How to write an academic paper

How do you feel when you have to write an academic

paper?

Do not panic!

In this presentation you can find some guidelines to write an academic paper successfully .

Just as there are differences in the way we use language for speech and for writing, there are also differences in the way we write for different situations; for example, compare the following written texts:

Dear Mark,My accountant friend thinks that phone company shares are a good buy at the moment so I think I'll move some money into them...

Some financial advisors recommend purchasing communication industry shares.

The second way of phrasing the idea is much more appropriate for a university assignment.

What is academic writing?

Format of an essay

It should have:

1- An attention-grabbing first sentence.

2- Informative sentences that build to your thesis.

3- The thesis statement.

Introductory Paragraph

1- Attention-grabbing first sentence:

Start with something interesting and sufficiently general, but not too broad.

A not appropriate example could be:

“Karl Marx was a very important thinker.” 

In this case, you can substitute hundreds of names for “Karl Marx” and it would still make sense.  You want your introduction to say something reasonably specific about your subject.

Introductory Paragraph

A good example could be:

“Karl Marx was the first important thinker to argue that capitalism causes exploitation”. 

 You could go on from there to talk about the

nature of exploitation, how he defines capitalism and then conclude it with a thesis that explains why he thought capitalism causes exploitation. 

Introductory Paragraph

* It is a single sentence, preferably a declarative sentence.

* It expresses the basic idea around which the paper will develop.

It must be

Introductory ParagraphThesis Statement

ClearRestricted Precise

Introductory ParagraphExample:

What do you think about smoking? The whole country is divided on this issue. Some people believe that there should be no limitations placed on smoking. Others have differing opinions. Tobacco should be outlawed because smoking endangers everyone´s health, pollutes the environment and drains us of valuable energy.

General introduction

Opposing point of view

Thesis Statement

They should include:

* Topic sentence.* Elaboration of the point.* Examples to support your point.* Explanation of evidence.* Concluding sentence.

Body Paragraphs

Body Paragraphs

Types of paragraphsTypes of

paragraphs

By Listing

By Contrast By Comparison

By Examples

This paragraph may include:

* Restatement of the Thesis Statement.

* Summary of the ideas expressed in the body paragraphs.

* A piece of advice, a question or a call for action.

Conclusion Paragraph

Conclusion Paragraph Try to avoid this kind of endings:

“Karl Marx was an interesting and important thinker who said some controversial things about capitalism.”

A better concluding paragraph could start…

“Karl Marx’s argument about exploitation under capitalism is ultimately flawed because...”

Introduction Paragraph *An attention-grabbing "hook“ *A preview of the three subtopics you will discuss in the body paragraphs. *A thesis statement

First Body Paragraph *Topic sentence which states the first subtopic and opens with a transition *Supporting details or examples *An explanation of how this example proves your thesis

Second Body Paragraph *Topic sentence which states the second subtopic and opens with a transition *Supporting details or examples *An explanation of how this example proves your thesis

Third Body Paragraph *Topic sentence which states the third subtopic and opens with a transition *Supporting details or examples *An explanation of how this example proves your thesis

Concluding Paragraph *Concluding Transition, Reverse "hook," and restatement of thesis. *Rephrasing main topic and subtopics. *Global statement or call to action.

The overall structure of an essay should look something like this

Practice! Practice! Practice!

In the end, though, remember that good writing does not happen by accident. Although this guidelines have endeavored to explain everything that goes into effective essay writing in as clear and concise a way as possible, it is much easier in theory than it is in practice.

As a result, try to practice writing sample essays on various topics. Even if they are not masterpieces at first, a bit of regular practice will soon change that – and make you better prepared when it comes to the real thing.

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Hyland, K (2000). “Good academic writing”. Retrieved: October, 24. Available at: http://www.academiccoachingandwriting.org/S=0/academic-writing/resources/good-academic-writing

Imhoof, M & Hudson, H (1975) From paragraph to essay. Longman. Mc Carthy, M & O´Dell, F (2008). Academic vocabulary in use. Cambridge

University Press. Pollock, E. “Academic writing”. Retrieved: October, 24. From Uni-Learning

webpage. Available at: http://unilearning.uow.edu.au/academic/1a.html Sanchez Terrel, S. (2015) “30 goals conference keynote: Rosmery Ribera

Ferrier”. Retrieved :October, 23. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDBuSUXWIEU

Strauss, V. (2012) “A guide to writing an academic paper”. Retrieved: October, 24. From The Washington Post website. Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/a-guide-to-writing-an-academic-paper/2012/01/18/gIQAjGCTCQ_blog.html

Reiss, D (2005). “Guidelines for Academic papers”. Retrieved: October, 24. Available at: http://wordsworth2.net/writing/academicpapers.htm

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