1. Academic writing styles

2. Workshop objectives
Discuss the general aspects of academic writing and the structure of an argument
Consider the accessibility and readability of academic writing
Develop a text analysis strategy for theses in their discipline in order to influence their own writing

3. ‛To be a successful writer I know of only two methods;
read a lot and write a lot’
Stephen King

4. What makes academic writing good?
Content
- original, sound research, timely, valuable, justifiable, replicable
Selection
- (WHAT is included, and in how much detail.) Focused, in sufficient detail that someone else could replicate
Organisation
- logical, following a conventional pattern for article or thesis
Presentation
- appropriate writing style, choices of words and phrases. Grammar, punctuation, spelling. Visually: does it look good on the page? Typography, layout, clear diagrams

5. Structure of an argument
Data
So,
Qualifier
Claim/conclusion ,
Since
Since
Unless
Warrant
On account of
Rebuttal
From Toulmin, S. (1958, updated 2003)
‛The Uses of Argument’,
Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
Backing

6. Data Michelle was born in Northern Ireland
Michelle is a
British subject
So,
presumably ,
Since
Unless
A person born in NI will be a British subject
Both her parents were
born in Eire, or she has
become an Irish citizen
On account of
The following statutes
and legal provisions…
Data Michelle was born in Northern Ireland
Question to be discussed - Is Michelle Irish?

7. Accessibility and readability
Research* suggests that influential papers are often more readable, eg Watson and Crick’s DNA structure paper
Word can assess readability
Spelling and grammar options
Fog factor assessment
Rule of thumb: shorter words and shorter sentences
*Hartley J. (2004), On writing scientific articles in English. ‛Science Foundation in China’, 11(2):53-6.

8. Discipline variations
These are usually centred around:
Author’s voice – first person or not
Structure – eg IMRaD structure in science
Appropriate language – phraseology, choice of words

9. Thesis extract
‛The research is based on interviews conducted with respondents within the Nottingham area, mostly carried out in their own homes. Nottingham is a perfect location to conduct research of this kind…’ Extract from introductory chapter*
What stands out?
What influence does that have on your view of this thesis?
*Thanks to the original author for agreeing to this usage.
Copyright remains with the original author.

10. Understanding disciplinarity
It is part of your development as a researcher to:
Analyse and understand the variations
Be aware of the flexibility
Balance them with your preferred style
Tip: start drafting work in an informal style to test your ideas and thoughts. Make it more formal as you redraft.

11. Read a lot! How many books/articles/theses have you read?
How many of them impressed you in the way they were written?
What were your objectives for reading them?

12. Analysing style
In groups develop a template for analysing texts in your disciplines
Consider:
Macro level – whole piece
Mid level – large sections
Micro level – paragraphs
Highlight key issues – any specific issues?

13. What are you unclear of?
Prioritise the items in the analysis list that you aren’t clear of
Focus your analysis of the different genres you have to produce on these:
- Thesis
- Journal article
- The different building blocks of each

14. Your writing development
Use the same analysis on your writing
- On which features does it need development?
- On which features is it already good enough?
Ways to develop
- Write a lot and get feedback
- Writers’ groups
- One-to-one consultations (study support)

15. Wrap up Analyse texts as you read them - Your template
- For readability
Analyse your writing
- Same template
Focus your efforts and others’ feedback on weaker areas

16. Final thought
Professor Jonathan Wolff suggests that academic writing is confined by conventions to be dull!
‛A detective novel written by a good philosophy
student would begin:
‛In this novel I shall show that the butler did it.’
The rest will be just filling in the details’*
*See