Developing Academic Communication Skills (LDT3101)

This article discusses the purpose, features, and key elements of academic writing, along with vocabulary issues and types of abbreviations. It also highlights the difference between academic and non-academic writing. Course code LDT3101.

Developing Academic
Communication Skills
(LDT3101)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
..........................................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
Difference between academic and other writing.........................................................................4
Purpose and features of academic writing..................................................................................5
Key elements of academic writing and their examples...............................................................6
Key vocabulary issues and types of abbreviations......................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Academic communication skills refers to the presentation of ideas and thoughts in an
effective and formal manner. These skills are required generally at the time of attaining higher
education in order to carry out written tasks comprising formal writings. For the success of the
students in their higher education career, these skills are vital. Here, the difference between
academic and other writing will be discussed along with the description of purpose and features
of academic writing. Further, key elements of academic writing will be discussed with the help
of examples. At last, key vocabulary issues and various types of abbreviation will be discussed.
Difference between academic and other writing
Academic writing: It can be defined as a piece of writing where writer intends to prove
either the viewpoint or a theory in one or the other way. Many academic writings are meant for
scholarly audience. They represented in the form of research papers, scholarly essays,
dissertations, etc. also, academic writing consists of technical language and complex sentences.
For example, a concept of Chemistry written by a professor which has been published in a
college's quarterly magazines.
Non-academic writing: Such type of writing are not meant for academic audience but is
meant for large number of audience. The articles written here are generally personal, subjective
or emotional in nature. They are represented in the form of articles in magazines, letter (both
business or personal), novels, text messages and websites. Other writing are written by using
short forms, slang and idioms. For example, an employee of a company is writing a business
letter to his colleagues in order to communicate for the ongoing project.
Academic writing Other or Non-academic writing
It refers to that piece of writing which
focuses on a particular subject or topic of
academics.
A piece of writing focuses on general
writing.
It is based on academic research and
findings.
It is based on general topic.
Here readers are academicians. Here readers involves informal

population like friends and family.
Much preference is being given to complex
sentences.
Here preference is being to short and
simple sentences.
Citations and references are compulsorily
required.
No need to include citations and
references.
It is considered to be a formal manner of
writing.
It is considered to be both formal and
informal manner of writing.
Purpose and features of academic writing
Purpose of academic writing
There are generally three purpose of academic writing that is, to analyse or synthesize, to
persuade and inform. To persuade: This purpose aims to persuade readers to adopt the answer found by the
researcher for their question. So, the purpose of academic writing involves changing of
viewpoint of the readers by persuading them through stating evidences and reasons to
support the answer. To analyse or synthesize: This purpose of academic writing involves investigating
causes, evaluating effectiveness, examining effects, assessing ways on how to solve the
problems, finding ideas and analysing arguments of the people. So, to explain and
evaluating the answer to the question found out by the researcher is the another purpose
of academic writing.
 To inform: This purpose aims of academic writing aims to share new information and
facts about the topic with the readers. Here the aim is to enlarge the views of the readers.
Features of academic writing
Many key features are there of academic writing which differentiate it from other types of
writing, such as the following:
 Complex: Generally languages that are written is complexer than that of language that is
being spoken. Language chosen for academic writing is specific to the audience for
whom it is being written and also addresses highly intricate issues than any other form of
writing or text.

 Formality: Academic writing is written in formal sty;e where are no use of short forms,
idioms and slang. So, academic writing should be free from any kind of colloquial words
or expressions.
 Objectivity: The focus of the whole writing is on the information or the viewpoint of the
writer that they intend to convey the readers. This feature of academic writing can be
indicated through the use of noun and adjectives in it rather than verbs and adverbs.
 Explicitness: In academic writing, transitions and signalling words are used in order to
clearly establish how ideas are related. So, it is the responsibility of the academic writer
to clearly state that how different parts of the text are related.
 Accuracy: Whatever facts, figures and vocabulary are used within the content of
academic writing, it must be accurate and consistent with the field of the readers as well
as writer.
Key elements of academic writing and their examples
Academic writing is a skill that could be learnt through knowledge and practice as there
are many elements that must be present in the content of academic writing.
 Unity: Academic writing must be written in a logical and formal style. Whatever
arguments are made within the text must be in alignment with the singular idea which
acts as the focus of the writing. For example, there should be no inclusion of text within
the essays or reports that distract the readers from formal to informal environment, like
there should be no use of idioms and slang within the text.
 Tone: Academic writing should have objective and professional tone. To ensure
objectivity, the writer should avoid using first and second person, however third person
allows for working on facts and is imperative in academic writing. For example, the
words like “I think” and “I believe” should not be used in academic writing and instead
of this the generally accepted facts should be used to support the answer or findings.
 Citations: Sources which has been referred to while collecting information and content
for the academic writing must be cited for within the text. Use of others work is being
encouraged in academic writing to support the arguments made within the text, but credit
must be given to those whose work has been used. So citations must form part of the
content written in academic style and for this many referencing styles are there like APA,

