1. How to write like an Academic
Video #5
How to write like an Academic
Dr. Matthew Robinson
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC USA

2. Academic writing: how to …
Start like an academic!
1) Choose a topic to research that:
is interesting to you
is contemporary/relevant
has available information (articles, books)
is not too broad
is not too narrow
For example, climate change or global warming …
OR the role of CO2 emissions in it …
OR the role of CH4 (methane) emissions in it …

3. Academic writing: how to …
2) Research to find sources
Academic, library databases
Articles, books
Also websites, reports, news
These are NON academic sources!

4. Academic writing: how to …
3) Read! Read! Read!
Read to learn what we know about the topic
Read to learn what we don’t know about the topic

5. Academic writing: how to …
4) Take notes
Use reverse outlining
This is writing ON the source (book, article) itself to:
Organize the reading by topic
Take notes on important points

6. Academic writing: how to …
In the left column, write what the paragraph is about
Be brief! (few words)
In the right column, write a key point or fact related to the argument

7. Academic writing: how to …
Intergovernmental panel on climate change
Warming, Ocean acidity
Risks of climate change
Extinction caused by less oxygen, more acids, higher temps
Species extinction
Less fish, wheat, rice, maize due to less water
Food scarcity

8. Academic writing: how to …
4) Take notes (continued)
Use outlining
This is organizing all your information into an outline
All the information from your research will be contained in the outline
But it is very brief!
It is like a “roadmap” for your paper
Major topics are organized in a logical way
Minor topics are organized below major topics

9. Example of an outline I. What is Climate Change?
A. First definition
1. Insert definition here with source
B. Second definition
II. Controversies About Climate Change
A. Is it real?
1. Some say it does not exist
2. Evidence shows it is real
a. data on temperatures
b. data on oceans
c. data on storms
B. Is it caused by humans?
1. Yes
a. CO2 emissions are rising: WHY?
b. CH4 emissions are rising: WHY?

10. Academic writing: how to …
5) Write a paper, using the outline
Follow the organization in your outline
Summarize what is known (in writing)
Tell us what we know and don’t know
Can provide information to the public
Can lead to an argument for a policy
Can lead to a question for a new research study