miercuri, 1 octombrie 2014

Features of Academic Writing

          Academic writing is intended for a particular audience. Thus, the academic text follows the rules, norms and conventions of academic genre. The writer uses specific patterns that are characteristic of academic writing in order to be more persuasive and reveal his/her goals appropiately.
         Before the author starts writing a paper, he/she needs to decide three important things: what he/she is writing about, what is the potential audience and what is the purpose of the paper.
        When the author writes an essay, he/she must make each paragraph connect smoothly with the paragraphs before and after it. The main idea or point developed in an essay is called the thesis statement (or thesis sentence) while in a paragraph, the topic sentence. The thesis statement appears in the introductory paragraph, and it is then developed in the supporting paragraphs that follow.
       One feature of academic writing is the usage of the formal vocabulary. The writer's claims are clearer and more academic. Colloquialisms should be avoided because they are used in spoken language.
      Another feature in academic writing is the use of passive voice. The subject is not mentioned. All sentences from active voice are changed into passive voice. Yet, the writer should be very considerate not to overuse passive voice.
      As emotive language, questions and contractions are to be avoided the writer uses objective and cautious language. Objectivity makes the paper to be more authoritative.
     In order for the writer to support his/her opinions and ideas he/she needs to use references. All borrowed ideas from other works are cited properly in the form of either quotations or paraphrase.
     When it comes to the organization and flow, the writer's thoughts should be revealed in a logical sequence and the organization of the material should be clear to the reader. His/ her ideas should relate to each other  and the structure should be logical so that is what coherence represents.
    Thus, academic writing deals with certain essential features which are to be followed in oder to get a good paper that reveals an important issue to an audience. Learning how to write a paper can be a maddening, exasperating process.Yet, if the writer knows the steps and understands what to do, writing can be easy and rewarding.

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