Introduction to Academic Writing

Good writing is situational; there isn't one universal way to write well. The definition of good writing changes based on the purpose and audience, which are referred to as genres. This is often a source of frustration for students who encounter differing expectations from teacher to teacher.

Genres are like different music styles, each with its own expectations (e.g., country music vs. hip hop). Similarly, writing genres range from love letters to text messages, each demanding a different approach and set of expectations. What works for one genre does not work for another (e.g., a formal love letter vs. a brief text message).

Academic writing also has various genres that differ across disciplines (e.g., philosophy vs. anatomy vs. business). Navigating these differences is crucial for success in college. These videos aim to help students understand the similarities and differences within academic genres.

Regardless of the discipline, all academic writing shares three main goals: 1) make an argument to change the reader's perspective, 2) emphasize reason over emotion through sound logic and strong evidence, and 3) explain why the argument matters by demonstrating its importance in solving problems or understanding the world better.

While academic writing shares a common purpose, genres differ in three key areas: 1) ways of arguing (types of arguments and evidence used), 2) macro structures (how arguments and evidence are organized), and 3) style and citation (format and tone). Future videos will explore these differences to help students adapt their writing effectively.