Academic Writing

2. What is Academic Paper?What is Academic Paper?
 It is any writing assignment given in anIt is any writing assignment given in an
academic setting.academic setting.

3. List of documents where academicList of documents where academic
writing is used:writing is used:
 Books and book reportsBooks and book reports
 TranslationsTranslations
 EssaysEssays
 Research paper or research articleResearch paper or research article
 Conference paperConference paper
 Academic journalAcademic journal

4.  Is devoted to topic and questions that areIs devoted to topic and questions that are
of interest to the academic communityof interest to the academic community
 It should present the reader with anIt should present the reader with an
informed argumentinformed argument
Academic WritingAcademic Writing

5. Steps requiered to write anSteps requiered to write an
academic paper:academic paper:
 Select a topicSelect a topic
 choose, if possible, a topic that interests youchoose, if possible, a topic that interests you
 Check in the library to make sure a reasonable amount ofCheck in the library to make sure a reasonable amount of
information is available on the subject you choose.information is available on the subject you choose.
 Approach your research with aApproach your research with a critical spirit of inquiry.critical spirit of inquiry.”Critical” does”Critical” does
not mean “fault finding”, but rather a receptive and discerning framenot mean “fault finding”, but rather a receptive and discerning frame
of mindof mind

6. Narrow the topicNarrow the topic
 To narrow the topic, you need to read background articles aboutTo narrow the topic, you need to read background articles about
your subject in encyclopedias and other general references.your subject in encyclopedias and other general references.
 Do not take notes at this time other than to jot down possible mainDo not take notes at this time other than to jot down possible main
ideas.ideas.
 As you read, ask questions like the following:As you read, ask questions like the following:
 Who are the important people involved?Who are the important people involved?
 What are the major issues?What are the major issues?
 What are my opinions regarding the topic?What are my opinions regarding the topic?
 Why is this an important (controversial, interesting) subject?Why is this an important (controversial, interesting) subject?
 How has the problem (or issue) developed? When? Where?How has the problem (or issue) developed? When? Where?

7. State your objective or thesisState your objective or thesis
 Formulate a working thesis statementFormulate a working thesis statement:: it shoud beit shoud be
debatable,specific and concise.debatable,specific and concise.
The following isThe following is notnot a good thesisa good thesis::
The history of the Soviet Union is very interesting and complexThe history of the Soviet Union is very interesting and complex
AA goodgood thesis might be:thesis might be:
The history of the Soviet Union indicates many of the problemsThe history of the Soviet Union indicates many of the problems
involved with centralized economic planning and the bureaucraticezinvolved with centralized economic planning and the bureaucraticez
society that will inevitable develop.society that will inevitable develop.

8. Academic Writing StructureAcademic Writing Structure
 IntroductionIntroduction:: It alllow you to introduce your argument to yourIt alllow you to introduce your argument to your
reader and viceversa.reader and viceversa.
 AA badbad introductory sentence is:introductory sentence is:
 Karl Marx was a very important thinkerKarl Marx was a very important thinker
 AA betterbetter introduction might be:introduction might be:
 Karl Marx was the first important thinker to argue that capitalismKarl Marx was the first important thinker to argue that capitalism
causes exploitation.causes exploitation.

9. BodyBody:: This is the main part of the work and the paragraphs must beThis is the main part of the work and the paragraphs must be
clearly written and be arranged in a logical orderclearly written and be arranged in a logical order..
Important tips:Important tips:
○○ Within each paragraph, the sentences need to flow and refer backWithin each paragraph, the sentences need to flow and refer back
to the topic.to the topic.
○○ Include synonyms and transitional words like: however, such us,Include synonyms and transitional words like: however, such us,
therefore, for example, etc.therefore, for example, etc.
T

10.  ConclusionConclusion:: You re-emphasize the thesis and summarize allYou re-emphasize the thesis and summarize all
the main ponts.the main ponts. Do not endDo not end by saying something like:by saying something like:

 Karl Marx was an interesting and important thinker who said someKarl Marx was an interesting and important thinker who said some
controversial things about capitalism.controversial things about capitalism.
 AA better concludingbetter concluding paragraph could start with:paragraph could start with:
 Karl Marx’s argument about exploitation under capitalism isKarl Marx’s argument about exploitation under capitalism is
ultimately flawed because… and then broadly summarize yourultimately flawed because… and then broadly summarize your
argument.argument.

11. The paragraphThe paragraph

12. ReviseRevise
 Read the paper aloud to detect any weaknesses in reasoning andRead the paper aloud to detect any weaknesses in reasoning and
structurestructure
 Add or delete content to strengthen arguments and makeAdd or delete content to strengthen arguments and make
connectionsconnections
 Make certain everything in the paper relates back to your thesisMake certain everything in the paper relates back to your thesis
statementstatement
 Have someone read and comment on your paperHave someone read and comment on your paper

13. EditEdit
 Content and organizationContent and organization::
○ does each paragraph have one main idea expressed in a topic sentence?
○ do succeeding paragraph sentences relate to their topic sentence?
○ does sentence structure vary?
○ have irrelevant or repeated words or phrases been deleted?
○ is word choice precise, vivid, varied?
Grammar
○ are appropriate verb tenses used?
are there any contractions e.g. ‘don’t’ or ‘can’t’?
If so, rewrite in full ‘do not’ or cannot. have you run a spell-check?
Have you searched for homonyms (their/there)? are prepositions and modifiers in
the correct place

14. Bibliography (list of work cited)Bibliography (list of work cited)
 It should appear at the end of the paperIt should appear at the end of the paper
 It must include all of the material you have cited within the textIt must include all of the material you have cited within the text
 Example:Example:
 Book:Book:
 Lavoie,Don.1985.Lavoie,Don.1985. National Economic Planning:National Economic Planning: what is Left?,what is Left?,
Cambridge, Mass:Ballinger PublishingCambridge, Mass:Ballinger Publishing

15. Presentation and formatPresentation and format
 Include your name, the date, the class in a separate title pageInclude your name, the date, the class in a separate title page
 Double spacedDouble spaced
 Margins of 1 to 1.25”.(no more)Margins of 1 to 1.25”.(no more)
 Automatically numbered pagesAutomatically numbered pages
 A bibliography starting in a new pageA bibliography starting in a new page
 Use Times New Roman 12 point fontUse Times New Roman 12 point font
 The pages should be clean, dry and wrinkle-freeThe pages should be clean, dry and wrinkle-free

16. And Remember…And Remember…
 That grammar, spelling, and correct use of the language all matter.That grammar, spelling, and correct use of the language all matter.
 Give yourself enough time to do the assignment well.Give yourself enough time to do the assignment well.

17. ReferencesReferences
 Strauss,V. (Junuary 20,2012). A guide to writing an academicStrauss,V. (Junuary 20,2012). A guide to writing an academic
paper.paper. The washington post.The washington post. Retrieved romRetrieved rom
 https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/a-guide-https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/a-guide-
to-writing-an-academic-paper/2012/01/18/gIQAjGCTCQ_blog.htmlto-writing-an-academic-paper/2012/01/18/gIQAjGCTCQ_blog.html
 A research guide for students. Available atA research guide for students. Available at
http://www.aresearchguide.com/1steps.htmlhttp://www.aresearchguide.com/1steps.html. Retrieved: October 28,. Retrieved: October 28,
20152015