Learning Development Centre

Using an academic writing style

Using an Academic Writing Style

The first section of this guide will look at some basic dos and donts of academic writing. The second part is more concerned with thinking about the way you use language to develop and convey your ideas. Academic writing is formal rather than informal. In other words it: 1. avoids the use of emotive and subjective language: Emotive/Subjective language Smiths argument is simplistic Objective language It can be suggested that Smiths argument is not fully developed.

2. avoids the use of contractions and some forms of abbreviations. Use the full forms instead. Contractions and abbreviations Cant Didnt Theyre e.g. Full forms Cannot Did not They are For example

Learning Development Centre

Using an academic writing style

3. avoids the use of slang and colloquialisms. This includes contractions and emotive language and also expressions that are better suited to speech than writing. Slang/colloquialisms This is well out of order because Maslow put his finger on the problem when Accepted use This idea can be seen as unacceptable for two reasons. Maslow identified one possible issue with this approach when

The above examples of acceptable language use also highlight another important feature of academic writing. The expressions can be seen as and one possible issue are cautious expressions. This is important in academic writing because it shows that you are aware that many ideas and arguments are not the final word on an issue. Academic writing essays, journal articles, books - is an ongoing debate. One persons point of view may differ from another persons. An idea seen as true today may not be seen in the same way next week or next year. 4. avoids the use of personal pronouns I, we, you. This is not necessarily true for all subjects. You would need to check with your school to find out if they have a preference with this issue. Alternatively you could experiment with your sentence structure to avoid personal pronouns. Using personal pronouns I think that this can seem We found that I would argue that there are a number of possible reasons for this occurrence. Avoiding personal pronouns This can seem It was found that There are a number of possible reasons for this occurrence.

Learning Development Centre

Using an academic writing style

5. uses passive verbs rather than active verbs. As with personal pronouns this is not necessarily true for all subjects. It can also be dependent on what you want the sentence to focus on: Active verb Smith identified two causes for this. Passive verb Two causes for this were identified by Smith.

In the active verb sentence Smith is the focus. The two causes are the focus in the passive verb sentence. Scientific writing prefers passive verb structures rather than active verb structures. Developing an academic style As well as following the rules of formal Standard English academic writing also needs to be concise and clear. Avoiding unnecessary words and having a clear assignment structure will improve how your assignment reads. 1. Descriptive/Critical Writing One of the most frequent feedback comments from lecturers is that assignments are too descriptive and are pieces of descriptive writing not critical writing. This usually means the student has spent too much time (and too many words) describing something without including any analysis. Some description is necessary, it can help set the scene for the reader. On the other hand, being critical and analytical in your writing demonstrates your understanding of the topic.

Learning Development Centre

Using an academic writing style

Changing your writing from being descriptive to being critical and analytical involves examining the issues you are writing about. It involves using evidence to support the points being made and interpreting this evidence to develop your argument. With each paragraph you write it is useful to ask yourself: Why am I writing this? What point am I trying to make? If you are not trying to make a point or develop an argument you are probably writing descriptively. Drawing up an outline plan for your assignment is a useful strategy to use to keep your writing focused and critical. In your outline plan you can identify what the topic of each paragraph will be, what evidence you will use to support the paragraph and, most importantly, what point you are making in the paragraph. 2. Concise Writing Many assignments can suffer from being too wordy. This can result in information being difficult to follow. At the re-drafting stage of writing it is always worth asking yourself: Is the meaning of this sentence/paragraph clear? Can I improve the way I have written this sentence/paragraph? Have I used linking/transition words to assist the flow and structure of the assignment? Look at the following example of how to remove redundant words from a sentence.

Learning Development Centre

Using an academic writing style

Wordy writing Due to the fact that all the students were thinking about the assignment from their own different points of view, they were not able to reach a group consensus on what they were supposed to accomplish in the assigned task. (40 words)

Concise writing Because the students had different viewpoints on the assignment, they could not reach a consensus on their goal. (18 words)

Example taken from: Shulman, Myra. (2005). Strategies for Academic Writers. University of Michigan Press. Michigan.