ACS, MLA and CMS to source citation in a certain format. For example, citing the name
of the author at the end of the definition by writing their last name first and then initials
of their first name, like if the name of the author is Elina Goeth, then it will be cited as
(Goeth, E).
 Clear organization: Sometimes it happens where academic writing contain some
difficult to understand and complex material where it becomes the responsibility of the
writer to make it clear to the reader that what is the meaning of the information that has
been presented. So, the various elements that could be included in the writing, for
example, thesis statement, topic, evidence commentary or concluding remarks in order to
make the content more understandable.
 Audience: The selected or use of language, tone or formality within the academic writing
is largely depends upon the audience that has been targeted as audience is the crucial
consideration in order to make the academic writing effective. Audience for the academic
writing generally comprises field experts, researchers and professors. So, the choice of
words while writing the academic content must suit the target audience. For example,
technical jargon can be used if the writing is meant for field experts or professors.
Key vocabulary issues and types of abbreviations
Some of the main issues associated with the vocabulary while writing a large amount of
content are as follows:
 Writing such as academic writing generally involves large amount of content where
writer founds it difficult to learn and use large amount of new words in the content.
 There is a great difference exists between the written content and spoken words as written
content requires much more use of vocabulary than spoken content and accordingly, there
requires good exposure to new words. Sources of information from which words can be picked up like stationaries contain word
parts and context due to which additional problems arises as many words are misleading,
difficult to be directly and sometimes uninformative as well.
Types of abbreviations
There are four types of abbreviations:
 Initialism: It is a type of abbreviation which is formed using first letters of the group of
words. For example, ASAP = As Soon As possible.

 Acronym: Here also the abbreviation is created using the first letter of the group of
words but, the abbreviation itself is pronounced as a word. For instance, NASA –
National Aeronautical and Space Administration.
 Shortening: It is a type of abbreviation where either the beginning or the end of the
words has been omitted. For instance, app – application.
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that academic writing must be developed
by keeping in mind the purpose for which it has been written. Also, it must be distinguished from
other writings by following the features that must be existed in the academic content. In this
presentation, various elements of academic writing, issues associated with vocabulary and types
of abbreviations that can be used by academic writer has been discussed.

REFERENCES
Strobl, C., and et.al., 2019. Digital support for academic writing: A review of technologies and
pedagogies. Computers & Education. 131. pp.33-48.
Mitchell, K. M. and et.al., 2021. Development and validation of the situated academic writing
self-efficacy scale (SAWSES). Assessing Writing. 48. p.100524.
Knight, S., and et.al., 2020. AcaWriter: A learning analytics tool for formative feedback on
academic writing. Journal of Writing Research. 12(1). pp.141-186.
Khan, A. and et.al., 2017. Communication Skills of a Teacher and Its Role in the Development
of the Students' Academic Success. Journal of Education and Practice. 8(1). pp.18-21.
Mishra, S. K. and Mishra, P., 2020. Functional Aspects of Communication Skills for
Professional Empowerment. Journal of English Language and Literature (JOELL). 7(1).
pp.79-85.
Wale, B. D. and Bogale, Y. N., 2021. Using inquiry-based writing instruction to develop
students’ academic writing skills. Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign
Language Education. 6(1). pp.1-16.
Madjid, S., Emzir, E. and Akhadiah, S., 2017. Improving Academic Writing Skills through
Contextual Teaching Learning for Students of Bosowa University Makassar. Journal of
education, teaching and learning. 2(2). pp.268-272.