Ten Strategies for Excellencein

Academic Writing

strategy one

question what the assignmentis really asking

technique

recognize the type of academic writing

recognize the type of academic writing

summary

“Your goal in summarizing a text is to articulate an author’s main idea and key points as simply and briefly as possible without sacrificing accuracy.“

Hacker, Diana. The Bedford Handbook. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2009, page 474

recognize the type of academic writing

analysis

“Whereas a summary most often answers the question of what a text says, an analysis looks at how a text makes its point.”

“Typically, your analysis will be in the form of an essay that makes its own argument about an author’s text.”

Hacker, Diana. The Bedford Handbook. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2009, pages 475 and 476

recognize the type of academic writing

synthesis analysis

The synthesis analysis is an analysis that incorporates several, rather than just one, text.

recognize the type of academic writing

methodology

These writing assignments include the annotations in an annotated bibliography and the reflections in a essay on the writing process. They, too, require summary and analytical skills.

recognize the type of academic writing

researched writing

“When writing … [a] paper that is based on sources, you face three main challenges:(1) supporting a thesis, (2) citing your sources and avoiding plagiarism, and (3) integrating quotations and other source

material.

Hacker, Diana. The Bedford Handbook. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2009, page 586

strategy two

assess where to start

Ask yourself, “What do I already know?” and “What do I have to learn before I can get started?”.

strategy three

build a knowledge base

Consider your existing knowledge and the gaps you would like to fill through additional reading.

Remember that research can be important even when an assignment does not require it.

technique

use (quality) reference sources

Consult online and print reference sources to clarify terminology, make connections to other knowledge areas, and introduce key topics in scholarship

Ask a librarian to suggest especially useful subject-specific reference sources for your topic

strategy four

engage inthinking as pre-writing

Form your position and begin to develop what will become your claim or thesis statement

A “claim” is synonymous with other terms you may have heard in the past such as position or thesis

strategy five

draft a starting claim

Shape the ideas you have collected into a four-part claim

claim:

1. subject matter2. personal position3. direction or purpose4. methodology

Your four-part claim should include the topic to be covered (1.), the position you will take on that topic (2.), how you will develop that topic and position (3.), and the organizational strategy you will implement (4.)

At this stage in the research process, you’re ready to find prospective sources through database and catalog searches

strategy six

use writing as thinkingand

thinking as writing

Your claim and how it will develop will change as you write and learn

Use an annotated bibliography for your own organization; don’t just find sources but identify for yourself how they might be useful

strategy seven

re-envision the plan

Continually question the steps you are laying out in your paper to develop your claim

At this stage in the research process, you know exactly what information you need to defend your well-articulated claim; ask a librarian for assistance with refining your searches and locating hard-to-find information

strategy eight

begin constructingthe final paper

Present the claim and the methodology you’ll use to support it and begin to implement that methodology

strategy nine

frame other voices withinan analysis of your claim

Introduce an idea. Then, introduce an expert or evidence is support of it. Finally, analyze that expertise or evidence.

strategy ten

transition from your expectations to

established expectations

Comply with format requirements. Check the length of the paragraphs. Give the paper a title.Prepare citations as instructed.

Reference Services Writing Center

Librarians who provide research help and tutors who help with topic development and organizing ideas into a cohesive, well-written paper

are both available on the second floor of the Information Commons