What is academic writing?
Academic essays form a standard part of higher education. They are also a major factor in the academic success of students. An academic essay presents a logical argument and gives the reader an in-depth understanding of one particular topic. The writing of an academic paper is more than just putting words together. For a well written piece that meets expectations, you need to plan carefully, do research and use critical thinking.
In this article, you will learn how to write a good academic essay. You will also get some tips and examples.
Step 1: Select a topic for your essay
First, you need to select a topic for your essay. Your essays topic will be the main subject or idea you are writing about. Select a subject that interests you and one that is easy to understand. The topic should be related to your course and the project you are working on.
Follow the instructions and formatting requirements of the essay prompt. Please read through the prompt or assignment and make sure you understand whats required. You may be asked to format your essay in a specific academic style. During the editing process, this style should also be considered. Use academic writing principles when writing your essay.
Before you start writing your essay, ask yourself these questions:
- What is your specific essay question?
- Is it necessary to analyze a source in a critical and rhetorical way?
- Are you required to use primary or secondary sources?
- Does the essay present a new argument, based on research that is original? Or does it review the literature?
- You need to compare at least two works in your analysis.
Step 2: Research
After youve chosen your topic, the next step is to start researching. The research you conduct is vital for an essay because it will give you the necessary information to support your argument. You can gather information from many sources, such as academic journals, databases online, and books.
Research can be done in several ways to get information for an essay. Primary research, secondary or tertiary, are all options.
In primary research, original data is collected through interviews, surveys, and experiments. This research type is commonly used to collect information directly from the source.
Secondary research is a method of collecting data that was already collected. These sources include academic journals, online databases, and books. Secondary research forms the basis of most essay research.
Tertiary Research involves gathering information from summary or overview resources, such as books, encyclopedias, or reference works. This type research is usually used to quickly get an overview or to gather specific information.
It is important that you use different sources when conducting research. You should also evaluate what you learn critically. You should only use reliable and credible sources. This includes personal blogs and opinion pieces. Make notes about your research. You can then easily reference your sources later on in your essay.
Step 3: Create your essay outline
The outline helps you organize yourself and guide you throughout the writing process. An outline is a roadmap that guides you through the writing process and helps you stay organized. Each body para should contain a topic statement, supporting proof, and a connecting sentence. The outline of a research report outlines the main points and summarizes each section.
Template for an essay
This outline is a basic essay structure that can be adapted to your topic or assignment.
The introduction is a quick overview of your topic, and it includes a statement of thesis which outlines the argument that you will be making in your essay.
Each main point is supported and explained with evidence in the body. The conclusion restates, summarizes, and concludes with final thoughts. This outline will help you to structure your essay and organize your thoughts.
I. Introduction B
B. Thesis Statement
II. Physical form
A. The primary concept
1. Evidence to support your claim
2. Analysis and explanation
B. The second primary argument
1. Evidence to support your claim
2. Analysis and explanation
C. Third major point
1. Evidence to support your claim
2. Analysis and explanation
III. Summing up,
A. Restate the thesis
B. Restate the main points
C. Final Thoughts and Implications
Step 4: Write your introduction
It is crucial to make an impression with the introduction, as it will be the first part that your reader reads. An introduction to an essay should give background information about the subject, catch the readers eye, and provide a strong thesis statement.
Heres an example of an introduction paragraph:
The American Dream has been elusive for many years. It was once a symbol that represented hope and opportunity. The American Dream is no longer a goal for many people who want to be happy and successful. It has become unattainable. This essay will explore how the American Dream, once a means to achieve happiness and success for individuals, has now become a set of unattainable goals that are beyond the reach of the average person.
This introduction contains a context, a query, and a thesis in less than two hundred words.
Step 5: Write your body paragraphs
In the body paragraphs you should develop your argument and provide evidence to support it. Each paragraph needs to be focused on a specific idea. The topic sentence should introduce the idea. There should also be supporting evidence. And a transitional sentence linking the paragraph to the following paragraph. Use transitions to link paragraphs, and to give your essay a more structured feel.
Step 6: Write your essay conclusion
The essay conclusion summarizes the arguments you have made in your essay. The conclusion should include a restatement of your thesis and enunciate a call to action or summing up the essay. The conclusion is where you should wrap up your essay and leave a positive impression with the reader.
Here is a sample conclusion paragraph for a "American Dream" academic essay:
To conclude The American Dream has changed significantly since its conception. The American Dream was intended as an opportunity for people to pursue their happiness and achieve success. However, it has now become unattainable for many Americans. This decline is attributed to economic inequalities, declining social mobility and lack of education and employment opportunities. This change in the definition of the American Dream will have significant consequences for the society at large, including an increase in poverty and social unrest. In order for the American Dreams original purpose to be restored, policymakers will need to address the systemic challenges and work towards creating a more equal society where individuals can achieve their dreams.
Note the bold terms that indicate the conclusion paragraph. They also point out to the major topics that have been summarized.
Step 7: Revision and editing Your essay
You should revise the essay after youve completed it. Examine your essay to find any errors. This includes grammatical, punctuation, spelling, and awkward sentences. You should ensure that the language you use is academically appropriate and follows conventions for writing. Wordvice, a professional editing company, can help you polish your essay and ensure it is error-free.
To conclude, writing an essay for academic purposes requires planning and research. It also requires critical thinking. Follow the steps described in this article to write an essay of high quality that will satisfy the readers expectations and get you the grades you desire. It is important to select a topic on which you have some knowledge and are passionate about. Also, it is important to conduct research and create an outline.
