Writring 1 Academic Essay 2015
PLE0042
English for Law
Foundation in Law
ONLINE NOTES
Academic Essay
WHAT IS AN ACADEMIC ESSAY?
An academic essay is a written text, rarely fewer than 500 words or more than 5000 words in length, on a topic related to a course that is taught at a school, college, or university. Given the number and variety of courses offered, there are thousands of possible topics for an academic essay. Good academic writing has a clear beginning, middle, and end; is written in Standard English; and projects a forceful, confident and matured voice. Good academic writing, in other words, has ISCE: intelligence, substance, clarity, energy. An essay projects intelligence when it contains insightful ideas and cites authoritative sources; it is substantial when ideas are developed in enough detail so readers grasp the knowledge the writer is conveying; it is clear when its grammar, sentence structure, organisation, punctuation, and diction are sound; it has energy when the writer uses a strong and confident voice in a fluid and vigorous style. Academic essays are usually expository and / or persuasive. An expository (informative) essay presents to its readers interesting, informative, and important knowledge that elucidates, supports, and justifies a central or controlling idea, known as a thesis. This thesis is usually a matter of fact. An expository essay about the process of photosynthesis or the side effects of Prozac or the climate of Seattle is not likely to provoke a prolonged argument. These essays present primarily factual information. A persuasive essay also presents knowledge to its readers in support of a thesis, but this thesis is a matter of opinion. The persuasive essay is also known as the argumentative essay, though some professors do draw a slight distinction between the two, asserting that a persuasive essay goes a slight step beyond an argument in more overtly trying to alter belief or encourage a course of action. An essay in support
English for Law
Foundation in Law
ONLINE NOTES
Academic Essay
WHAT IS AN ACADEMIC ESSAY?
An academic essay is a written text, rarely fewer than 500 words or more than 5000 words in length, on a topic related to a course that is taught at a school, college, or university. Given the number and variety of courses offered, there are thousands of possible topics for an academic essay. Good academic writing has a clear beginning, middle, and end; is written in Standard English; and projects a forceful, confident and matured voice. Good academic writing, in other words, has ISCE: intelligence, substance, clarity, energy. An essay projects intelligence when it contains insightful ideas and cites authoritative sources; it is substantial when ideas are developed in enough detail so readers grasp the knowledge the writer is conveying; it is clear when its grammar, sentence structure, organisation, punctuation, and diction are sound; it has energy when the writer uses a strong and confident voice in a fluid and vigorous style. Academic essays are usually expository and / or persuasive. An expository (informative) essay presents to its readers interesting, informative, and important knowledge that elucidates, supports, and justifies a central or controlling idea, known as a thesis. This thesis is usually a matter of fact. An expository essay about the process of photosynthesis or the side effects of Prozac or the climate of Seattle is not likely to provoke a prolonged argument. These essays present primarily factual information. A persuasive essay also presents knowledge to its readers in support of a thesis, but this thesis is a matter of opinion. The persuasive essay is also known as the argumentative essay, though some professors do draw a slight distinction between the two, asserting that a persuasive essay goes a slight step beyond an argument in more overtly trying to alter belief or encourage a course of action. An essay in support