Accuracy & ELEMENTS
OF
EFFECTIVE WRITING
DR. ASHWAQ TALIB
What is Academic Writing?
Academic writing involves writing a formal document in a specific
format, usually organized by or submitted to educational institutions or
other government or non-government bodies.
Academic writing is usually objective, formal, and technical, including
all subjects. This form of writing is usually found on various topics in
books, newsletters, journals, posters, conference papers, etc.
Types of academic writing
1. Essay
2. Thesis/Dissertation
3. Research proposal
4. Literature review
5. Research article
6. Laboratory report
Academic writing features: Accuracy and
precision?
Precision writing is a clear, correct, and concise
form of formal writing (Measures repeatability).
Accuracy in academic writing relies on the
truthfulness and correctness of the writing
(measures correctness).
Importance of accuracy in academic writing:
• Writers should ensure their academic writing is
accurate in structure, style, format, language, and
content.
• Content Accuracy: Authentic sources are used or
taken in detail justifying the topic.
Example- In a book chapter on “History of Bacteria,”
you could detail how and when bacteria were
discovered, their importance, survival mode, and
even the latest bacteria known to man.
• Format accuracy: Academic writing must
adhere to the proper format.
• Structure of writing: It requires a proper flow of
information within the paragraphs. For example,
a feature article should start with a longer lead
paragraph that draws the reader in.
• Writing style and language: Focus on proper
vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, and type of
English.
• For example- Journals usually follow either
American or British English styles.
Types of accuracy:
• Document: Proper coverage of each detail
related to the topic
• Stylistic: Language, grammar, and style
consistency
• Technical: Correct understanding of the
content
Writing is an essential skill
that students need if they
are to participate
meaningfully and
successfully in the modern
world.
Five Elements of Effective
Writing
1.Central idea
2.Organization
3.Supporting Material
4.Expression, word choice, and point of
view
5.Spelling, Grammar, and Punctuation
Central Idea
This element of good writing involves
focusing on a clear, manageable idea,
argument, or thesis around which to
organize your material. It includes selecting
subordinate ideas that support and reinforce
your central idea.
Checkpoints:
• Purpose or central idea is sufficiently
limited for meaningful discussion.
• Central idea is clearly stated, normally in
the opening.
• All subordinate ideas relate clearly to the
central idea.
ORGANIZATION
This element of writing has to do with coherent
arrangement of material. It involves keeping the
reader oriented to the central and subordinate
ideas. Good organization is logical and
sequential. It guides the reader between
divisions of the material.
Checkpoints:
• Introduction orients the reader to the central
idea and the line of reasoning.
• Material is arranged in a logical and coherent
sequence; subordinate ideas are effectively
identified.
• Transitions are clear and helpful.
• Conclusion or closing summarizes the
argument, emphasizes the central idea, and
leaves the reader with a sense of completion.
SUPPORTING MATERIAL
Explanations, examples, statistics, and quotations make
the ideas and information presented meaningful and
memorable for the reader. In exposition, the role of
supporting material is to clarify; in argument, to persuade.
Checkpoints:
• Examples are relevant, specific, detailed, sufficient, and
persuasive.
• Quotations support the argument.
E X P R E S S I O N , WORD C H O I C E , AND
POINT O F VIEW
Language is clear, specific, accurate, and appropriate to
the audience, purpose, and material. Variety in sentence
structure and length creates emphasis.
Checkpoints:
• Word choice is clear, specific, accurate, unassuming,
and free of clichés and misused jargon.
• Sentences are free of wordiness and ambiguity.
SPELLING, GRAMMAR, AND
PUNCTUATION
This element of good writing counts only
when it’s wrong. Fair or not, your reader
will notice your spelling, grammar, or
punctuation only when you make a
mistake.
Checkpoints:
• Spelling, including technical terms and proper names, is
correct.
• Correct words are used to convey the intended meaning.
• Generally accepted rules of grammar and syntax are
followed, including pronoun/noun agreement, subject/verb
agreement, appropriate verb tense, pronoun case,
possessive forms, parallel construction, etc.
• Punctuation, particularly comma placement, reflects
standard usage.
• Copy is free of mechanical errors and mistakes in
proofreading.
W R I T I N G
