Introduction To Academic

Writing
Effective Academic Writing
Audience and Tone
Adapted from: Harris B Leonhard, Discoveries in Academic Writing,
Thomson Heinle Publishers, 2002

Learning Outcomes
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

define academic writing

identify the differences between personal and
academic writing
identify the characteristics of effective academic
writing
apply appropriate tone for related audience

Academic Writing

What is academic writing?

Personal writing versus academic writing
Effective academic writing
Organization
Audience and tone

What is Academic Writing?

A generic term for all writing done in high

school and college classes.

In academic writing, emphasis is placed on

formal structure and organization.

Academic Writing

Academic writing is different from creative

writing used in stories.

Academic writing also differs from writing

used in personal writing such as letters to
friends, family members.

Academic Writing

In academic writing, the words and grammar

and the way of organizing ideas are probably
different from what you are used to in other
types of writing.

Elements such and as format, sentence

structure and organization are essential in
academic writing.
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Academic Writing vs Personal Writing

In academic writing, formal sentences are

written. Abbreviations, slangs, contractions are
not allowed. Complete sentences are written in
an organized manner.

However, in personal writing, sentences are

informal and abbreviations, slangs,
contractions and incomplete sentences are
allowed.
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PERSONAL WRITING vs ACADEMIC WRITING

Features of Personal Writing:
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Purpose: communicate with close and personal

members on any issue/matter.
Your knowledge of topic: subjective depending
on the purpose of writing.
Audience: personal acquaintance who may have
varying degrees of knowledge on the topic.
Criteria for evaluation: informal, simple
sentences.
Statistical and graphic support: almost none.
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PERSONAL WRITING vs ACADEMIC

WRITING
Features of Academic Writing:
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Purpose: demonstrating what you know about

the topic, in a way that justifies a high grade.
Your knowledge of topic: less than the teacher
who evaluates the writing.
Audience: teacher who requests the assignment
and who will read it from beginning to the end.
Criteria for evaluation: organization, depth,
logic, clarity, unity and grammar.
Statistical and graphic support: Sometimes
used to explain and persuade.
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Differences between Personal and Academic Writing

Personal
(Informal/Colloquial)

Academic
(Formal/Technical)

Audience

close friends and family

professors, lecturers

Tone

informal, friendly

formal, objective, serious

Vocabulary

slang, idioms, contracted forms

academic, wide range, concise, accurate

Style

simple or compound sentences

simple, compound, complex sentences,

sentence variety

Language

fragments, run-on sentences,

misspellings, punctuation errors

few, should have no errors

Content

conversational, maybe repetitive

depth of thought, unified

Organization maybe less structured than

clear, coherent, well planned

formal writing
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Effective Academic Writing

Three major characteristics:

convincing content
clear organization
effective use of the language

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Effective Academic Writing:

Convincing Content

The content is informative and thoughtprovoking.

use specific and logical details, examples, facts,

statistics and case studies to support generalizing.

The support is relevant.

the support relates directly to the thesis and should

not digress away from the main point.
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Effective Academic Writing:

Convincing Content (contd)

The content shows depth of thought.

shows elements of critical thinking

analysis of information
interpretation of facts
making judgments
drawing conclusions
summarizing
defending opinions

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Effective Academic Writing:

Convincing Content (contd)

The writer must have a clear purpose and strong

control over the content.
the message is clear, logical and to the point.

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Effective Academic Writing:

Clear Organization
Most academic writing in English is linear:
Preliminaries (introduction)
Main text (body)
End matter (conclusion)

it starts at the beginning and finishes at the end,

with every part contributing to the main line of
argument, without digression or repetition.

ensure clear argument and presentation of points

so that reader can follow the thoughts of the writer.
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Effective Academic Writing:

Clear Organization

Two approaches used in academic writing: deductive

and inductive approach

Deductive: Generalization is stated first followed by

supporting details and facts.

Inductive: Supporting details stated first followed

by generalization.

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Effective Academic Writing:

Clear Organization

Organization on the Rhetorical Level:

narration
description
definition
process
classification
comparison
cause effect
argumentation
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Effective Academic Writing:

Effective Use of English Language

Sentences must be clearly written.

Include subject-verb agreement, spelling,
punctuation.
Style
Use complex and compound-complex sentences.
Avoid too many simple sentences and frequent use
of conjunctions such as for, and, nor, but, or, yet and
so.
Use a wide vocabulary range.
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Effective Academic Writing

Audience and Tone

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Effective Academic Writing:

Audience
Importance of Audience

In academic writing, writers need to consider who

their readers/audience are.
An important feature is the control of audience and
tone (formality).
Correct level of formality helps writers connect with
the audience.
(eg with friends informal language indicates close
relationship)
(eg with lecturers formal language indicates respect)
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Effective Academic Writing:

Audience
When planning to write, consider the following
factors:
Identify Audience

1.

Audiences age, gender, social status, level of education,

special interest or needs, profession, cultural or racial
background, feelings and attitudes, or relationship.

Purpose/Occasion

2.

Fulfilling an academic assignment, completing essay test,

getting a scholarship

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Effective Academic Writing:

Tone

Importance of Tone

Expression of an attitude in your writing

Objective
Persuasive
Enthusiastic
Serious

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Effective Academic Writing:

Tone
Objective language: Language used in formal report
present data.
Example:
a. A hazard exists if contact is made with this part
while it is whirling.

b. Warning. Turn off all power before you remove

the cover. The blade underneath could slice off
your fingers!
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Effective Academic Writing:

Tone
Persuasive language: Language used in formal proposal
for thesis or final year project.
Example:
The purpose of this study is to discover a more efficient
way to produce hydrocarbons. The financial support for
this study will benefit many users. The researchers will
be able to investigate the problems comprehensively

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Effective Academic Writing:

Tone
Enthusiastic language: Writing in favor of a particular
subject for possible recommendation or acceptance.
Example: sharing a new finding with intended readers
Example:
The discovery of medicinal properties in this bacteria
will eradicate Alzheimers Disease. This is a very
important and exciting discovery in the world of
medicine.

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Effective Academic Writing:

Tone
Serious language: Language used to convey the
seriousness of an event/item or a discovery.
Example:
Our study has shown that if we do not recycle, natural
resources will be depleted in 2010 and planet Earth will
be barren. This will cause economic and environmental
disasters.

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The End

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