Academic Writing

• Definition: A type of writing produced by students in an academic setting aimed at informing and persuading rather than entertaining.
• Characteristics:
  • Impersonal: Uses the third person perspective, avoiding references to personal feelings (e.g., "one can argue" instead of "I believe").
  • Formal: Adheres to standard English conventions, avoiding contractions (e.g., using "do not" instead of "don't").

Professional Writing

• Definition: Any type of communication specifically in a professional context, primarily in business and technical writing.
• Characteristics:
  • Purpose: Primarily to inform.
  • Personal Tone: Uses business English and may include first and second person perspectives (e.g., "I" and "you").

Components of Academic and Professional Writing

1. Context:

   • Refers to the situation in which writing occurs.
   • Involves:
     • People involved (sender and receiver)
     • Relationships between communicators
     • Time and place of communication
     • Potential interferences.

2. Message:

   • The content of the document.
   • Includes the main topic and supporting details such as facts, statistics, testimonials, and observations.

3. Language:

   • The medium used to convey the message.
   • Can be visual or textual, formal or informal, verbal or non-verbal (e.g., body language).

4. Purpose:

   • The motivation behind communication.
   • Determines reactions the sender wishes to provoke in the audience.
   • Levels of Purpose:
     • General: To inform or persuade (e.g., help the audience understand a concept, influence attitudes).
     • Specific: The targeted reason for communicating with the audience.

5. Audience:

   • The recipient of the message.
   • Primary Audience: The direct receiver of the document.
   • Secondary Audience: The indirect receiver of the document.

6. Product:

   • The final output that results from the combination of all components discussed.

Types of Writing**

Academic Writing Examples:

• Academic essay
• Thesis
• Library specification
• Coursework
• Dissertation
• Research paper
• Reaction paper
• Literature review
• Research report

Professional Writing Examples:

• Instructional manuals
• Brochures
• Business correspondence (letters and memos)
• Technical proposals
• Position papers

Reference

• Barrot, Jessie S. Ph.D. (2016). Academic Reading and Writing For Senior High School. C & E Publishing, Inc.