Writing
Academically
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Approach
• Academic writing requires you to evaluate the
ideas of others.
• To do this, you need to learn what those ideas are
(research) and decide if you agree or disagree
with them (evaluation)
Objectivity
• When evaluating ideas, you need to put
aside your personal likes and dislikes and
judge the information fairly. If you
disagree, you need to have evidence to
show the idea is wrong.
Knowledge of Key Terms
• Make sure you truly understand the meanings of
the important terms in your field of study.
Use of Third Person
• Do not use I or you in academic writing. Simply
make statements.
Poor: I believe that Tennyson’s poems illustrate
magical reality
Academic Ex: Tennyson’s poems illustrate magical
reality
Analysis verses Summary
• Academic writing does not simply summarize
what happened.
• Academic writing analyzes how it happened, or
why it happened (cause + effect), how it is
similar/different to other works (comparison/
contrast), or even how it has changed over time.
Summary vs. Analysis
using Mary Had a Little Lamb as example
• Ex: Plot = what happened = summary
Mary’s lamb followed her to school.
• Academic Analysis Example:
Mary brought the lamb because she
wanted attention. In the end, she received
negative reinforcement and was scolded.
However, since the children laughed, Mary
might do it again
Acknowledging sources
• You must include a works cited page and
acknowledge sources in your paper even if
you paraphrase.
Quote: Dr. Neylon said, “Take learning in
little bites. It digests better.” (Neylon 33)
Paraphrase: Dr. Neylon told her student to
take learning slowly and in little pieces to
better comprehend. (Neylon 33)
Writing your Paper
Before you research:
1. Read your assignment carefully. Make
sure you fully understand your
instructor’s expectation.
2. Ask and clarify the first day
3. Turn your prompt into a thesis with a plan
of development.
Writing your Paper
Research:
1. Use the library to find information on your topic.
2. Evaluate your sources! Not all sources are
equal. Websites are the WORST sources. Use
books, periodicals or the on-line literary resource
center.
3. Read your sources (highlight important points,
take notes, and do works cited Now!)
Writing your Paper
Organizing information:
1. Look over your notes and create an outline.
(Don't forget your thesis and topic sentence)
2. Begin drafting your paper
• Intro (Lead in transition thesis)
• Body (topic sentences, details and examples,
remember transition)
• Conclusion (Restate thesis, summary, ending
strategy)
Writing your Paper Using quotes
and Paraphrases
Each quote you use requires a minimum of 3
sentences:
A. Sentence #1 gives your point on the subject
B. Sentence #2 is the quote
C. Sentence #3 explains how the quote supports
your points
Using Quotes + Paraphrases Ex:
• Suicide is not a new phenomenon and has been
a cause of much struggle for many throughout
the centuries. Hamlet in Shakespeare’s play of
the same name says, “To be or not to be, that is
the question.” (43) Hamlet is struggling to decide
if life or being is worth the pain and struggle.
Writing your Paper
Tools:
1. Your text
2. Your teacher
3. MLA website
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/resear
ch/r_mla.html
4. Tutors