A brief guidline to write academically.

1. ARE YOU READY TO
WRITE AN ACADEMIC
PAPER ?

2. WHAT IS ACADEMIC WRITING?
 Academic writing can be defined as a form of expository
prose which should be precise, semi-formal, impersonal,
and objective.
 Academic writing is the process of breaking down ideas
in order to increase one’s understanding about a
particular thing.
 Use of deductive reasoning - Stating the thesis (main
idea) early and then following with supporting examples
and details, so as to make complicated ideas easier to
understand.

3. BEFORE WRITING..
You should consider:
The audience
The context
The purpose The genre
The message

4. THE FORMAT OF THE ACADEMIC PAPER
 Make a point and support it.
 A Thesis statement is debatable and open to
interpretation.
 Organization : introduction,body and conclusion.
 Every assertion needs support.
 Transition when moving from one point to another.
 Present the sources.
 Pay attention to document formats.
 Check grammar and revise.

5. NOW…IT IS TIME TO WRITE…
Topic sentence
Body- Supporting ideas
Concluding sentence

6. TYPES OF PARAGRAPHS
 By listing
 By examples
 By contrast
 By comparison

7. Introductory paragraph General statements
THESIS STATEMENT
Body paragraphs Topic sentence
Supporting sentences
(concluding sentence )
Concluding paragraph Concluding sentence

8.  The Introduction
The introduction opens the essay. It is a short
paragraph – usually about THREE sentences. In an
argument essay, it usually describes or summarizes
both sides of the present situation and says what
you are going to do in your essay.
"A dog is man's best friend." That common saying may contain some truth, but
dogs are not the only animal friend whose companionship people enjoy. For
many people, a cat is their best friend. Despite what dog lovers may
believe, cats make excellent housepets as they are good companions,
they are civilized members of the household, and they are easy to care
for.
Highlighted sentence = thesis statement.

9. AN EXAMPLE OF AN INTRODUCTORY
PARAGRAPH
"A dog is man's best friend." That common saying
may contain some truth, but dogs are not the only
animal friend whose companionship people enjoy.
For many people, a cat is their best friend. Despite
what dog lovers may believe, cats make
excellent housepets as they are good
companions, they are civilized members of the
household, and they are easy to care for.
Highlighted sentence = thesis statement.

11. THE THESIS STATEMENT
 The Thesis Statement shows the main idea around
which the academic paper will develop.
 It should be: precise, clear and restricted.

12.  The Body
The Body is the main part of the essay. In an
argument essay, it is divided into two or three
paragraphs, giving your opinion and reasons.
 Each paragraph in the body is between FIVE and
SEVEN sentences long.

13.  In the first place, people enjoy the companionship of cats. Many cats are
affectionate. They will snuggle up and ask to be petted, or scratched under
the chin. Who can resist a purring cat? If they're not feeling affectionate, cats
are generally quite playful. They love to chase balls and feathers, or just
about anything dangling from a string. They especially enjoy playing when
their owners are participating in the game. Contrary to popular opinion, cats
can be trained. Using rewards and punishments, just like with a dog, a cat
can be trained to avoid unwanted behavior or perform tricks. Cats will even
fetch!
 In the second place, cats are civilized members of the household. Unlike
dogs, cats do not bark or make other loud noises. Most cats don't even meow
very often. They generally lead a quiet existence. Cats also don't often have
"accidents." Mother cats train their kittens to use the litter box, and most cats
will use it without fail from that time on. Even stray cats usually understand
the concept when shown the box and will use it regularly. Cats do have claws,
and owners must make provision for this. A tall scratching post in a favorite
cat area of the house will often keep the cat content to leave the furniture
alone. As a last resort, of course, cats can be declawed.
 Lastly, one of the most attractive features of cats as housepets is their ease
of care. Cats do not have to be walked. They get plenty of exercise in the
house as they play, and they do their business in the litter box. Cleaning a
litter box is a quick, painless procedure. Cats also take care of their own
grooming. Bathing a cat is almost never necessary because under ordinary
circumstances cats clean themselves. Cats are more particular about
personal cleanliness than people are. In addition, cats can be left home alone
for a few hours without fear. Unlike some pets, most cats will not destroy the
furnishings when left alone. They are content to go about their usual activities
until their owners return.

14.  The Conclusion
The Conclusion is the end of the essay. It is a short
paragraph – about THREE sentences. It often has
the same idea as the Introduction, only in different
words.

15. AN EXAMPLE OF A CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH.
Cats are low maintenance, civilized companions.
People who have small living quarters or less time
for pet care should appreciate these characteristics
of cats. However, many people who have plenty of
space and time still opt to have a cat because they
love the cat personality. In many ways, cats are the
ideal housepet.

16. AFTER WRITING YOUR DRAFT…
You should:
 Revise your paper.
 Check spelling, vocabulary (avoid short
forms,phrasal verbs,everyday vocabulary).
 Check grammar ( tenses , modals).
 Edit your paper.
 Read again from the reader point of view.

17. NOW YOU HAVE THE TOOLS TO WRITE YOUR
OWN ACADEMC PAPER ! TRY IT !

18. SOURCES
Guide to witing a basic essay . (2014) .Retrieved on : October, 2015. Available at:
http://www.lklivingston.tripod.com/essay/saple.html
Harvard College.Writing Center. (2002). Retrieved on: October,2015. Available at:
http://www.writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/essay_structure.
Mc Carthy, M&O´Dell,I (2008).Academic vocbulary in use. Cambridge University Press.
Sanchez Terrel, S. (2015). “30 Goals Conference”. Rosmery Ribera Ferrier. Retrieved on: Octobr,2015.
Available at : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDBUSUXWIEV