Module: Academic writing: an introduction

Welcome

What is academic writing?

The writing process

Writing an academic paper is a process which begins from the moment you are given a topic (or formulate one yourself) and lasts until you submit a finished product. Writing a paper can take anywhere from a few days to several years, depending on the type and scope of the assignment. Everyone develops their own writing habits, so the process really depends on you as a writer. However, the writing process usually consists of the following steps:

Figure: Phase 1 - Analysis of task text/problem statement. Phase 2 - Idea phase. Phase 3 - First draft. Phase 4 - Obtain Feedback. Phase 5 - Revise draft. Phase 6 - Final draft.

While the above figure suggests a linear process, academic writing is anything but that! In reality, the process is much more involved, and you may find yourself jumping from one step to another. For example, you may uncover new findings or develop new ideas along the way, requiring you to find more literature and redraft parts of your assignment. Sometimes, this even entails a reformulation of the research question itself! But, do not fret, for this is a good sign of an interesting and well written assignment in the making!

It can be frustrating to feel ‘stuck’ in the writing process, or to find yourself at several stages simultaneously. This happens to the most experienced of writers. It helps to divide the process into a list of small tasks, and tackle them one at a time. The most important ingredient to success is to start writing early, and to revisit your drafts frequently. Make writing a habit and do it your way – you will have a full draft before you know it.