Academic Writing: An Overview

A. What is Academic Writing?

Academic writing encompasses the expression of logical ideas, views, thoughts, and
perceptions across various topics. It is a crucial skill for success in academic endeavors,
involving critical thinking, self-regulation, and reflection to produce high-quality written
discourse. Effective strategies such as planning, monitoring, and evaluating performance are
essential in this process. Academic writing demonstrates one's ability to meet academic
expectations, reflect intellectual capabilities, employ higher-order thinking skills, analyze and
synthesize ideas, communicate knowledge effectively, and apply techniques to express
thoughts and views.
B. Tips for Understanding the Importance of Writing:

Adjusting Your Thought Processes & Perspectives:

Develop a mindset conducive to independent thinking (become more involved in questioning
what you hear and read ).
Cultivate competency in skills introduced in composition courses. I and II

Learn about Writing Styles in Your Subject Area:

Understand the formal approach (structures) and vocabulary expected at the university level
(formal style and vocabulary).
Scrutinize writing to align with academic standards.

Understand Writing Expectations for Professional Life:

Prepare for writing demands in professional settings.
Study professional material ( journals, reports or printed publicity) to anticipate expectations.

Directive Questions for Academic Paper Writing:

Assess knowledge and understanding of the topic.
Consider context, historical, and cultural influences.
Identify genre-specific elements (Does my topic belong to any particular genre or category of
topics?).
Prioritize important points and their relevance.
Reflect on gaps in knowledge and strategies for further research.

Tips on the Writing Process

I. The Stages of the Writing Process:

Discovery Stage: Prewriting
Think critically and creatively to explore ideas before writing.
Working on generating ideas which helps finding and developing a focus and relate ideas
during this stage.

Analyzing and Ordering Stage: Creating a Thesis and an Outline

Develop a trial thesis to test the focus of your writing.
Analyze the significance of your writing (essay/ research paper) to your audience (students,
academics, professors) and finalize your thesis.
Create an outline based on your thesis to structure your writing.

Writing Stage: Drafting

Write the first draft, expanding the outline into full sentences.
Focus on clarity and coherence of ideas.
Implement effective sentence structures.
Be prepared to revise and rewrite (write at least two drafts).

Revising Stage: Polishing Ideas and Sentences

Revise content for clarity, coherence, and relevance.
Proofread for errors and refine sentences.
Allocate sufficient time for this crucial stage (well structed ideas).

II. Some Techniques for Limiting the Topic:

Effective writing requires limiting the scope of the topic.

Narrow down broad topics to specific and manageable ones.
Use brainstorming to identify specific aspects or perspectives of the topic.
Ask critical questions (Who, What, Why, When, Where) to narrow down the topic further. If
those questions do not help you narrow your topic sufficiently, proceed to the next step.
Use analytical questions to delve deeper into the topic and make connections.
How did this come to be? What are the causes/ reasons/motives? What are the results?
What is the value? What do you think will interest your readers/readership? What information
can you find regarding your subject? What part of this topic interests me the most?
Is there a certain perspective from which I want to view this topic? Would I like to learn more
about a specific issue concerning this topic?

Examples of broad subjects versus limited subjects:

Pollution → Noise pollution
Parenthood → Being a single parent

Limiting a topic and developing a thesis requires the implementation of critical thinking and
reasoning skills:
Limited/Narrowe Working Thesis
General/Broad
d Topic (Limited Topic +
Topic
Viewpoint on It)
Families Single parents Single parents face continual challenges.
Money Employment insurance Collecting E.I. can be humiliating.
Techniques of Writing: Varying Sentence Structure & Length

A. What Is Sentence Structure?

Sentence structure refers to how words, phrases, and clauses are arranged in a sentence. In
academic writing, adhering to sentence structure rules is crucial for clarity and conveying
ideas effectively and to keep your readers highly interested and engaged.

B. Types of Sentence Structure

(Sentence structure refers to the syntactic form and nature of a sentence and how the
elements of that sentence are presented. )
Simple Sentence: Contains one independent clause (e.g., "The Australian government
introduced an official carbon tax on 1 July 2012.")
Compound Sentence: Comprises two independent clauses joined by a coordinating
conjunction (e.g., "The Australian government introduced an official carbon tax on 1 July
2012, but this was met with opposition from the general public.")
Complex Sentence: Consists of an independent clause and a dependent clause (e.g., "As
the Australian government recognized the necessity to significantly reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, it introduced an official carbon tax on 1 July 2012.")
Compound-Complex Sentence: Contains more than one independent clause and one or
more dependent clauses (e.g., "As the Australian government recognized the necessity to
significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it introduced an official carbon tax on 1 July
2012, but this was met with opposition from the general public.")

