Academic Writing
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Writing tasks can cause some students a great deal of anxiety. Writing that is carefully written and polished, however, can be your ticket to better grades and greater academic success. Check out the following tips designed to help you to produce more sophisticated written responses.
See also:
PEEL Paragraph Writing
ALARM = A learning and responding matrix
See also:
PEEL Paragraph Writing
ALARM = A learning and responding matrix
Different Text Types or Genres for different purposes and audiences
Writing is done for a number of different purposes and for different audiences. These different forms of writing are often known at school as text types or text genres. They can be divided into Factual Texts and Literary Texts.
Factual texts inform, instruct or persuade by giving facts and information.
Literary texts entertain or elicit an emotional response by using language to create mental images.
Students are often asked to prepare a passage of writing or present an assignment which may be one of these text types.
Below are lists of different text types, purposes and features that are included in the Australian Curriculum.
Note: Always refer to the actual task requirements provided by your teacher and ensure the type of text you use suits the purpose and the audience
Writing is done for a number of different purposes and for different audiences. These different forms of writing are often known at school as text types or text genres. They can be divided into Factual Texts and Literary Texts.
Factual texts inform, instruct or persuade by giving facts and information.
Literary texts entertain or elicit an emotional response by using language to create mental images.
Students are often asked to prepare a passage of writing or present an assignment which may be one of these text types.
Below are lists of different text types, purposes and features that are included in the Australian Curriculum.
Note: Always refer to the actual task requirements provided by your teacher and ensure the type of text you use suits the purpose and the audience
How to write an Information Report
| writing_an_information_report.docx |
Information Report example
| sample_text_information_report_volcanoes.pdf |
Science Report - Template and Scaffold
| science_report_template_and_scaffold.doc |
Credits: MCSS 2015
Writing a Recount
| writing_a_recount_with_example.docx |
NSW DEC 2011
Use Formal Language
When we write for school or university we are expected to use formal language rather than the relaxed conversational language we use in everyday situations. One way in which we can make our language more formal is by using sophisticated or formal words in place of colloquial ones. Another way is by using the technical language of your particular subject area.
Consider the following examples:
Informal: Women earn less than men and own less than men. Why is this so?
Formal: The relative disadvantage of women with regard to their earnings and levels of asset ownership indicates that within classes there is further economic inequity based on gender.
When we write for school or university we are expected to use formal language rather than the relaxed conversational language we use in everyday situations. One way in which we can make our language more formal is by using sophisticated or formal words in place of colloquial ones. Another way is by using the technical language of your particular subject area.
Consider the following examples:
Informal: Women earn less than men and own less than men. Why is this so?
Formal: The relative disadvantage of women with regard to their earnings and levels of asset ownership indicates that within classes there is further economic inequity based on gender.
Avoiding using the First Person "I"
Academics avoid using first person in their writing because doing so is believed to make the writing more objective.
How can we do this?
1. Eliminate the personal language
Simply change: I think Ned Kelly relied on his Irish heritage to gain local sympathy
To: Ned Kelly relied on his Irish heritage to gain local sympathy.
2. DO NOT refer to what you think. Refer to what the evidence suggests.
Here are some ways to let the evidence do the talking:
Academics avoid using first person in their writing because doing so is believed to make the writing more objective.
How can we do this?
1. Eliminate the personal language
Simply change: I think Ned Kelly relied on his Irish heritage to gain local sympathy
To: Ned Kelly relied on his Irish heritage to gain local sympathy.
2. DO NOT refer to what you think. Refer to what the evidence suggests.
Here are some ways to let the evidence do the talking:
(Ensure to always reference your evidence!)
You can also try using these "it" constructions:
Use Passive Voice to make your writing more objective:
The passive voice should be used in academic writing when the 'doer' of the action in a sentence is unknown or irrelevant to the discussion. Passive sentence construction emphasises the events and processes the sentence is describing.
The passive voice should be used in academic writing when the 'doer' of the action in a sentence is unknown or irrelevant to the discussion. Passive sentence construction emphasises the events and processes the sentence is describing.
