Academic Writing

By Paul StoneFWU AEP

General Points

• Students will produce academic essays on topics of their choosing

• Writing should be meaningful • Students should be critical • Build students confidence and enjoyment• Writing is used to communicate ideas and implement actions• Writing is interactive • Develop an awareness of different genres• Students should be able to offer peer-feedback and assess

their own work• Enable students to study abroad

General Outline

AW1 Paragraphs on academic topics

AW2 & 3 Short essays

AW4 2000 word research essay

AW1: Paragraphs

• Students choose own topics (relevant to their academic interests)

• Process approach – write multiple drafts• Brainstorming & ideas• Students should discuss their ideas with each other• Students should peer- and self-assess using rubrics (but

this does not replace teacher feedback)• Students should consider their audience (who are they

writing to, why, and what are they trying to achieve)• Recommended text: Basic Steps to Academic Writing

AW4• Students need to write a 2000 word academic research essay• Need to brainstorm, develop and organize ideas• Write multiple drafts• Write for a reason• Criticize and evaluate sources• Academic language and culture• Plagiarism and referencing (and why these are important)• Discuss essay topics in class• Read each other’s essays & offer peer-feedback (consider the

audience)• Evaluate own essays using rubric• Maintain email contact with teacher

Example Rubric: AW1 (Paragraphs)TEXTUAL• Are words spelt correctly?• Are sentences correctly formed?• Does each sentence begin with a capital letter?• Is the first word of each paragraph indented?• Are sentences too short or long?

DISCOURSAL/GENERIC• Is there a topic sentence?• Are there 3 or 4 supporting sentences?• Are the supporting sentences backed-up with details?• Is there a concluding/transition sentence at the end of the paragraph?• Are there signal words to help guide the reader?• Are joining/linking words used to connect ideas? • Do all the sentences relate to the main point?

INTERPERSONAL• Are unusual or difficult words explained?• Does the paragraph read well?• Has the writer considered the reader? • Is is written using academic style (i.e. objective)

Example Rubric: AW4 (Research essay)TEXTUAL• Is the essay properly formatted, spelling etc?

DISCOURSAL/GENERIC: INTRODUCTION• Does the intro begin with an interesting statement about the topic?• Does the introduction preview the main points of the essay?• Does the introduction state the author’s purpose in writing the essay?• Does the intro move from general to specific?• Is there a thesis statement toward the end of the introduction?

DISCOURSAL/GENERIC: BODY, CONCLUSION & REFERENCES• Is the essay logically-organized, with intro, body, conclusion?• Does each paragraph have a clear topic sentence and idea?• Are all the paragraphs/points relevant to the main idea?• Is the main idea developed and supported with specific details?• Are ideas linked with signalling words?• Does the conclusion summarize the main ideas/ask a new question/suggest a solution to the problem?• Does the author use citations and references appropriately?

INTERPERSONAL• Are ideas clearly explained?• Is is written using academic style (i.e. objective)