academic qualifications essay

How to Write an Essay about Your Qualifications

In this tutorial, you will learn how to write an essay about your qualifications.

Writing such an essay is a great way to showcase your skills and knowledge to potential universities or employers. It can help you stand out and make a great impression if done correctly.

So let’s dive right into it.

In writing an essay about your qualifications, you must first consider what you want to highlight to your potential university or employer. Pick a main idea, select your top three qualifications, write an introduction and a paragraph for each qualification you chose, and finally, a conclusion.

Planning and organizing your thoughts can make writing an essay easier. So, take your time and follow this tutorial to keep your ideas flowing.

First, you need to choose your main idea.

Choosing a central idea that covers all the qualifications you want to highlight will help you understand your essay’s structure. To do this, you can think of how your top three qualifications help you.

Your main idea might answer questions like: How do these qualifications make you the right candidate?

Whatever you pick will be your essay’s thesis . So, it’s best to keep it simple.

For example, we can say, “My top qualifications help me succeed.”

Next, select your top three qualifications.

Breaking your main idea into supporting points will help keep the ideas flowing.

In your essay, it’s easy to think of qualifications you want to talk about because everyone has some great qualifications.

But be careful not to talk about too many or too few.

So, let’s use the Power of Three !

The Power of Three is a three-part structure that helps you create your essay’s body paragraphs by dividing your main idea into three supporting points.

Three is the perfect number the brain can handle, and it always works. So, selecting your top three qualifications is the best way to go.

Make sure your supporting points are distinct from one another to keep the ideas flowing and create a great thesis statement .

Now let’s see how this works.

Let’s use these three qualifications for our sample essay:

1. I am a team player

This section will describe what it means to be a team player and how it proves the central idea: how it helps achieve success .

We can answer the following questions to help us keep the ideas flowing:

Why is being a team player important in the workplace or school?
How does being a team player help you succeed?

2. I take feedback well

Like the first qualification, we need to use this qualification to prove the main idea. So, let’s try to answer these questions in this part of our essay:

Why do you need to take feedback well?
How does this help you succeed?

3. I am determined

Again, we need to show how being determined helps with success. To do this, we can answer these questions:

How do you show determination at work or school?
How does this qualification help you succeed?

After dividing your main idea into three distinct supporting points, you will have a clear picture of your essay’s structure. In the next step, you will learn how to expand them into an entire essay.

Write your introductory paragraph and body paragraphs.

Now that you understand your essay’s structure, you can write an introductory paragraph and three body paragraphs — one for each qualification.

To write an introductory paragraph , you need an opening sentence (introduction) that briefly sets your essay’s context. Then, you will proceed with the thesis and three supporting points.

Here’s an example of an introductory paragraph for our essay:

“In the modern world, qualifications are an important part of any career. My top qualifications help me succeed. Being a team player provides me with learning opportunities and cultivates my relationships. Taking feedback well helps me develop my character and skills. And my determination helps me overcome challenges and continuously improve.”

Note how our introductory paragraph goes from general to specific, starting from our introduction sentence to our main idea and three specific qualifications.

Now let’s write the body of the essay.

To write body paragraphs , start with a topic sentence summarizing your point. Then, explain it briefly and illustrate it using examples .

Here are examples of body paragraphs for our essay:

Paragraph 1

“Being a team player is an essential qualification for success in any field. It helps me develop trust in my colleagues, build relationships, and promote collaboration. In addition, being a team player allows me to accomplish more tasks than doing things alone. For instance, I volunteer to work late to help my coworkers achieve a goal, although it is not my job to do so.”

Paragraph 2

“Taking feedback well is a crucial skill for achieving success in both my personal and professional life. It means receiving suggestions or criticisms constructively, which allows me to learn and make necessary changes. It also helps me see challenges as opportunities to grow continuously. I listen carefully when someone gives me feedback and consider how I can use it to improve.”

Paragraph 3

“Determination is one of the keys to becoming successful. It means a strong commitment to achieving goals and working passionately despite obstacles. I stay focused on what I want to achieve. I also keep myself motivated despite setbacks, challenges, and failures by maintaining a positive attitude and developing a growth mindset.”

Note that we followed the diagram above, starting from the topic sentence down to some examples that illustrate it.

We also answered some of the questions above and showed how these qualifications are keys to success.

Lastly, write your concluding paragraph.

Do you want an easy and quick way to write your essay’s concluding paragraph ? I recommend restating your thesis statement using different words.

Why? Doing so will give you all you need to conclude your essay, and this method is time-tested. So it always works!

Here’s a concluding paragraph for our essay:

“My top qualifications have helped me achieve success. I honed my skills as a team player, always seeking opportunities to grow and learn from my coworkers. I also take feedback constructively, using it to develop myself professionally and personally. And my determination has helped me overcome challenges and continuously improve, ensuring that I am focused on my goals.”

Great! Now we’re done writing the sample essay.

I hope this tutorial has answered your question. Now it’s time to write your essay about your qualifications!

Tutor Phil is an e-learning professional who helps adult learners finish their degrees by teaching them academic writing skills.

Academic Essay: From Basics to Practical Tips

Has it ever occurred to you that over the span of a solitary academic term, a typical university student can produce sufficient words to compose an entire 500-page novel? To provide context, this equates to approximately 125,000 to 150,000 words, encompassing essays, research papers, and various written tasks. This content volume is truly remarkable, emphasizing the importance of honing the skill of crafting scholarly essays. Whether you're a seasoned academic or embarking on the initial stages of your educational expedition, grasping the nuances of constructing a meticulously organized and thoroughly researched essay is paramount.

Welcome to our guide on writing an academic essay! Whether you're a seasoned student or just starting your academic journey, the prospect of written homework can be exciting and overwhelming. In this guide, we'll break down the process step by step, offering tips, strategies, and examples to help you navigate the complexities of scholarly writing. By the end, you'll have the tools and confidence to tackle any essay assignment with ease. Let's dive in!

Types of Academic Writing

The process of writing an essay usually encompasses various types of papers, each serving distinct purposes and adhering to specific conventions. Here are some common types of academic writing:

Essays: Essays are versatile expressions of ideas. Descriptive essays vividly portray subjects, narratives share personal stories, expository essays convey information, and persuasive essays aim to influence opinions.
Research Papers: Research papers are analytical powerhouses. Analytical papers dissect data or topics, while argumentative papers assert a stance backed by evidence and logical reasoning.
Reports: Reports serve as narratives in specialized fields. Technical reports document scientific or technical research, while business reports distill complex information into actionable insights for organizational decision-making.
Reviews: Literature reviews provide comprehensive summaries and evaluations of existing research, while critical analyses delve into the intricacies of books or movies, dissecting themes and artistic elements.
Dissertations and Theses: Dissertations represent extensive research endeavors, often at the doctoral level, exploring profound subjects. Theses, common in master's programs, showcase mastery over specific topics within defined scopes.
Summaries and Abstracts: Summaries and abstracts condense larger works. Abstracts provide concise overviews, offering glimpses into key points and findings.
Case Studies: Case studies immerse readers in detailed analyses of specific instances, bridging theoretical concepts with practical applications in real-world scenarios.
Reflective Journals: Reflective journals serve as personal platforms for articulating thoughts and insights based on one's academic journey, fostering self-expression and intellectual growth.
Academic Articles: Scholarly articles, published in academic journals, constitute the backbone of disseminating original research, contributing to the collective knowledge within specific fields.
Literary Analyses: Literary analyses unravel the complexities of written works, decoding themes, linguistic nuances, and artistic elements, fostering a deeper appreciation for literature.

Our essay writer service can cater to all types of academic writings that you might encounter on your educational path. Use it to gain the upper hand in school or college and save precious free time.

Essay Writing Process Explained

The process of how to write an academic essay involves a series of important steps. To start, you'll want to do some pre-writing, where you brainstorm essay topics , gather information, and get a good grasp of your topic. This lays the groundwork for your essay.

Once you have a clear understanding, it's time to draft your essay. Begin with an introduction that grabs the reader's attention, gives some context, and states your main argument or thesis. The body of your essay follows, where each paragraph focuses on a specific point supported by examples or evidence. Make sure your ideas flow smoothly from one paragraph to the next, creating a coherent and engaging narrative.

After the drafting phase, take time to revise and refine your essay. Check for clarity, coherence, and consistency. Ensure your ideas are well-organized and that your writing effectively communicates your message. Finally, wrap up your essay with a strong conclusion that summarizes your main points and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

How to Prepare for Essay Writing

Before you start writing an academic essay, there are a few things to sort out. First, make sure you totally get what the assignment is asking for. Break down the instructions and note any specific rules from your teacher. This sets the groundwork.

Then, do some good research. Check out books, articles, or trustworthy websites to gather solid info about your topic. Knowing your stuff makes your essay way stronger. Take a bit of time to brainstorm ideas and sketch out an outline. It helps you organize your thoughts and plan how your essay will flow. Think about the main points you want to get across.

Lastly, be super clear about your main argument or thesis. This is like the main point of your essay, so make it strong. Considering who's going to read your essay is also smart. Use language and tone that suits your academic audience. By ticking off these steps, you'll be in great shape to tackle your essay with confidence.

Academic Essay Example

In academic essays, examples act like guiding stars, showing the way to excellence. Let's check out some good examples to help you on your journey to doing well in your studies.

Academic Essay Format

The academic essay format typically follows a structured approach to convey ideas and arguments effectively. Here's an academic essay format example with a breakdown of the key elements:

Introduction

Hook: Begin with an attention-grabbing opening to engage the reader.
Background/Context: Provide the necessary background information to set the stage.
Thesis Statement: Clearly state the main argument or purpose of the essay.

Body Paragraphs

Topic Sentence: Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that relates to the thesis.
Supporting Evidence: Include evidence, examples, or data to back up your points.
Analysis: Analyze and interpret the evidence, explaining its significance in relation to your argument.
Transition Sentences: Use these to guide the reader smoothly from one point to the next.

Counterargument (if applicable)

Address Counterpoints: Acknowledge opposing views or potential objections.
Rebuttal: Refute counterarguments and reinforce your position.

Conclusion:

Restate Thesis: Summarize the main argument without introducing new points.
Summary of Key Points: Recap the main supporting points made in the body.
Closing Statement: End with a strong concluding thought or call to action.

References/Bibliography

Cite Sources: Include proper citations for all external information used in the essay.
Follow Citation Style: Use the required citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) specified by your instructor.
Font and Size: Use a standard font (e.g., Times New Roman, Arial) and size (12-point).
Margins and Spacing: Follow specified margin and spacing guidelines.
Page Numbers: Include page numbers if required.

Adhering to this structure helps create a well-organized and coherent academic essay that effectively communicates your ideas and arguments.

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How to Write an Academic Essay Step by Step

Start with an introduction.

The introduction of an essay serves as the reader's initial encounter with the topic, setting the tone for the entire piece. It aims to capture attention, generate interest, and establish a clear pathway for the reader to follow. A well-crafted introduction provides a brief overview of the subject matter, hinting at the forthcoming discussion, and compels the reader to delve further into the essay. Consult our detailed guide on how to write an essay introduction for extra details.

Captivate Your Reader

Engaging the reader within the introduction is crucial for sustaining interest throughout the essay. This involves incorporating an engaging hook, such as a thought-provoking question, a compelling anecdote, or a relevant quote. By presenting an intriguing opening, the writer can entice the reader to continue exploring the essay, fostering a sense of curiosity and investment in the upcoming content. To learn more about how to write a hook for an essay , please consult our guide,

Provide Context for a Chosen Topic

In essay writing, providing context for the chosen topic is essential to ensure that readers, regardless of their prior knowledge, can comprehend the subject matter. This involves offering background information, defining key terms, and establishing the broader context within which the essay unfolds. Contextualization sets the stage, enabling readers to grasp the significance of the topic and its relevance within a particular framework. If you buy a dissertation or essay, or any other type of academic writing, our writers will produce an introduction that follows all the mentioned quality criteria.

