ACADEMIC WRITING SKILLS
Prepared by:
GROUP No. 10
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QUESTION 10
1. Discuss Skills required in academic writing
2. Explain the important of academic writing
skills in report writing.
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Word of the Day
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DEFINITION
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Meaning of Academic writing
Academic writing is writing which
communicates ideas, information, and research
to the wider academic community.
Academic writing involves communicating ideas
clearly and concisely and conveying arguments
in a logical and convincing manner.
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TYPES OF ACADEMIC WRITING
It can be divided into two types:
i. Student academic writing; which is used as a form of
assessment at university, as well as at schools as preparation for
university study;
ii. Expert academic writing; which is writing that is intended for
publication in an academic journal or book.
NB; Both types of academic writing (student and expert) are expected
to adhere to the same standards, which can be difficult for students to
master.
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CHARACTERISTICS OF ACADEMIC WRITING
The characteristics of academic writing which
together distinguish it from other forms of writing
are that it is:
i. Structured
ii. Evidenced
iii. Critical
iv. Balanced
v. Precise
vi. Objective
vii. Formal
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i. STRUCTURED
Academic writing should have a clear structure. The structure
will often derive from the category or types of writing.
For example, a research report will have an Introduction,
Literature review, Methodology, Discussion,
Recommendation and Conclusion.
A report will have an introduction, a methods section, a
discussion and conclusion while an essay will have an
introduction (including a thesis statement), clear body
paragraphs with topic sentences, and a conclusion.
The writing should be coherent with logical progression
throughout, and cohesive, with the different parts of the
writing clearly connected.
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ii. EVIDENCE
Opinions and arguments should be supportive by
evidence. This may include the information from experts
in the field for which paraphrasing, summarizing, and
referencing skills will be important.
iii. CRITICAL
Academic writing should consider all sides of the issues
and avoid bias. It is important for academic writer to
show how strong their claims are e.g. By using hedges
such as “the evidence suggests” or boosters e.g clearly
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iv. PRECISE
Academic writing should be use clear and precise language to ensure
the reader understands the meaning. This includes the use of technical
i.e subject- specific) vocabulary.
v. OBJECTIVE
In academic writing emphasis is placed on the arguments and
information rather than on the writer. It tends to use noun/nouns
phrases more than verb/ adverbs as well as passive structures.
vi. FORMAL
Academic writing uses more formal language than everyday writing.
It tends to use longer words and more complex sentences while
avoiding contractions and informal words or expressions.
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ACADEMIC WRITING SKILLS
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Meaning.....
Academic writing skills are the traits taught while
writing essays for college or university that can be
useful in the workplace.
Academic writing involves communicating ideas
clearly and concisely and conveying arguments in
a logical and convincing manner.
The skills used in this kind of writing are
transferable to a range of workplace tasks, so
many employers look for these skills in
candidates.
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ACADEMIC WRITING SKILLS
i. Time management
Time management is a skill that's useful in many
situations, but it's especially important for
academic writing.
The ability to use time efficiently ensures you stay
organized and keep track of your deadlines,
which can make you feel more motivated and less
stressed.
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ii. Developing an argument
In an academic writing context, an argument doesn't
refer to a dispute between two parties but refers to a
claim justified and developed by evidence and
reasoning.
Developing and justifying an argument is an important
skill for communication as it helps others to understand
your perspective.
A well-developed argument is concise, clear and
persuasive. For your work to be effective, it's essential to
support your claims with evidence or logical reasoning.
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iii. Using correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
Ensuring your work has no grammar, punctuation or
spelling mistakes can help your writing be more clear
to avoid any misunderstandings.
There are many grammar and spellcheck tools you can
utilize, or you can ask a colleague or friend for
guidance.
Submitting error-free work is essential in many
industries. This can also build your attention to detail,
ensuring you produce more high-quality work and can
help you spot mistakes in other people's work.
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iv. Knowing your audience
An audience is any person or group of people who
read your content. In a workplace context, this
may refer to stakeholders or customers.
Writing to specific clients may involve changing
your tone to suit them. Communicating with
others within your organization may require subtle
differences depending on whom you're talking to.
Understanding what kind of tone to take can help
you build better relationships.
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v. Writing clearly and consistently
In academic writing, it's important to write in a clear and
consistent manner. Keeping your tone consistent can
improve the readability of your writing to ensure readers
understand what you're trying to say.
An essential factor to consider is the type of audience
you're writing for. For example, whether the reader is
likely to have relevant knowledge or technical expertise.
