Lesson 12.2: Academic Writing: Register, Structure and Argument

Introduction

Welcome to Lesson 12.2 of your Foundation Criminology course! 🎓 In this lesson, we will dive into the vital aspects of academic writing, which you'll need for your research and studies in criminology. The ability to articulate your thoughts clearly and persuasively is essential in the field of criminology.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand the formal academic register, including objectivity, hedging, caution, and the academic voice.
• Structure an essay with an introduction, clearly signposted body paragraphs, and a well-defined conclusion.
• Build a thesis statement and create a sustained, evidence-based argument.
• Implement effective paragraphing techniques, including point, evidence, explanation, and link.
• Recognize the differences between description, analysis, and evaluation in criminology essays.

The Formal Academic Register

Objectivity in Writing

Academic writing requires a formal tone that maintains objectivity. This means avoiding personal opinions or subjective language. Instead, you should present facts and support your arguments with evidence.

Example: Instead of saying, "I think crime rates are rising due to social media," you could write, "Research indicates that there is a correlation between rising crime rates and the proliferation of social media platforms."

Hedging and Caution

Hedging is an essential skill in academic writing. It helps you present your arguments while acknowledging the complexity of certain issues. Phrases like "may suggest," "could be interpreted as," or "it appears that" demonstrate a cautious approach to your statements.

Example: Instead of writing, "The new policy will reduce crime," a more cautious statement would be, "The new policy may contribute to a reduction in crime rates."

The Academic Voice

Developing an academic voice involves using formal language and specialized vocabulary relevant to criminology. Avoid colloquialisms and overly casual expressions.

Example: Instead of saying, "The cops caught the bad guys," you might state, "Law enforcement successfully apprehended the suspects involved in the criminal activity."

Essay Structure

Introduction

Every academic essay should have a clear introduction. This section lays the foundation for your argument and includes your thesis statement. Your thesis should present your main argument in a concise manner.

Example Thesis: "The increase in juvenile crime rates is largely influenced by socio-economic factors, suggesting the need for comprehensive social reform."

Body Paragraphs

In the body of your essay, each paragraph should focus on a single point that supports your thesis. Use the PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) structure for each paragraph:

1. Point: State your main idea.
2. Evidence: Provide evidence to support this point, such as statistics or quotes.
3. Explanation: Explain how the evidence relates to your argument.
4. Link: Connect this point back to your thesis or the next paragraph.

Example Paragraph:

• Point: Socio-economic factors contribute significantly to juvenile crime.
• Evidence: A study by the National Institute of Justice (2020) found that children from low-income families are three times more likely to engage in criminal activities than their peers from higher-income families.
• Explanation: This statistic highlights the direct correlation between economic hardship and juvenile delinquency.
• Link: Therefore, addressing socio-economic disparities is crucial to reducing juvenile crime rates.

Conclusion

Your conclusion should summarize your main findings and restate your thesis, emphasizing the significance of your argument. Avoid introducing new information in this section.

Example Conclusion: "In conclusion, addressing the socio-economic factors affecting youth is imperative for reducing juvenile crime rates. Future policies must focus on sustainable changes that enhance the quality of life for these communities."

Building a Thesis and Argument

A strong thesis is the backbone of your essay. It should be specific, debatable, and take a stance on a significant issue related to criminology.

Crafting Your Thesis

To craft a solid thesis statement, consider the following formula:

good thesis: [claim] + [reason(s)]

Example: "Implementing community policing strategies will reduce crime rates in urban areas because it fosters trust between law enforcement and residents."

Sustained Evidence-Based Arguments

When building your argument, always rely on evidence. Use statistics, case studies, and scholarly articles to back up your claims. This not only strengthens your argument but also enhances your credibility.

Example Argument: "Community-oriented strategies have been shown to lower crime. According to Smith et al. (2019), cities that adopted community policing reported a 20% decrease in crime within five years."

Description, Analysis, and Evaluation

In criminology essays, it’s important to distinguish between description, analysis, and evaluation:

• Description: Simply stating facts without interpretation.

Example: "The crime rate in City A increased by 10% last year."

• Analysis: Interpreting the facts to show patterns or trends.

Example: "The increase in City A's crime rate may be linked to unemployment rates rising in the same period."

• Evaluation: Making judgments based on the analysis.

Example: "The rise in crime in City A suggests that local authorities need to implement job creation programs to address the root cause of crime."

Conclusion

In this lesson, we explored the critical aspects of academic writing in criminology. You learned about the academic register, how to structure your essays, and the importance of crafting a strong thesis supported by solid arguments. Remember, effective academic writing is essential for communicating your thoughts and research accurately and persuasively.

Study Notes

• Use an objective tone in academic writing.
• Remember to hedge your statements for caution.
• Structure your essays with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Follow the PEEL structure for paragraph development.
• Distinguish between description, analysis, and evaluation in your arguments.