- Information
- AI Chat
Academic Writing Guidelines
English Composition II (ENG-106)
Grand Canyon University
Recommended for you
Preview text
Academic Writing Guidelines Resource
Description Guidelines and Examples
ORGANIZATION and
STRUCTURE
Organization is the internal structure of a piece of writing, the thread of central meaning that ties the piece together from beginning to end.
A piece of solid academic writing: Begins with an introduction regarding the piece’s primary purpose or theme, which prepares the reader for what is to come (i., thesis statement). Ends with a conclusion that summarizes the key points of the piece, draws conclusions, and generally provides closure for the reader.
The body of a piece of academic writing can be organized around a variety of structures.
Examples of organizing structures: Main idea/thesis, with supporting details/evidence. Comparison-contrast. Deductive logic. Point-by-point analysis. Development of central theme. Chronology or history (e., of an event, process, era).
Solid academic writing uses transitional words and phrases to provide logical connections and sequencing.
Examples of transitional words: Addition: also, again, as well as, besides. Consequence: accordingly, as a result, consequently, for this reason. Generalizing: as a rule, as usual, generally. Illustration: for example, for instance, for one thing. Emphasis: above all, chiefly, with attention to, especially, particularly. Similarity: comparatively, coupled with, correspondingly. Exception: aside from, barring, besides, except, excluding. Restatement: in essence, in other words, namely. Comparison: in contrast, by the same token, conversely, instead, likewise.
© 2018. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
Summarizing: after all, all in all, briefly, in any case, in any event, in conclusion, in short, in summary, finally.
CONVENTIONS and
MECHANICS
Description Guidelines and Examples Solid academic writing is characterized by the proper use of conventions and mechanics, including: spelling, grammar, paragraphing, capitalization, and punctuation.
Examples of conventions and mechanics in academic writing: Proper use of capitalization, punctuation, and quotation marks. Subject/verb agreement. Proper use of pronouns. Technical abbreviations, acronyms, and units of measurement. Paragraphs that are indented; consisting of three or more sentences. Use of title page, headers, and footers. Avoid the use of: contractions, incomplete and run-on sentences.
WORD CHOICE and
USAGE
In solid academic writing, the use of language is precise, with correct word usage and appropriate word choice.
Guidelines for language use: In good descriptive writing, strong word choice clarifies and expands ideas. In persuasive writing, careful word choice moves the reader to a new vision of possibilities. Effective word choice depends less on an exceptional vocabulary and more on the skill to use everyday words well. Use a thesaurus for new words with more specific meaning (e., “pronounce” for “say,” or “embarkation” for “start.”). In academic writing, “it” as the subject of a sentence is not acceptable. Make sure the reader knows what the subject of each sentence is.
RESEARC
In solid academic writing, it is at times necessary to support your thesis or argument with outside
Some strongly recommended sources for student use are: GCU Library for search engines (library.gcu)
For instructions on how to use the GCU Library, access and view tutorials:
© 2018. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
Academic Writing Guidelines
Course: English Composition II (ENG-106)
University: Grand Canyon University
This is a preview
Access to all documents
Get Unlimited Downloads
Improve your grades
