Academic Writing Core Concepts quiz

The main argument or central claim of your paper A strong thesis statement is specific, debatable, and typically appears at the end of your introduction paragraph, serving as a roadmap for your entire paper.

Evaluation by experts in the field Peer review is a quality control process where subject matter experts critically evaluate research before publication, helping maintain academic integrity and scientific rigor.

A brief summary of the entire paper An effective abstract is typically 150-250 words and includes the research question, methodology, key findings, and conclusions - allowing readers to quickly understand the paper's essence.

Using someone else's work without proper attribution Plagiarism can be intentional or unintentional, and includes not just copying text, but also paraphrasing without citation, using others' ideas, or self-plagiarizing previous work.

To analyze and synthesize existing research A literature review identifies gaps in current knowledge, establishes theoretical frameworks, and positions your research within the broader academic conversation.

Research based on observation or experiment Empirical studies involve collecting and analyzing data through systematic observation, experimentation, or measurement, rather than purely theoretical reasoning.

The formal exchange of scholarly ideas Academic discourse involves specialized vocabulary, evidence-based argumentation, and follows specific conventions that vary by discipline.

A description of research methods used The methodology section should be detailed enough that other researchers could replicate your study, including procedures, materials, participants, and analysis methods.

Original research or firsthand accounts Primary sources include original documents, diaries, interviews, raw data, photographs, and original research papers - they provide direct evidence about the topic being studied.

A list of sources with summaries and evaluations Annotated bibliographies typically include the full citation, a summary of key points, and a critical evaluation of the source's relevance and quality.

Formal, objective writing style Academic tone involves precise language, neutral perspective, evidence-based arguments, and avoids emotional language, colloquialisms, and first-person pronouns in most disciplines.

A theoretical framework guiding research Research paradigms (like positivism, interpretivism, or critical theory) shape how researchers view reality, knowledge, and appropriate research methods.

Addressing opposing viewpoints Including counterarguments demonstrates intellectual honesty and strengthens your argument by showing you've considered multiple perspectives.

Ethical conduct in academic work Academic integrity encompasses honesty, responsibility, fairness, respect, and trust in all aspects of academic work, from research to writing and publishing.

The structure guiding research interpretation A theoretical framework connects your research to existing theories and shows how your work fits into broader academic conversations in your field.

Scholars sharing research interests Discourse communities share common goals, communication methods, specialized vocabulary, and genres of writing specific to their field.

Combining and analyzing multiple sources Synthesis involves finding connections between sources, identifying patterns, and creating new insights rather than just summarizing individual sources.

An unexplored area in existing research Identifying research gaps helps justify new studies and shows how your work contributes to advancing knowledge in your field.

Established rules and practices Academic conventions vary by discipline and include citation styles, writing formats, research methods, and ways of structuring arguments.

Systematic evaluation of ideas Critical analysis involves examining assumptions, evaluating evidence, considering multiple perspectives, and making reasoned judgments about the quality and validity of information.