Habits of Mind of the Academic Writer

 A conversation among scholars
 Informed argument
 Attempts to understand how the world works

 Impersonal and unemotional
 Identifies and questions assumptions
 Explores alternatives
 Anticipates opposing arguments
 Compares experiences
 Identifies the causes and consequences of ideas and events

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Make inquiries
Seek and value complexity
See writing as a conversation
Understand that writing is a process
(Greene and Lidinsky, 2008)

 Like comparison shopping:
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Look at a product in advertisements
Research it online
Research it in stores
Compare brands, features, prices
Analyze data
Make decision

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Ideas often start with an observation that challenge personal beliefs or values: “People continually leave their homelands and families to live in the U.S.”
Academic writing begins with a question re: how the world works (Why does this exist? Why is this happening? Do things have to be this way?):
“What does it mean to be an American?”
Examines alternatives (Maybe there is another way): “Other countries that offer a similar life.”

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Avoid binary thinking
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Black and white
Either/Or
Explore issues from different perspectives
 Sociology: Family survival
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Economics: Drain on resources
Political: Depends where politician resides,
Tucson vs. Miami
Legal: Everyone must obey the law

 Ideas respond to and build on ideas > new knowledge
 Can continue indefinitely as scholars draw on each other’s research and ideas
 Use empathy to show respect and value for others’ ideas

 Writing requires inspiration or natural talent
 Good writers write quickly
 A good writer in one context can write in any context
 Revising and editing are synonymous

 Start with an idea or issue that matters to you
 Reserve ample time to
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Gather material
Consider writing strategy (outline)
Draft
Revise
Edit

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Impersonal, unemotional, objective
Based on verifiable facts from credible sources
Uses sound reasoning and logic
Written with audience needs in mind
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In face-to-face interactions, a confused audience can ask for clarification
In written situations, a confused audience has to muddle through and guess or just give up

 Analytical
 Critical
 Synthesis
 Argumentative (vs. persuasion)

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Almost never uses the word “you” or any of its forms
Can use the word “I” (no opinions or feelings allowed)
 Limits contractions
 Avoids rhetorical or unnecessary questions that add wordiness.

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What you learned about writing in high school is still valid for expository and creative writing
College writing expectations are higher: the 5paragraph essay no longer exists
Opinions (I think; I believe; My experience proves) are now “claims” supported with facts
The act of writing starts with objective, verifiable facts, not opinions/beliefs/what you have always known to be true