Introduction To Academic Writing

Effective Academic Writing

Audience and Tone

Adapted from: Harris B Leonhard, Discoveries in Academic Writing, Thomson

Heinle Publishers, 2002

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Learning Outcomes
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

define academic writing

identify the differences between personal and
academic writing
identify the characteristics of effective academic
writing
apply appropriate tone for related audience

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What is academic writing?
Personal writing versus academic writing
Effective academic writing
Organization
Audience and tone

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 What is Academic Writing?

A generic term for all writing done in high

school and college classes.

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 Academic writing is different from creative writing
used in stories.

Academic writing also differs from writing used in

personal writing such as letters to friends, family
members.

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 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.

Elements such as format, sentence structure and

organization are essential in academic writing.

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Academic Writing vs Personal Writing

Sentences are formal.

No abbreviations, slangs, contractions.
However, in personal writing, sentences are
informal and abbreviations, slangs, contractions and
incomplete sentences are allowed.

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PERSONAL WRITING vs ACADEMIC WRITING
Features of Personal Writing:

1. Purpose: communicate with close and personal

members on any issue/matter.
2. Your knowledge of topic: subjective depending on
the purpose of writing.
3. Audience: personal acquaintance who may have
varying degrees of knowledge on the topic.
4. Criteria for evaluation: informal, simple
sentences.
5. Statistical and graphic support: almost none.
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Features of Academic Writing:

1. Purpose: demonstrating what you know about

the topic, in a way that justifies a high grade.
2. Your knowledge of topic: less than the teacher
who evaluates the writing.
3. Audience: teacher who requests the
assignment and who will read it from beginning
to the end.
4. Criteria for evaluation: organization, depth,
logic, clarity, unity and grammar.
5. Statistical and graphic support: Sometimes
used to explain and persuade.

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 Differences between Personal &
Academic Writing

Personal Academic
(Informal/Colloquial) (Formal/Technical)
Audience close friends and family professors, lecturers

Tone informal, friendly formal, objective, serious

Vocabulary slang, idioms, contracted academic, wide range, concise,

forms accurate
Style simple or compound simple, compound, complex
sentences sentences, sentence variety
Language fragments, run-on sentences, should have no errors
misspellings, punctuation
errors
Content conversational, maybe depth of thought, unified
repetitive

Organizatio maybe less structured than clear, coherent, well planned

n formal writing
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 Effective Academic Writing

Three major characteristics:

Convincing content
Clear organization
Effective use of the language

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Convincing Content

The content is informative and thought-provoking.

use specific and logical details, examples, facts, statistics and
case studies to support generalizing.

The support is relevant.

the support relates directly to the thesis and should not
digress away from the main point.

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Convincing Content
The content shows depth of thought.
shows elements of critical thinking
analysis of information
interpretation of facts
making judgments
drawing conclusions
summarizing
defending opinions

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Convincing Content

The writer must have a clear purpose and strong

control over the content.
the message is clear, logical and to the point.

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Clear Organization
Most academic writing in English is linear:

Introduction
Body
Conclusion

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Clear Organization

Two approaches used in academic writing: deductive

and inductive approach

Deductive: Generalization is stated first followed by

supporting details and facts.

Inductive: Supporting details stated first followed by

generalization.

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Effective Use of English Language

Sentences must be clearly written.

Include subject-verb agreement, spelling, punctuation.
Style
Use complex and compound-complex sentences.
Avoid too many simple sentences .
Frequent use of conjunctions such as for, and, nor, but, or, yet
and so.
Use a wide vocabulary range.

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Audience and Tone

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 Audience
Importance of Audience
In academic writing, writers need to consider who their
readers/audience are.
An important feature is the control of audience and tone
(formality).
Correct level of formality helps writers connect with the
audience.
(eg with friends informal language indicates close relationship)
(eg with lecturers formal language indicates respect)

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 Audience
When planning to write, consider the following factors:
1. Identify Audience
Audiences age, gender, social status, level of
education, special interest or needs, profession,
cultural or racial background, feelings and
attitudes, or relationship.
2. Purpose/Occasion
Fulfilling an academic assignment, completing
essay test, getting a scholarship

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Tone

Importance of Tone
Expression of an attitude in your writing
Objective
Persuasive
Enthusiastic
Serious

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 Tone: Objective
Language used in formal report

Example:
a) A hazard exists if contact is made with this part while
it is whirling.

b) Warning. Turn off all power before you remove the

cover. The blade underneath could slice off your
fingers.

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Tone: Persuasive

Language used in formal proposal for thesis or final year

project.

Example:
The purpose of this study is to discover a more efficient
way to produce hydrocarbons. The financial support for
this study will benefit many users. The researchers will be
able to investigate the problems comprehensively

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 Tone: Enthusiastic
Writing in favor of a particular subject for possible
recommendation or acceptance. Example: sharing a new
finding with intended readers

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.

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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.

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The End

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