Lesson 2.3: What Makes Writing Academic

Introduction

In this lesson, students will explore the distinctive features of academic writing. Writing is a crucial skill in academic settings, and understanding what makes writing academic is essential for success in further education. We will look at key characteristics of academic style, the differences between academic and informal writing, and how to adopt an impersonal voice. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to identify the features that make a text academic and apply this knowledge to your own writing.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the features of academic style: formality, objectivity, precision, and caution.
• Recognize and remove informal features: contractions, slang, and personal anecdotes.
• Understand the difference between academic writing and everyday or personal writing.
• Introduce the impersonal voice in academic writing.
• Identify the characteristics that define academic texts.

Features of Academic Style

Academic writing has several key features that distinguish it from other forms of writing. These include formality, objectivity, precision, and caution.

Formality

Formality in writing refers to the use of standard language that avoids colloquialisms, slang, and overly casual expressions. Academic writing typically employs a more sophisticated vocabulary and structure.

Example of Formal vs. Informal Language

• Informal: "I think this is a good idea."
• Formal: "It can be asserted that this proposal is advantageous."

Exercises

1. Convert the following informal sentences into formal academic writing:

• "A lot of people believe that..."
• "You can see that this proves..."

Objectivity

Objective writing presents facts and information without personal bias or emotional language. It emphasizes evidence-based arguments rather than personal opinions.

Example of Objective Language

• Subjective: "In my opinion, climate change is a serious problem."
• Objective: "Studies indicate that climate change poses significant threats to global ecosystems."

Common Misconception

Many students believe that personal anecdotes can strengthen an argument; however, in academic writing, they can undermine the objectivity of the text. Always rely on data, facts, and credible sources.

Precision

Precision refers to using specific language that conveys exact meanings. Ambiguity and generalizations can lead to misunderstandings and weaken the argument.

Example

• Vague: "Some factors contribute to success."
• Precise: "Research has identified three key factors that contribute to academic success: time management, study habits, and access to resources."

Exercise

Revise the following vague statement to make it more precise:

• "Many students struggle with issues in their studies."

Caution

Caution in academic writing involves making claims carefully, often using hedging language to acknowledge uncertainty. This reflects the complexity of research and the need for further investigation.

Example

• Direct Claim: "This drug will cure cancer."
• Cautious Claim: "Preliminary research suggests that this drug may have potential in the treatment of cancer."

Recognizing and Removing Informal Features

In academic writing, it is crucial to identify and eliminate informal features that may undermine the credibility and seriousness of your work. These include: contractions, slang, and personal anecdotes.

Contractions

Contractions are shortened forms of words that are commonly used in casual conversation. In academic writing, it is best to write out words fully.

Example of Contractions

• Informal: "I don't think this is right."
• Formal: "I do not believe that this is accurate."

Slang

Slang is informal language that may not be universally understood. Avoid using slang to ensure clarity and formality.

Example of Slang

• Informal: "The results were pretty cool."
• Formal: "The results were significant."

Personal Anecdotes

Using personal anecdotes can make writing feel too subjective. Academic writing should be grounded in research and evidence rather than personal experiences.

Example of Personal Anecdote

• Informal: "When I was in school, I struggled a lot."
• Formal: "Research indicates that many students experience difficulties in academic settings."

The Difference Between Academic and Everyday Writing

Understanding the differences between academic writing and personal or everyday writing is essential. While the former is structured, objective, and formal, everyday writing can be subjective, casual, and unstructured.

Characteristics of Academic Writing

1. Structure: Academic writing follows a specific structure with clear introductions, bodies, and conclusions.
2. Evidence-based: Arguments must be supported by evidence from credible sources.
3. Impersonal tone: The focus is on the subject matter rather than the writer's personal opinions.

Characteristics of Everyday Writing

1. Casual tone: Everyday writing often employs informal language and personal perspectives.
2. Loose structure: There may be little adherence to formal structure or organization.
3. Subjectivity: Writers often express personal views and emotions.

Introduction to the Impersonal Voice

The impersonal voice is crucial in academic writing as it removes subjective bias and focuses on the information being presented. This approach places emphasis on research and analysis rather than personal experience.

Implementing the Impersonal Voice

To adopt an impersonal voice in your writing:

• Eliminate first-person pronouns (I, we) from your text.
• Use passive constructions or third-person perspective.

Example

• Personal Voice: "I found that the experiment produced unexpected results."
• Impersonal Voice: "The experiment yielded unexpected results."

Conclusion

In this lesson, students learned about the critical features of academic writing: formality, objectivity, precision, and caution. Additionally, we examined informal features to be recognized and removed, explored the key differences between academic and everyday writing, and introduced the concept of the impersonal voice. The skills and insights gained from this lesson will serve as the foundation for producing clear and effective academic writing in the future.

Study Notes

• Academic writing requires formality, objectivity, precision, and caution.
• Informal features to avoid include contractions, slang, and personal anecdotes.
• Understand the clear differences between academic and everyday writing styles.
• The impersonal voice is essential for maintaining objectivity and clarity.
• Always support claims with evidence and maintain a structured approach.