Writing Academically

Here are some ground rules:

1. Reference according to academic conventions (see exemplar & Harvard referencing guide, lower down on this blog.)
2. Use the 3rd person - THE WHOLE TIME - Don't say, 'I think...' / Don't say 'Personally', - instead say (if you need to give a measured opinion), 'It is the opinion of this writer...'
3. MATTER OF DEGREE -it's not all black and white, rather it is a matter of degree - so you need certain types of connectives:

* To a certain extent
* To a limited extent
* To a large extent
* Inasmuch as
* Insofar as

4. (as guided by the essay plan - DO NOT INDUCE YOUR CONCLUSION
(Don't reveal your findings at the end of the essay - STATE THEM AT THE START (YOur thesis statement), and reiterate/emphasise them at the end.

5. Anticipate objections / counter-arguments - evaluate them carefully - do not ignore them.