Make a Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is the central anchor of the essay, encapsulating its main argument or purpose. It typically appears towards the end of the introduction, providing a concise and clear declaration of the writer's stance on the chosen topic. A strong thesis guides the reader on what to expect, serving as a roadmap for the essay's subsequent development.

Outline the Structure of Your Essay

Clearly outlining the structure of the essay in the introduction provides readers with a roadmap for navigating the content. This involves briefly highlighting the main points or arguments that will be explored in the body paragraphs. By offering a structural overview, the writer enhances the essay's coherence, making it easier for the reader to follow the logical progression of ideas and supporting evidence throughout the text.

Continue with the Main Body

The main body is the most important aspect of how to write an academic essay where the in-depth exploration and development of the chosen topic occur. Each paragraph within this section should focus on a specific aspect of the argument or present supporting evidence. It is essential to maintain a logical flow between paragraphs, using clear transitions to guide the reader seamlessly from one point to the next. The main body is an opportunity to delve into the nuances of the topic, providing thorough analysis and interpretation to substantiate the thesis statement.

Choose the Right Length

Determining the appropriate length for an essay is a critical aspect of effective communication. The length should align with the depth and complexity of the chosen topic, ensuring that the essay adequately explores key points without unnecessary repetition or omission of essential information. Striking a balance is key – a well-developed essay neither overextends nor underrepresents the subject matter. Adhering to any specified word count or page limit set by the assignment guidelines is crucial to meet academic requirements while maintaining clarity and coherence.

Write Compelling Paragraphs

In academic essay writing, thought-provoking paragraphs form the backbone of the main body, each contributing to the overall argument or analysis. Each paragraph should begin with a clear topic sentence that encapsulates the main point, followed by supporting evidence or examples. Thoroughly analyzing the evidence and providing insightful commentary demonstrates the depth of understanding and contributes to the overall persuasiveness of the essay. Cohesion between paragraphs is crucial, achieved through effective transitions that ensure a smooth and logical progression of ideas, enhancing the overall readability and impact of the essay.

Finish by Writing a Conclusion

The conclusion serves as the essay's final impression, providing closure and reinforcing the key insights. It involves restating the thesis without introducing new information, summarizing the main points addressed in the body, and offering a compelling closing thought. The goal is to leave a lasting impact on the reader, emphasizing the significance of the discussed topic and the validity of the thesis statement. A well-crafted conclusion brings the essay full circle, leaving the reader with a sense of resolution and understanding. Have you already seen our collection of new persuasive essay topics ? If not, we suggest you do it right after finishing this article to boost your creativity!

Proofread and Edit the Document

After completing the essay, a critical step is meticulous proofreading and editing. This process involves reviewing the document for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and punctuation issues. Additionally, assess the overall coherence and flow of ideas, ensuring that each paragraph contributes effectively to the essay's purpose. Consider the clarity of expression, the appropriateness of language, and the overall organization of the content. Taking the time to proofread and edit enhances the overall quality of the essay, presenting a polished and professional piece of writing. It is advisable to seek feedback from peers or instructors to gain additional perspectives on the essay's strengths and areas for improvement. For more insightful tips, feel free to check out our guide on how to write a descriptive essay .

Alright, let's wrap it up. Knowing how to write academic essays is a big deal. It's not just about passing assignments – it's a skill that sets you up for effective communication and deep thinking. These essays teach us to explain our ideas clearly, build strong arguments, and be part of important conversations, both in school and out in the real world. Whether you're studying or working, being able to put your thoughts into words is super valuable. So, take the time to master this skill – it's a game-changer!

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Ultimate Guide to Writing Your College Essay

Tips for writing an effective college essay.

College admissions essays are an important part of your college application and gives you the chance to show colleges and universities your character and experiences. This guide will give you tips to write an effective college essay.

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Writing a strong college admissions essay

Learn about the elements of a solid admissions essay.

Avoiding common admissions essay mistakes

Learn some of the most common mistakes made on college essays

Brainstorming tips for your college essay

Stuck on what to write your college essay about? Here are some exercises to help you get started.

How formal should the tone of your college essay be?

Learn how formal your college essay should be and get tips on how to bring out your natural voice.

Taking your college essay to the next level

Hear an admissions expert discuss the appropriate level of depth necessary in your college essay.

Student Stories

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Get the perspective of a current college student on how he approached the admissions essay.

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How to Write an Academic Essay in 6 Simple Steps

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Written by Scribendi

Are you wondering how to write an academic essay successfully? There are so many steps to writing an academic essay that it can be difficult to know where to start.

Here, we outline how to write an academic essay in 6 simple steps, from how to research for an academic essay to how to revise an essay and everything in between.

Our essay writing tips are designed to help you learn how to write an academic essay that is ready for publication (after academic editing and academic proofreading , of course!).

Your paper isn't complete until you've done all the needed proofreading. Make sure you leave time for it after the writing process!

Download Our Pocket Checklist for Academic Papers. Just input your email below!

Types of academic writing.

With academic essay writing, there are certain conventions that writers are expected to follow. As such, it's important to know the basics of academic writing before you begin writing your essay.

Step 1: Preparing to Write Your Essay

The essay writing process involves a few main stages:

Researching

As such, in learning how to write an academic essay, it is also important to learn how to research for an academic essay and how to revise an essay.

Read More: Online Research Tips for Students and Scholars

To beef up your research skills, remember these essay writing tips from the above article:

Learn how to identify reliable sources.

Understand the nuances of open access.

Discover free academic journals and research databases.

Manage your references.

Provide evidence for every claim so you can avoid plagiarism .

Read More: 17 Research Databases for Free Articles

You will want to do the research for your academic essay points, of course, but you will also want to research various journals for the publication of your paper.

Different journals have different guidelines and thus different requirements for writers. These can be related to style, formatting, and more.

Knowing these before you begin writing can save you a lot of time if you also want to learn how to revise an essay. If you ensure your paper meets the guidelines of the journal you want to publish in, you will not have to revise it again later for this purpose.

After the research stage, you can draft your thesis and introduction as well as outline the rest of your essay. This will put you in a good position to draft your body paragraphs and conclusion, craft your bibliography, and edit and proofread your paper.

Step 2: Writing the Essay Introduction and Thesis Statement

When learning how to write academic essays , learning how to write an introduction is key alongside learning how to research for an academic essay.

Your introduction should broadly introduce your topic. It will give an overview of your essay and the points that will be discussed. It is typically about 10% of the final word count of the text.

All introductions follow a general structure:

Topic statement

Thesis statement

Step 3: Writing the Essay Body

When learning how to write academic essays, you must learn how to write a good body paragraph. That's because your essay will be primarily made up of them!

The body paragraphs of your essay will develop the argument you outlined in your thesis. They will do this by providing your ideas on a topic backed up by evidence of specific points.

These paragraphs will typically take up about 80% of your essay. As a result, a good essay writing tip is to learn how to properly structure a paragraph.

Each paragraph consists of the following:

A topic sentence

Supporting sentences

A transition

Step 4: Writing the Essay Conclusion

Your essay conclusion is the final paragraph of your essay and primarily reminds your reader of your thesis. It also wraps up your essay and discusses your findings more generally.

The conclusion typically makes up about 10% of the text, like the introduction. It shows the reader that you have accomplished what you intended to at the outset of your essay.

Here are a couple more good essay writing tips for your conclusion:

Don't introduce any new ideas into your conclusion.

Don't undermine your argument with opposing ideas.

Read More: How to Write a Conclusion Paragraph in 3 Easy Steps

Now that you know how to write an academic essay, it's time to learn how to write a bibliography along with some academic editing and proofreading advice.

Step 5: Writing the Bibliography or Works Cited

The bibliography of your paper lists all the references you cited. It is typically alphabetized or numbered (depending on the style guide).

Read More: How to Write an Academic Essay with References

When learning how to write academic essays, you may notice that there are various style guides you may be required to use by a professor or journal, including unique or custom styles.

Some of the most common style guides include:

Chicago style

For help organizing your references for academic essay writing, consider a software manager. They can help you collect and format your references correctly and consistently, both quickly and with minimal effort.

Read More: 6 Reference Manager Software Solutions for Your Research

As you learn how to research for an academic essay most effectively, you may notice that a reference manager can also help make academic paper editing easier.

Step 6: Revising Your Essay

Once you've finally drafted your entire essay . . . you're still not done!

That's because editing and proofreading are the essential final steps of any writing process .

An academic editor can help you identify core issues with your writing , including its structure, its flow, its clarity, and its overall readability. They can give you substantive feedback and essay writing tips to improve your document. Therefore, it's a good idea to have an editor review your first draft so you can improve it prior to proofreading.

A specialized academic editor can assess the content of your writing. As a subject-matter expert in your subject, they can offer field-specific insight and critical commentary. Specialized academic editors can also provide services that others may not, including:

Academic document formatting

Academic figure formatting

Academic reference formatting

An academic proofreader can help you perfect the final draft of your paper to ensure it is completely error free in terms of spelling and grammar. They can also identify any inconsistencies in your work but will not look for any issues in the content of your writing, only its mechanics. This is why you should have a proofreader revise your final draft so that it is ready to be seen by an audience.

Read More: How to Find the Right Academic Paper Editor or Proofreader

When learning how to research and write an academic essay, it is important to remember that editing is a required step. Don ' t forget to allot time for editing after you ' ve written your paper.

Set yourself up for success with this guide on how to write an academic essay. With a solid draft, you'll have better chances of getting published and read in any journal of your choosing.

Our academic essay writing tips are sure to help you learn how to research an academic essay, how to write an academic essay, and how to revise an academic essay.

If your academic paper looks sloppy, your readers may assume your research is sloppy. Download our Pocket Proofreading Checklist for Academic Papers before you take that one last crucial look at your paper.

About the Author

Scribendi's in-house editors work with writers from all over the globe to perfect their writing. They know that no piece of writing is complete without a professional edit, and they love to see a good piece of writing transformed into a great one. Scribendi's in-house editors are unrivaled in both experience and education, having collectively edited millions of words and obtained numerous degrees. They love consuming caffeinated beverages, reading books of various genres, and relaxing in quiet, dimly lit spaces.

Have You Read?

"The Complete Beginner's Guide to Academic Writing"

21 Legit Research Databases for Free Journal Articles in 2024

How to Find the Right Academic Paper Editor or Proofreader

How to Master the 4 Types of Academic Writing

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Essay and dissertation writing skills

Planning your essay

Writing your introduction

Structuring your essay

Writing essays in science subjects
Brief video guides to support essay planning and writing
Writing extended essays and dissertations
Planning your dissertation writing time

Structuring your dissertation

Top tips for writing longer pieces of work

Advice on planning and writing essays and dissertations

University essays differ from school essays in that they are less concerned with what you know and more concerned with how you construct an argument to answer the question. This means that the starting point for writing a strong essay is to first unpick the question and to then use this to plan your essay before you start putting pen to paper (or finger to keyboard).

A really good starting point for you are these short, downloadable Tips for Successful Essay Writing and Answering the Question resources. Both resources will help you to plan your essay, as well as giving you guidance on how to distinguish between different sorts of essay questions.

You may find it helpful to watch this seven-minute video on six tips for essay writing which outlines how to interpret essay questions, as well as giving advice on planning and structuring your writing:

Different disciplines will have different expectations for essay structure and you should always refer to your Faculty or Department student handbook or course Canvas site for more specific guidance.

