In Section 2, we looked at some common features that might lead us to recognize a text as “academic”. Another important aspect of academic writing is the use of a clear and fairly predictable structure.
Although writers vary in their level of formality, we do expect academic texts to have certain predictable structures. In many academic texts, it is easy to see the organizational structure because it is marked by headings and subheading.
Short essays (including exam answers) generally have this pattern:
Introduction ____________________________________
Main body _____________________________________
Conclusion_____________________________________
Longer essays, dissertations or journal articles may include:
(Some sections are optional and the order of sections may vary.) _____________________________________________
Title page ____________________________________________________
Abstract _____________________________________________________
Acknowledgements _____________________________________________
List of abbreviations ____________________________________________
List of tables, figures or illustrations________________________________
Contents ______________________________________________________
Introduction___________________________________________________
Body (This section can be further divided.)
e.g. Literature review
Methods
Results
Discussion
_____________________________________________________________
Conclusion_____________________________________________________________________
References ___________________________________________________
Appendices _____________________________________________________
Reports should generally include the following sections:
(Some sections are optional and the order of sections may vary.) ___________________
Letter of transmittal ____________________________________________