The definition of academic writing is as follows: it’s a formal style of writing used in colleges, universities, and scholarly publications. Its main characteristics include a clear and structured approach to writing, a focus on evidence-based arguments, and critical analysis. You need to understand the basics of academic writing and its writing styles to communicate effectively on paper. In this article, we will talk about the main writing styles and provide examples so you can better understand what your professors expect from you.
1. Expository Writing
The main aim of this writing style is to explain, inform, or describe a subject in question. It is used to present facts and information without personal bias. The style is characterized by a clear structure that includes a proper introduction, a main body, and a conclusion.
Example
This is how a paragraph of your expository essay should look like if the topic in question is climate change:
“Climate change is long-term alterations in temperature, wind patterns, precipitation, and other elements of the Earth’s climate system. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states that human activities, primarily burning fossil fuels, have impacted the concentration of greenhouse gasses and led to global warming. The average temperature has risen by approximately 1.2 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century, which had a devastating effect on the ecosystems and weather patterns.”
The example above provides a definition and clear facts without expressing one’s personal opinion. It allows the target audience to fully understand the topic. If you still have questions about this writing style, go to https://www.customwritings.com/ for more examples and further assistance with academic writing.
2. Descriptive Writing
The goal of descriptive writing is to present a detailed picture of a subject or phenomenon. This style is used in disciplines like literature, art history, or psychology when the student needs to provide as many sensory details as possible.
Example
Here’s an example of a paragraph in an art critique:
“The picture, with its vibrant shades of red and gold, captures the viewer’s attention immediately. The brushstrokes evoke a sense of movement, as if the figures are caught dancing. The juxtaposition of light and shadows creates dramatic tension and draws the viewer to the central figure, whose expressive face reflects a sense of longing. The interplay of color and form illustrates the artist’s technical skill and conveys deep emotional themes of loss and desire.”
This paragraph allows the reader to get a full visual and emotional experience of the artwork and notice the emphasis on the descriptive elements that help to explain complex ideas.
3. Persuasive Writing
This academic writing style is about convincing the reader that a particular viewpoint or argument is the right one. You will need a strong thesis statement, supporting evidence, and a logical paper structure if you want to sound convincing in your persuasive essay.
Example
Here’s what a persuasive paragraph looks like:
“Implementing renewable energy sources is a must if we want to combat climate change and increase our chances of having a sustainable future. Research shows that transitioning to wind, hydroelectric, and solar power can significantly reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. The latter are the main cause of global warming. The study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory shows that a shift to renewable energy could cut U.S. carbon emissions by up to 80% by 2050. Therefore, investing in renewable energy helps to solve environmental issues and stimulates economic growth by creating new jobs in the green energy sector”.
In this example, you can see clear and convincing arguments supported by evidence that persuade the reader to believe in the seriousness of the global warming problem and the importance of renewable energy.
4. Analytical Writing
Analytical writing requires you to break down complex ideas into simpler parts and examine each of them critically. If you deal with writing literature reviews, case studies, or research analyses, this is the style you should use.
Example
An analytical paragraph should be as follows:
“The novel ‘1984’ by George Orwell demonstrates the dangers of the totalitarian regime as shown through the struggle of Winston Smith – the protagonist of the novel. The oppressive regime of Big Brother uses psychological manipulation and forces citizens to accept contradictory beliefs. We can clearly see the suppression of individuality and personal freedom and how it leads to the loss of humanity when we analyze Winston Smith’s internal conflict. This theme resonates with today’s discussions about privacy and surveillance and highlights the importance of George Orwell’s book in modern society”.
As you can see, this paragraph analyzes the internal conflict of the main character, breaks down complex ideas into small, understandable parts, and shows a correlation between the book and the world we live in today.
5. Reflective Writing
This style is about exploring your thoughts, experiences, and feelings regarding a particular subject or situation. The students are encouraged to share their insights and personal reflections in great detail.
Example
A paragraph of your reflective essay might look like this:
“During my internship at the environmental organization, I understood the importance of grassroots activism and the role it plays in driving policy changes. Even though I felt overwhelmed by the complexity of the issues at first, I got to know community members whose individual stories and efforts had a huge impact on changing environmental policies. It encouraged me to try harder and become an active part of advocating for what’s right. Advocacy is not simply about achieving a certain goal. It’s about connecting with the locals and understanding their struggles. Due to this experience, I’ve become more motivated to contribute to my community’s local efforts.”
In this example, the writer shares their personal experience working at an environmental organization, the lessons learned, and reflects on the positive outcome of having such a life-changing experience.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the basics of the most common academic writing styles will help you communicate and express your thoughts better on paper. Each style has a set of characteristics you need to take into account before you start writing. Moreover, it serves a clear purpose, be it to convince the reader or simply to reflect on your feelings and experiences. Make sure to study the examples above to have a better understanding of what you are supposed to submit. Once you know exactly what your task is, conveying your ideas in writing will get so much easier. We hope this article gives you clarity and helps you tackle academic writing tasks more effectively. Good luck with your writing assignments!
