This presentation was prepared for students at the University of Notre Dame, Australia.

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Grad. Cert. in Contemporary
Nursing
Academic Writing 1
A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T O F C O U N T R Y
The University of Notre Dame Australia is proud to acknowledge the traditional owners and
custodians of the land upon which our University sits. The University acknowledges that the Sydney
Campus is located on Cadigal Country, the Fremantle Campus on Wadjuk Country and the Broome
Campus on Yawuru Country.
Zoom Reminder
Please mute your microphone unless you have a question to ask
What we will cover in this
class…
1. The 4 Cs of academic writing
2. Academic writing style
3. Student success services
See Blackboard for recordings of these Academic Writing sessions
PART 1
THE 4 C’s OF ACADEMIC
WRITING
Academic writing should be:
 Concise
 Credible
 Clear
 Correct
Adapted from Demir (2019)

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The 4 Cs – Concise
Concise writing clearly explains a concept or argument in
as few words as necessary without repetition or inclusion of
irrelevant information.
Wordy writing
Procrastination is one of the common behaviours in human
society that almost everyone engages in from time to time
during their lives.
Concise writing
Procrastination is a common social behaviour.
The 4 Cs – Credible
Credible writing uses authoritative sources to support the
concepts or argument being explained, such as official
statistics, official documents (such as Nursing Standards
and Codes of Ethics) and peer-reviewed journal articles.
Unsupported claim
Smokers are much more likely to develop cancer.
Credible claim supported by evidence
Research has found a correlation between tobacco smoking
and increased rates of the most common cancers (Smith,
2020).
The 4 Cs – Clear
Clear writing conveys the intended meaning in a way that
requires minimum effort from the reader and uses:
– Short sentences
– Precise and unemotional vocabulary
Unclear writing
The black market in tobacco would be run by criminals
because they would have a monopoly over sales once it
has been made illegal.
Clear writing
One argument against the prohibition of the sale of tobacco
is that this may lead to illegal and unregulated sales under
the control of criminal groups (Smith, 2020).

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The 4 Cs – Correct
Correct writing is properly structured, spelt and punctuated.
In the academic context, it also means following the formal
‘conventions’ of academic writing, including citations and
end-of-text references.
Incorrect writing
One affect of smoking is tightening of the arteries.
Which have been found to increase the risk of heart
disease. (Polly 2016)
Correct writing
One effect of smoking is tightening of the arteries,
which has been found to increase the risk of heart
disease (Polly, 2016).
Assignment 2 needs to conform correctly to these requirements:
 Use 11-point Arial or Calibri font - black.
 All text to be spaced at 1.5. Single spacing is not permitted as it makes
reading very difficult for the reader, and also difficult to give feedback.
 Page numbers not required.
 No table of contents required for this assessment.
 Adhere to specified word count (2,000 +/- 10%)
 Referencing and style APA 7th
 In-text referencing is not included in the word count
 End text referencing is not included in the word count
 End reference list to be on a new page (use page break)
 Include academic integrity statement as first paragraph of assignments –
no University coversheet please (see below).
PART 2
IDENTIFYING ACADEMIC & NON-
ACADEMIC STYLE
Review Passage 1 (which follows)
• Can you identify three features of non-academic writing style?
TASK - What makes a writing style
“academic” or “non-academic”? Passage 1 (non-academic)
If there’s one absolutely essential service that we know must continue
during a pandemic, it’s the business of birthing. Birth centres, or other
out-of-hospital birth locations, should be opened as places for low-risk
people to give birth and for healthy newborns to stay. Midwives, like me,
have a lot of crossover skills between nurses and physicians. We are
really jacks of many trades. We can stitch and prescribe, like a
physician, but also start an IV and take blood, like a nurse. There are
many things we can use our skills for beyond birthing. The needs of
those who are pregnant are often totally overlooked. Home birth has
many potential benifits, but most importantly in a pandemic, you need
healthy people to give birth with the best chances of staying healthy
(touch wood) — which doesn’t always mean hospital.
Adapted from: Manavi, H. (2020, March 22) During coronavirus hospital surge, a midwife recommends
home birth. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/during-coronavirus-hospital-
surge-a-midwife-recommends-home-birth-133866