Active - We cut a segment of the apple and placed it in agar solution.
Passive- A segment of the apple was cut and placed in agar solution.
Active- We added the milk and eggs to the dry ingredients.
Passive = The milk and eggs were added to the dry ingredients.
See also: Ted-Ed Lesson - The power of a great introduction
Passive- A segment of the apple was cut and placed in agar solution.
Active- We added the milk and eggs to the dry ingredients.
Passive = The milk and eggs were added to the dry ingredients.
See also: Ted-Ed Lesson - The power of a great introduction
Editing tips
- Good writing will have several drafts
- Always perform a spell check and grammar check in Microsoft Word
- Remember to always proof read your work, better still, get someone to proof read it for you
- Good writing will have several drafts
- Always perform a spell check and grammar check in Microsoft Word
- Remember to always proof read your work, better still, get someone to proof read it for you
Using Transition Words
Common Spelling and Grammar Errors That Drive Your Teachers Crazy
To verses Too
This one gets TO me because, all TOO often, people write the word TO when they clearly mean the word TOO >:-[
TO
To is a versatile preposition.
A few of its many definitions are (1) toward, (2) reaching as far as, and (3)until.
TOO
Too is an adverb meaning (1) additionally, (2) excessively, (3) very, or (4) extremely. Whenever you’re in doubt about whether to use to or too, see if any of those synonyms of too (i.e., also, additionally, extremely, etc.) would work in its place. If none fits, then to is probably the word you’re looking for.
Examples:
TO
I am going to bed.
The dictator was restored to power.
He pressed his face to the glass.
We stood face to face.
TOO
You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
The sun was too bright, so I put on my shades.
She wasn’t too pleased to see us again.
I miss you, too.
This one gets TO me because, all TOO often, people write the word TO when they clearly mean the word TOO >:-[
TO
To is a versatile preposition.
A few of its many definitions are (1) toward, (2) reaching as far as, and (3)until.
TOO
Too is an adverb meaning (1) additionally, (2) excessively, (3) very, or (4) extremely. Whenever you’re in doubt about whether to use to or too, see if any of those synonyms of too (i.e., also, additionally, extremely, etc.) would work in its place. If none fits, then to is probably the word you’re looking for.
Examples:
TO
I am going to bed.
The dictator was restored to power.
He pressed his face to the glass.
We stood face to face.
TOO
You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
The sun was too bright, so I put on my shades.
She wasn’t too pleased to see us again.
I miss you, too.
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15 Grammar Goofs That Make You Look Silly
Infographic credits - Clark 2012
A little writing and grammar humour
Image Credits Eatliver.com 2015
References
Central Queensland University. (2010). Developing Academic Writing Skills. My.cqu.edu.au. Retrieved from https://my.cqu.edu.au/documents/10165/2178077/Great+Guide+to+University+Study+Topic+5++Developing+academic+writing+skills/ad106a89-377b-4395-a076-869eb6f6e9ec
Clark, B. (2012). 15 Grammatical Errors that Make You Look Silly. Copyblogger. Retrieved from http://www.copyblogger.com/grammar-goofs/
Eatliver.com. (2015). How To Write Good. Eatliver.com. Retrieved from http://www.eatliver.com/how-to-write-good/
Fogarty, M. (2015). Split Infinitives. Quick and Dirty Tips. Retrieved from http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/split-infinitives
Gillett, A. (2015). Features of Academic Writing. Using English for Academic Purposes. Retrieved from http://www.uefap.com/writing/feature/featfram.htm
Grammarist,. (2012). To vs. too - Grammarist. Grammarist.com. Retrieved from http://grammarist.com/usage/to-too/
Jordon, R. R. (1992) Academic Writing Course. Edinburgh: Thomas Nelson and Sons.
