EFFECTIVE ACADEMIC WRITING

BRUCE CANTERBURY

LEARNING OUTCOMES

To look at what effective academic writing is

To briefly examine a few characteristics of effective academic writing

To deconstruct the characteristics of academic writing

To examine a few examples of academic writing

FOCUS QUESTIONS

Two questions What is effective academic writing?

What are the characteristics of effective academic writing?

Academic Writing

It is FORMAL The reader is an ACADEMIC The CONTENTS: serious thought The writing is properly CONSTRUCTED–

no errors The VOCABULARY is varied and at an

appropriate level

TYPES OF ACADEMIC WRITING Notes Report on child abuse Thesis Paper on the environment Project Essay

ACADEMIC WRITING:CHARACTERISTICS

ORGANISATION

The writing must have: An IntroductionA BodyA Conclusion

The writing must have clear paragraphs The writing must show progression The writing must include examples

TASK ACHIEVEMENT

The writing must be RELEVANT to the title

The writing must be direct and efficient The writing and arguments must be

accurate and appropriate Types: analyze, define, illustrate,

criticize, discuss, describe, explain, justify

ACCURACY

The writing must contain the correct GRAMMAR

WORD CHOICE must be accurate VOCABULARY must be varied and

appropriate Incorrect SPELLING often causes

confusion Incorrect PUNCTUATION changes the

meaning

RANGE AND STYLE

Avoid REPETITION Use a RANGE of vocabulary Approach the topic DIRECTLY Avoid long, complicated sentences Don’t ASSUME the reader knows the

topic

COHERENCE AND COHESION

Use good LINKING WORDS (moreover, however, therefore)

Use SIGNPOSTING words that guides the reader. E.g.: As we have previously stated…

The essay must make sense and “hang together”

REFERENCING

Do not use CONTRACTIONS

Avoid filers like “Er” and “Yanni”

Include quotations, paraphrasing, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc.

GENERAL

Plagiarism and academic integrity

MOTTO/ SLOGAN

“FOR SUCCESS, ATTITUDE IS AS IMPORTANT AS ABILITY”