How to write an academic essay
Writing a scientific essay requires systematic and analytical thinking from the author. First of all, determine the topic and write a thesis – the main idea of your work. Rely on evidence and authoritative sources to support your claims.
The structure of the essay includes introduction, development and conclusion. In the introduction, draw the reader’s attention with an interesting fact or quote, and also formulate the main question. Divide the development into paragraphs, each of which deals with a separate aspect of the topic. Follow the sequence and logical connection.
Avoid general statements, try to specify your thoughts. Use scientific terminology, but explain it for the reader to understand. End the essay with a conclusion, summarize the main ideas and answers to the questions.
Don’t forget about formatting and citation rules. Use reliable sources and proofread your work for grammatical and stylistic errors. Your research essay should be an expression of your thoughts, supported by reasoning and research.
What is an academic essay?
An academic essay is a formal piece of writing that presents a coherent argument or analysis of a specific topic. It is a structured and well-organized composition typically written in a formal and objective tone. Academic essays are common in educational settings and are used to assess a student’s understanding of a subject, their ability to analyze information critically, and their capacity to articulate ideas in a clear and logical manner.
1. Purpose: The academic essay has the goal of presenting a strong argument and supporting it with sound evidence. 2. Structure: An academic essay usually consists of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The introduction contains the background to the topic and the main argument, while the body contains evidence to support the argument. The conclusion concludes the main argument and provides the author’s view of the topic. 3. Use of language: The language of an academic essay should be clear, objective and professional. Use of subjective or emotional language is not allowed in academic essays. 4. Research: An academic essay must be supported by valid and relevant research to support the writer’s argument. References should be included for each source of information used in this essay. 5. Length: Academic essays are usually shorter compared to other types of writing such as term papers or theses, but the length still varies depending on the topic.
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Types of academic essays
Narration: Narrative is the most common form of academic writing. It tells a story, usually based on experience or research, to make a certain point. Narration can be used to describe events, explain processes, or provide examples to support an argument. Descriptive: Descriptive is a type of essay which aims to describe something in a clear and detailed way. It can be used to describe people, places, objects or situations. Descriptions can help readers better imagine what you’re describing. Expository: Expository is a type of essay whose aim is to provide readers with information about a particular topic. This usually involves presenting facts and data in an objective and accurate manner. The main purpose of exposition is to provide information so that the reader can draw his own conclusions about the topic. Persuasive: Persuasive is a type of essay which aims to convince the reader of a particular opinion or views. This involves using logical and emotional evidence to support your argument and convince the reader that your point is correct.
Good academic essay topics
- Describe how you and your family have survived quarantine. Describe how it affects you.
- Talk about your experience engaging in distance learning. How does that affect your grades and overall performance? Do you think distance education is better or worse than traditional alternatives?
- Write a story that explains the importance of technology in modern people’s lives.
- Write a story explaining the value of each person’s contribution to the process of solving the global problem of climate change.
The right format for your academic writing
The format for academic writing can vary depending on the specific requirements of the assignment or the guidelines provided by the educational institution. However, there are some general principles and formatting conventions that are commonly followed in academic writing:
Title Page: Some assignments may require a title page with the title of the paper, your name, the course name, the instructor’s name, and the date.
Font and Spacing: Use a standard, easily readable font such as Times New Roman or Arial, with a font size of 12. Double-space the entire document, including the bibliography or works cited page.
Margins: Set one-inch margins on all sides of the paper (top, bottom, left, and right).
Page Numbers: Number the pages consecutively in the header or footer, typically in the top right corner.
Heading and Subheadings: Use consistent and clear headings and subheadings to organize your paper. The formatting and hierarchy of headings depend on the citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) you are using.
Introduction, Body, and Conclusion: Organize your paper into distinct sections, including an introduction that presents the thesis or main argument, a body that develops and supports the argument, and a conclusion that summarizes key points and restates the thesis.
In-text Citations: If you are using outside sources, cite them properly within the text using the appropriate citation style. This helps give credit to the original authors and avoids plagiarism.
References or Works Cited Page: Include a list of all the sources you cited in the paper. Follow the specific citation style guidelines for formatting this page.
Academic Tone: Maintain a formal and objective tone throughout the paper. Avoid using first-person pronouns (I, we) unless explicitly allowed, and focus on presenting evidence and analysis.
Paragraph Structure: Each paragraph should have a clear topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a transition to the next paragraph. This helps maintain a coherent flow of ideas.
Grammar and Punctuation: Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Proofread your work to eliminate errors and ensure clarity.
Always check the specific guidelines provided by your instructor or the preferred citation style for any variations in formatting. Adhering to these conventions not only ensures a polished and professional appearance for your academic writing but also helps convey your ideas in a clear and organized manner.
1. Thesis statement: The thesis statement is a statement that describes the main idea of your academic writing. It should explain briefly and clearly what you are going to cover in your writing. 2. Subpoints: Subpoints are arguments or evidence that support your thesis statement. They should relate to the main theme and help reinforce your main idea. 3. Connections: Connections are how you connect subpoints back to your thesis statement. This helps to emphasize how subpoints support your main idea and provides further context on the topic at hand. 4. Summary: The summary is a brief summary of all the key points you have made previously, including the thesis statement, subpoints, and connections between subpoints. This helps the reader to summarize the important ideas that have been presented and provides an overview of what has been discussed in the academic paper.
Start the writing process by making an outline
Academic Essay Conclusion
1. Summary of the main arguments you made during your paper. It should cover the key points you covered and how they relate to one another. 2. Personal reflection on the topic you are writing about. It can be a statement about what you have learned or how your views have changed during the writing process. 3. Questions to spark further discussion about the topic you are writing about, if relevant. This will provide readers with a way to further engage with the material and make them feel involved in the conclusion of your essay. 4. Re-emphasize the main arguments you have made throughout the paper, reminding the reader of the important points made earlier and confirming that the initial objectives have been achieved. 5. A strong and engaging conclusion, such as a quote or analogy, to leave a positive impression on the reader’s mind and give them reason to ponder the topic further after reading your essay.
- Summary: Its condensed information paraphrases are stated in thesis and sub-points. (Only if you are writing an expository, descriptive, or persuasive paper)
- Personal or social connection: In other words, why is this information relevant to society. Stating such a connection showcases the general interest of the subject and its modern relevance.
- Overall Conclusion Statement: This will usually be the last sentence serving the purpose of tying the knot around your work. If you’re initially starting with a rhetorical question, a nice touch is to provide the audience with an answer here. If you have already written an offer, repeat it in your own words. It’s important to leave the audience with a powerful statement that will stay in their minds.