Shorter is better
ü Connect the following paragraph (if
there is one) with a bridge to the topic or to the previous paragraph
ü Sentence connects to sentence-
Paragraph connect to paragraph
ü Linking logically
Ø
Closing sentence
ü Restate the topic sentence- keep
your audience thinking
ü Conclude with a clear statement
References:
Introduction to Academic Writing - Edge Hill University. Retrieved
on 9 May 2014 from
Parts of a paragraph - English academic writing introduction. English
video lessons.
Retrieved on 9May 2014 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCuExRE6N-4
Writing skills -The paragraph. English video lessons. Retrieved on 9 May 2014 from
Misa, Ulises
Acha, Nicolas
