What Is Academic Writing?

Academic Writing: What Is It?
Writing in academic environments, such as universities and research institutes, is known as academic writing. It is distinguished by its formal tone, impartial methodology, and emphasis on facts and analysis to back claims. It is what instructors and academic researchers utilize to generate scholarly documents, and it is also what students are expected to produce for classes.

The following are examples of the various forms of academic writing:

• Abstract
• Annotated bibliography
• Academic journal article
• Book review
• A conference report
• Thesis
• Paper
• Interpretation
• Literary analysis
• Scholarly article
• Proposal for research
• TextbookThesis

Qualities of Scholarly Writing

• Formal tone: Academic writing is always written in a formal tone. The tone is not casual or conversational. Clichés and slang have no place in writing like this.
• Accurate language: It’s critical to select exact language that accurately expresses the author’s meaning while maintaining the formal tone.
• Point-of-view (POV): Since the goal of academic writing is to inform readers about the facts rather than to bolster opinions or offer guidance, it is customary to write in the third person.
• Research focus: Academic writing typically focuses on the particular research question(s) under investigation because it usually entails reporting research findings.
• Organization: Academic writing ought to be rationally arranged in a straightforward, linear manner. To distinguish between each key section, use headings.
• Source citations: Secondary research sources are typically used in academic writing in some capacity. Make sure you include a bibliography and correctly credit all of your sources.
• Individual assignments, of course, may occasionally have requirements that are different. Always carefully read the submission requirements to make sure you are adhering to the correct style and structure.

Structure of Academic Writing

Academic writing usually follows a standard framework that consists of the following elements, but there may be changes based on the particular discipline or kind of assignment:

• Introduction: Using background data, context, and a succinct thesis statement, the introduction sets the tone for your work. It should draw the reader in and give a summary of the topics covered throughout the article.
• Literature Review: If your paper calls for one, this section offers an overview and critique of previous studies and academic publications that are pertinent to your subject. This section helps highlight the importance of your work and shows that you have a solid comprehension of the body of existing literature.
• Methodology: The techniques and protocols used to gather and examine data are described in the methodology part of the research articles. It describes the sample size, methods of data collecting, statistical analysis methods, and research design that were used. Enough information should be included in this area to enable others to conduct a similar study.
• Results: Your research or analysis’s conclusions are shown in this section. The data should be presented objectively and coherently, with tables, graphs, and other visual aids serving as necessary. This part is not the place to debate or evaluate the results; that is for the following section.
• Discussion: The findings of the study question or hypothesis are interpreted and examined in the discussion section. It offers a chance to discuss the importance of your findings, evaluate how they stack up against earlier studies, point out any shortcomings, and suggest new lines of inquiry.
• Conclusion: This section restates the thesis statement and enumerates the key ideas covered in the work. It should be succinct but thorough, making an impact on the reader that will last.
• References: Correct citation of the sources utilized in your work is a requirement of academic writing. All of the sources cited in the article are included in the references section, which uses a particular citation style (such as APA, MLA, or Chicago).

Finally

Academic writing should also have a smooth transition from one paragraph to the next and a clear, cohesive flow of ideas. Each paragraph should concentrate on a single key subject. It’s crucial to speak in a formal tone, stay away from using personal pronouns, and back up your claims with facts and examples.

Keep in mind to utilize language that is clear and succinct, maintain a logical flow, and bolster your claims with facts. Before submitting your work, make sure it is clear, coherent, and grammar-corrected.

Source: Allschoolabs, Nairaland