However, broadly speaking, all essays share the following features:

Essays need an introduction to establish and focus the parameters of the discussion that will follow. You may find it helpful to divide the introduction into areas to demonstrate your breadth and engagement with the essay question. You might define specific terms in the introduction to show your engagement with the essay question; for example, ‘This is a large topic which has been variously discussed by many scientists and commentators. The principle tension is between the views of X and Y who define the main issues as…’ Breadth might be demonstrated by showing the range of viewpoints from which the essay question could be considered; for example, ‘A variety of factors including economic, social and political, influence A and B. This essay will focus on the social and economic aspects, with particular emphasis on…..’

Watch this two-minute video to learn more about how to plan and structure an introduction:

The main body of the essay should elaborate on the issues raised in the introduction and develop an argument(s) that answers the question. It should consist of a number of self-contained paragraphs each of which makes a specific point and provides some form of evidence to support the argument being made. Remember that a clear argument requires that each paragraph explicitly relates back to the essay question or the developing argument.

Conclusion: An essay should end with a conclusion that reiterates the argument in light of the evidence you have provided; you shouldn’t use the conclusion to introduce new information.
References: You need to include references to the materials you’ve used to write your essay. These might be in the form of footnotes, in-text citations, or a bibliography at the end. Different systems exist for citing references and different disciplines will use various approaches to citation. Ask your tutor which method(s) you should be using for your essay and also consult your Department or Faculty webpages for specific guidance in your discipline.

Essay writing in science subjects

If you are writing an essay for a science subject you may need to consider additional areas, such as how to present data or diagrams. This five-minute video gives you some advice on how to approach your reading list, planning which information to include in your answer and how to write for your scientific audience – the video is available here:

A PDF providing further guidance on writing science essays for tutorials is available to download.

Short videos to support your essay writing skills

There are many other resources at Oxford that can help support your essay writing skills and if you are short on time, the Oxford Study Skills Centre has produced a number of short (2-minute) videos covering different aspects of essay writing, including:

Approaching different types of essay questions
Structuring your essay
Writing an introduction
Making use of evidence in your essay writing
Writing your conclusion

Extended essays and dissertations

Longer pieces of writing like extended essays and dissertations may seem like quite a challenge from your regular essay writing. The important point is to start with a plan and to focus on what the question is asking. A PDF providing further guidance on planning Humanities and Social Science dissertations is available to download.

Planning your time effectively

Try not to leave the writing until close to your deadline, instead start as soon as you have some ideas to put down onto paper. Your early drafts may never end up in the final work, but the work of committing your ideas to paper helps to formulate not only your ideas, but the method of structuring your writing to read well and conclude firmly.

Although many students and tutors will say that the introduction is often written last, it is a good idea to begin to think about what will go into it early on. For example, the first draft of your introduction should set out your argument, the information you have, and your methods, and it should give a structure to the chapters and sections you will write. Your introduction will probably change as time goes on but it will stand as a guide to your entire extended essay or dissertation and it will help you to keep focused.

The structure of extended essays or dissertations will vary depending on the question and discipline, but may include some or all of the following:

The background information to - and context for - your research. This often takes the form of a literature review.
Explanation of the focus of your work.
Explanation of the value of this work to scholarship on the topic.
List of the aims and objectives of the work and also the issues which will not be covered because they are outside its scope.

The main body of your extended essay or dissertation will probably include your methodology, the results of research, and your argument(s) based on your findings.

The conclusion is to summarise the value your research has added to the topic, and any further lines of research you would undertake given more time or resources.

Tips on writing longer pieces of work

Approaching each chapter of a dissertation as a shorter essay can make the task of writing a dissertation seem less overwhelming. Each chapter will have an introduction, a main body where the argument is developed and substantiated with evidence, and a conclusion to tie things together. Unlike in a regular essay, chapter conclusions may also introduce the chapter that will follow, indicating how the chapters are connected to one another and how the argument will develop through your dissertation.

For further guidance, watch this two-minute video on writing longer pieces of work .

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If you are writing in a new discipline, you should always make sure to ask about conventions and expectations for introductions, just as you would for any other aspect of the essay. For example, while it may be acceptable to write a two-paragraph (or longer) introduction for your papers in some courses, instructors in other disciplines, such as those in some Government courses, may expect a shorter introduction that includes a preview of the argument that will follow.
In some disciplines (Government, Economics, and others), it’s common to offer an overview in the introduction of what points you will make in your essay. In other disciplines, you will not be expected to provide this overview in your introduction.
Avoid writing a very general opening sentence. While it may be true that “Since the dawn of time, people have been telling love stories,” it won’t help you explain what’s interesting about your topic.
Avoid writing a “funnel” introduction in which you begin with a very broad statement about a topic and move to a narrow statement about that topic. Broad generalizations about a topic will not add to your readers’ understanding of your specific essay topic.
Avoid beginning with a dictionary definition of a term or concept you will be writing about. If the concept is complicated or unfamiliar to your readers, you will need to define it in detail later in your essay. If it’s not complicated, you can assume your readers already know the definition.
Avoid offering too much detail in your introduction that a reader could better understand later in the paper.
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“What Is an Academic Essay?”

Overview (a.k.a. TLDR)

Different professors define the academic essay differently.
Thesis (main point)
Supporting evidence (properly cited)
Counterarguments
Your academic essay is knowledge that you create for the learning community of which you’re a member (a.k.a. the academy).

As a student in Core classes, especially in COR 102, you can expect that at least some of the major work in the course will entail writing academic essays. That term, academic essay , might sound as if it’s referring to a specific writing genre. That’s because it is. An academic essay is not a short story, an electronic game design document, a lesson plan, or a scientific lab report. It’s something else. What exactly is it, though? That depends, to some extent, on how the professor who has asked you to write an academic essay has chosen to define it. As Kathy Duffin posits in an essay written for the Writing Center at Harvard University, while an academic essay may “vary in expression from discipline to discipline,” it “should show us a mind developing a thesis, supporting that thesis with evidence, deftly anticipating objections or counterarguments, and maintaining the momentum of discovery.”

Even though Duffin’s essay is more than 20 years old, I still find her description interesting for a few reasons, one of which being the way that she has sandwiched, so to speak, some established content requirements of academic essays in between two broad intellectual functions of the academic essay. Here’s what I see:

When Duffin writes that an academic essay “should show us a mind,” she is identifying an important quality in many essay forms, not just academic essays: a sense of a mind at work. This is an important consideration, as it frames an academic essay as an attempt to understand something and to share that understanding. Essay is, in fact, also a verb; to essay is to try or attempt.

The established content requirements are as follows:

a thesis (which Duffin describes also as a “purpose” and “motive”)
evidence in support of the thesis, and
an anticipation of objections or counterarguments

Duffin caps this all off with something about “maintaining the momentum of discovery.” Honestly, I’m not positive that I know what this means, but my guess is that it means an academic essay will construct and advance a new way of knowing the essay topic, a way that makes this process seem worth the writer’s and the reader’s time.

Again, your professor may or may not define academic essays as Duffin does. The only thing I would add to the above is a reminder that the academic essays you write in COR 102 and other courses represent knowledge that you’re creating within and for the academy —another word for Champlain College, an academic institution. You’re creating knowledge for a community of learners, a community of which you, your professor, and your peers are members. Keeping this conceptualization of your academic essay in mind may help you appreciate such other common elements of academic essays as voice , citations , and essay format.

Duffin, Kathy. “Overview of the Academic Essay.” Harvard College Writing Center, Harvard U., 1998, https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/overview-academic-essay Accessed 29 July 2020.

Quick tip about citing sources in MLA style

What’s a thesis, sample mla essays.

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Academic Essay

When creating an academic essay , it is very important for you to relay a sensible and clear argument to your target readers. Since academic essays are widely used in the field of education and research, you need to ensure that you do both logical, interesting and informative writing . The items that are commonly seen in an academic essay contain insights, actual occurrences, ideas, and facts.

What is Academic Essay?

An academic essay is a structured form of writing that serves the purpose of presenting and supporting a thesis or argument on a specific topic. It is commonly used in educational settings to assess students’ understanding, analytical skills, and ability to research and convey their findings. An academic essay typically follows a clear format, including an introduction with a thesis statement, body paragraphs that provide evidence and analysis to support the thesis, and a conclusion that summarizes the main points and reinforces the essay’s central argument. This type of essay requires critical thinking and a formal tone, with evidence cited from reputable sources to back up claims made within the text.

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A lot of students tend to think that an academic essay, just like any other college essay , is something that is too technical or defined. However, you can always write one depending on how you perceive a specific topic of discussion or how you interpret an instance or any other subjects. The samples that we have for you can be a great help if you would like to start writing your academic essay already.

Academic Essay Writing Format/ Outline

1. title page (if required).

Includes the essay’s title, the author’s name, and institutional affiliation.

2. Introduction

Hook : Opens with a statement to grab the reader’s interest. Background Information : Provides context for the topic being discussed. Thesis Statement : Presents the main argument or claim of the essay.

3. Body Paragraphs

Each paragraph should focus on a single idea that supports the thesis, structured as follows:

Topic Sentence : Introduces the main idea of the paragraph. Evidence and Analysis : Includes data, quotes, or examples to support the topic sentence, followed by an explanation of how this evidence supports the thesis. Transition : Connects to the next paragraph or idea.

4. Conclusion

Summary of Main Points : Restates the key arguments or findings presented in the body paragraphs. Restatement of Thesis : Reinforces the essay’s main argument in light of the evidence presented. Closing Thought : Offers a final insight, a call to action, or a suggestion for further research.

Example of Academic Essay Writing

The Impact of Social Media on Communication In the digital age, social media has revolutionized the way we communicate, transcending physical boundaries and transforming social interactions. This essay explores the profound impact of social media on communication, examining both its positive advancements and negative implications. While social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have enhanced our ability to connect with others, they have also led to a decline in face-to-face interactions and a dilution of personal communication skills. Social media has made it easier than ever to stay connected with friends and family, regardless of geographical distance. A study by Smith and Duggan (2016) found that 75% of internet users utilize social media to maintain relationships with distant family and friends. This widespread use of social media for keeping in touch demonstrates its role as a vital communication tool, bridging the gap between people worldwide. However, the reliance on social media for communication has led to a decrease in the quality of interpersonal interactions. Research by Johnson (2018) indicates a 40% decline in face-to-face conversations among young adults, correlating with increased social media usage. The preference for digital communication over personal interaction suggests a shift in social dynamics, potentially harming relational depth and emotional connections. Moreover, social media has affected our communication skills, particularly among younger generations. A survey by Lee (2019) revealed that 60% of teachers believe social media use has adversely affected students’ writing and verbal communication skills. The informal language and abbreviations common in social media posts and messages are infiltrating academic and professional communications, underscoring the need for a balanced approach to digital interactions. Social media has undeniably transformed communication, offering unparalleled connectivity but also presenting significant challenges. While it fosters global connections, its overuse can undermine personal interactions and communication skills. Balancing social media use with face-to-face communication is crucial for maintaining meaningful relationships and effective communication in the 21st century.

What is an example of academic writing?

Title: The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity

Introduction: Climate change, driven primarily by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, has emerged as a critical global concern. This essay aims to explore the multifaceted impacts of climate change on biodiversity. The effects of rising temperatures, altered weather patterns, and habitat destruction are increasingly evident, with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and species worldwide.

Body Paragraph: One of the most noticeable consequences of climate change is the shifting geographical ranges of numerous species. Warmer temperatures prompt species to migrate to higher altitudes or latitudes, as they seek habitats that align with their thermal preferences. This phenomenon is evident in various ecosystems, including mountain regions, where alpine plants and animals have progressively moved uphill. These migrations, while adaptive, can disrupt established predator-prey relationships and competition for resources. Such shifts can also lead to reduced biodiversity in lower-altitude regions as some species fail to adapt or relocate successfully.

