Academic Writing Quiz

Which one of the following is closest to academic style and why?

• A novel.

• A newspaper article.

• An advertisement

• An email from the bank.

Answer explanation

A a novel- Too descriptive. Uses the 1st person.

b a newspaper article- but will depend on the newspaper. Does use short sentences and clear paragraphs

c an advertisement- Uses emotive language, aim is to sell a product and not inform the reader.

d an email from the bank- The Information is objective, and uses the 3rd person

The best way to start an academic text is with:

• a question to ask the reader.

• b with some new or surprising information.

• c with some background details.

• d with the topic of the text.

Answer explanation

Q2 The best way to start an academic text is a with:

a question to ask the reader- Don't use rhetorical questions in academic writing.

b with some new or surprising information- New information is usually harder to understand so not best to start with.

c with some background details- yes this is helpful as it gives the reader some context.

d with the topic of the text Yes- shows the reader what you're going to discuss

The best way to keep your reader’s attention in an academic text is

• to write short sentences.

• to give familiar information first, and then new information.

• to be friendly, e.g., as in an email.

• to ask questions first, and then give the answers.

Answer explanation

Q3 The best way to keep your reader’s attention in an academic text is

a to write short sentences- Yes, academic texts contain a lot of complicated ideas so short sentences make it easier to see how they are connected.

b to give familiar information first, and then new information- Yes, starting with known information helps the reader to follow your points. It sets the background and it activates any knowledge they already have about the topic

c to be friendly, e.g., as in an email- No, we need to be informative but not friendly

d to ask questions first, and then give the answers, e.g., as in a conversation- Don't use rhetorical questions in academic writing

The best order for ideas in an academic paragraph is

• start with the main point, add evidence, explain the evidence, and then link it to the next paragraph.

• start with a description then add some evidence.

• the order in which I think of the ideas when I am writing.

• no particular order, as this does not matter.

Answer explanation

 

Q4 The best order for ideas in an academic paragraph is

a start with the main point, add evidence, explain the evidence, and then link it to the next paragraph. Yes, this is a great paragraph structure that we will review in session 5

b start with a description then add some evidence- Yes, this is a good basic paragraph structure.

c the order in which I think of the ideas when I am writing. No, this will be very confusing for the reader.

d no particular order, as this does not matter- The order does matter!

The best way to start a sentence in an academic text is

• with some information the reader knows already.

• with some background details.

• with some new or surprising information.

• with a person or personal pronoun, e.g., We can see....

Answer explanation

Q5 The best way to start a sentence in an academic text is

a with some information the reader knows already. Yes, again this helps them to follow your points.

b with some background details. Yes, background information is always needed.

c with some new or surprising information. No, that will make it very confusing.

d with a person or personal pronoun, e.g., We can see- No, we don't use personal pronouns in academic writing

The best kinds of words to use in academic writing are

• unusual words that a reader will notice and think you’re amazing.

• simple words, such as big and important, which are easy to understand.

• words such as the reason for this is or however, which show relationships between ideas.

• special technical words which are specific to the subject I am studying.

Answer explanation

 

Q6 The best kinds of words to use in academic writing are:

a unusual words that a reader will notice and think you're amazing- No, need to use subject related language

b simple words, such as big and important, which are easy to understand- No, then it's too informal

c words such as the reason for this is or however, which show relationships between ideas. Yes, these help to guide the reader through your points and show how they are connected.

d special technical words which are specific to the subject I am studying. Yes, but they won’t be the most frequently used words that you use.