How to Write an Effective Academic Paper

WRITING by RYAN

“If one wishes to write a good paper, he should write a better one. If he hopes to write a better paper, he should write a great paper. If he desires to write a great paper, he should write an outstanding one. If he does not intend to capture the minds of others, he should not write at all and those who strive to do this should write exceptionally”.

Ryan Abraham

ESL Teacher

Ciaci Vip English

HOW TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE ACADEMIC PAPER

12 Things to Remember – Aimed at ESL students

1.    Determine what it is that you wish to write about. How can you write if you do not have a      focus or specific topic in mind?
2.     Brainstorm or mind map ideas that pertain to your topic.
3.     Look for connections in your ideas.
4.     Research the topic to gather credible information that supports your ideas.
5.     Develop a thesis or clear topic statement. Your topic statement or thesis statement should have exactly your topic and the areas that you wish to discuss in order to support your idea.
6.   Make an outline of your paper.
7.   Make an introduction from general to specific. Start off by attracting the readers and end with a good topic statement or thesis statement.
8.   Develop supporting paragraphs that relate to specific topics from your thesis or topic statement.
9.   Use examples and details to support any ideas and opinions. Don’t forget to cite sources.
10.  Never use someone else’s idea as your own. Again remember to cite sources.
11. Use transitions to add flow and cohesion to your ideas.
12.  Your conclusion should be the opposite of your introduction in that you should go from specific to general. Try to finish with a thought provoking statement.

Model of Academic Writing

 The Topic Statement

Determining your topic or main idea is extremely important for it is the foundation or base of your academic paper. If your paper is in response to a question or specific task, make sure that your topic/thesis statement encompasses all that you wish to discuss in your paper. Your topic statement should include your main idea and the things that you wish to use to prove or discuss your main idea.

Task:   Write an essay explaining why having the ability to effectively communicate in   English is important.

Topic: The ability to communicate effectively in English is important.

Control 1:  have friends from all over the world

Control 2: get a good job

Control 3: be informed about global events and issues

Topic statement: The ability to communicate effectively in English is extremely important because it allows us to have friends from all over the world, get a good job, and be informed about global events and issues.

The Introduction

The introduction should have at least 3 sentences and you should start off with a general statement that is connected to your topic or main idea that will attract readers. The second sentence should be less general/more specific and serve as a transition between your first general sentence and the last sentence which of course is the topic statement.

Sample Introduction: English is spoken by over 60 percent of the world’s population. Due to globalization, English has truly become the international language.  The ability to communicate effectively in English is extremely important because it allows us to have friends from all over the world, get a good job, and be informed about global events and issues.