academic writing style

academic writing style

Academic style
The qualities of good academic writing may be summarised as follows:
Use of formal language
Impersonal (objective) style
Precise and concise language
Correct referencing & quotes
Accuracy (particularly in grammar, punctuation and syntax).
Use of formal language
Use of formal language will generally be required in essays and other assignments, unless otherwise stipulated by your lecturer. There are cases where this rule might not apply. For example, in management studies, you may be asked to write a personal journal to describe your reactions to certain concepts, or to apply them to your own life experience. However, this is an exception rather than the rule.
You should generally avoid contracted forms such as "won't, shouldn't, there's, it's" and so on. Similarly you should avoid casual phrases such as 'sort of', vague references to 'they' or other phrases which might be acceptable in spoken language but which are unclear or too casual in written language. Study the differences in these examples.
A passage which does NOT use formal language:
Some treaties start on a date set out in the treaty. Others start when there's a proclamation. A lot of treaties have to be registered when they're ratified. They can do this registration either with a special group established in the treaty itself, or with an international group. United Nations members have to register treaties with the United Nations' Secretariat.
A treaty can operate for a set term or for another sort of general period, depending on how it's drawn up. Also the treaty will have provisions that allow for finishing, renewing or withdrawing from the group's obligations in the treaty.
The same passage which DOES use formal language correctly:
Some treaties come into force on a date set out in the treaty itself. Others will become effective upon proclamation. Most treaties must be registered at ratification. This registration will be either with a special body established under the treaty itself, or with an international organization. United Nations members must register treaties with the Secretariat of the United Nations.
A treaty may operate for a fixed term or for an indefinite period, depending upon its terms. Also the treaty itself will contain provisions that allow for terminating, renewing or withdrawing from obligations under the treaty.
Impersonal (objective) style
Impersonal (objective) style is required in most (though again, not all) essays or assignments. This means that you would avoid use of the personal pronouns 'I, we' and try to write almost as if you are an outsider. Examine the differences in the two passages under Section 2, Use of Impersonal Style.
A passage which does NOT use impersonal (objective) style:
In this paper we are presenting our analysis of our assignment on teamwork development. The group we selected for this assignment (the survey team) were a group of people who work for Advance Tours. We used two questionnaires developed by Cacioppe (1998) to try to measure the performance of the team and the way the team members felt about it. We then tried to present an analysis of the findings and we made a few recommendations about what the team can do to improve the way they work. Our recommendations are based a lot on what we read in the journals etc, but we would also like to say something about our own life and work experiences.
The same passage which DOES this correctly:
This paper presents the findings of an analysis of teamwork development. The group selected for this assignment (the survey team) is a small team of four people working in a small department of Advance Tours. The performance of the team and the team members' attitudes to their team were measured using two questionnaires developed by Cacioppe (1998). An analysis of the findings is then presented and recommendations are made as to what measures can be employed to improve the overall teamwork and performance of the team. Recommendations are based largely on readings from the relevant literature, but also draw on the life/work experiences of the three writers.
Precise and concise language
Precise and concise language should be used as much as possible. This means using specialist terms, which are often more concise, but also making sure that you do not use extra words which may be unnecessary, and indeed may often cloud the meaning of what you want to say. It also means editing your work to ensure that meaning is clear.
A passage which does NOT do this
The replies of the people who filled out the questionnaire to the 'procedures/processes and rewards' section make it look like there are problems with communication in this group, and the replies to the 'development' and 'aligning with the environment' parts do as well. The thing that stands out most strongly in an overall analysis of this questionnaire is that there are very big differences between what team member 1 said and what the other team members said. It is pretty obvious that, deep down, some people are pretty unhappy with what is happening in the team, but team member 1 either just doesn't understand this or is acting like there isn't a problem. I would say, although I can't be sure, that since the questionnaires were filled out anonymously, team member 1 is probably the team leader. If that's the case, then obviously somebody has to do something about leadership in this team.
The same passage which DOES this correctly
Responses to the 'procedures/processes and rewards' section indicate problems with intra-group communication, as do responses to the 'development' and 'aligning with the environment' aspects. What stands out most strongly in an overall analysis of this questionnaire is the quite marked difference in responses between team member 1 and the other team members. Some unhappiness with the operation of the team seems to be simmering under the surface, but team member one is either unaware of this, or has chosen to ignore the existing problems. It is likely, although unable to be determined with any certainty, since the questionnaires were filled out anonymously, that team member 1 is the team leader. If this is so, then there are leadership style issues to be addressed within this team.
Correct referencing & quotes
Correct referencing & use of quotations is most important in academic writing. CBS uses the Harvard Referencing Style. More information on this is available in the Study Tour's Referencing section.
A passage which does NOT do this
There are many definitions of what constitutes a team and what purposes they have. One of the more widely quoted definitions was by Katzenbach and Smith who said "a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals, and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable ". Over the last decade or so 'teams' have certainly been in vogue as a tool with which to further an organisation's goals. When compared to individuals, teams are expected to be more creative and capable of solving complex problems, since team members bring different skills and viewpoints to situations. Moore said "complex, ill-defined problems often can be addressed only by pooled intelligence" (1994).
The same passage which DOES do this correctly
There are many definitions of what constitutes a team and what purposes they have. One of the more widely quoted definitions by Katzenbach and Smith (1993, p 45) suggests that a team is "a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals, and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable".
Over the last decade or so 'teams' have certainly been in vogue as a tool with which to further an organisation's goals. When compared to individuals, teams are expected to be more creative and capable of solving complex problems, since team members bring different skills and viewpoints to situations. Indeed Moore (1994, p 8) states that "complex, ill-defined problems often can be addressed only by pooled intelligence".
Accuracy
Accuracy in grammar, punctuation and syntax is expected in all writing at tertiary level. Students sometimes make errors by putting things into convoluted long sentences which are unclear and clumsy. A good rule is to aim for simplicity and clarity.
A passage which DOES NOT demonstrate this
With the onset of the nineteenth century, towns and cities expanded outwards and some more than others, mainly the industrial orientated areas, many new production methods were being created and were being aided by the growth of railways. Also in the meantime the population was rapidly growing 40% growth in a decade in most large cities was the norm, so new developments had to be met to accommodate the demand, most places adapted to their geographical locations so some areas grew quicker than some. (Source: Williams, K. (1996). Essential Writing Skills, Oxford Centre for Staff Development, Oxford.)
The same passage which DOES this correctly
With the onset of the nineteenth century, towns and cities expanded outwards, particularly in industrial areas. Many new production methods were being created and were being aided by the growth of railways. In the meantime the population was rapidly growing, with 40% growth in a decade in most large cities the norm. This resulted in new developments to meet demand. Most places adapted to their geographical locations so some areas grew quicker than others.
Useful websites
http://nutsandbolts.washcoll.edu/clarity.html
http://unilearning.uow.edu.au