ENG 203 - Academic English I by Engin ALKAN
A. ACADEMIC WRITING
Academic writing is the style of writing expected at university. The three main parts of
academic writing are the academic paragraph, the academic essay and the report. The
academic paragraph is the basic unit of academic writing. Once you are able to write an
academic paragraph, expanding it allows you to write an essay, and putting several essays
together allows you to write a report.
The Academic The Essay The Report
Paragraph
Introduction Introduction
Introduction
(TS=ST+CI )
Body Section 1 Introduction
(SS + SD) Body Paragraph
Body
Conclusion
Conclusion
(CS + CC ) Body Paragraph
Section 2 Introduction
Body
Body Paragraph
Conclusion
Introduction
Section 3
Concluding Paragraph Body
Conclusion
The relationship
between the academic
paragraph, the essay and the report. Conclusion
A very broad definition of academic writing could include any writing assignment given in an
academic setting.
Here is a list of documents where academic writing is used. Some are self-explanatory and
some have a brief explanation.
Books and book reports
Translations
Essays
Research paper or research article
Conference paper
Academic journal
Dissertation and Thesis - These are written to obtaining an advanced degree at a
college or university.
Abstract - This is a short summary of a long document.
Explication - This is a work which explains part of a particular work.
ENG 203 - Academic English I by Engin ALKAN
I. What is Academic Writing?
What's the difference between academic English and general English?
Academic English in general -- there are many differences, but in general, academic English
is more formal; it's more objective, and also, it has to use a lot of referencing. You always
have to let people know where you got your information from. You have to cite the source.
You have to give the source. You can't claim to write something and claim it as your own. If
you do that, that's called "plagiarism". It's a very serious offense in academic circles.
There are the fourteen common errors that students make when they are not formal
enough. (All of these are what you should not do?)
1. Avoid using contractions. Don't say "don't"; say "do not". Don't say "isn't"; say "is not".
That's academic English.
2. Avoid phrasal verbs. For example, instead of saying "go up" -- "Prices went up. -- say,
"Prices increased." Instead of saying "take away", say "remove". Avoid these multi-part
verbs. It's not as formal.
3. Avoid idioms. Instead of saying, "It was A1", say, "It was excellent."
4. Avoid slang. Don't say "kids"; say "children". Use the proper terminology for various
subjects.
5. Avoid pronouns. For example, instead of saying, "You can see from the graph..." We use
"The graph shows..."
6. Avoid negatives. For example, instead of saying, "Something is not effective", just say, "It
is ineffective." Instead of saying something is "not positive", say, "It's negative." So avoid
these kinds of negatives.
7. Avoid clichés. Now, what are "clichés"? "Clichés" are a kind of idiom, basically --
commonly used expressions and so on. It is a kind of a common wisdom about different
things. And so you want to avoid these kinds of expressions. For example, instead of saying,
"When all is said and done" -- We use that in conversation, but you don't want to use it in
your academic writing. Instead of saying that, you'd probably use an expression like "in
conclusion".
8. There are certain kinds of punctuation -- there are actually lots of rules about
punctuation. And the kind of punctuation, the style of punctuation that you use in academic
writing depends on the style guide that you have been asked to follow in your school,
college, or university. Some very well-known style guides are the MLA or APA. These are
certain style guides, and they tell you everything about how you need to write, what rules you
need to follow, what are the rules of punctuation and of quotations marks, of this and that.
For example, we don't see that many exclamation marks in academic writing. We do see a
lot of semicolons. When do we use a semicolon? Do you remember? What's the difference
between a period and a semicolon?
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ENG 203 - Academic English I by Engin ALKAN
A period clearly divides two sentences. And a semicolon has one sentence which is a
complete sentence; then you put the semicolon. You do not capitalize the next letter, and the
next sentence is connected, and you want to show that it's connected to the first sentence,
which is a very academic, intellectual, philosophical thing to do. So learn to use semicolons if
you're in university especially.
9. Avoid vague language
Vague language is very common, especially in speaking. We often add words and phrases
such as about, kind of, sort of, and that kind of thing to make what we say less factual and
direct:
There were about twenty people at the meeting.
It’s kind of cold in here.
Did you see lions and giraffes and that kind of thing when you were in South Africa?
We generally use vague language when we don’t know the name of something, or to make
things sound less factual, or to talk about groups and categories.
10. Avoid simple vocabulary
Do not use simple vocabulary. Use slightly more sophisticated vocabulary. Instead of saying
“a big difference”, say “a major distinction.” This is Academic English.