Smith, J., & Johnson, A. (2019). Impacts of Climate Change on Alpine Plant Communities. Environmental Studies Journal , 42(3), 256-270.
Wilson, P., & Davis, R. (2020). Climate-Induced Shifts in Animal Distributions: Evidence from a Decadal Study. Ecology and Evolution , 10(12), 5963-5972.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, climate change exerts profound effects on biodiversity, manifesting through shifts in species distributions, altered ecological relationships, and habitat loss. As global temperatures continue to rise, addressing these impacts becomes increasingly urgent. Conservation efforts, sustainable practices, and international cooperation are essential in mitigating the repercussions of climate change on the world’s diverse ecosystems and species.

Academic Essay Topics with Samples to Edit & Download

Pollution due to urbanization
The environmental causes of smoking
The outcomes of global warming
Abortion as a controversy
Causes of obesity in teenagers
Childhood memories
Fathers should get equal paternity leave
Harmful dogs should be euthanized
How does divorce affects children?
How does technology affect productivity?
Importance of preserving threatened species
Parenting styles and motives
Political issues in the U.S.
Romantic relationships
Should schools abolish homework?
Violent video games should be banned
Ways of protecting the environment

Academic Essay Writing Examples & Templates

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10. Sample Academic Essay Format Example

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11. Academic Paper Essay Example

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13. Academic Essay Sample Structure Example

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14. Short Academic Essay Example in PDF

15. Free Printable Academic Essay Sample

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18. Free Academic Essay Sample Guide

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19. Sample Academic Essay Outline

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Are You Ready and Prepared to Create an Academic Essay?

Different types of academic writing require an individual to have a clear thought process within the entirety of idea development. You have to be focused on what you would like to achieve your final written output so you can incorporate successful guides and processes within the activity. Some of the things that you can talk about in an academic essay include the following:

Human behavior, characteristics, and emotions
Community relations
Natural occurrences
Language and its effective usages
Culture and the arts
Academic researchers
Relevant cultural phenomenon
Photography and other artistic undertakings
Human interactions
Other subjects that are related to education and academics

Knowing the subject of your article is only one of the initial things that can help you prepare during the writing process. Here are some ways on how you can be ready to write your academic essay:

You need to have an order of writing that can easily showcase the flow of your thoughts. You must ensure that you can easily connect with your readers or audience so they can respond to the content of your article. Your academic essay should evoke an emotion that is necessary to spark other ideas, opinions and other kinds of responses.
You need to be aware that academic essays differ depending on the educational or academic discipline where they will be used. There are certain ways that are necessary to be followed in various fields for an academic essay to be deemed effective. With this, always be mindful of the directions or instructions were given to you by the entity who requires you to write an academic essay.
You do not need to pattern your writing to the works of others. You can be ready even by just knowing your subject and researching about it. The style of writing that you have can give the most difference to how you write and how you present your work. Always keep in mind that your academic essay should be playful – it must not bore your audience.
You must think of your academic essay as an enterprise by using scholastic writing approaches. The conversation that you can create with your readers must be relevant to what is happening nowadays or for the study that specific student groups need. Being able to give focus on the relativity of your written work can make it easier for readers to understand why your academic essay is important within the academic field.
You should ensure that your thesis statement is precise, concise, and strong. When you are in the process of developing your academic essay’s thesis, you need to make sure that you are not just basing your write-up on unreliable information. Always refer to evidence, facts, and real data as it can help you strengthen your claims. More so, do not forget to reference your essays when necessary.

Things to Remember When Identifying the Purpose of Your Academic Essay

An academic essay always has to be relevant. It needs to be beneficial to a specific group or to the majority of the academic community. The motive of your essay is very important to be considered as it can identify whether you can be of help to the people who need a particular educational reference. Here are a few things that you need to remember when identifying the purpose of your own academic essay:

Do not create an academic essay just for the sake of passing it. Your academic essay is more than an assignment or a project. There are some last minute essay writing activities that are done in various fields especially if students think that an academic essay is just a part of their requirements. However, what these students do not know is that an academic essay is a representation of themselves. It showcases the thoughts of the students, what they have learned may it be in class or through self-discovery, and how they are impacted by certain issues and subjects of discussion. This is where the value of a Free Essay and an Informative Essay becomes evident, as both types of essays encourage students to express their understanding and insights on a given topic freely and informatively.
Be precise with the purpose of your writing. An academic letter is not just a document that can showcase your mastery when it comes to a particular academic subject. It can talk about a specific subject or it can also be a general paper that can provide a lot of information about your experiences and/or insights. This is where the importance of a Self-Introduction Essay comes into play, allowing you to present a personal narrative that reflects your academic journey and achievements. Similarly, an Expository Essay helps in laying out facts and an unbiased analysis of a topic, further enriching the academic discourse. If you will have a precise purpose when writing an academic essay, there is no doubt that your essay will not be pointless.
Always think of the best case that can help you represent your thoughts. Your style of writing, as well as the entire document’s format and content, can help you realize your ideas. This includes the succinctness and clarity often found in a Short Essay , where the challenge is to convey your thoughts within a limited word count effectively. Similarly, a Scholarship Essay requires you to articulate your achievements and aspirations in a way that resonates with scholarship committees, demonstrating your potential and need for financial support. With this, your point of writing can easily be identified by readers. Being able to present your purpose the best way possible can add up to the success of your academic paper.

Developing an Academic Essay

For you to be able to persuade your readers with the content of your academic essay, there is a need for you to present a structure that can easily identify your claims, arguments, observations, and/or factual presentations. Integrating a Student Essay can demonstrate the personal perspective or learning journey of an individual, making your arguments more relatable. Similarly, incorporating a Travel Essay could enrich your essay by providing unique insights and observations from different cultures or environments. Being clear about how you present your idea is essential for people to see the context of your academic essay.

If you have an organized manner of putting together the concepts of your academic essay, then validating your thesis statement can be more evident. To avoid common essay mistakes and other negative factors that can affect your desired output, here is a basic guide on how you can develop your own academic essay:

Start by creating a strong thesis statement. Identify your stand and make sure to strictly present evidence that can help you claim its authenticity and validity. Reveal evidence after your thesis statement presentation. Your thesis statement serves as your introduction speech . It lets your readers know the topic of your academic essay and what they can expect from the entire article.
Establish the context of your essay after your thesis statement. The way that you approach your topic can let readers know whether it is the specific approach that they also need for their undertakings. There are different contexts that can be used within the same subject, so you have to make sure that you will be clear when it comes to identifying the part of the topic that you are going to talk about. This clarity can be achieved through a Descriptive Essay , where vivid descriptions and details about the topic can enlighten and engage the reader. Additionally, understanding the Parts of an Essay is crucial in structuring your thoughts and arguments effectively. Limiting your topic discussion can help you give more focus to what is important for your discussion, ensuring that each part contributes meaningfully to the whole.
Create the next paragraphs based on the data that can support your thesis statement. The body of your academic essay can be based on your observations, reviews, statements and research outputs. You can present these items separately through the usage of various paragraphs. However, there are instances where it will be better if you can combine or compare to evidence to make your statements more effective.
Conclude. Your conclusion is as important as your introduction. If you believe that you have created a strong introduction, you have to maintain that until the end of your academic essay. Sum up all the information that you have presented so that people can identify whether your conclusion has lived up to the content of what you have written. Your conclusion can also be used to assess whether your thesis statement has been carried within the entirety of your discussion.

Importance of a Well-Defined Thesis Statement in an Academic Essay

A thesis statement is a paragraph or a set of paragraphs that identifies your stand about your subject. There is a need for this statement to be created as it can affect the entirety of your academic paper. Here are some of the reasons why it is important to develop an effective thesis statement before and while writing your academic paper:

Your thesis statement is a reflection of your actual idea. This helps you present the point that you would like to make and the message that you actually want to disseminate to your readers. Through a thesis statement, you can organize the evidence that are relevant to your claims based on their relevance to the topic and how you view it as a writer.
Your thesis statement can guide you within the entirety of your writing processes. Just because you have already done an initial thesis statement does not mean that you are going to fully stick with it until the end of your writing. There are instances where thesis statements are developed or even changes during the creation of an academic essay depending on how the research about the topic has evolved.
Your thesis statement can allow you to establish originality. Since your academic essay can be based on your research findings and observations, your thesis statement can be your platform to specify what you have come up with. Through a well-defined thesis statement, you can set your output apart from other essay examples that have been written by professionals and other entities in the field of academics.
Your thesis statement is one of the items that the audience will look at when referencing for credibility and validity. Academic essays need to have a strong initial impact on readers. This statement can help them be focused on a particular standpoint which can enlighten them about your views and opinions, and how these are essential to be considered.
Your thesis statement can help your readers immerse in your academic essay. The material that you will be coming up with can be reviewed by different people. Depending on the field of education where you are currently in, you need to make sure that your readers can see patterns of evidence presented so they can clearly see how you were able to generate and come up with insights. You have to ensure that the thesis statement that you have created contains the most promising thought so you can get the trust or even the acceptance of your readers about your academic essay’s subject.

Guidelines in Writing an Academic Essay

The course materials that you need to talk about within an academic essay can reflect your level of understanding about the subject. Simply put, an academic essay can be an evidence of the depth of your research procedures and all the other activities that you have executed so that you can support the content of your written output. Listed below are some of the guidelines that can be useful to your academic essay writing processes.

Always analyze your essay prompt or the question that you need to answer or explain. You have to know whether you are tasked to argue, analyze, or discuss the topic. There will be times where you also need to compare the items present in your subject or explain the underlying factors that can affect your topic.
Make sure that you will research about what you will write about . Your academic essay can only be fully-maximized if you can present facts. Primary research may be a helpful bit a more precise review of your research topic can help you gather more information that can be helpful in the development of your content. Always assess your sources of information so you can ensure that they are credible.
Create a draft so that you will have a guide when writing your academic essay. If you will be organized when writing your academic essay, you can create an output that is well-curated and comprehensive. With this, your academic essay can provide more impact to your readers. This can also help you gather your thoughts first and identify how you can put them all together in the most cohesive and efficient way possible.

If you still do not feel confident in writing your own academic essay from scratch, then you can refer to templates and samples which you can download online. Doing this will allow you to be more familiar with the common content and basic formats that are usually seen in an academic essay. When using a template as a guide, always make sure that it is applicable to the study that you are practicing or the academic field or discipline where you will use your academic essay.

As a student, there will always be an instance where we will be required to write an academic essay. If you want to create an academic essay that is both outstanding and relevant, always put the items that we have discussed above in mind.

Setting the Stage for Essay Writing Success

Understand the Assignment: Carefully read and comprehend the essay prompt or assignment to grasp its requirements and objectives.
Topic Selection: Choose a relevant and interesting topic that aligns with the assignment.
Research: Gather credible sources and information related to your topic. Take thorough notes and document your sources.
Thesis Statement: Develop a strong, clear, and concise thesis statement that presents the main argument of your essay.
Outline: Create an outline that organizes your essay into sections, including the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each section should have a clear purpose.
Writing Draft: Begin writing your essay, keeping the introduction engaging, and ensuring each body paragraph addresses a single point or idea supported by evidence.
Citations: Properly cite sources as you write, following a recognized citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).
Edit and Revise: Review and revise your draft, focusing on grammar, clarity, coherence, and organization.
Proofread: Carefully proofread your essay for errors in spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure.
Final Review: Double-check that your essay fulfills the assignment requirements, including formatting, citations, and references.

How do you write an academic essay?