Varying sentence structure and length enhances reader engagement and

comprehension. Sentences which have the same format and length cannot
catch the reader’s attention or create suspense, and can grow monotonous for
readers. Obviously, Varying sentence style and structure can also minimize
repetition and place strong emphasis on typical ideas and thoughts, enriches
the style of your writing and the way in which you voice your thoughts.

C. Varying Sentence Structure in Your Writing

the major elements that should be varied while composing an academic written piece of
work are as follows:
● Sentence length
● Sentence structure
● Sentence type
● Sentence opening
● Sentence ending
● Vocabulary
● Transition words
● Combining Short Sentences: Use short sentences judiciously to convey ideas
efficiently.
● Incorporating Sentences of Varying Lengths: Achieve a balanced mix of sentence
lengths to avoid monotony.
● Varying Sentence Openings & Endings: Avoid repetitive openings and endings to
maintain reader interest and comprehension.
In summary, varying sentence structure and length is crucial for effective academic writing. It
promotes clarity, engagement, and readability, making the written discourse more
compelling and sophisticated.

Writer's Block: Methods, Strategies, & Advice

Introduction:
"Writer's Block" refers to the writer's inability to produce written content, a common
experience for writers. Overcoming this state requires various methods, strategies,
and advice tailored to individual preferences and needs.

Methods:

Free Writing: Write without editing to overcome mental barriers.

Brainstorming Techniques: Use mapping, outlining, or listing ideas to stimulate
creativity.
Note Cards: Organize ideas using a personalized system.(what works for you)
Generate-Edit Cycle: Alternate between writing and editing to enhance productivity.
Word-Idea Generation: Shift between expressing thoughts and developing ideas
iteratively.(shift from what you wand to say to which one doesn’t matter)
Strategies:
Take Breaks: Step away from the first draft for a fresh perspective.
Embrace Emotion: Allow yourself to express feelings freely, refining them later.
Set Deadlines: Create deadlines to motivate progress.
Simplify Language: Cut wordy phrases to convey ideas more effectively.
Advice:
Trust Instincts: Follow your intuition in the writing process.
No Right or Wrong: Understand there's no definitive method for writing.
Accept Imperfection: Don't be discouraged or disappointed by initial drafts;
improvement comes with practice.
Explore Ideas: Don't shy away from unconventional thoughts; writing is an
exploratory process.
Separate Writing from Editing: Prioritize writing over editing to maintain creative
flow.
Patience for Improvement: Recognize that progress in writing takes time.
Avoid Rushing: Allow sufficient time for quality writing.
Read Widely: Read extensively to learn from diverse writing styles and techniques.

Overcoming Writer's Block: Tips and Strategies (youtube video)

Understanding Writer's Block:

 ● Writer's block is a psychological inhibition that hinders the completion of
writing tasks.
● It's important to differentiate between temporary difficulties in completing a
specific project and the chronic, characterological nature of writer's block.

Causes of Writer's Block:

Performance Anxiety: Fear of not meeting high expectations or receiving approval.

Early Childhood Dynamics: Past experiences of excessive praise or criticism
affecting the need for approval.
Reluctance to Assume Authority: Discomfort with the authoritative nature of writing
and self-expression.

Tips and Approaches:

Break Your Habits: Challenge routine writing habits by changing your environment or
method of writing to break free from feeling trapped.
Write About Writer's Block: Take a meta-textual approach by writing about your
struggles with writer's block to gain insight into your emotions and barriers.
Avoid Using the Term "Writer's Block": Refrain from labeling yourself as a victim of
writer's block to regain control over your writing process and avoid reinforcing
negative beliefs.

Conclusion:

● Writer's block is a symptom of underlying emotional issues rather than the

root cause.
● The tips provided can serve as temporary relief, but addressing the root
causes may require deeper psychological exploration with a professional.
● Remember, the inability to write is not a reflection of your abilities as a writer,
and with time and effort, you can overcome writer's block and continue your
creative journey.

Introduction to Research

I. The Difference Between an Essay and a Research Paper

Essay: Major Characteristics:

Incorporates the writer's viewpoint.
Typically short with about five paragraphs.
May not require an extensive understanding of the topic.
 Familiarity with other research or writing may or may not be necessary.
Helps develop writing skills.
Various types include academic, narrative, and philosophical.
Writer presents thoughts logically with organization and coherence.
there are different Types of Essays, Academic, narrative, and philosophical essays are
common, each serving distinct purposes.

