Academic Writing-

Academic Writing Overview

  • Instructor: Anthony Mulenga, BA.ED, M.ED

Learning Objectives

  • Define academic writing

  • Utilize appropriate academic conventions and practices

  • Employ suitable language for academic writing

  • Develop coherent arguments in writing

  • Be conscious of plagiarism

  • Apply appropriate referencing and citation styles

Key Aspects of Academic Writing

  • Critical and Analytical Approach: Analyze and evaluate information critically.

  • Precision in Language: Use precise and subject-specific language.

  • Thesis Position: Adopt a clear thesis to guide the writing.

  • Citing Sources: Reference a range of authors and arguments.

  • Objectivity: Maintain an objective tone in writing.

Writing Process

  • Planning: Outline key ideas and structure.

  • Thinking: Engage in critical thought.

  • Researching: Gather relevant information and evidence.

  • Writing: Compose the draft.

  • Editing: Revise and refine the text.

Academic Conventions

  • Analysis: Break down ideas for deeper understanding.

  • Deductive Reasoning: Present the thesis early, followed by supporting details.

  • Voice: Use a semiformal tone, avoiding slang and colloquial language.

  • Point of View: Write in third person, avoiding first-person perspectives.

Purposes of Academic Writing

  • General Purpose: Clearly present information showing understanding.

  • Specific Purposes:

    • Argumentation and Persuasion: Convince readers to accept a viewpoint.

    • Exposition: Explain concepts or processes.

    • Description: Provide details about particular subjects.

    • Narration: Tell stories or present events.

Sourcing Information

  • Primary Sources: Direct interviews or discussions, but often not highly reliable.

  • Secondary Sources: Libraries and the internet offer credible and current information.

Essay Format and Presentation

  • Follow continuous writing format; avoid headings, bullets unless specified.

  • Use Microsoft Word, 12-point Times New Roman font.

  • Set line spacing to 1.5 and adjust margins accordingly.

Referencing Styles

  • Harvard Referencing: Requires in-text citations and a reference list.

  • Key Elements: Author's name, year of publication, and page numbers where necessary.

  • Ensure to engage with multiple referencing styles to acknowledge sources accurately.

Citations and Quotations

  • Paraphrase: Reword a text while maintaining its original meaning without copying.

  • Quoting: Use exact phrases from a source sparingly and effectively to support arguments.

  • Avoid quoting to merely fill space; only quote when necessary for clarity and emphasis.

Plagiarism Awareness

  • Understand definitions and forms of plagiarism, including improper paraphrasing and lack of citations.

Topic Sentences and Transitions

  • Topic Sentence: The central idea of a paragraph that guides the reader.

  • Transitions: Use connecting phrases to maintain flow and clarity between ideas.

Academic Instructional Commands

  • Terms like "Analyze," "Evaluate," and "Discuss" instruct how to approach assignments with clarity and precision.