This document provides an overview of academic writing. It discusses how academic writing is clear, concise, and based on research to increase knowledge. It uses deductive reasoning, a third-person voice, and a more formal style than other types of writing. Academic writing also avoids slang, acronyms, contractions, and uses a higher level of vocabulary. Sources should be cited using quotes, paraphrases, or summaries and attributed properly according to the required format.

1. Academic Writing
Edited: Chris CritesCopyright 2016

2. Academic Writing
 Academic writing is clear,
concise and based on research –
to increase knowledge
 Uses deductive reasoning, third
person voice, and is more formal
than some other types of writing

3. Use of Deductive Reasoning
Starting with a clear and direct argument (thesis statement) and argued
using noted authorities in the field to prove the statement

4. No slang, acronyms, or contractions and using higher levels of
vocabulary than ordinary speech or writings.
Semiformal Voice

5. Third person voice should be
used. (Use “The author
believes” instead of “I think”
and similar statements.)
No first or second person
references. (“The reader must
conclude” instead of “You
should know.”)
Third Person Point-of-View

6. What is the Purpose of the Writing?
Exposition
To explain or clarify
something
Description
To describe something
Narration
To tell a story
General purpose
To inform, persuade or entertain
Specific purpose
Addresses assigned subject or
question:
Argument and Persuasion
Presents reasoned approach with
supporting data to convince the
reader

7. • Expository writing is an explanation of a topic by answering the questions:
• Who
• What
• When
• Where
• Why
• How
• What types of development are used for expository writing?
• Cause and Effect
• Comparison and Contrast
• Definition
• Description
• Process
What is expository writing?

9. Introduction
 The introduction (opening paragraph) basically accomplishes two
goals:
 Gives an overview or background on the topic in broad terms
 Then narrows the scope of the topic to the presentation
 Prepares the reader for what is to come in the following writing
 Provides main points that will be discussed and why those are most
important to the subject matter
 Grabs the readers attention

10. Body
 Developmental paragraphs (body paragraphs) are the heart
of an essay.
 Contains only one main idea stated by the topic sentence of
that paragraph
 Analyzes the evidence
 Directly supports the thesis statement
 Paragraphs are arranged in logical progression
 The paragraphs should flow smoothly from one to the next
and have internal fluidity while presenting supporting
evidence to the paragraph’s main point.

11. Conclusion
 The conclusion is the summary paragraph. It should
accomplish the following:
 Clearly restates the thesis sentence but not in verbatim form
 Briefly summarizes the evidence presented in the writing
 Provides a final judgement on the subject matter discussed
by tying all themes and ideas together

12. Citing Sources
 Why use quotations, paraphrases, and summaries?
 Are required for each main point since the author cannot
include personal feelings or opinions
 Are clearly identified in proper required formatting form
and style
 Provide evidence to support the argument of the writing
 Are used at strategic places in the writing to support
statements made

13. What are the differences between quoting,
paraphrasing, and summarizing?
 Must be in proper required
format and style
 Must match source
document word for word
 Must give attribution to
original source and author
 Must provide supporting
material
 Must have meaningful
placement
Quoting
 Must be in proper required
format and style
 Paraphrasing is putting another
person’s words into your own
 Simplifies original source
information
 Must give attribution to
original source and author
 Must provide supporting
material
Must have meaningful placement
Paraphrasing
 Simplifies and shortens
original source main ideas
 Is in the authors own words
 Shortens the original work
but retains original meaning
 Must give attribution to
original source and author
 Must provide supporting
material
 Must have meaningful
placement
Summarizing