Understand the Assignment: Read the essay prompt or assignment thoroughly to grasp its requirements and objectives.
Research: Gather relevant sources and information from books, articles, and credible online sources.
Plan and Outline: Create an outline with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each section should have a clear purpose.
Thesis Statement: Develop a strong thesis statement that presents the main argument of your essay.
Introduction: Start with a compelling hook, provide background information, and present your thesis statement.
Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph should focus on a single point or idea, supported by evidence or examples. Use topic sentences to introduce the main idea of each paragraph.
Citations: Cite sources properly using a recognized citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
Analysis and Critical Thinking: Analyze and evaluate the evidence or arguments presented, and make connections between them.
Transition Sentences: Use transition words and phrases to connect ideas between paragraphs.
Conclusion: Summarize the main points, restate the thesis, and provide a thoughtful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

Academic Essay Characteristics

Academic essays are distinguished by several key characteristics that set them apart from other types of writing. These features ensure that essays meet the rigorous standards of academic discourse and contribute effectively to scholarly conversations. Here are the primary characteristics of academic essays:

Clear Purpose : An academic essay is written with a clear purpose, often to argue a point, present an analysis, or discuss a research finding. The purpose guides the structure and content of the essay.
Structured Format : It follows a structured format with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. This organization helps present arguments and evidence in a coherent and logical manner.
Thesis Statement : A distinctive feature is the thesis statement, a concise summary of the main argument or claim, usually found at the end of the introduction. It sets the direction for the entire essay.
Critical Analysis : Academic essays involve critical analysis of ideas, texts, or situations. Writers assess evidence, debate viewpoints, and use logic to develop their arguments.
Evidence-Based Arguments : Claims made in academic essays are supported by evidence from credible sources. This includes data, statistics, research findings, and quotations from experts.
Formal Tone and Style : The writing adopts a formal tone and style, avoiding colloquial language, personal anecdotes (unless relevant), and slang. It maintains an objective and professional voice.

Types of Academic Writing

Academic writing encompasses a variety of types, each serving a specific purpose and adhering to a particular format. Here are some of the main types of academic writing:

Descriptive Writing : This type focuses on describing a character, event, or situation in detail. It’s often used in reports or descriptive essays, where the goal is to provide a clear picture of the subject to the reader.
Analytical Writing : Analytical writing breaks down complex information into smaller components for better understanding. It involves comparing and contrasting, classifying, and analyzing causes and effects. This type is common in research papers and literature reviews.
Persuasive Writing : Persuasive writing aims to convince the reader of the writer’s viewpoint or argument. It is characterized by a strong thesis statement, clear evidence, and logical reasoning to persuade the reader. Opinion pieces, argumentative essays, and proposals often employ persuasive writing.
Expository Writing : Expository writing is used to explain or inform the reader about a specific topic in a clear, concise, and logical manner. It focuses on presenting facts, statistics, and examples without the writer’s personal opinions. This type includes most essays, many types of reports, and certain types of research papers.
Reflective Writing : This type involves the writer reflecting on their personal experiences, thoughts, or feelings regarding a particular subject or experience. Reflective writing is subjective and is often used in journals, blogs, and reflection essays in educational settings.
Critical Writing : Critical writing evaluates and critiques the work of others, such as books, articles, or artworks. It involves assessing the strengths and weaknesses of arguments, evidence, and methodologies. Literature reviews, critique essays, and certain types of research papers often require critical writing.
Narrative Writing : Although less common in strict academic settings, narrative writing is used in certain disciplines to tell stories or describe events chronologically. Personal statements and some types of qualitative research may employ narrative writing to convey experiences and observations.
Report Writing : Reports convey information from a writer to a reader, focusing on facts and evidence. They are structured and include sections like an introduction, methodology, findings, and conclusions. Lab reports, business reports, and technical reports are examples of this type.

Academic Writing Principles

Academic writing is governed by a set of core principles designed to ensure clarity, precision, and rigor in scholarly communication. Understanding and adhering to these principles is essential for effective academic writing. Here are the key principles:

Clarity : Writing should be clear and understandable, avoiding unnecessary jargon and complexity to ensure that the reader can easily follow the argument or narrative.
Coherence : The text should be logically organized, with a clear structure that guides the reader through the argument or discussion. Each part of the writing should connect to the others in a meaningful way.
Conciseness : Academic writing should be concise, conveying ideas in as few words as necessary. This does not mean oversimplifying, but rather avoiding redundancy and verbosity.
Objectivity : Writers should strive for objectivity, presenting information and arguments based on evidence rather than personal opinions or biases. This includes acknowledging counterarguments and limitations.
Precision : Precision involves using the exact words to convey your meaning and being specific about your claims, evidence, and references. This also means accurately citing sources and providing specific data when necessary.
Evidence-Based Argumentation : Arguments should be supported with appropriate evidence, such as data, examples, and citations from authoritative sources. This principle underscores the importance of research and verification in academic writing.
Formality : The tone of academic writing is formal, which means avoiding colloquial language, contractions, slang, and humor. Formality also involves using the passive voice where appropriate and avoiding personal pronouns when making general arguments.
Citation and Referencing : Proper citation and referencing of sources are fundamental to academic writing. This practice not only gives credit to original authors but also allows readers to verify sources and understand the basis of the evidence presented.
Originality and Plagiarism Avoidance : Academic writing must be original and free from plagiarism. This means that writers should produce their own work based on their research and ideas and appropriately cite any sources they use.
Critical Thinking : Effective academic writing reflects critical thinking, challenging assumptions, evaluating evidence, and synthesizing ideas from various sources to offer new insights or perspectives on a topic.

How do you start an academic essay sample?

Begin an academic essay sample with a captivating hook, provide context on the topic, and conclude the introduction with a clear and concise thesis statement that outlines your main argument.

What is the opening line of an academic essay?

The opening line of an academic essay should engage the reader’s interest, introduce the topic, and provide a sense of the essay’s focus and importance.

What not to write in an academic essay?

In an academic essay, avoid personal opinions, emotional language, unsubstantiated claims, informal language, and plagiarism. Focus on evidence-based arguments and adhere to academic standards and conventions.

How do you write an academic essay quickly?

To write an academic essay quickly, start with a clear thesis, outline main points, research efficiently, focus on key evidence, and minimize editing while maintaining proper citations and structure.

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Essay: The importance of academic qualifications

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In many countries, education is being considered the step towards success, but in some countries it might need social skills and computer skills before applying to the jobs. In a developed, modern society in particular, it is essential to have some sort of academic qualification, as this is the first thing potential employers will look at. Academic qualifications are the only easy and reliable way to find an efficient, dependable employee. Therefore, ‘an academic qualification ensures a successful career’. This is because firstly, academic qualifications provide more alternatives to avail career promotion; secondly, an academic qualification ensures success in life by getting a good job. In that case, they usually have determination on solving concerns and fascinating new knowledge which can sustain encouragement and job achievements, the most essential part to develop a successful career. Academic qualifications can boost the professional career by providing more career options and wealth of opportunities. Because, academic qualification is the evidence of the possession of knowledge and experience. Academic qualifiers usually have problem solving skills which helps them in achieving prominent positions. Firstly, academic qualifications can encourage having more knowledge and problem solving skills, to exhibit their potential in order to avail career promotions. According to Hegarty & Walsh (2011, pp 480-482), that a better qualification can help one to gain more knowledge for the professional development and building critical thinking model. In addition to that it will equip them with confidence and motivation to gain scientific training and compete to higher position. It is obvious from this evidence that academic qualification is important not only because of have a plenty of knowledge but it can also provide you with additional benefits for career promotion. Secondly, academic qualification can hand over specific skills which are necessary for professional promotion. According to the research C Clark (2013,pp 227-231), the possible professional promotion depend upon good deal of condition, along with the specific qualifications and also other meaningful character which can be anticipated during the growth and gaining the formal qualification such as administrative qualities, social and associate skills. This evidence shows that to contend for a professional promotion, the importance of academic qualification may not be avoided, for those who have satisfied the qualification requirements, they have already accomplished how to gain better performance on common skill and academic discussion, and therefore they have more opportunity to earn career promotion. Over all, academic qualification enables to play the vital roles of an organization resulting in the career’s success and satisfaction. Academic qualification is thought as a road to success in life as it privileges with inter-disciplinary skills which makes a strong and distinguished candidates to achieve a prominent position. More academic qualification expands and widen mind horizon in a specific field of study which result in having a strong hold and command over that field. Based on number of studies it is obvious that there is in inter-relationship between the academic levels acquired and objective career success (Dierendock Dv & Gaast ED, pp 695), Academic Qualification ensures success in life by getting a good job and getting paid well. Academic qualifications displays that a person has the basics in learning. If their basic grounding in Math, Science and Language is strong, then one can get success in life because mastering these subjects allows a person to calculate, to innovate and to communicate. These essentials for success cannot be learned without professional help like in schools and colleges. In order to prove that someone has acquired this knowledge, one is tested. If a person’s learning is satisfactory, then they are given a certificate to indicate their competence as an academic qualification. These are the necessary things to get a good, very well paid job or career, so this is obvious that academic qualification plays a major contributing role in building y the career by securing a good and healthy job. In short, academic qualification is the pre-requisite to ensure success in life by seeking a good and reliable job. In conclusion, academic qualification is an essential requirement of a progressive and developing career which provides many opportunities to get promotions and effectively build the career. Moreover, academic qualification guarantees a prosperous and successful life by securing a good job and attractive salary packages. Therefore academic qualification is of sole importance to be ahead of all in the race of life. So for retaining a unique position, advancing career, reliable designation and better source of income academic qualification is the key factor for availing all the benefits associated with it. That is why it is necessary for everyone to acquire more and more knowledge, skills and concepts while mastering and qualifying the highest possible levels of qualification in their specific fields of knowledge and research, which will lead to progression, development and innovation. References Dierendonck DV & Gaast EVD, 2013,’Goal orientation, academic competences and early career success’, career development international, Vol 18 pp.694-711

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Educational Qualifications Essay

Posted by David S. Wills | Oct 17, 2022 | Model Essays | 0

Today, we are going to look at an IELTS writing question that is all about educational qualifications and explore some ways to craft a great essay based upon it.

Analysing the Question

Here is our question for today:

Some people believe that educational qualifications will always bring success in life. Other people say that educational qualifications do not necessarily bring success. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

As you can see, it is a “ discuss both views ” type of question and for that we need to do three things:

Discuss the first view
Discuss the second view
Give our opinion

If we omit any of those three things, we will get a very poor score for Task Response.

So what are the two views here?

Educational qualifications will always bring success in life.
Educational qualifications won’t always bring success in life.

The important part to note is the word “always,” which provides us with a very specific meaning. It means that this isn’t just about qualifications being important but rather about them guaranteeing success. If you failed to realise that, you would seriously struggle to get a good score.

Planning your Answer

Once you have analysed the question and you feel that you completely understand it, you need to do a few things:

Brainstorm some ideas.
Pick the best ones.
Figure out how to discuss those ideas.
Put them into a coherent structure.

When you are brainstorming ideas , it doesn’t matter if they are amazing or not. You can whittle them down to the best ones later.

It is a good idea to decide early which side of the argument you agree with and then make sure that those ideas are more convincing. However, you can write a balanced answer if you want.

Remember that if you really disagree with one view or think that it is weak, you still have to discuss it but you don’t have to give the notion much credence. In fact, you can use that part of the essay to offer counterarguments. This could be considered a form of concession paragraph .

For example, here is how I might structure an essay:

Remember that there is no such thing as a single perfect structure that you must follow. There are different ways to write great essays and you should write however you feel best conveys the information needed. Still, always include an introduction and conclusion and aim for between 4 and 5 paragraphs .

You can learn all about how to plan and structure an essay in this book:

Sample Band 9 Answer: Educational Qualifications Essay

It used to be common to hear people claim that educational qualifications practically guarantee success, but nowadays more people realise that nothing is guaranteed and that qualifications, whilst useful, are limited in their capacity to bring accomplishments. This essay will look at both viewpoints and then argue in favour of the latter.

