Academic Writing

Academic writing aims to develop understanding in a clearly specified area of knowledge. In universities, academic writing is undertaken by two main groups of people, students, and academic staff. Students undertake academic writing in order to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding about topics that are part of their programmes of study. This writing is often part of the assessments that are required in order to pass a degree or other course of study. Academic staff undertake academic writing in order to make a contribution to knowledge in their academic discipline.

This entry discusses the form and characteristics of academic writing and categorises academic writing into two main types: (1) theoretical and (2) empirical. It then focuses on the most typical elements of academic writing that report ...