Academic writing: CHARACTERISTICS AND purposes Video #2 Academic writing: CHARACTERISTICS AND purposes Dr. Matthew Robinson Appalachian State University Boone, NC USA

Academic writing: CHARACTERISTICS Academic writing is: Precise: accurate, to the point Semi-formal: written in academic terms but understandable to “laypersons” Impersonal: not in “first person” (no “I”) Objective: not influenced by personal feelings or opinions; factual

Academic writing: purposes Purposes of academic writing: 1) To learn: SIX levels of learning. Being able to: Know: recall basic facts (memorize) Understand: explain in your own words Apply: use it in the real world Analyze: compare and contrast Evaluate: make sound conclusions Create: suggest a solution For example, CLIMATE CHANGE …

Academic writing: purposes 2) To educate others: to summarize what it known about an issue to teach other people what you know

Academic writing: purposes 3) To influence policy: to create a policy (e.g., law) to solve a problem or fill a need Problem: the presence of something to be solved Need: the absence of something like a solution to a problem For example, CLIMATE CHANGE …