Introduction To Academic Writing PERSONAL WRITING vs ACADEMIC WRITING

Effective Academic Writing

Features of Personal Writing:
Audience and Tone Purpose: communicate with close and personal members on any issue/matter.
Adapted from: Harris B Leonhard, Discoveries in Academic Writing, Thomson Heinle Your knowledge of topic: subjective depending on the purpose of writing.
Publishers, 2002 Audience: personal acquaintance who may have varying degrees of knowledge
Learning Outcomes on the topic.
Criteria for evaluation: informal, simple sentences.
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to: Statistical and graphic support: almost none.
define academic writing
identify the differences between personal and academic writing Features of Academic Writing:
identify the characteristics of effective academic writing Purpose: demonstrating what you know about the topic, in a way that justifies
apply appropriate tone for related audience a high grade.
What is academic writing? Your knowledge of topic: less than the teacher who evaluates the writing.
Personal writing versus academic writing Audience: teacher who requests the assignment and who will read it from
Effective academic writing beginning to the end.
Organization Criteria for evaluation: organization, depth, logic, clarity, unity and grammar.
Audience and tone Statistical and graphic support: Sometimes used to explain and persuade.

What is Academic Writing? Differences between Personal & Academic Writing

A generic term for all writing done in high school and college classes.
Effective Academic Writing
Academic writing is different from creative writing used in stories. Three major characteristics:
Convincing content
Academic writing also differs from writing used in personal writing such as Clear organization
letters to friends, family members. Effective use of the language
In academic writing, the words and grammar and the way of organizing ideas
are probably different from what you are used to in other types of writing. Convincing Content
Elements such as format, sentence structure and organization are essential in The content is informative and thought-provoking.
academic writing. use specific and logical details, examples, facts, statistics and case studies to
support generalizing.
Academic Writing vs Personal Writing The support is relevant.
Sentences are formal. the support relates directly to the thesis and should not digress away from
No abbreviations, slangs, contractions. the main point.
However, in personal writing, sentences are informal and abbreviations,
slangs, contractions and incomplete sentences are allowed.
Convincing Content Audience
The content shows depth of thought. When planning to write, consider the following factors:
shows elements of critical thinking analysis of information Identify Audience
interpretation of facts Audiences age, gender, social status, level of education, special interest or
making judgments needs, profession, cultural or racial background, feelings and attitudes, or
drawing conclusions relationship.
summarizing Purpose/Occasion
defending opinions Fulfilling an academic assignment, completing essay test, getting a scholarship

Convincing Content Tone

The writer must have a clear purpose and strong control over the content. Importance of Tone
the message is clear, logical and to the point. Expression of an attitude in your writing
Clear Organization Objective
Clear Organization Persuasive
Enthusiastic
Two approaches used in academic writing: deductive and inductive approach Serious
Deductive: Generalization is stated first followed by supporting details and
facts. Tone: Objective
Inductive: Supporting details stated first followed by generalization. Language used in formal report

Effective Use of English Language Example:

Sentences must be clearly written. A hazard exists if contact is made with this part while it is whirling.
Include subject-verb agreement, spelling, punctuation. Warning. Turn off all power before you remove the cover. The blade underneath could
Style slice off your fingers.
Use complex and compound-complex sentences.
Tone: Persuasive
Avoid too many simple sentences .
Language used in formal proposal for thesis or final year project.
Frequent use of conjunctions such as for, and, nor, but, or, yet and so.
Use a wide vocabulary range.
Example:
The purpose of this study is to discover a more efficient way to produce hydrocarbons.
Audience and Tone
The financial support for this study will benefit many users. The researchers will be
Audience
able to investigate the problems comprehensively
Importance of Audience
In academic writing, writers need to consider who their readers/audience are.
Tone: Enthusiastic
An important feature is the control of audience and tone (formality).
Writing in favor of a particular subject for possible recommendation or acceptance.
Correct level of formality helps writers connect with the audience.
Example: sharing a new finding with intended readers
(eg with friends informal language indicates close relationship)
(eg with lecturers formal language indicates respect)
Example:
The discovery of medicinal properties in this bacteria will eradicate Alzheimers
Disease. This is a very important and exciting discovery in the world of medicine.

Tone: Serious
Serious language: Language used to convey the seriousness of an event/item or a
discovery.

Example:
Our study has shown that if we do not recycle, natural resources will be depleted in
2010 and planet Earth will be barren. This will cause economic and environmental
disasters.
The End