Conventions of academic writing

1. Conventions of Academic
Writing

2. What are conventions?
• Written and unwritten rules that may be
broken—but with a penalty.
• Powerful social/economic/political forces.
• Behaviors we agree upon to make life
easier.
• Rules that change over time.
• Rules that do not carry the force of law.

3. Academic Writing
• is an artificial form you can learn.
• has the core values of truth and social
harmony.
• is direct and straightforward.
• avoids gimmicks.
• empowers writers.
• respects its audience.

4. Conventions
• strict formality
• complete sentences
• standard grammar
• careful documentation by last name
• evidence over belief or opinion
• author willing to change position
• humility

5. Avoid Logical Fallacies
• ad hominem
• post hoc ergo propter hoc (false cause)
• straw man
• ad populum
• fallacy of tradition
• red herring
• slippery slope

6. Remember Core Values
• Search for Truth
• Social Harmony