What is academic writing?

Summary

In this video, Ellen discusses key aspects of academic writing essential for university success. She highlights the importance of communication, identifying the audience, and maintaining objectivity by avoiding personal opinions and biased language. Academic writing is a formal genre that requires strict adherence to style and register. Ellen advises students to study texts within their discipline to understand appropriate formality and structure. She emphasizes that writing conventions differ across academic fields, so adapting to the expectations of each discipline is crucial for effective writing.

Takeaways

• 📢 Writing is a communicative act, where a sender transmits a message to a receiver.
• 🧑‍🎓 In academic writing, the message is a fact-based argument.
• 🎯 Knowing your audience is crucial for delivering an effective argument.
• ⚖️ Academic writing should be objective, avoiding biased language and personal opinions.
• 📚 The writing style in academic essays should be formal, with a strict register and format.
• 🌍 Different levels of formality can be difficult for non-native writers to recognize.
• 🎨 Style and register depend on context, just like appropriate dress for an occasion.
• 🔍 One way to find the right level of formality is by studying texts within your discipline.
• 📖 University resources, like books and journals, help students learn how to write formally.
• 🧭 Writing practices vary between academic disciplines, requiring adaptability to different formats.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of academic writing?

The primary purpose of academic writing is to communicate a fact-based argument, which requires knowing the audience and delivering the message effectively.

Why is it important to identify your audience in academic writing?

Identifying your audience is crucial because it helps tailor the message to what the reader is expected to already know, ensuring effective communication.

What does it mean that academic writing is 'objective'?

Academic writing being 'objective' means avoiding biased language, generalizations, and personal opinions. The focus should be on presenting an argument based on facts and evidence.

Why is it important to avoid personal pre-conceptions in academic writing?

Avoiding personal pre-conceptions ensures that the writing remains focused on the topic and evidence, rather than being influenced by the writer's subjective opinions.

How does formality play a role in academic writing?

Formality is essential in academic writing because it requires using a strict register and format, which can be challenging, especially for non-native speakers, as they need to navigate different levels of formality.

What is the role of style and register in academic writing?

Style and register in academic writing determine the appropriateness of language for a given context. What may be appropriate in one context might not be suitable in another, similar to how attire varies depending on the occasion.

How can students find the right level of formality for their university writing?

Students can find the right level of formality by studying texts within their specific discipline, such as books, journals, and student papers, to learn how scholars and experienced students write.

What should students focus on when reading academic texts in their discipline?

Students should focus on how arguments are introduced, how discipline-specific terms are defined and used, and how previous research is incorporated into the text.

Why do academic writing practices vary between disciplines?

Academic writing practices vary between disciplines because each field has different expectations regarding referencing, text structure, and overall style, though the basics of academic writing remain the same.

What is one example of how academic writing differs across disciplines?

An article in physics, for example, looks very different from one in history, particularly in terms of text structure and referencing conventions.