To begin with, it is understandable that some people, and particularly those who grew up in a different era, might feel that qualifications almost guarantee that a person will be successful. After all, it can hardly be denied that education is important and that it allows people far greater opportunities. Specifically, when people complete various courses and obtain different certificates and diplomas, they have a far better chance of finding a good job. However, whilst this is certainly true, none of that actually guarantees success.

These days, it is very common for young people in certain countries to complete their secondary education and then go on to the tertiary level. As a result, they often earn some kind of degree. However, whilst this does provide them with opportunities in the job market, it does not mean that they will necessarily thrive. From the offset, they will have a lot of competition, and then they will find themselves working in an environment that their education may not have fully prepared them for. Highly qualified people may be fired or forced to quit and often find themselves unemployed for long periods. Meanwhile, some people with few or even no qualifications are capable of working hard, making smart choices, and achieving great things.

In conclusion, educational qualifications are important but they certainly do not always lead to success. That is determined mostly by other factors.

Notes on my Answer

As you can see, I have followed the structure that I laid out above for writing my qualifications essay. I presented the opposing view first, explaining it as clearly as possible. Here, I used careful language to show that this is not my opinion because I did not want to mislead my reader. I said:

it is understandable that some people, and particularly those who grew up in a different era, might feel that qualifications almost guarantee that a person will be successful

After giving a fair discussion of this side of the argument, I used the last sentence in paragraph two to counter that viewpoint and naturally transition into my next paragraph, which argues against it.

In terms of vocabulary and grammar, I have tried to be as accurate as possible, which is the most important thing. For a good score in Lexical Resource , you should not seek out so-called advanced vocabulary, but rather always strive to find the right word for a situation. For specific vocabulary related to educational qualifications, you can read this article by the Department of Employment in Queensland, Australia. It contains some good, specific phrases that you could use.

In this case, our topic was education (with perhaps work as a secondary topic). Here are some useful words and phrases:

practically guaranteed success
their capacity to bring success
complete various courses
obtain different certificates and diplomas
finding a good job
tertiary level
earn some kind of degree
opportunities in the job market
Highly qualified people
find themselves unemployed

I paid close attention to collocation so that all my words went together naturally and reasonably. I have also tried to avoid repetition , though certain words inevitably appear a few times because of their importance.

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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Academic Qualification Ensures Success in Life?

Academic qualifications are commonly felt to give a person the best chance of success in life. How far is this true?

All the Yes points:

Whether one is proposing marriage, applying for a job or looking for a new business partner, the fir…, academic qualifications ensure you have the basics in learning. if your basic grounding in maths, sc…, there may be a few people like bill gates and others who have made it, in spite of their drop-out ba…, we spend ten years of schooling and several more years of our precious life in college, and then one…, an academic education gives people a rounded experience of life, with opportunities to meet people f…, academic qualifications may not be enough on their own to ensure success, but they indicate that the…, all the no points:, yes because….

Whether one is proposing marriage, applying for a job or looking for a new business partner, the first thing people ask is, ‘what do you do?’ In other words they judge you by your academic qualifications. No bio-data résumé or curriculum vitae is acceptable without the inclusion of education qualifications. Therefore it is an unannounced rule of both the corporate world and the social world that a man’s acquisition of academic qualifications is a giant leap towards opportunities in every walk of life.

No because…

Success never depends upon grades. If success and opportunities were measured by grades then the corporate world and potential marriage partners would not ask for biodata in résumés, where other qualifications are also mentioned. Nor would they interview the prospects in order to find out what they are like as people, rather they would give a blind appointment to the people with the best paper qualifications. So qualifications alone are never enough, success depends upon physical characteristics, personality, and a willingness to work hard.

Academic qualifications ensure you have the basics in learning. If your basic grounding in Maths, Science and Languages is strong, you can get success in life because mastering these subjects allows you to calculate, to innovate and to communicate. These essentials for success cannot be learned without professional help – in schools and colleges. And in order to prove that someone has acquired this knowledge, they are tested. If their learning is satisfactory, then they are given a certificate to indicate their competence – an academic qualification.

Success is not getting a grade or a degree, if that was it then why aren’t all the graduates from Harvard, Oxford or Cambridge uniformly successful? The rule of success is hard work and destiny of course. If a student of engineering gets good grades but he is not practically effective in relationship-buildings and solving crises or proper planning, even though he may be successful in getting a job but it will not lead him far. On the way he is sure to fade out.

There may be a few people like Bill Gates and others who have made it, in spite of their drop-out background and lack of academic qualifications, but can this be generalized? Should I tell my child to leave schooling because if Bill Gates can do it they can also do it? A few exceptions cannot be taken as a general rule. And even for those few high-profile people who have made it without academic qualifications, let’s ask a simple question – if you look at a global directory of successful people you might find a few hundred like Bill Gates, but what about those millions of doctors, engineers, IT professionals, lawyers, and advocates who rely upon their formal education? Can you run a country without them? And could even Bill Gates have prospered without the skills of these IT professionals and engineers?

If you look into a directory of successful people who are doctors, engineers and IT professionals, then you will notice that many of them dream to be employed by people like Bill Gates or Richard Branson, who are prosperous despite not having college degrees. In other words, prosperity does not depend upon academic qualifications but upon opportunities provided by entrepreneurs who may not be necessarily be highly educated. Successful entrepreneurs even benefit from not having academic qualifications, because going to college and taking examinations forces people to learn and think like millions of other graduates. This actually makes it less likely that they will come up with the truly mould-breaking insights and “disruptive” ideas on which successful innovations and new business models are built.

We spend ten years of schooling and several more years of our precious life in college, and then one fine morning someone comes and says that this is not required for success. When asked for proof, they say ‘look at Bill Gates!’ But success isn’t a just matter of building a huge firm from scratch and making billions of dollars – by that definition, only a tiny number of people in the world could be considered successful. No, success is about making the most of your talents and abilities, and that requires dedication and study in academic institutions that will stretch you intellectually.

Unfortunately the materialistic world has changed the concept of success. It has become a rat-race where every student chases grades and therefore the entire perception of success and prosperity has changed. Rather than studying to reach our full potential, we do it because we think it is necessary for a successful career. So we spend ten years in school and a few more years of our precious life in college to get educated, then more time is passed in hunting for jobs. Even after that we may find ourselves in the wrong profession and lacking job satisfaction. And then recession comes along, when we are told that our wealth has been blown away by the foolishness of expensive fat-salaried CEOs. Now comes a time when we go to work with a constant fear of losing the job we don’t enjoy. Is this the correct understanding of prosperity? So now the definition of success is changed. If you are able to save your job then you are successful!

An academic education gives people a rounded experience of life, with opportunities to meet people from a wide range of backgrounds and to consider the importance in life of values and culture. These are necessary things required to label a person successful in all aspects of life. More broadly, widespread further education makes us a civilized nation. It uplifts our morals and ethics by exposing us to the great thinkers of the past. It makes us aware of our rights and liberties, and helps entrench a liberal democracy with active citizens and a lively media.

Can academic qualification stop us from becoming a civilization of drunkards, rapists and war-mongers, marked by broken families, domestic violence and crime? If you look at countries where the largest number of people have higher academic qualifications, they are the ones most affected by social breakdown. And would you call the conduct of the US wars on Iraq and Afghanistan a successful example of the superiority of the US economy and society? In fact true success is shown in having the moral courage to speak out against atrocities and injustice, showing generosity towards the poor, and respecting our parents. These are characteristics which are found in people from all social and educational backgrounds, but often absent in many educated Americans and Europeans, in spite of the universities they have been to and the grades they have achieved.

Academic qualifications may not be enough on their own to ensure success, but they indicate that their possessor has got what it takes. Imagine a new world order in education, where people don’t study but join their business or look for jobs straight from school, with no qualifications to prove their worth. How would employers choose between them? Academic grades are important, because in order to gain good exam grades or a degree, students have to work hard, master demanding skills and learn a great deal of specialist knowledge. These are valuable attributes for success in any field of endeavour, which is why employers value academic qualifications. Simply getting into a good college indicates to a future employer that the student is out of the ordinary.

Often academic qualifications have no real relevance to the jobs graduates are employed to do. A few decades ago employers in areas such as banking, engineering, management and government service recruited people straight from school at the age of 15 or 16, training them on the job and promoting them to higher levels of responsibility according to their ability. Today none of these jobs has changed very much, but all now require applicants have a university degree. Why has this changed? One reason is that the upper and middle classes are trying to protect their own jobs – demanding new recruits have expensive academic qualifications excludes many talented young people from poorer backgrounds.

I respect everyone’s opinion, completely, and here is mine. I think that it actually depends, sometimes life twists, and those people successful at school, are left with no job, and the people who weren’t getting good grades at school, became successful. But what I want to say is you can’t predict what’s going to happen, but my advice is work hard. Academic qualification does not ensure success, but sometimes it does. It’s different, with different people, we are all unique. So, in my opinion, try your best, and not only that, but get outside have some fun, balance out social, mental, and physical activities. I hope the best for everyone. Thank you, Eliza

I think,if you have only academic qualifications my not be enough to success. There is no use of this qualifications with out any knowledge and logical thinking. May if you get success in you job but, not in life and also it is difficult to get a chance in any wear. So, not only academic qualification we must improve thinking knowledge. This is based on how our society thinking…..

I think academics is important to be successful in life because people like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs make only 1-2% of the population and other 99-98% of the people depend on their marks sheet for a better future.I am a 10th grade student and no one has suggested me to drop out school and to be the next Bill gates.

TWIST IN THE END!!! Since childhood i got good grades. A, A+. When I joined 6th grade, my great grand mother died and i started to get bad grades. I got a B and I got an 8th position in class. I still was forgiven because I was attatched to my greatgrand mother too much. My teachers in 6th grade were too nice as well. They didn’t mind because they knew. After some while I reached 7th grade. Working hard as hell. Trying to get good grades, for my great grandmother.. she was my motivation. I got an A and 4th position. 8th grade went by, 5th position. Highschool. A1+ grades. Worked hard in college, moved to America to study in the Harvard. High aim in life, turned out to be a housewife. Now i’m just a housewife with highgrades. Why did that even matter? Grades aren’t gonna buy you happiness. Grades aren’t gonna buy you love. Grades are just some numbers and do you think numbers define you? No. That’s the point.

I totally agree with you, and I think that the numbers do not define you.

I am a living example of a person who is successful in education and unsuccessful at work. As a child, I was promised of a bright future as long as I worked hard in my studies. Worked hard I did, I fought for all my academic distinctions and beat cohort after cohort. When I finally came out to work, I found that there were so many things that education did not teach that were required at work. Education did not remove my introversion, which was the main reason why I had to worry about a job year after year. These days, work takes the back seat in appraisals and employer recognition. I will say for certain that education does not guarantee a bright future.

Success doesn’t matter about doing the best it’s doing what you believe you can and finshing the task not if your doing it 100% right

We would love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!

In my opinion,’ I CAN’ is more important than’ I.Q’. We can’t waste our time in the past, nor can we see our future. All we have is the present moment. Success in academics is just a checkpoint. Success in life is what we must breathe for. Academics doesn’t teach us social welfare- and true success is being successful in bringing a smile on the faces of those people who never had a reason to smile – until you gave it to them.

Academic Qualifications for Success in Life Importance

Success in life can be achieved through various means. However, our definition and perception of this term may equally vary depending on what we believe in or value in general. It is imperative to consider both views whether opposing or supporting this argument. Nevertheless, in retrospect, we all understand that the value which has been attached to education from time immemorial is that of success and not failure. There are however notable practical life deviations from the fact that academic qualifications may increase chances of one succeeding in life.