The sentences convey the same information. But the concise sentence is much clearer and direct. In terms of word count the concise writing allows the student to develop the point being made or develop further points. 3. Using linking/transitional words Concise language use allows the reader to follow the flow of your assignment. Another useful strategy to employ is the use of linking and transitional words or phrases. Without linking/transition The human spinal column is an intricate and complex structure. The human back, the lower back especially, is susceptible to trouble. Back problems are one of the most common reasons for a visit to the doctor. With linking/transition The human spinal column is an intricate and complex structure. As a result, the human back, the lower back especially, is susceptible to trouble. Indeed, back problems are one of the most common reasons for a visit to the doctor.
Adapted from Soles, Derek (2005) (p66) The Academic Essay 2nd Ed. Bishop Lydeard. Studymates Limited.

Learning Development Centre

Using an academic writing style

As the above example demonstrates linking and transitional words and phrases help to develop a clear structure and sense of direction in your writing. For more examples and useful advice on developing linking skills visit: http://www.rlf.org.uk/fellowshipscheme/writing/planningandstructure/ParagraphsL inks.cfm Improving your academic writing style involves allowing time for this style to develop. Redrafting and editing your assignment is not a short, quick task to be completed the night before handing the assignment. You need time to ask yourself: What am I saying in this paragraph/section? Am I saying it in the clearest way possible? Do I need to add/remove anything to make it clearer? Your academic writing style will also need time to develop over the months and even years of your study. It is easy to view assignments as individual tasks about particular topics which get marked, graded and then filed away. It is far better to view them as stages in your continuing development, not just in terms of your subject knowledge but also in how you communicate that subject knowledge.

Learning Development Centre

Using an academic writing style

To help with this development it is good practice to reflect on and review your assignments once they have been returned to you. This involves not just looking at the assignment grade but also the comments of the lecturer. Equally important is for you to ask yourself: What can I take from this feedback to help me in the future? What can I take from my experience of writing this assignment to better prepare me for my next assignment? What will I do differently next time? An assignment whether its a report or essay is your contribution to the debates that take place in your discipline. As it is a written contribution you only have one chance to say things as clearly and accurately as possible.

Learning Development Centre

Using an academic writing style

References: Burns,Tom. & Sinfield, Sandra. (2006). Essential Study Skills, SAGE Publications Inc: London Cottrell, Stella. (2003). The Study Skills Handbook 2nd Edn. Palgrave-Macmillan: Basingstoke. Cottrell, Stella. (2005). Critical Thinking Skills. Palgrave-Macmillan: Basingstoke Greetham, Bryan. (2001). How to write better essays. Palgrave-Macmillan: Basingstoke Levin, Peter. (2004). Write great essays! Open University Press: Maidenhead Race, Phil. (2003). How to Study. Blackwell: Oxford Shulman, Myra. (2005). Strategies for Academic Writers. Michigan. University of Michigan Press. Soles, Derek (2005) (p66)The Academic Essay 2nd Ed. Bishop Lydeard. Studymates Limited. Useful web links: Aston University LDC www.aston.ac.uk/ldc - this is the LDC home page with links to the study skills materials and other useful sites. Learn Higher http://www.learnhigher.ac.uk/ - this link will give you access to numerous resources being developed by a number of universities in many different study areas. Open University http://www.open.ac.uk/openlearn/home.php - the OU have developed many online resources, including a section on Study Skills Royal Literary Fellowship http://www.rlf.org.uk/fellowshipscheme/writing/glossary.cfm - this link will open the RLF website which includes a number of additional links you may find useful. Write Now http://www.writenow.ac.uk/ - Aston University are part of the Write Now project, and the LSC provide student writing mentors through our work with Write Now.

Learning Development Centre

Using an academic writing style

The Learning Development Centre run a series of academic writing related workshop throughout the year. We can also offer you a personalised one-to-one tutorial or a small group tutorial.

For more information: Visit the Learning Development Centre (1st floor of the library) Telephone: 0121 204 3040 Email: ldc@aston.ac.uk Visit the LDC website at www.aston.ac.uk/ldc

Resources available in this series include: Approaches to assignment writing Developing academic reading Developing note-making skills Using an academic writing style How to avoid plagiarism Structuring your essay Tip sheet are available on: Presentation Skills Revision strategies Writing in examinations

Pick up a copy from the LDC or visit www.aston.ac.uk/ldc