This document provides information about academic writing. It defines academic writing as a formal style of written communication used in academic contexts. Some key characteristics of academic writing include being formal, explicit, precise, structured, unbiased, responsible, and supported. The document discusses how language varies based on context and why academic writing has specialized conventions. It also lists and elaborates on seven characteristics of academic writing. An example paragraph is provided to demonstrate features of academic writing.

1. What
You
Need
to
Know
about
Academic
Writing

2. What
is
Academic
Writing?
Academic
wri+ng
is
a
Such
a
context
is
formal
form
of
language
used
by
in
terms
of
rela+onships,
people
who
communicate
expecta+ons,
thinking,
within
an
academic
performance,
crea+vity,
and
context
using
a
wri9en
compe++on
among
peers.
means.
Therefore,
the
language
form
used
must
reflect
such
formality;
especially
when
communica+ng
in
wri9en
form
due
to
the
permanence
of
the
means.

3. Importance
of
Academic
Writing
Language
is
a
social
construct
that
is
created
by
the
people
who
use
it
and
influenced
by
the
context
in
which
it
is
used.

4. Do
you
use
the
same
language
at
home,
at
a
professional
mee+ng,
and
at
a
pub?
In
fact,
it
may
be
considered
inappropriate.
4

5. Therefore,
language
must
change
when
contexts
do.
When
interac+ng
in
academic
contexts,
you
should
use
the
language
form
associated
to
it.
Academic
wri+ng
is
part
of
it.

6. Characteristics
of
Academic
Writing

7. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Formal
Explicit
Precise
Structured
Unbiased
Responsible
Supported

8. Formal
Academic writing is formal in terms of vocabulary
used. It means that colloquial expressions, abbreviated
forms of verbs, contractions, sexist or racial terms,
idioms, and emotional language should be generally
avoided.

9. Explicit
Academic
writing
is
explicit
in
relation
to
the
message
communicated
and
the
connections
among
the
parts
of
the
text.
You
write
to
express
ideas,
not
to
entertain
or
impress.
Be
sure
of
saying
what
you
intend
to
say.
Sentences must be connected in a clear way by means of signal words
and phrases that show the logical organization of texts (words like
“therefore” and phrases like “for example”).
A next conference will be focused on how to link texts.

10. Precise
Sentences, terms, dates, figures, and data must be
precise and texts must be focused. Avoid general
expressions like “a lot of people”, “many things”,
etc. Be sure of the meaning of a word before using
it. Be sure of having a clear focus for each paragraph

11. Structured
Essays, study reports, and thesis or dissertations have
specific structures. That fact assures that information is
presented in a logical way and that ideas can be
developed clearly and function as a unit. Follow the
structure that characterizes each type of academic text.

12. Unbiased
Academic writing intends to inform or to produce
reasonably persuasive arguments. You try to convince
using arguments that can be evaluated. To achieve such a
goal, you need to use language and arguments that
express neutrality. Unless your position as researcher is
discussed as necessary to the study, your own ideas and
feelings should not be evident.

13. Responsible
In academic writing, you are responsible of:
• providing evidence to support your claims
• managing information ethically
• understanding sources deeply

14. Supported
Academic writing is characterized by acknowledging
sources used to develop your own views or ideas.
Plagiarism is considered a severe academic crime.

15. Exercise

16. Paragraph
to
Evaluate
Read
the
introductory
paragraph
on
the
right
and
establish
if
it
reflects
the
features
of
academic
writing
discussed
The
essay
by
Walter
Lippman
dealing
with
stereotyped
thinking
was
very
hard
to
understand.
I’m
sure
I
could
write
a
better
theme
on
something
I
am
more
interested
in.
Nevertheless
I
will
try
my
best

17. Features
that
Are
Not
Reflected
• Formality
• Explicitness
• Precision
• Structure
• Support
Examples
adapted
from
Kinsella,
P.
L.
(1968).
The
techniques
of
writing.
New
York,
NY:
Harcourt,
Brace
&
World,
A Better Paragraph
Much of our thinking is
based on preconceived
ideas that have been
acquired through
environmental influences
rather than from
objective truth
(Lippmann, 1922).
Therefore, stereotyped
thinking is part of daily
life. The person who
realizes this is in a better
position to cope with
problems and get along
with people who hold
different views.

18. Now
You
Know
1. What academic
writing is
2. Why it is
important
3. What
characterizes it
Any
question?
You
are
invited
to
read
about
how
to
write
headings
that
are
correct
academically
speaking
at
http://
www.doctoralnet.com/headings/item/
153-­‐pull-­‐headings-­‐from-­‐4-­‐sources-­‐
activity.html

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20. Thanks
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reading
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