To begin with, it is common knowledge and understanding that academic qualification will often create an opportunity to succeed in different endeavours in life (Bacchus, p. 65). We should not misinterpret this. If qualifications alone are considered as a bridge to success, then it will be utterly wrong and equally misleading. Even after attaining a certain level of education be it a bachelors or masters degree, it is upon an individual to work out modalities of crafting an opportunity for getting a decent job. Additionally, the qualified person will have to be endowed with problem solving skills, good time management practices as well as the ability to deliver the best service at place of work, that is efficiency and effectiveness will be required from the person. Looking at these extra qualities needed for success.

How do we start our career paths? Professional careers like engineering require one to have gone through an educational system and qualified with the right papers. When such professionals are out there, they definitely have a better chance of getting well paying employment opportunities. Then, if our definition of success is financial well being, such a person will be considered successful.

Life’s success is however a very broad concept which goes beyond mere paper qualifications. For instance, good health is one area which we may ignore as not contributing to success. How would an alcoholic and smoking fellow down with cancer and depression consider him or herself as successful regardless of the attractive academic papers at his/her disposal? When we reach at a point when we are struggling to keep our health fit because of reasons known or not known to us, then we stand to lose much in life and any element of what we can consider as success will diminish very fast. Poor health ruins big dreams and visions irrespective of academic qualifications.

Academic qualification is also one way the ability of an individual can be rated in terms of intellect. This can also be used to determine if an individual is quite flexible and ready to learn new concepts. This can be related to life directly. Practically, life is full of tests which are not necessarily marked by some tutor somewhere. There are numerous decisions which we have to make every moment we are alive. Some decisions are tough and require thorough evaluation before they are made while others are easy to go by. This is similar to an examination environment where a student has to be very shrewd in answering test questions in order to pass and have an excellent grade. From this scenario, we can pick one fact that an individual who has excelled academically has an equally better chance of excelling in life due to that ability which has been expressed in a real examination, marked and relevant grade awarded.

As mentioned earlier, the value attached to academic qualifications especially before a person can secure an employment opportunity varies from one place to the other. For example, it has been an old practice in the United States where academic qualifications has not been a key consideration in some areas but that ability of an employee to carry out a given task efficiently and effectively. This has been a similar scenario in the United Kingdom where personal motivation, talent and ability which are not necessarily related to academic qualifications have been embraced. In spite of this cultural practice, there is no evidence there are more life failures in U.S or U.K. however, most countries in the Middle East will often require one to produce academic certificates (mandatory) before securing a particular job. In both cases though, there are no tangible proofs of success one side and failure on the other. This implies that success in life is driven by a myriad of factors although as the statement reads, it is definite that academic qualifications will act as impetus to success in life.

There is often a slight confusion which sets in when we refer academic qualifications to imply academic training. The two are completely apart from each other though closely related and inseparable (Meyerstein, p. 43). It is possible for an individual to achieve academic qualification as demonstrated on paper certificates but at the same time lack basic academic training required to practically perform a particular task. We however, acknowledge the plain fact that sterling performance in our lines of career is one definite way of attaining success in life be it financially or morally. Achieving this level of success will also require hands on experience to deliver the best and which can only be achieved through realistic academic training (Feinstein, Duckworth & Sabates, p. 56). Although a proof of training competence may be revealed through an academic certificate, there are some cases when such documentary proofs might mislead. It is therefore only sensible for us to consider academic qualification within the confines of proper training as useful ingredients towards success in life.

There are instances when we have attempted to cite examples of people who have excelled in life without sound academic background. A case in point is Bill Gates or even Sir Richard Branson who did not have to attain degree certifications to achieve what they have today. Well, this may be true but such a comparison may be misleading especially if we have to consider the ratio of such successful cases against the unsuccessful ones. We should ask ourselves how many have made it in life like Bill Gates without higher education. Such an analogy only leads us to have a myopic scope of the tremendous gains of education (Department for Children, Schools and Families 78). Better still, even Bill Gates and the likes still require to hire experts and professionals to run their sprawling enterprises. They rely on the productivity of those with necessary academic qualifications which make them to continue excelling in life.

In summing up this argument, it is imperative to evaluate the rationale behind the origin of education. If academic qualifications do not increase our chances of success in life then should we opt for illiteracy? Further, a thousand miles journey begins with a single step while at the same time it is upon us to choose which channels of success to follow: short cut systems which will excuse us not to go through higher levels of education or a comprehensive educational structure which prepares one for a competitive edge and success in life.

Works Cited

Bacchus M. K. Education as and for legitimacy: developments in West Indian education between 1846-1895. Ontario: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 1994.
Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). Promoting Achievement, Valuing Success: A Strategy for 14-19 Qualifications. Norwich: Crown Copyright, 2008.
Feinstein Leon, Duckworth Kathryn and Sabates Ricardo. Education and the family: passing success across the generations: New York: Routledge , 2008.
Meyerstein Hazlitt William. The plain speaker;: opinions on books, men, and things. London : Collection, 1826.

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Sample Essays
Educational Qualifications and Success Essay

This Essay is about the usefulness of educational qualifications for success.

Some people believe that educational qualifications will always bring success in life. Other people say that educational qualifications do not necessarily bring success.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Discussing Both Opinions

In this essay you have to discuss both opinions and also give your own opinion .

These are the two opinions:

Educational qualifications will always bring success in life
Educational qualifications do not necessarily bring success

You should always pay careful attention to the words used in the essay question.

A key one in this question is the word always .

Do educational qualifications ALWAYS bring success? You can have your own opinion on this, and maybe you think they do.

In my opinion however, I'd say that though they can do, this is not always the case.

So that will be my view which I must make clear in the essay .

But whatever your opinion is, you must discuss both sides of the issue as you are told to do so in the task.

Check out the model answer to see how an essay like this can be answered and organised.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Discuss both views and give your opinion

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer:

Some people find academic degrees or other training essential milestones for future success, while others believe that this does not guarantee future success and there are other relevant factors just as crucial. Personally, I take the opinion that success is not guaranteed.

On the one hand, gaining educational qualifications is certainly a method with which to gain success in certain areas of life. With regards to a career, it makes a person more competitive as employers will generally seek people who are well-qualified for the best and most richly rewarded positions in their company. This is true for all types of work, be it as an accountant or lawyer or work in the building trade. It can also be viewed as bringing success in terms of one’s own development, as for some people gaining more educational qualifications is not for work but instead leads to a sense of personal accomplishment and fulfillment.

On the other hand, it is not certain that success will follow. In terms of work, many people study hard to become well-qualified but then fail to reach the heights of success that they expected. This is because in today’s world there is a high level of competition for many jobs and a high number of graduates or qualified people. Not only this, there are other skills needed aside from qualifications. ‘People skills’ are also very important and so regardless of the level of qualifications, those who cannot get along well with others may be less likely to achieve the success they desire.

In my opinion, therefore, educational qualifications can bring success in life for many people, yet there are no guarantees this will be the case. Other factors such as the current job market and personal skills are also factors of importance.

(292 Words)

The Educational Qualifications and Success Essay answers the question fully.

The two sides of the argument are discussed and the writer provides a personal view on the issue.

Each body paragraph explains and extends the arguments.

The essay has good coherence and cohesion . It is divided up into appropriate body paragraphs and the sentences are linked together well.

There are examples of high level vocabulary or lexis and collocations:

essential milestones
relevant factors
guarantee future success
well-qualified
most richly rewarded positions
accomplishment and fulfillment
heights of success
‘People skills’

There is also a good level of complexity, variety, and accuracy in the grammar. For example:

Some people...while others believe...
.. .a method with which t o...
...people who are well-qualified
...be it as an accountant or...
...as for some gaining...
...because in today’s world...
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Media Center 4/17/2024 6:35:00 PM Meghan Durham Wright

Division I Council approves changes to transfer rules

Student-athletes who meet progress-toward-degree requirements to be immediately eligible at new school.

The Division I Council on Wednesday unanimously adopted a package of rules changes to allow transferring student-athletes who meet certain academic eligibility requirements to be immediately eligible at their new school, regardless of whether they transferred previously. The council's action is not final until the meeting concludes Thursday and is subject to ratification by the Division I Board of Directors at its meeting later this month. If ratified, the rules would be effective immediately.

Specifically, to be immediately eligible after a transfer, undergraduate student-athletes would have to have left their previous school while academically eligible and in good standing (not subject to disciplinary suspension or dismissal) and meet progress-toward-degree requirements at their new school before competing. For graduate transfer student-athletes to be eligible, they would have to earn a degree from their previous school, leave while academically eligible and be enrolled as a full-time postgraduate student while continuing to satisfy minimum academic standards.

"With these rule changes, NCAA members continue to prioritize long-term academic success for college athletes who transfer, while supporting their opportunity to compete immediately," said Lynda Tealer, deputy athletics director at Florida and chair of the council. "We hope that this practical approach to transfer eligibility requirements will encourage student-athletes to make well-informed decisions about transferring and the impacts such a move could have on their ability to graduate on time in their degree of choice, particularly as it relates to transferable credits."

Moving forward, student-athletes are expected to enter the Transfer Portal within their sport's notification-of-transfer windows, which Division I members emphasized are important for providing transparency to student-athletes and coaches for recruitment opportunities, roster management and financial aid planning. There will continue to be exceptions to the legislated transfer windows, including for the departure of a head coach or a discontinued sport. Student-athletes who plan to enroll as graduate students at their next school can enter the portal at any time during the academic year but must enter the portal prior to the conclusion of their respective sports' final transfer windows.

In addition to reviewing the council actions during its meeting next week, the Division I board will consider directing the Committee on Academics to examine criteria for academic waivers and consider the creation of a Transfer Academic Progress Rate, which would give real-time information about the academic health of a school's four-year undergraduate transfer student-athletes.

The board also will consider charging the Committee on Academics to study the creation of a Graduation Passport, which would specifically track academic progress and will provide a measure of graduation outcomes for student-athletes who transfer. This resource would be the first metric of its kind to specifically track graduation for students who transfer. Currently, the federal graduation rate does not count transfers as graduates, and the NCAA's graduation success rate generally assumes outcomes based on the academic status at the time of a student-athlete's departure.

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University system of georgia approves tuition for 2024-2025 academic year.

Atlanta — April 16, 2024

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) voted today to approve tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year at USG’s 26 public colleges and universities. Systemwide, in-state undergraduate tuition will increase by 2.5%, and out-of-state tuition will increase by 5%. A new, third level of tuition for out-of-country students will also be established at 2% more than the rate for out-of-state students.

This comes as the Board kept tuition flat at all but one USG institution for six of the past eight years. Escalating costs for people, goods and services, increased competition from the private sector for talent and overall inflation have all contributed to growing pressure on institutional budgets, resulting in today’s decision.

USG’s strong commitment to keeping college affordable for students in Georgia has meant average tuition increases for an undergraduate, in-state Georgia student over the past eight years have been less than 1%, well below the rate of inflation.

Two years ago, thanks to the support of Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia General Assembly, the board was able to eliminate a mandatory Special Institutional Fee that students had been charged systemwide since 2009. The fee had been established during the Great Recession to provide financial support to maintain high-quality academic programs and operations during the reductions in state funding.

Coming at the same time as tuition was held flat, the fee’s elimination reduced college costs starting with the 2022-23 academic year and saved students anywhere between $340 to $1,088 for the year, depending on the institution they attended.

“Maintaining affordability is one of the highest priorities of the university system and the Board of Regents,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “We are a good deal for Georgians, and we have worked to protect that value particularly for our Georgia undergraduates as we balance affordability with institutional sustainability and academic quality. Our institutions face increasing costs to operate, and we must sustain their momentum as some of the best in the nation at helping students succeed on campus and in the workforce.”

Among the 16 Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) states, Georgia is the third lowest in average undergraduate tuition and required fees compared to its public peers, according to national data from the College Board. College Board data also ranks USG as the sixth lowest in average tuition and fees compared to its peers across the nation, making USG institutions an excellent value for Georgia students and families.

