Features of Academic Writing

Structure
- sense of direction
- 3 main parts; intro, body, conclusion
- group similar points together
- each paragraph should have a main point which is discussed at the beginning
- link to a subsequent paragraph

Idea Development
- central idea
- implicit to suggest something / ask questions
- identify points to support your idea, make sure its a smooth progression
- may not be a definite

Analytic writing

• analyse concepts and arguments
• synthesise ideas and evidence drawn from different sources
• construct consistent and well-supported arguments
• discuss an issue in a balanced way
• evaluate the ideas and arguments of others
• make judgements and express informed opinion

Important:
- take a stand
- look at various viewpoints; unbiased
- investigate and challenge existing assumptions
- explore future possibilities
- support with credible evidence
- suggest improvements to the issue at hand
- come to a conclusion and reiterate your stand

Use of Sources
- qualifications regarding the subject you're doing on
- is the author biased?
- date of the article

Explicitness
- make your work explicit; clear and ambiguous
- clear stand
- every claim mentioned should be mentioned + evidence

Language
- in academic writing, the language is more objective, non-emotional, based on logic
- fair, unbiased, avoids exaggeration
- balanced, respect the views of others
- don't use definite words if you're not sure
- formal; don't use slangs
- fair, accurate and measured
- hedging "will", "probably", "would", may"
- precise and stable to that you can express your ideas properly

"In this study, the aim is to..." - formal