Academic Writing 1: the problem

College academic essays, papers or reports require you to write in a simple style so the reader knows exactly what you are talking about. Everything has to be spelt out very simply and clearly.
This style can be learnt by following a few new rules and forgetting your GCE English school essay writing methods.

Some common mistakes from your past which are no longer acceptable

• Making an essay section heading the title of a book
  Rambling notes on the book then follow
  This is not critical reflection. It is just a description of part of a book.
• Headings in Bold -with the first sentence in the paragraph completing the heading
  This assumes the reader knows what you are talking about. They don’t!
• Chapter or section headings that begin with… There are many kinds of databases etc
  This is ‘A’ level sentence starting waffle.
  Immediately you will be asked for precision and detail’ How many? What is your evidence? Which sources back up your argument?
• The Rhetoric method : - a heading with a question mark
  i.e What is wrong with this web site?
  Attributed to Socrates –it is useful for verbal argument, but that is all. Usually the paragraph that follows goes; Ramble Ramble Ramble Ramble Ramble Ramble, with no clear direction or route with in it– don’t use it!