Academic Writing Notes: Structure, Vocabulary, and the Art of Argumentation

In the research journey, beyond running simulations or conducting experiments, Academic Writing is a critical skill. You might have groundbreaking results, but if you cannot articulate them coherently and persuasively, your paper still be rejected.

This post compiles my essential notes on upgrading your writing style from “conversational English” to professional “academic English.”

1. Vocabulary Style

In academic writing, precision is key. The golden rule is: Avoid informal, vague, or emotive language.

The goal isn’t to use “big words” to impress, but to choose the most accurate words to convey your meaning clearly.

Word Choice Table

Replace everyday language with more appropriate academic alternatives:

2. Paragraph Structure

Once you have the right vocabulary, the next step is structuring your paragraphs. A well-written academic paragraph typically follows a logical A -> B -> C flow:

A - Topic Sentence

• Function: Clearly states the main idea or focus of the paragraph.
• Requirement: Should include Signposting words to guide the reader on how this paragraph connects to the previous one (e.g., However, Furthermore, In contrast…).

B - Support Sentences

• Function: Expands on the topic sentence.
• Task: This is where you provide Reasons, Evidence, Data, or Citations to support your point.

C - Concluding Sentence

• Function: Explains why the paragraph matters.
• Connection: Links back to the paper’s main thesis statement or bridges to the next paragraph.

Example: (A) Although PEM fuel cells are efficient, their durability remains a significant challenge. (B) Research shows that carbon corrosion often occurs during start-up and shut-down cycles, leading to a 10% performance loss over 1000 hours [Cite]. (C) Therefore, developing an optimized control strategy to mitigate these transient conditions is essential for commercial viability.

3. The Language of Argument

After structuring your paragraphs, you need to learn how to build a persuasive argument. An academic paper is essentially a debate designed to convince your audience of your findings. To do this, use the following formula:

The Argument Formula:

$Claim + Evidence + Justification = A \ Clear \ Argument$

Decoding the Formula:

1. Claim: The main point you want to assert.
   • Example: “Algorithm A is more effective than Algorithm B.”
2. Evidence: Data used to support your claim (simulation results, experimental data, or citations).
   • Example: “Simulation results show that Algorithm A reduces fuel consumption by 5%.”
3. Justification / Warrant: Explains why the evidence supports the claim (the logical bridge).
   • Example: “This reduction is due to Algorithm A optimizing the compressor’s operating point, avoiding low-efficiency regions.”

Additionally, a strong paper should include Counter-arguments and Limitations to demonstrate objectivity and acknowledge the boundaries of the research.

4. Counter-argument (Optional): Considers opposing views to show balance.
5. Limitation (Optional): Acknowledges the constraints of the study to increase honesty and credibility.

4. Citation Reporting Verbs

When constructing your argument, your Evidence and Justification often rely on published research. Therefore, choosing the right citation reporting verb is crucial. These verbs do more than just say “X said Y”—they indicate your attitude (stance) towards that research.

Regarding citation formats, depending on your field, the requirements are different:

• Engineering often uses IEEE;
• Social Sciences use APA, MLA, etc.

I have also built a tool to format citations according to IEEE standards here: IEEE Reference Post-Processor. You simply input the citation details (Export from Google Scholar, Mendeley, Zotero), and it outputs a perfectly formatted IEEE reference.

Verb Strength Table

Stance & Usage

• Endorsing (Agreeing):
  • Use: Show, Demonstrate, Prove.
  • Example: “As Nguyen [1] demonstrates, the optimization algorithm significantly reduces hydrogen consumption.”
• Neutral (Reporting):
  • Use: State, Report, Discuss.
  • Example: “Smith [2] discusses the impact of temperature on membrane humidity.”
• Critical / Distancing (Disagreeing):
  • Use: “According to…” or verbs like Claim, Assume (implying skepticism).

5. Failing of Sources

Finally, in your Literature Review, you shouldn’t just summarize what others have done. You must identify the Research Gap, which is the limitations or missing pieces in previous studies, to highlight how your work fills that void.

Use these phrases to point out limitations:

• Identifying omissions:
  • “X does not consider…”
  • “X fails to acknowledge the importance of…”
  • “X does not take into account…”
• offering a counter-perspective:
  • “However, it is clear that…”
  • “A further objection to/criticism of this argument is that…”
  • “It could be argued that…”

Conclusion

Academic writing is a skill that requires daily practice. Mastering paragraph structure and precise vocabulary choice will not only make your papers more professional but also help clarify your own research thinking.

I hope these notes prove useful in your paper-writing journey! 📝