Some thoughts and advice on academic writing ~ 1

Academic writing encompasses theses, proposals, papers, and abstracts. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Structure of paragraphs: Each paragraph should have a distinct topic. Start or conclude each paragraph with a clear statement so the reader understands your main point. If sentences address different points, don’t cluster them into one paragraph. Instead, separate them for easier readability.
2. Logical connection: Ensure there is a logical flow between each sentence. This concept is known as the “flow of writing” in English and 「啟承轉合」 in Chinese.
3. Rationale for research: Typically, the rationale for the research is written to explain why the research problem or topic should be studied. This is often referred to as identifying the ‘knowledge gap’.
4. Paragraph length: Be mindful of the length of each paragraph. Avoid creating too many asymmetrical paragraphs, such as those that are top-heavy.
5. Significance of each sentence: For each sentence, ask yourself: What message am I trying to convey? Why am I writing this way? What is the significance of this sentence? In academic writing, if it’s not important, it’s better not to include it.
6. Avoid repetition: Steer clear of repetitive words and sentences with similar meanings. Ask yourself whether a sentence can be omitted without losing any crucial information.
7. Use of synonyms: In academic writing, synonyms may not always be interchangeable. If you’re unsure about the usage of a word, it’s best to look it up. For instance, while ‘terminate’ and ‘abolish’ both mean ‘end’, they are used in different contexts and may not necessarily replace each other.

Other things to consider:

1. Organize your ideas: Use an outline to structure your thoughts before writing an article.
2. Revise your work: After you finish writing, set it aside. Then, revisit it and revise as you read. Make two or three revisions before sharing it with others.
3. Analyze other’s work: When reading academic articles, analyze the logic of other people’s writing (how they start and transition), and take notes when you encounter well-constructed sentences and sentence patterns.
4. Develop your own logic: The best way to write is to rely on your own logic. This way, you won’t fear plagiarizing others’ work. Reading other people’s articles can lead to preconceived biases and unintentional copying of ideas. Initially, it may be challenging, but start by forming your own ideas, then write. Afterward, review what others have written before revising your own article. This process will gradually improve your writing skills.
5. Learn by rewriting: Rewriting other people’s sentences is also a useful way to learn writing. Study the correct way of constructing a sentence by examining a variety of sentence structures from other people’s work. After all, we are not native speakers. English has conventions, similar to 「約定俗成」(customs and culture), and it’s not just about how you want to write or form a word or phrase. Therefore, read more and remember how others express themselves to learn how to speak and write effectively.