11. Avoid personal opinion
Avoid giving your personal opinion. In Academic Circles they are not so keen on knowing
your personal opinion. Do not say “I think”, “I believe”. “In my opinion”. “Instead, use
“according to so and so...” “According to this recent study” You have to always give credits to
the source, where did you get this information, who wrote that book, what happened. (do not
give your opinion unless it is specifically asked for a particular assignment)
12. Avoid using direct language
Do not use language which is too direct or too strong because then it cannot be justified. So
you cannot make any broad claims about anything. You have to be able to justify anything
that you write.
In other words, in Academic English your goal is to speak like your professor and write like
your textbook.
13. Avoid generalizations
The problem with generalizations is that they are very subjective, and is only relevant to the
writer’s point of view. When writing, especially for journalistic or academic purposes, it is
important to leave out your own point of view, and make the piece an unbiased as possible.
14. Avoid incomplete sentences (fragments)
Sentence fragments are incomplete sentences. Complete sentences state complete thoughts
and contain both a subject and a verb expressing an action done by or to that subject.
Fragments confuse readers because the lack of a subject, verb, or both makes your meaning
incomplete and unclear. Although sentence fragments appear in creative and informal
writing, avoid them in academic and professional writing.
EXAMPLES INCOMPLETE SENTENCES/SENTENCE FRAGMENTS
What I really need. (incomplete thought—what do you need? when? from where? from who?)
Earning a passing grade on the exam. (incomplete thought—who is earning the grade?
when? why?)
I chose to attend UCLA College. Because it is near my home.
Join the fragment to a complete sentence
I chose to attend UCLA College because it is near my home.
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ENG 203 - Academic English I by Engin ALKAN
Fourteen Common Errors in Academic English
1. Avoid using contractions don’t → do not
2. Avoid phrasal verbs go up → increase, take away → remove
3. Avoid idioms A1 → excellent
4. Avoid slang kids → children
You can see from the graph...
5. Avoid pronouns ↓
The graph shows.......
6. Avoid negatives is not effective → is ineffective
is not positive → is negative
When all is said and done
7. Avoid clichés ↓
In conclusion
8. There are certain kinds of No exclamation → ; MLA-APA style guide
punctuation
9. Avoid vague language a bit, a lot, kind of, sort of → considerable
10. Avoid simple vocabulary a big difference → a major distinction
11. Avoid Personal Opinion I think, In my opinion → according to...
12. Avoid using direct language too direct or too strong → cannot be justified
Americans are overweight
13. Avoid generalizations ↓
Two-thirds of Americans are overweight
I chose to attend UCLA college. Because it is near my
home.
14. Avoid incomplete sentences ↓
(fragments) I chose to attend UCLA college because it is near my
home.
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ENG 203 - Academic English I by Engin ALKAN
II. Characteristics of Academic Writing
Now that you have a definition of academic writing, here are some things to
remember about the characteristics of academic writing.
Planning - There is a certain amount of planning before you start writing the paper;
so, it will be analytical and organized.
Outline - A proper outline is a must for academic writing. An outline will not only help
you formulate your thoughts, but will sometimes make you aware of certain
relationships between topics. It will help you determine the pertinent information to be
included in your paper.
Tone - A formal tone is used. You do not use slang words, jargon, abbreviations, or
many clichés.
Language - The language in your paper needs to be clear and words need to be
chosen for their precision. A thesaurus is a good tool to help you pick just the right
words to explain the issues.
Point of view - The point of view in the third person, as the focus of academic writing
is to educate on the facts, not support an opinion.
Approach - Deductive reasoning is a big part of academic writing as your readers
have to follow the path that brought you to your conclusion.
Deductive reasoning and an analytical approach are important in academic writing.
Much planning and forethought are needed to have a well-organized paper.
Always check to see if the school you are writing for has a preferred format and style.
The language of academic writing
Some of the main characteristics of the language of academic writing include:
Frequent use of passive verb forms;
Impersonal pronouns and phrases;
Qualifying words and phrases;
Complex sentence structures;
Specialized vocabulary, style and presentation
Style of academic writing:
Academic writing has a characteristic style:
It is serious, rather than conversational;
It is impersonal, rather than personal;
It is formal, rather than colloquial.
Presentation of information in academic writing:
Information is presented in recognizable sequences:
For example, events are recorded in chronological order (from earliest to most
recent);
Points are made and expanded through examples;
Points are arranged hierarchically in ascending or descending order;
Details or outcomes are compared or contrasted.
