What is Academic Writing?
Academic writing is a structured and rigorous form of writing often applied to academic essays, research reports, and lab reports. It is also an essential skill developed in U.S. high school education.
For high school students, academic writing is a must-have skill that fosters logical thinking, critical analysis, and effective communication. For beginners, academic writing can be challenging—it demands not only solid writing skills but also thinking abilities such as analysis, critique, and synthesis.
Today, Aralia recommends three books to enhance your academic writing skills. Choose one that suits your needs and elevate your writing to the next level!
01. A Professor's Guide to Writing Essays: The No-Nonsense Plan for Better Writing
ISBN: 978-0692822524
Author: Jacob Neumann
Title: A Professor’s Guide to Writing Essays: The No-Nonsense Plan for Better Writing
Why We Recommend It:
The first book, A Professor’s Guide to Writing Essays: The No-Nonsense Plan for Better Writing by Jacob Neumann, offers a straightforward approach to essay writing. Neumann, a professor at the University of Texas, introduces a universal method for structuring essays that helps students across different levels craft polished and effective papers.
02. They Say / I Say
ISBN: 978-1324070030
Authors: Gerald Graff & Cathy Birkenstein
Title: They Say / I Say
Why We Recommend It:
For those looking to sharpen their argumentation and engage with other texts, They Say / I Say by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein is an invaluable resource. Highly popular among students, this concise and practical book provides vivid advice on constructing arguments and crafting academic essays using templates. It teaches students to structure and express their ideas clearly, focusing on responding to and engaging with other texts—a core skill for academic success.
85% of Aralia Students Place in Top Writing Competitions
03. A Writer's Reference
ISBN: 978-1319169404
Authors: Diana Hacker & Nancy Sommers
Title: A Writer’s Reference
Why We Recommend It:
A Writer’s Reference by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers serves as a complete guide for mastering grammar, punctuation, and citation. Widely used in high school and college classrooms, this book ensures students understand how to integrate references seamlessly and accurately into their academic work.
These three carefully curated books can significantly enhance your academic writing. By exploring these books, students can enhance their writing clarity, develop structured arguments, and confidently tackle any academic writing task. Ready to take the next step? Dive into these resources and watch your writing skills flourish!
Aralia Courses for Aspiring Writers
For students and families aiming to excel, Aralia offers the following courses taught by top-notch instructors:
This course aims to help students develop strong writing skills by learning to write and revise three essays that are persuasive, argumentative and narrative. Students will learn to write, cite and avoid common mistakes in academic writing. Before starting the writing process, students will also learn how to annotate and take notes to help them write a paper.
In this course, we will work to hone our skills as close readers and critical writers. Through in-depth discussion and analysis of short stories and poetry, we will learn how to advance complex arguments that reflect an awareness of important themes and ambiguities in a literary work.
In this John Locke Essay Competition Prep course, students will learn the ins and outs of essay writing, in preparation for entering the competition.