Lithgow High School. (2013). Complete text types table with links to online scaffolds. Retrieved from http://www.lithgow-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/documents/37762471/37769121/CompleteTableTextTypesLinksScaffolds.pdf
Melba Copeland Secondary School.(2015). Science report scaffold and template. Retrieved from: http://www.mcss.act.edu.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0007/363472/Science_Report_Template_and_Scaffold.doc
Mineo, G. (2015). Grammar Police: 25 of the Most Common Grammatical Errors We All Need to Stop Making. Blog.hubspot.com. Retrieved from http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/common-grammar-mistakes-list#sm.00004ftglpsiydraxvp2lq4twdqjw
NSW Department of Education and Communities. (2011). Text Types (different types of writing). School AtoZ. Retrieved from https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/eppcontent/glossary/app/resource/factsheet/4108.pdf
Philpot, S., Curnick, L. (2013). Academic skills: reading, writing, and study skills. Introductory Level. Oxford, United Kingdom, Oxford University Press.
Searcy, H. & Hamilton, J. (2007). Academic writing. Monash.edu.au. Retrieved from http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/writing/general/academic/index.xml
State Library of Victoria. (2017). Essay writing skills. Ergo. Retrieved from http://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/learn-skills/essay-writing-skills
University of Technology Sydney. (2014). Academic writing. Learning Centre. Uts.edu.au. Retrieved from http://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/support/helps/self-help-resources/academic-writing
University of Wollongong. (2000). Academic Writing: Words: How to avoid using personal language. Retrieved from http://unilearning.uow.edu.au/academic/2div.html
Central Queensland University. (2010). Developing Academic Writing Skills. My.cqu.edu.au. Retrieved from https://my.cqu.edu.au/documents/10165/2178077/Great+Guide+to+University+Study+Topic+5++Developing+academic+writing+skills/ad106a89-377b-4395-a076-869eb6f6e9ec
Clark, B. (2012). 15 Grammatical Errors that Make You Look Silly. Copyblogger. Retrieved from http://www.copyblogger.com/grammar-goofs/
Eatliver.com. (2015). How To Write Good. Eatliver.com. Retrieved from http://www.eatliver.com/how-to-write-good/
Fogarty, M. (2015). Split Infinitives. Quick and Dirty Tips. Retrieved from http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/split-infinitives
Gillett, A. (2015). Features of Academic Writing. Using English for Academic Purposes. Retrieved from http://www.uefap.com/writing/feature/featfram.htm
Grammarist,. (2012). To vs. too - Grammarist. Grammarist.com. Retrieved from http://grammarist.com/usage/to-too/
Jordon, R. R. (1992) Academic Writing Course. Edinburgh: Thomas Nelson and Sons.
Lithgow High School. (2013). Complete text types table with links to online scaffolds. Retrieved from http://www.lithgow-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/documents/37762471/37769121/CompleteTableTextTypesLinksScaffolds.pdf
Melba Copeland Secondary School.(2015). Science report scaffold and template. Retrieved from: http://www.mcss.act.edu.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0007/363472/Science_Report_Template_and_Scaffold.doc
Mineo, G. (2015). Grammar Police: 25 of the Most Common Grammatical Errors We All Need to Stop Making. Blog.hubspot.com. Retrieved from http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/common-grammar-mistakes-list#sm.00004ftglpsiydraxvp2lq4twdqjw
NSW Department of Education and Communities. (2011). Text Types (different types of writing). School AtoZ. Retrieved from https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/eppcontent/glossary/app/resource/factsheet/4108.pdf
Philpot, S., Curnick, L. (2013). Academic skills: reading, writing, and study skills. Introductory Level. Oxford, United Kingdom, Oxford University Press.
Searcy, H. & Hamilton, J. (2007). Academic writing. Monash.edu.au. Retrieved from http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/writing/general/academic/index.xml
State Library of Victoria. (2017). Essay writing skills. Ergo. Retrieved from http://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/learn-skills/essay-writing-skills
University of Technology Sydney. (2014). Academic writing. Learning Centre. Uts.edu.au. Retrieved from http://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/support/helps/self-help-resources/academic-writing
University of Wollongong. (2000). Academic Writing: Words: How to avoid using personal language. Retrieved from http://unilearning.uow.edu.au/academic/2div.html
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