Author’s viewpoint

​Usually uses third-person pronoun.

What is Academic Writing?

Subject/Content: Sources of Evidence

More commonly drawn from shared historical events or literature or other forms of knowledge.

Tone

Tends to be removed from the subject and appears to be objective; tends to hold emotions in check and express concerns through strong arguments and powerful rhetorical devices.

Structure

Follows a structure that focuses on the development of one clear argument at a time to support a clearly stated thesis.

Location of the research purpose/question

Stated explicitly, generally located in the first or second paragraph of the essay.

Purpose

​Presentation of facts and ideas with critical evaluation, arguing a point and analysing in detail.

Vocabulary

Technical words according to subject; no slang or contractions (can't they're, she's, etc.); avoids “you” and “I” (the use of “I” in the introduction and conclusion of an essay is permitted but in the body of the essay is best avoided in order to maintain an academic tone).

Do's

Dont's

• Make your writing clear and to the point.

• Try linking ideas with these expressions: in addition, nevertheless, on the other hand, by contrast, although, alternatively.

• Include some complex sentences in your writing.

• Try using semi-colons if you feel confident about using them correctly.

• Don’t use “well” or “you know” or “anyway” or “like I just said” or any phrase that sounds like you are having a friendly chat.

• Avoid using “And”, “But”, “Because” or “So” at the beginning of a sentence.

• Keep exclamation marks to a minimum!!!

• Words like “nice” and “a lot” have no power. Try to think of more descriptive words, for example “delicious” or “endless”.