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Passage 1 (non-academic)
If there’s one absolutely essential service that we know must continue
during a pandemic, it’s the business of birthing. Birth centres, or other
out-of-hospital birth locations, should be opened as places for low-risk
people to give birth and for healthy newborns to stay. Midwives, like me,
have a lot of crossover skills between nurses and physicians. We are
really jacks of many trades. We can stitch and prescribe, like a
physician, but also start an IV and take blood, like a nurse. There are
many things we can use our skills for beyond birthing. The needs of
those who are pregnant are often totally overlooked. Home birth has
many potential benifits, but most importantly in a pandemic, you need
healthy people to give birth with the best chances of staying healthy
(touch wood) — which doesn’t always mean hospital.
Adapted from: Manavi, H. (2020, March 22) During coronavirus hospital surge, a midwife recommends home birth. The Conversation.
https://theconversation.com/during-coronavirus-hospital-surge-a-midwife-recommends-home-birth-133866
Contractions
In academic writing we don’t do not use contractions. A contraction is a
shortened form of a words or two words with an apostrophe
representing the missing letters. For example:
Haven’t = Have not
They’re = They are
Didn’t = Did not
Wasn’t = Was not
Can’t = Cannot
Passage 1 (non-academic)
If there’s one absolutely essential service that we know must continue
during a pandemic, it’s the business of birthing. Birth centres, or other
out-of-hospital birth locations, should be opened as places for low-risk
people to give birth and for healthy newborns to stay. Midwives, like me,
have a lot of crossover skills between nurses and physicians. We are
really jacks of many trades. We can stitch and prescribe, like a
physician, but also start an IV and take blood, like a nurse. There are
many things we can use our skills for beyond birthing. The needs of
those who are pregnant are often totally overlooked. Home birth has
many potential benifits, but most importantly in a pandemic, you need
healthy people to give birth with the best chances of staying healthy
(touch wood) — which doesn’t always mean hospital.
Adapted from: Manavi, H. (2020, March 22) During coronavirus hospital surge, a midwife recommends home birth. The Conversation.
https://theconversation.com/during-coronavirus-hospital-surge-a-midwife-recommends-home-birth-133866
First, second and third person
In academic writing we one should avoid writing in the first and second person.
First person – I, me, we, our, us
Second person – you, your
Third person – one, he, she, they, their, the study
One can often remove the pronoun altogether. For example:
As registered nurses, we must communicate effectively with a range of
stakeholders, including patients, patients’ families, and other hospital staff.
Registered nurses must communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders,
including patients, patients’ families, and other hospital staff.
Passage 1 (non-academic)
If there’s one absolutely essential service that we know must continue
during a pandemic, it’s the business of birthing. Birth centres, or other
out-of-hospital birth locations, should be opened as places for low-risk
people to give birth and for healthy newborns to stay. Midwives, like me,
have a lot of crossover skills between nurses and physicians. We are
really jacks of many trades. We can stitch and prescribe, like a
physician, but also start an IV and take blood, like a nurse. There are
many things we can use our skills for beyond birthing. The needs of
those who are pregnant are often totally overlooked. Home birth has
many potential benifits, but most importantly in a pandemic, you need
healthy people to give birth with the best chances of staying healthy
(touch wood) — which doesn’t always mean hospital.
Adapted from: Manavi, H. (2020, March 22) During coronavirus hospital surge, a midwife recommends home birth. The Conversation.
https://theconversation.com/during-coronavirus-hospital-surge-a-midwife-recommends-home-birth-133866
Metaphorical expressions and
traditional sayings
Metaphorical expressions – Principle three of the Nurses’ Code of
Conduct states that bullying and harassment are not tolerated and are
strictly prohibited (NMBA, 2018). Effective nursing leaders need to put
their foot down and nip it in the bud, so that each member of the team
can become the best version of him or her self.
Traditional sayings – Nursing leaders need to encourage teamwork
because, as they say, “it takes a village”.
Why should one avoid metaphorical expressions and traditional sayings
in academic writing?
Because they do not conform to the 4 Cs!

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Passage 1 (non-academic)
If there’s one absolutely essential service that we know must continue
during a pandemic, it’s the business of birthing. Birth centres, or other
out-of-hospital birth locations, should be opened as places for low-risk
people to give birth and for healthy newborns to stay. Midwives, like me,
have a lot of crossover skills between nurses and physicians. We are
really jacks of many trades. We can stitch and prescribe, like a
physician, but also start an IV and take blood, like a nurse. There are
many things we can use our skills for beyond birthing. The needs of
those who are pregnant are often totally overlooked. Home birth has
many potential benifits, but most importantly in a pandemic, you need
healthy people to give birth with the best chances of staying healthy
(touch wood) — which doesn’t always mean hospital.
Adapted from: Manavi, H. (2020, March 22) During coronavirus hospital surge, a midwife recommends home birth. The Conversation.
https://theconversation.com/during-coronavirus-hospital-surge-a-midwife-recommends-home-birth-133866
 Concise
 Credible
 Clear
 Correct
Remember the fourth C!
Review Passage 2 (academic)
• Can you identify three features of academic writing style?
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented serious challenges to the
continued provision of safe and high-quality midwifery care. According to
the South London NHS Foundation, one in three women is concerned
about delivering their baby in hospital (2020). As a result, many women
are electing to give birth at home (Byron & Newburn, 2020). This is not
necessarily a problem; indeed, planned home birthing with a qualified
midwife is a safe alternative for women deemed to be at low risk of
childbirth complications (Okosieme, 2021). While home birthing can be
safe, there are currently too few trained midwives in Australia to support a
significant increase in home births (NSW Health, 2020). These mothers
will require additional support, for example, high quality, easily accessible
postnatal and breastfeeding support. Traditionally provided in hospitals,
this support has not yet been tailored for virtual delivery (Kaur, 2020).
More research is required to find solutions to these and other barriers to
high-quality provision of midwifery care during the pandemic.
Passage 2 (academic)
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented serious challenges to the
continued provision of safe and high-quality midwifery care. According to
the South London NHS Foundation, one in three women is concerned
about delivering their baby in hospital (2020). As a result, many women
are electing to give birth at home (Byron & Newburn, 2020). This is not
necessarily a problem; indeed, planned home birthing with a qualified
midwife is a safe alternative for women deemed to be at low risk of
childbirth complications (Okosieme, 2021). While home birthing can be
safe, there are currently too few trained midwives in Australia to support a
significant increase in home births (NSW Health, 2020). These mothers
will require additional support, for example, high quality, easily accessible
postnatal and breastfeeding support. Traditionally provided in hospitals,
this support has not yet been tailored for virtual delivery (Kaur, 2020).
More research is required to find solutions to these and other barriers to
high-quality provision of midwifery care during the pandemic.
Passage 2 (academic)
Academic writing is evidence-
based
As a result, many women are electing to give birth at
home (Byron & Newburn, 2020).
Claims are followed by a citation, referring to a peer-
reviewed journal article or credible professional
document.