If you're writing a research paper for your peers, it can be
more appropriate to use complex technical terminology.
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vi. Organization and structure
Organization is essential in academic writing. In most
academic writing, you have a single logical point you're
trying to make which connects your work together.
Focusing on the main goals of your writing is the key to
developing effective structure and organization in your
writing.
This skill can help you understand how to focus your
work on the most relevant points that can help you pitch
products to customers, negotiate with professionals or
present ideas to senior management.
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vii. Research
Research is an important skill for academic writing that
you can improve through practice. Convincing arguments
require comprehensive research and understanding of a
topic, so good academic writers make sure that the
information they're using is accurate, clear and relevant
to the topic they're addressing.
Research also allows you to support any claims you make
with evidence. Deepening your understanding through
research is a skill that you can apply to many workplaces.
Understanding how to compare and verify sources can
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also help ensure you only use reliable information.
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IMPORTANCE OF ACADEMIC WRITING SKILLS
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Allows a student to convey their understanding
o When graduate students learn about complex topics, it
can be difficult at times to explain what they have learnt
or understood especially if they struggle with academic
writing .
o Essays provide a chance for the student to express what
they have learned using the right terminology and styles
to make the information easy to understand especially if
they are addressing an audience.
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Analytical thinking
o You become a critical thinker when you engage in academic
writing. You take information and communicate it in a way that
makes sense to the audience.
o The research will provide you with the information you need to
write a paper. However, you have the responsibility of analyzing
that information; have your opinion based on your findings.
o If you can analyze anything, skills stay with you for the rest of your
life.
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It focuses strongly on style and technique
o Academic writing focuses on style and technique as opposed to other
less formal types of writing. It tries to bring out ways in which
technique and style can convey ideas.
o If a student learns about the style and how to write essays early
enough, they will find it easy to write academic papers through
university.
o Some lectures prefer styles or formatting guidelines, which forces
students to consider these requirements and use them to come up
with a paper that will impress their instructor.
o Students can always ask for help with academic writing for graduate
students if they have problems with technique because, with
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guidance, it is solvable. 18/02/2024
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It enhances critical thinking and objectivity
o Students are not supposed to write a one-sided paper because it gives
no room for argument. Academic papers force them to look at all
ideas and research from a different prism, which is what they need to
get those good grades.
o Students must analyze theories from different perspectives and make
statements that anchor on their understanding. This skill is useful for
people to learn early enough.
o It is the ability to look at things objectively, and it’s something that
helps them a lot in life.
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Enhancing research skills
o With academic writing for graduate students, you enhance your
research skills. Researching transcends internet search when it
comes to academic writing.
o It can take time to research on a topic, gather data, and analyze every
piece of information you obtain. It is a fascinating journey as you get
to discover information that relates to your area of study.
o You develop critical thinking and form an informed opinion.
Research skills are not only important to a student but also a
professional researcher and writing an academic piece will require
this skill.
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Inculcates Work Ethic
o When it comes to academic writing, it enhances and inculcates
highest standards of work ethic. Learning work ethic is not crucial to
a student.
o It helps you when you are facing a topic never know to you before;
you can deal with it ethically, following all the rules of academic
writing. It involves a series of steps all of which take time and effort.
o Every student needs to understand that academic writing is a goal
that they can attain. It takes practice to become a good academic
writer. Put in more effort and waste no time in wanting to get better
your academic writing skills especially if you are a student.
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Enhancing professionalism
o Academic writing teaches a student to be a professional. It gives you
that good feeling when you write a paper in the best way possible
following all the instructions therein.
o It allows you to feel professional, which makes the entry to your
career easy.
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REFERENCE
Alexander, O., Argent, S. and Spencer, J. (2008) EAP Essentials: A
teacher's guide to principles and practice. Reading: Garnet Publishing
Ltd.
Cardiff Metropolitan University (n.d.) Academic Writing: Principles and
Practice. Available at:
https://study.cardiffmet.ac.uk/AcSkills/Documents/Guides/AS_Guid
e_Academic_Writing.pdf
Gillett, A. (n.d.) Features of academic writing. Available at:
http://www.uefap.com/writing/feature/featfram.htm
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Cont…
Staffordshire University (2020) Academic writing.
https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/ld.php?content_id=33103104
Staffordshire University (2021) Academic writing.
https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/academic_writing/explained
University of Leeds (2021) Academic writing.
https://library.leeds.ac.uk/info/14011/writing/106/academic_writing
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Thank you for listening
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