Introduction To Academic Writing

Introduction To Academic WritingEffective Academic Writing

Audience and Tone

Adapted from: Harris B Leonhard, Discoveries in Academic Writing, Thomson Heinle Publishers, 2002

1Learning OutcomesBy the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

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

2Academic WritingWhat is academic writing?Personal writing versus academic writingEffective academic writingOrganizationAudience and tone

3What is Academic Writing?A generic term for writing at tertiary level (college and university)Writing emphasizing formal structure and organizationIt differs from informal letters to friends and family and creative, descriptive writing for stories

4What is Academic Writing?In academic writing, the words, grammar and way of organizing your ideas differ from other types of writing.

Certain elements e.g. format, sentence structure and organization are essential in academic writing.

5Academic Writing vs. Personal WritingAcademicX abbreviations Incidentally,Xslang superiorX contractions does not, has notPersonalabbreviations BTWslang top notchcontractions doesnt, hasnt6Personal Writing vs Academic Writing Features of Personal Writing:

1.Purpose: communication with people close to you about any subject2.Your knowledge of topic: subjective, depending on the purpose3.Audience: personal acquaintance with varying degrees of knowledge on the topic.4.Criteria for evaluation: informal, simple sentences.5.Statistical and graphic support: usually none.

7Academic Writing vs. Personal Writing Features of Academic Writing:

1.Purpose: demonstration of knowledge on a topic, to justify a high grade2.Your knowledge of topic: less than the evaluator3.Audience: person who requests the assignment i.e. lecturer, who will read it thoroughly4.Criteria for evaluation: organization, depth, logic, clarity, unity and grammar5.Statistical and graphic support: visual aids and tables to explain and summarize

8Effective Academic WritingThree main characteristics:convincing contentclear organizationeffective use of the language

9Effectiveness 1: Convincing contentInformative and thought-provoking-supported by specific, logical details; examples; facts; statistics and case studies

The writer must have a clear purpose and strong control over the content-message is clear, logical and direct

Relevant support-relating to the thesis without digression

10Effectiveness 1: Convincing contentThe content shows depth of thoughti.e. demonstrating elements of critical thinking: analysis of information interpretation of facts making judgments drawing conclusions summarizing defending opinions

11Effectiveness 2: Clear organisationMost academic writing in English is linear

Preliminaries / Introductionevery part contributes to the Main text / Body main argument without End matter / Conclusion digression or repetition

There should be a clear argument and points to follow which reflect the writers thoughts.

12Effectiveness 2: Clear organisation1 Deductive approach Generalisation stated first and followed by supporting

details and facts2 Inductive approach Supporting details stated first, followed by

generalisation13Effectiveness 2: Clear organisation Within the main text the organization on the rhetorical level may be: ArgumentationDescriptionCause and effectDefinition ClassificationNarrationComparisonProcess

14Effectiveness 3: Appropriate use of languageClaritySubject-verb agreement; spelling ; punctuation

StyleUse complex, compound- complex sentences and avoid too many simple sentencesSubstitute simple conjunctions e.g. In addition, moreover instead of and; However instead of but Use a wider vocabulary range15Effective Academic WritingAlways consider :

1. Audience2. Purpose3. Tone

16Effective Academic Writing - AudienceWho is going to read your work?

Consider the readers age, status, profession, interest,Cultural /racial background, feelings /attitudes,

The correct level of formality helps the writer to connect with the audience e.g. Informal language for friends, formal for lecturers17Effective Academic Writing - PurposeThe reason for writing is also an important consideration. If it is to fulfill and academic assignment, then the correct level of formality is required.18Effective Academic Writing - ToneThis is an expression of attitude in your writing:

Objective Persuasive Enthusiastic Serious

19Effective Academic Writing - ToneObjective : used in a formal report to present data clearly, precisely, impartially supported by relevant evidence.

Example: This experiment was performed and the results did not support the initial hypothesis.

20Effective Academic Writing - TonePersuasive : 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.21Effective Academic Writing - ToneEnthusiastic : supportive of a particular subject requiring approval from others

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. 22Effective Academic Writing - ToneSerious : to convey the severity of an event

Example:

Our study has shown that if we do not recycle, natural resources will be depleted in the 21st Century and Earth will be barren. This will cause economic and environmental disasters.23THE END 24