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Passage 2 (academic)
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented serious challenges to the
continued provision of safe and high-quality midwifery care. According to
the South London NHS Foundation, one in three women is concerned
about delivering their baby in hospital (2020). As a result, many women
are electing to give birth at home (Byron & Newburn, 2020). This is not
necessarily a problem; indeed, planned home birthing with a qualified
midwife is a safe alternative for women deemed to be at low risk of
childbirth complications (Okosieme, 2021). While home birthing can be
safe, there are currently too few trained midwives in Australia to support
a significant increase in home births (NSW Health, 2020). These mothers
will require additional support, for example, high quality, easily accessible
postnatal and breastfeeding support. Traditionally provided in hospitals,
this support has not yet been tailored for virtual delivery (Kaur, 2020).
More research is required to find solutions to these and other barriers to
high-quality provision of midwifery care during the pandemic.
Academic writing flows
Most new sentences begin by referring back to the
sentence before.
planned home birthing with a qualified midwife is a safe
alternative ____ . While home birthing can be safe, there
are ____
____mothers will require additional support, for example,
____. Traditionally provided in hospitals, this support
______
This ‘old before new ’ sequence means the reader
doesn’t have to jump to a new topic at the beginning
of each sentence
Passage 2 (academic)
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented serious challenges to the
continued provision of safe and high-quality midwifery care. According to
the South London NHS Foundation, one in three women is concerned
about delivering their baby in hospital (2020). As a result, many women
are electing to give birth at home (Byron & Newburn, 2020). This is not
necessarily a problem; indeed, planned home birthing with a qualified
midwife is a safe alternative for women deemed to be at low risk of
childbirth complications (Okosieme, 2021). While home birthing can be
safe, there are currently too few trained midwives in Australia to support
a significant increase in home births (NSW Health, 2020). These mothers
will require additional support, for example, high quality, easily accessible
postnatal and breastfeeding support. Traditionally provided in hospitals,
this support has not yet been tailored for virtual delivery (Kaur, 2020).
More research is required to find solutions to these and other barriers to
high-quality provision of midwifery care during the pandemic.
Academic writing flows
Effective academic writing uses transition words
(like ‘As a result’ and ‘While’) strategically to
boost the flow and highlight important points.
COMPARISON
• Like X, Y is ___ / Unlike X, Y is __
EXPLANATION
• In other words, __ / This means that __
EXAMPLES
• For example, __ / For instance, __
ADDITIONAL ARGUMENT
• Moreover, __ / Furthermore, __ / In addition, __
PARALLEL ARGUMENT
• Likewise, ___ / Similarly, ___
COUNTER-ARGUMENT
• However, __ / On the other hand, ___
CONCLUSION
• Therefore, __ / As a result, /Consequently, __ /
• Hence, __ / Thus, __ /
It’s a good idea to treat
transition words like spice

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A little of the right spice can
boost the flavour
But if you add too much or the
wrong kind …
It’s really better if you hadn’t
added any at all!
Summary of Academic writing style
• Do
• Support your claims with references to credible
sources of information
• Make your sentences flow using an ‘old before
new’ sequence
• Use transition words strategically
• Refer to the 4 Cs as your checklist
Summary of Academic writing style
• Don’t
• Use contractions
• Include slang
• Use second person ‘you’ and only use first
person ‘I’ in reflective writing
PART 3
STUDENT SUCCESS SERVICES
• One-to-one appointments with a student
success advisor (about academic writing)
or a librarian (about research or
referencing)
• For services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander students, email
student.success@nd.edu.au

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Student Success Student Success
Student Success Student Success
Email student.success@nd.edu.au if you have any
difficulty in booking an appointment
Videos and guides
library.nd.edu.au/home/learningskills
See you again on Thursday for Academic Writing 2. This
begins with a Kahoot quiz reviewing what we’ve covered
today, so you will need an extra device with a touch screen
(e.g. smart phone or pad ) to take part.

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Q U E S T I O N S