MAIN TYPES OF ACADEMIC WRITING

In many academic texts you will need to use more than one type. For example, in an empirical thesis:
 you will use critical writing in the literature review to show where there is a gap or opportunity in the
existing research
 the methods section will be mostly descriptive to summarize the methods used to collect and analyze
information
 the results section will be mostly descriptive and analytical as you report on the data you collected,
 the discussion section is more analytical, as you relate your findings back to your research questions, and also
persuasive, as you propose your interpretations of the findings.

MAIN TYPES
OF ACADEMIC PURPOSE EXAMPLES
WRITING
The simplest type of academic writing is descriptive. Its The kinds of instructions for a purely descriptive
purpose is to provide facts or information. An example assignment include: 'identify', 'report', 'record',
Descriptive would be a summary of an article or a report of the 'summarize' and 'define'.
results of an experiment.
Analytical writing includes descriptive writing, but also The kinds of instructions for an analytical
requires you to re-organize the facts and information you assignment include: 'analyze', 'compare',
describe into categories, groups, parts, types or 'contrast', 'relate', and 'examine'.
Analytical relationships.
In comparing two theories, it might break comparison
into several parts, for example: how each theory deals
with social context, how each theory deals with language
learning, and how each theory can be used in practice.
In most academic writing, you are required to go at least Points of view in academic writing can include
one step further than analytical writing, to persuasive an argument, recommendation, interpretation of
Persuasive writing. Persuasive writing has all the features of findings or evaluation of the work of others. In
analytical writing with the addition to the own point of persuasive writing, each claim you make needs
 view. Most essays are persuasive, and there is a to be supported by some evidence, for example a
persuasive element in at least the discussion and reference to research findings or published
conclusion of a research article. sources.
Logic and reason are used to prove that a certain idea is
more plausible or legitimate than another.
Critical writing requires you to consider at least two Examples of critical writing assignments include
points of view, including your own while persuasive a critique of a journal article, or a literature
Critical writing requires you to have your own point of view on review that identifies the strengths and
an issue or topic weaknesses of existing research. The kinds of
instructions for critical writing include:
'critique', 'debate', 'disagree' and 'evaluate'.

Examples of academic paper genres include:

→ Book reviews
→ Critique papers Reaction Paper- response or reaction
→ Essays Review Paper- critical
→ Movie analysis assessment/evaluation of a work
→ Reports Critique Paper- provide detailed analysis
→ Research papers

Types of writing:
 Expository
 Descriptive
 Persuasive
 Narrative
CHARACTERISTICS OF ACADEMIC WRITING
Characteristic Dos Don’ts Examples
Clear and Use simple, direct and specific Do not use vague, complex or Don’t: The results of this study are
precise language that accurately ambiguous language that very interesting and important.
language focuses on facts, evidence, and may confuse or mislead Do: This study reveals that X has
logical reasoning. readers. a positive effect on Y in Z context.
Formal and Use formal, objective language. Do not use emoticons, slang, Don’t: The study was a flop. We
objective Maintain a neutral tone, one contractions, or didn’t get any useful data.
language that is authoritative and abbreviations that may Do: The experiment failed to
unbiased, reinforcing the sound casual or too produce any valid, reliable data.
credibility of the research subjective for scholarly
presented. audiences.
Evidence and Use evidence-based data to Do not rely on your own Don’t: Many people believe that
citations support claims. This can be opinions or assumptions climate change is a hoax.
drawn from credible sources like without providing proper Do: According to a survey
research studies, books, sources or references that conducted by Pew Research
journals, and expert opinions can verify or challenge your Center in 2019, 16% of Americans
that can prove the validity of research findings. think that there is no evidence for
your findings. global warming.
Original, Use original and authentic Do not use other’s content Don’t: In this study, I will argue
authentic content that reflects your own without referencing the that bees are vital for nature. (This
well- research and contribution to source. statement is from:
presented your field. It should be free of https://www.unep org/news-and-
content errors in grammar, stories/ story/why-bees-are-
punctuation, and spelling. essential-people-and-planet)
Do: As the UNEP 2019 IPBES
report reveals, bees are essential to
people and the planet.