1.4: Academic Writing- what it is and isn’t
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Using Academic Style Writing
Another higher level skill you will be practicing in college is academic writing style. This is a form of professional writing used in academia to improve comprehension and consistency across disciplines.
Academic writing is different from online writing in blogs, posts, or magazine articles. Writing in college means you will follow certain conventions and formats. You will also use is formal language, which usually uses third person and prefers active tense.
First of all, you will follow conventions of academia. This is to ensure consistency. You will know what to explect when you get a writing assignment or when you read academic articles.
The conventions of academic language are described by educator and author Andrea Lunsford as:*
- Writing prepared for publication.
- Clear pattern of organization.
- Logical progression of ideas.
- Credible evidence to support ideas.
- Other perspectives.
- Clear, direct style.
- Discipline-appropriate conventions.
- Citations and format that accurately follow guidelines.
- Formal or professional language (see chart below).
*Borrowed from Everyone’s an Author by Andrea Lunsford
In addition to using these conventions, you will use formal language.
Some people think academic writing means using big words and long sentences. This isn't necessarily the case. For example, sometimes students will use a thesaurus to find fancy synonyms for regular words. Often, when they do this, the words they choose do not mean the same thing as the original. There may a slight difference in meaning or include unintended connotations. It is better to use the vocabulary you know. If you want to improve your vocabulary so you know more fancy words, read a lot. Then using a bigger number of words will come naturally.
| Informal Language vs Formal Language | |
| Formal | Informal |
| Third person. | First, second, or third person. |
| Precise words used. | Vague wording. |
| Clear, direct sentences. | Sentences that ramble or change directions. |
| Complete sentences. | Comma splices, run-ons, and fragments used. |
| Only necessary phrases and clauses. | Phrases or clauses linked together. |
| No contractions. | Contractions used. |
| Specialized or shared language used. | Informal, colloquial, or slang used. |
Sometimes, you may get an assignment where informal language is acceptable. Your instructor usually indicates when this is the case.
In general, assume you should use academic conventions and formal language. If you are not sure, read the assignment carefully to see if the answer is in the instructions. If not, you should consult the syllabus before asking your instructor.
Works Cited
Lunsford, Andrea et al. "Meeting the Demands of Academic Language." Everyone's an Author, 2nd edition, W.W. Norton Company, pp 45-52.