Academic Writing & Text Structures

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture on academic writing, its features, text structures, summarizing techniques, and thesis development.

Academic Text

Written language (e.g., research papers, essays, reports) that conveys information in a formal, evidence-based manner.

Structure (of an academic text)

The three main components—introduction, body, and conclusion—that organize an academic paper.

Tone (academic writing)

The author’s attitude; should remain formal, unbiased, and objective.

Language (academic writing)

Appropriate, formal, third-person wording used to present ideas clearly and professionally.

Citation

The practice of crediting sources within the text to avoid plagiarism.

Complexity (academic content)

Level of difficulty that demands higher-order thinking to follow evidence-based arguments.

Thesis-Driven Writing

Writing focused on presenting and supporting (or disproving) a solution to the central research question.

Complex (feature)

Expresses sophisticated ideas concisely yet clearly for readers.

Formal (feature)

Avoids colloquial words and contractions; uses precise, scholarly language.

Precise (feature)

Presents facts accurately and specifically.

Objective (feature)

Emphasizes information over personal feelings, using neutral language.

Subjective

Writing that includes personal opinions, feelings, or interpretations.

Explicit (feature)

Makes relationships and ideas clear to the reader.

Accurate (feature)

Employs vocabulary correctly and presents information truthfully.

Hedging

Use of cautious language (e.g., ‘may,’ ‘might’) to qualify claims and show stance.

Responsible (feature)

Requires providing evidence and justification for every claim made.

Organized (feature)

Information flows logically from one section or idea to the next.

Plan (writing)

Pre-writing step of outlining ideas and structure before drafting.

Social Language

Everyday conversational language used in informal settings.

Academic Language

Formal, subject-specific vocabulary and grammar used in scholarly contexts.

Impersonal Writing

Avoids first-person pronouns (‘I,’ ‘we’) to maintain objectivity.

Text Structure

The way an author organizes information within a text.

Narrative Text Structure

Tells a story or event with characters, setting, and plot.

Chronological / Sequence Structure

Presents ideas or events in the order they occur.

Cause and Effect Structure

Explains reasons for events or phenomena and their results.

Problem and Solution Structure

Identifies an issue and proposes one or more solutions.

Compare and Contrast Structure

Shows similarities and differences between two or more subjects.

Descriptive Structure

Details a topic by listing its characteristics, features, or examples.

Summarizing

Condensing a larger text to its essential ideas using one’s own words.

Somebody Wanted But So

A summarizing technique that highlights characters (Somebody), goals (Wanted), conflicts (But), and outcomes (So).

SAAC Method

A summarizing tool: State the name, Assign the role, Action of the text, and Complete the sentence.

5 Ws and How

Summarizing strategy that answers Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How.

First Then Finally

Chronological summarizing method outlining beginning, middle, and end events.

Give Me the Gist

Technique that asks for the overall main idea or ‘gist’ of the text.

Thesis Statement

The controlling idea of a paper; usually one sentence (sometimes two or three) that tells readers the main claim.

Title (thesis element)

The specific topic or subject of the paper, presented in a concise heading.

Argument / Claim

The writer’s stance or main assertion expressed in the thesis statement.

Evidence

Facts, data, or examples that support the argument or claim.

Outline

A structured plan listing main points and subpoints to guide writing.