ACADEMIC WRITING

AND RESEARCH
ACADEMIC WRITING

Is a formal style of writing used in educational and

research contexts. It prioritizes clarity, conciseness,
structure, and evidence-based reasoning. In research, it
is crucial to present ideas systemically and coherently,
supporting arguments with credible sources and
following ethical guidelines like avoiding plagiarism and
using proper prefencing formats such APA or MLA.
a) Academic Language
Academic language is distinct from everyday conversational
language. It requires a formal tone, precise vocabulary, and
often a focus on discipline-specific terms. The purpose is
communicate ideas and arguments clearly while avoiding
colloquial expressions or slang.
Academic language is also
characterized by its objectivity and impartiality, requiring
writers to distance themselves from personal bias and emotions.
Key Features of Academic Language:
Formal tune - Avoid contractions (e.g., use " cannot "
instead of can't ").
Complexity - Use compound and complex
sentences to express relationships between ideas.
Objectivity - Avoid personal
pronouns (e.g., "I believe") and instead use passive voice or
impersonal phrases (e.g., "The result suggest").
Precision - Use specific and precise
language instead of vague terms (e.g., "The experiment was
good").
 Cohesion - Employ transitional words and phrase
(e.g.,"However", "Moreover", "In contrast") to create a
smooth flow between ideas.
Example of Academic Language:
Conversational - "I think social media is
making people less social."
Academic - "Research
suggests that the rise of social media usage has
contributed to decreased face-to-face interpersonal
interactions."
b) Culturally Sensitive and Bias-Free Language
Culturally sensitive and bias-free
language is essential in academic writing as it
reflects respect for diversity and ensures that
language does not perpetuate stereotype or
marginalize any group. In an academic setting, it is
vital to choose words carefully and consider the
social, historical, and cultural contexts of the topic
to avoid misrepresentation.
Guidelines for culturally Sensitive and Bias-Free Language:
Avoid Stereotypes – Do not
generalize about people based on race, ethnicity, gender, or nationality.
-Example of biased language: " Asians are
naturally good at math". -Bias-free alternative: "Some students excel
in mathematics due to a combination of factors including education and
practice." Use Inclusive Language – Ensure that language is
inclusive of all genders, races, and abilities.
-Example of biased language: " Each student should bring his
notebook". -
Bias-free alternative: "Each student should bring their notebook".
Respectful Terminology – Use terms that are accepted by the
group being referred to and avoid outdated or offensive
language. -Example: Instead of using "handicapped," use
"person with a disability."
Be Specific and Clear – Avoid generalizing large
groups of people. For example, referring to "developing countries"
can be imprecise. Instead, be specific about the region or country
you are discussing.
Example of Culturally Sensitive Language:
-Biased: "Native Americans were
primitive in their living conditions."
-Bias-Free:
"Indigenous peoples had distinct cultural practices
and technological innovations suited to their
environments."
c) Plagiarism
Plagiarism it the act of using someone else's
words, ideas, or research without proper
acknowledgement, and it is a serious academic offense.
Plagiarism can occur intentionally or unintentionally, but
both are considered unethical. To avoid plagiarism,
writers must give credit to the original author whenever
they quote, paraphrase, or use another person's ideas.
Types of Plagiarism:
Direct Plagiarism – Copying text word-for-word without citation.
Self-Plagiarism –
Reusing one's previous work (e.g., submitting the same paper for
different assignments) without proper citation.
Paraphrasing Plagiarism – Rewording
another Author's work without giving credit.
Mosaic Plagiarism – Blending copied material
with original ideas without proper citation.
How to Avoid Plagiarism:
Quoting – When using an author's exact words, place them in quotation marks
and provide an in-text citation.
-Example: According to Smith (2020), " Climate change is
one of the most pressing global challenges" (p. 45).
Paraphrasing – Express the original idea in your own
words and include a citation.
-Example: Smith (2020) argues that addressing climate change is
an urgent global issue (p. 45).
Citing All Sources – Ensure all ideas that are not your
own are appropriately cited using a referencing stlyle such as APA or MLA.
d) APA and MLA Referencing formats
Proper referencing is essential to academic integrity
and allows readers to trace the sources of your
information. Two widely used citation formats are APA
(American Psychological Association) and MLA (Modern
Language Association). APA
Referencing Format (7th Edition)
-APA is typically used in social sciences like psychology,
education, and sociology.
General Guidelines:
- Use author-date citation format for in-text citations.
- The reference list should be in alphabetical order, with hanging indentation
for each entry.
In-text citation examples:
-Quoting directly: (Smith, 2020, p. 45)
-Paraphrasing: (Smith, 2020)
Reference List Example:
- For a book : Smith, J. A. (2020).
Understanding climate change. Penguin Books.
- For a journal article: Johnson, L.B. (2021). The role of
technology in modern education.
[Link]
MLA Refencing Format (9th Edition):
MLA is commonly used in humanities fields like literature,
history, and philosophy.
General Guidance:
- Use author-page format for in-text citations.
- The "Works Cited" list should
be in alphabetical order by the author's last name.
In-text citation examples:
- Quoting
directly: (Smith 45)
-Paraphrasing:(Smith 45)
Works Cited Example:
- For a book: Smith, John A.
Understanding Climate Change. Penguin Books, 2020. -For
Key Differences between APA and MLA:
- APA uses an author-date system
(Smith, 2020), while MLA uses an author-page
system (Smith 45). - APA
titles are capitalized sentence-style (Understanding
climate change), while MLA capitalizes all major
words in the title (Understanding Climate Change).
Conclusion
Academic writing and research rely on
structured, formal, and ethical communication. Mastery
of academic language, sensitivity to culture and bias,
avoiding plagiarism, and properly using referencing
formats like APA and MLA are essential skills. These
guidelines not only foster credibility but also
demonstrate respect for diverse perspectives and
intellectual property.