Academic writing

Writing tasks:

•      Describe

•      Define

•      Compare/contrast

•      Analyze

•      Apply

•      Argue

•      Summarize

•      Synthesize

•      Evaluate/criticize

•      Discuss

Characteristics 1 of academic writing :

• LINEAR:

- No digressions

- No repetitions

- Has one central point/theme

- Every part contributes to the main theme

- Precise and accurate language

• COMPLEX

- More complex than spoken language

- Lexically more dense

CHARACTERISTICS 2 :

• COMPLEX:

- More varied vocabulary

- More noun-based phrases than verb-based phrases (nominalization)

- More grammatical complexity

- More subordinate clauses

- More passives (debatable)

CHARACTERISTICS 3 :

• FORMAL:

- Avoid colloquial words (kids, chicks}

- Avoid two-word verbs (put off, set out)

- Avoid abbreviations (don't, won't, it's)

- Avoid idioms (kick the bucket, hit the dust)

- Avoid metaphors (as cold as cucumbers)

- Use noun-based sentences (To pay > payment, esp. science)

CHARACTERISTICS 4 :

• PRECISION

- Facts and figures are given precisely

- Sources are mentioned

• OBJECTIVITY

 - Has fewer words referring to the writer/reader

 - Emphasis:

• the information you want to give

• The arguments you want to make

• Using more nouns ( & adjectives); less verbs (& adverbs, esp. science)

CHARACTERITICS 5 :

• EXPLICIT:

- Explicit relationship in texts

- Writer's responsibility (not reader's responsibility)

- Using different signalling words (conjunctions)

• ACCURATE:

- Using vocabulary more accurately

- Words with narrow specific meanings

- Using terminology

CHARACTERISTICS 6 :

·         HEDGING:

- Stance on a particular subject, but cautious

- The strengths of the claims you are making

- Certain words & phrases are used

·         RESPONSIBLE:

- Providing evidence

- Providing justification

- Demonstrating understanding of text used

- Writers responsibility vs. Reader's responsibility