Academic essays at collegiate levels often entail a literature review, which evaluates,
summarizes, and clarifies relevant information.
Writers tailor their content to the intended audience and purpose of the essay.
Essays should be structured, coherent, and backed by appropriate facts and examples.
Meant to be brief and focused on the writer's ideas, requiring precision and clarity.
Research Paper: Major Characteristics:
● Involves exploring and presenting others' viewpoints alongside the writer's insights.
● Typically longer than essays, allowing for in-depth exploration of the topic.
● Demands thorough research to grasp the topic comprehensively.
● Familiarity with Research Writing: Writers need familiarity with research literature
related to the chosen topic.
● Offers an opportunity for writers to deepen their understanding of a subject.
● Writers compare various sources and provide a comprehensive overview of findings.
● Includes comparison and contrast, argumentation, analysis, cause and effect, and
subject-based research papers.
● Writers conduct meticulous research, document findings, and interpret information.
● Relies on the information gathered during research as the basis for the paper.
● Requires critical thinking to evaluate and analyze each piece of information before
inclusion.
● Writers restructure and present the topic from their perspective, incorporating
citations to support their analysis.

II. Sections of an Academic Research Paper:

Introduction: Clearly states the purpose, hypothesis, research questions, and thesis
statement.
Abstract: States the principal objectives and scope of the investigation, summarizes
objectives, methods, results, and conclusions in under 250 words.
Review of Literature: Examines existing research on the topic, including search
methodology.
Methodology: Describes key terms, research instruments, and procedures used in
conducting the study.
Results: Reports findings, often including tables and figures.
Discussion: This is the main body of the paper, the section for reporting findings, sharing
thoughts and analysis of the results.
Conclusions: Presents conclusions supported by the data, reflecting the original purpose of
the paper outlined in the introduction and posing further research questions.
References: Lists relevant studies, ideally including both older and current literature.
Abbreviations: Provides a list of shortened terms used in the paper.
Tables and Figures: Organize data or illustrate material from the research.
Appendix: Contains supplementary material such as research data or multimedia sources,
added at the end of the paper.

III. Key Points on the Research Paper Thesis Statement:

1. General yet concise.

2. Specific and guiding for the paper.
3. May serve multiple purposes.
4. Must be supported by quality research.
5. Subject to revision as the paper progresses.
6. might have to be revised or replaced by the time the paper is finished.

IV. Researchable Topics:

● Researchable topics...
● Investigatable through data collection and analysis.(does not have to be numbers)
● Theoretical or practical significance.
● Ethically conducted.
● Contribute to knowledge and practice.
● Feasible within researcher's expertise, resources, and time constraints.
● Personally interesting to the researcher.

● Non-Researchable Topics:
● Address philosophical or ethical issues.
● Cannot be resolved through data analysis.
● Deal with subjective "should" questions. Ex: Should competitive games be banned
from elementary schools?

Definition of Research & Its Major Steps

I. Definition of Research:

Research is a systematic process aimed at gathering data and information to advance

knowledge. Scientific research, in particular, emphasizes objectivity and thorough analysis to
reach conclusions. This process is fundamental across various research methods, including
scientific inquiry, evaluation research, or action research. Documentation of the study is
essential for transparency and peer review, ensuring adherence to the scientific research
process. The scientific research process comprises multiple interconnected steps,
necessitating a comprehensive review if changes are made to any step to maintain
coherence throughout the process.

II. Major Steps in Academic Research:

Step 1: Identify the Problem:

Determine a research problem or develop a question to serve as the study's focus.
The problem may arise from identified issues, required knowledge, or trends in a field.
Step 2: Review the Literature:
Explore existing literature related to the research problem.
Gain foundational knowledge, understand past studies, methodologies, and conclusions in
the problem area.

Step 3: Clarify the Problem:

Refine and narrow down the research problem based on insights from the literature review.
Ensure the problem's scope is manageable and specific, avoiding broad topics.(therefore,
the problem and purpose of the study must be more clearly defined.)

Step 4: Clearly Define Terms & Concepts:

Define key terms and concepts used in the study's purpose statement or description.
Minimize ambiguity by providing precise definitions tailored to the study's context.
By defining the terms or concepts more narrowly, the scope of the study is more
manageable for the programmer, making it easier to collect the necessary data for the study.
This also makes the concepts more understandable to the reader.

Step 5: Define the Population:

Specify the group or population to be studied, considering demographics, characteristics, or
settings. The research problem and the purpose of the study assist the researcher in
identifying the group to involve in the study.
Narrowing down the population ensures a focused study and applicable results.

Step 6: Develop the Instrumentation Plan:

Create a detailed plan outlining study procedures, participant involvement (who will
participate in the study; how, when, and where), data collection methods, and content of the
program.
The instrumentation plan acts as a roadmap for the study, ensuring systematic execution.

Step 7: Collect Data:

Initiate data collection according to the instrumentation plan.
Gather data through various means such as surveys, questionnaires, observations, or
literature sources.

Step 8: Analyze the Data:

Analyze collected data based on the predefined plan.
Summarize findings and interpret results in relation to the research questions.

Outlining a Research Paper (handout)

Major Types of Research Paper Outlines: Topic Outline & Sentence
Outline (handout)
Lit review