5 Dos and Don’ts for Academic Writing

Summary

In this educational video, Adam discusses the essential dos and don'ts of academic writing. He emphasizes the importance of planning before writing, maintaining a formal tone, and avoiding the submission of first drafts. Adam also advises against turning assignments into personal narratives and writing excessively long paragraphs. He outlines five key 'do's,' such as understanding the structure and style of the assignment, assuming the reader is not an expert, using active voice verbs, checking pronouns for clarity, and always citing sources to avoid plagiarism. The video serves as a comprehensive guide for students looking to improve their academic writing skills.

Takeaways

• 📝 Don't write without a clear plan; planning helps organize thoughts and avoid irrelevant content.
• 👨‍🎓 Avoid casual language; academic writing should be formal, structured, and clear to maintain its academic integrity.
• 🚫 Don't submit your first draft; allow time for editing, rewriting, and refining to tighten your writing and improve clarity.
• 🙅‍♂️ Don't turn your writing into a personal narrative; focus on the subject matter and avoid using pronouns like 'I', 'me', or 'my' unless necessary.
• 📚 Don't write long paragraphs; use short, focused paragraphs to maintain reader interest and clarity of ideas.
• 🏛️ Know the structure and style required for your specific type of academic writing; different assignments have different formats and expectations.
• 🧐 Assume your reader is not an expert; write in a way that is accessible to a layperson, avoiding excessive jargon and technical language.
• ✏️ Use more verbs and active voice to give your writing strength and clarity; passive voice can be used when appropriate.
• 🔍 Check your pronouns to ensure clarity and avoid confusion for the reader regarding what or whom they refer to.
• 🔗 Always cite your sources; giving credit to others' ideas and words is crucial to avoid plagiarism and to show respect for intellectual property.

Q & A

What is the first 'don't' in academic writing according to the video?

The first 'don't' is not to write until you have a clear plan. It's important to have a good plan of what you're going to say before you start writing to avoid straying off-topic.

Why is it advised to avoid casual language in academic writing?

Casual language should be avoided because academic writing is formal and requires a strong structure and clear focus. Using casual language can weaken the argument and reduce the formality of the writing.

What is the significance of not submitting your first draft in academic writing?

Not submitting your first draft is significant because it allows time for editing, rewriting, and rethinking. This process helps to tighten writing, correct errors, and improve clarity and focus, leading to higher quality work.

Why should you avoid turning your academic writing into a personal narrative?

Turning academic writing into a personal narrative should be avoided because the focus should be on the subject matter, not the writer. Personal narratives can distract from the main topic and are less common in higher education writing assignments.

What is the advice given about paragraph length in academic writing?

The advice is to avoid extra-long paragraphs. Shorter paragraphs with a clear focus are easier for the reader to follow and maintain interest. They also help the writer maintain focus and coherence.

What is the first 'do' in academic writing mentioned in the video?

The first 'do' is to ensure you know the structure and style of what you're writing. Different types of academic writing have different structures and purposes, so understanding the requirements for your specific assignment is crucial.

Why is it important to assume your reader is not an expert in the topic?

Assuming your reader is not an expert helps to ensure that your writing is accessible to a general audience. It encourages clarity and avoids unnecessary jargon, making the writing more understandable and effective.

What is the recommendation regarding the use of verbs versus nouns and adjectives in academic writing?

The recommendation is to use more verbs than nouns and adjectives, and to prefer active voice verbs over passive ones. This gives the writing strength and keeps it moving forward.

Why is it crucial to check your pronouns in academic writing?

Checking your pronouns is crucial to ensure clarity and avoid confusion for the reader. Pronouns must clearly refer to the correct nouns to maintain coherence and prevent the reader from losing focus or understanding.

What is the most important tip regarding citations in academic writing?

The most important tip is to always cite your sources when using someone else's ideas or words. This gives credit to the original author and prevents plagiarism, which is a serious academic offense.