This resource will help you to:
Writing academically at university may be different from how you have written before in other contexts and learning environments. It typically involves:
At the most basic level, academic writing is “any formal written work produced in an academic setting” (Valdes, 2019). However, defining academic writing in one way or as a single standard is quite difficult, so we can consider it a set of principles that differ slightly according to the discipline and type of academic writing (Bennett, 2009). A good example of this is the use of first-person pronouns "I" and "we": whilst first-person is commonly used in reflective writing, it is generally avoided in business and scientific reports.
The key principles of academic writing are shown in Table 1.
| Principle | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Clear and limited focus | Academic writing should very clearly define a specific question/topic and then focus on answering/discussing only that question. Every sentence and paragraph must work towards the overall goal of answering that question. |
| Logically structured | When you look at a piece of academic writing, the structure should be very obvious. When you read it, each sentence should logically develop from the previous sentence and then lead to the next. This logic and structure are not accidental - academic writing is the product of long and hard thinking to create a clear, coherent, and cohesive argument. |
| Evidenced-based arguments | Any argument presented in academic writing must be supported by evidence. Evidence comes in many forms, for example as empirical data from research or theoretical models proposed by researchers. Regardless, there must be evidence. |
| Carefully chosen words |
For the reader to understand your arguments and thinking, you must be extremely clear in your communication. So, to avoid ambiguity and misunderstanding, the words you choose in academic writing must have only one possible interpretation - what you intend your reader to understand. |
In alignment with the four principles above in Table 1, academic writing will typically have the following features:
Have a look at the examples below for a poor and good example of academic writing.
Can you identify the above features in these examples?
The Touch Detective device is an innovation based on an existing Australian innovation of touch screens. It is really important to have good security at the airport (www.wikipedia.com). We all know how problematic this has been over the past few years. This product is absolutely awesome. At the end of the day, it is one of a kind. I think you have to respect the business that can be created by this product. This report will talk about conclusions around the value of the Touch Detective and it will become clear that every country should invest in this fantastic new innovation. It’s interesting to note that it was difficult to find academic sources on airport security. Since all people are individuals, it is useful to reflect on different opinions about the need for airport security.
Comment: This paragraph has the following features that mean it is not written in an academic style:
The purpose of this report is to examine the process of creating a further innovation from an existing Australian innovation. The Touch Detective is an innovation based on adapting the concept of a touch screen to include security features. The device was designed to be used at airports where security is a problem. Research for this report includes a review of websites containing information on touch screens, an exploration of international security issues and application techniques. A concept map was used to assist the thought process for the innovation development. Findings of this investigation show that there is a strong need for added security in the airport context and the adaptation of the touch screen is a convenient way to achieve this. Adaptations considered useful include a fingerprint recognition device, a controlled image camera, and links to a communication network database via satellite. The Touch Detective will add value by providing extra security for the public and business in a vulnerable high traffic area. Overall, the report finds that the Touch Detective has the potential to improve security at airports. It is recommended that further research and trialing is performed on the various adaptations to the touch screen and government involvement be sought to continue research and development.
Comment: This paragraph has the following features that mean it is written in an academic style:
Academic writing is used across different tasks and styles of writing, including essays, case studies, reflective writing, scientific reports, business reports, and posters. Check out the Academic Skills page (link below) for more detailed resources on each of these main assessment types offered here at UniSC:
This video (10:07 min) will take you through some key features of academic writing and show you how to apply these to your university assignments.
Bennett, K. (2009). English academic style manuals: A survey. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 8(1), 43-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2008.12.003
Valdes, O. (2020, January 29). An introduction to academic writing. ThoughtCo.