Middle Georgia State University, the only institution to raise tuition during the last academic year, will also be finishing the last of a three-year plan to align its undergraduate tuition with other universities in the same academic sector.

The board today additionally approved changes to the mandatory fee structure at 20 of USG’s 26 institutions to address the significant growth in the number of students taking classes via fully online course delivery.

The approved structure means fully online students will be charged an online learning fee equivalent to their institution’s technology fee, as well as 50% of their institution’s mandatory fees.

This change provides more consistency to the institutional fees for all students. Mandatory fees support and enhance campus programming and student-focused activities, technology and athletic programs – all critical components to the college experience.

Student affordability remains a priority of the Board and USG. Similar to many Georgia families, institutions are experiencing rising costs of goods and services to include escalating costs for technology, software, food, utilities and insurance. Labor costs are also escalating. Additionally, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in FY21, the university system sustained a budget reduction of $230 million.

Tuition rates for each institution may be found here .

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Book Bans Continue to Surge in Public Schools

More books were removed during the first half of this academic year than in the entire previous one.

Several books banned in the United States laid out across a table, among them Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye”; Gay Juno Dawson’s “This Book Is Gay”; and Laurie Halse Anderson’s “Speak.”

By Alexandra Alter

Book bans in public schools continued to surge in the first half of this school year, according to a report released on Tuesday by PEN America, a free speech organization.

From July to December 2023, PEN found that more than 4,300 books were removed from schools across 23 states — a figure that surpassed the number of bans from the entire previous academic year.

The rise in book bans has accelerated in recent years, driven by conservative groups and by new laws and regulations that limit what kinds of books children can access. Since the summer of 2021, PEN has tracked book removals in 42 states and found instances in both Republican- and Democratic-controlled districts.

The numbers likely fail to capture the full scale of book removals. PEN compiles its figures based on news reports, public records requests and publicly available data, but many removals go unreported.

Here are some of the report’s key findings.

Book removals are continuing to accelerate

Book bans are not new in the United States. School and public libraries have long had procedures for addressing complaints, which were often brought by parents concerned about their children’s reading material.

But the current wave stands out in its scope. Censorship efforts have become increasingly organized and politicized, supercharged by conservative groups like Moms for Liberty and Utah Parents United, which have pushed for legislation that regulates the content of library collections. Since PEN began tracking book bans, it has counted more than 10,000 instances of books being removed from schools. Many of the targeted titles feature L.G.B.T.Q. characters, or deal with race and racism, PEN found.

Florida had the highest number of removals

Florida’s schools had the highest number of book bans last semester, with 3,135 books removed across 11 school districts. Within Florida, the bulk of bans took place in Escambia County public schools , where more than 1,600 books were removed to ensure that they didn’t violate a statewide education law prohibiting books that depict or refer to sexual conduct. (In the sweep, some schools removed dictionaries and encyclopedias.)

Book removals have spiked in Florida because of several state laws, passed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and a Republican-controlled legislature, that aim in part to regulate reading and educational materials.

Florida has also become a testing ground for book banning tactics around the country, said Kasey Meehan, the program director of PEN America’s Freedom to Read Program.

“In some ways, what’s happening in Florida is incubated and then spread nationwide," she said. “We see the way in which very harmful pieces of legislation that have led to so much of the book banning crisis in Florida have been replicated, or provisions of those laws have been proposed or enacted in states like South Carolina and Iowa and Idaho.”

Books depicting sexual assault are increasingly being targeted

With the rise of legislation and policies that aim to prohibit books with sexual content from school libraries, books that depict sexual assault have been challenged with growing frequency. PEN found that nearly 20 percent of books that were banned during the 2021-2023 school years were works that address rape and sexual assault.

Last year, several books that deal with sexual violence were removed from West Ada School District in Idaho, among them a graphic novel edition of Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” the poetry collection “Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur, Jaycee Dugard’s memoir, “A Stolen Life” and Amy Reed’s young adult novel, “The Nowhere Girls.”

In Collier County, Fla., public school officials — aiming to comply with a new law that restricts access to books that depict “sexual conduct” — removed hundreds of books from the shelves last year, including “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” by Zora Neale Hurston; “A Time To Kill,” by John Grisham; and “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison.

A movement to counter book bans is growing

Opponents of book bans — including parents, students, free speech and library organizations, booksellers and authors — are leading an organized effort to stop book removals, often with the argument that book bans violate the First Amendment, which protects the right to access information.

Last fall, hundreds of students in Alaska’s Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District staged a walkout to protest challenges to more than 50 books. At a school board meeting last October in Laramie County, Wyo., students held a “read-in” to silently protest book bans. Elsewhere, students have formed banned books clubs, held marches and created free community bookshelves in their towns to make titles more accessible.

Legislatures in California and Illinois have passed “anti-book ban” laws. In several states, including Texas and Florida , lawsuits have been filed in an effort to overturn legislation that has made it easier to ban books.

“In nearly every case that’s come forward, judges have been finding that these laws are unconstitutional,” said Jonathan Friedman, who oversees PEN America’s U.S. Free Expression programs. Still, Friedman said it could take years for the laws to be challenged and possibly overturned, and noted that new legislation keeps proliferating.

“I don’t have the sense that this issue is about to go away,” he said.

Alexandra Alter writes about books, publishing and the literary world for The Times. More about Alexandra Alter

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Academic writing

What Is Academic Writing? | Dos and Don’ts for Students

Academic writing is a formal style of writing used in universities and scholarly publications. You’ll encounter it in journal articles and books on academic topics, and you’ll be expected to write your essays , research papers , and dissertation in academic style.

Academic writing follows the same writing process as other types of texts, but it has specific conventions in terms of content, structure and style.

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Types of academic writing, academic writing is…, academic writing is not…, useful tools for academic writing, academic writing checklist.

Academics mostly write texts intended for publication, such as journal articles, reports, books, and chapters in edited collections. For students, the most common types of academic writing assignments are listed below.

Different fields of study have different priorities in terms of the writing they produce. For example, in scientific writing it’s crucial to clearly and accurately report methods and results; in the humanities, the focus is on constructing convincing arguments through the use of textual evidence. However, most academic writing shares certain key principles intended to help convey information as effectively as possible.

Whether your goal is to pass your degree, apply to graduate school , or build an academic career, effective writing is an essential skill.

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Formal and unbiased

Academic writing aims to convey information in an impartial way. The goal is to base arguments on the evidence under consideration, not the author’s preconceptions. All claims should be supported with relevant evidence, not just asserted.

To avoid bias, it’s important to represent the work of other researchers and the results of your own research fairly and accurately. This means clearly outlining your methodology and being honest about the limitations of your research.

The formal style used in academic writing ensures that research is presented consistently across different texts, so that studies can be objectively assessed and compared with other research.

Because of this, it’s important to strike the right tone with your language choices. Avoid informal language , including slang, contractions , clichés, and conversational phrases:

Also , a lot of the findings are a little unreliable.
Moreover , many of the findings are somewhat unreliable.

Clear and precise

It’s important to use clear and precise language to ensure that your reader knows exactly what you mean. This means being as specific as possible and avoiding vague language :

People have been interested in this thing for a long time .
Researchers have been interested in this phenomenon for at least 10 years .

Avoid hedging your claims with words like “perhaps,” as this can give the impression that you lack confidence in your arguments. Reflect on your word choice to ensure it accurately and directly conveys your meaning:

This could perhaps suggest that…
This suggests that…

Specialist language or jargon is common and often necessary in academic writing, which generally targets an audience of other academics in related fields.

However, jargon should be used to make your writing more concise and accurate, not to make it more complicated. A specialist term should be used when:

It conveys information more precisely than a comparable non-specialist term.
Your reader is likely to be familiar with the term.
The term is commonly used by other researchers in your field.

The best way to familiarize yourself with the kind of jargon used in your field is to read papers by other researchers and pay attention to their language.

Focused and well structured

An academic text is not just a collection of ideas about a topic—it needs to have a clear purpose. Start with a relevant research question or thesis statement , and use it to develop a focused argument. Only include information that is relevant to your overall purpose.

A coherent structure is crucial to organize your ideas. Pay attention to structure at three levels: the structure of the whole text, paragraph structure, and sentence structure.

Well sourced

Academic writing uses sources to support its claims. Sources are other texts (or media objects like photographs or films) that the author analyzes or uses as evidence. Many of your sources will be written by other academics; academic writing is collaborative and builds on previous research.

It’s important to consider which sources are credible and appropriate to use in academic writing. For example, citing Wikipedia is typically discouraged. Don’t rely on websites for information; instead, use academic databases and your university library to find credible sources.

You must always cite your sources in academic writing. This means acknowledging whenever you quote or paraphrase someone else’s work by including a citation in the text and a reference list at the end.

There are many different citation styles with different rules. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago . Make sure to consistently follow whatever style your institution requires. If you don’t cite correctly, you may get in trouble for plagiarism . A good plagiarism checker can help you catch any issues before it’s too late.

You can easily create accurate citations in APA or MLA style using our Citation Generators.

APA Citation Generator MLA Citation Generator

Correct and consistent

As well as following the rules of grammar, punctuation, and citation, it’s important to consistently apply stylistic conventions regarding:

How to write numbers
Introducing abbreviations
Using verb tenses in different sections
Capitalization of terms and headings
Spelling and punctuation differences between UK and US English

In some cases there are several acceptable approaches that you can choose between—the most important thing is to apply the same rules consistently and to carefully proofread your text before you submit. If you don’t feel confident in your own proofreading abilities, you can get help from Scribbr’s professional proofreading services or Grammar Checker .

Academic writing generally tries to avoid being too personal. Information about the author may come in at some points—for example in the acknowledgements or in a personal reflection—but for the most part the text should focus on the research itself.

Always avoid addressing the reader directly with the second-person pronoun “you.” Use the impersonal pronoun “one” or an alternate phrasing instead for generalizations:

As a teacher, you must treat your students fairly.
As a teacher, one must treat one’s students fairly.
Teachers must treat their students fairly.

The use of the first-person pronoun “I” used to be similarly discouraged in academic writing, but it is increasingly accepted in many fields. If you’re unsure whether to use the first person, pay attention to conventions in your field or ask your instructor.

When you refer to yourself, it should be for good reason. You can position yourself and describe what you did during the research, but avoid arbitrarily inserting your personal thoughts and feelings:

In my opinion…
I think that…
I like/dislike…
I conducted interviews with…
I argue that…
I hope to achieve…

Long-winded

Many students think their writing isn’t academic unless it’s over-complicated and long-winded. This isn’t a good approach—instead, aim to be as concise and direct as possible.

If a term can be cut or replaced with a more straightforward one without affecting your meaning, it should be. Avoid redundant phrasings in your text, and try replacing phrasal verbs with their one-word equivalents where possible:

Interest in this phenomenon carried on in the year 2018 .
Interest in this phenomenon continued in 2018 .

Repetition is a part of academic writing—for example, summarizing earlier information in the conclusion—but it’s important to avoid unnecessary repetition. Make sure that none of your sentences are repeating a point you’ve already made in different words.

Emotive and grandiose

An academic text is not the same thing as a literary, journalistic, or marketing text. Though you’re still trying to be persuasive, a lot of techniques from these styles are not appropriate in an academic context. Specifically, you should avoid appeals to emotion and inflated claims.

Though you may be writing about a topic that’s sensitive or important to you, the point of academic writing is to clearly communicate ideas, information, and arguments, not to inspire an emotional response. Avoid using emotive or subjective language :

This horrible tragedy was obviously one of the worst catastrophes in construction history.
The injury and mortality rates of this accident were among the highest in construction history.

Students are sometimes tempted to make the case for their topic with exaggerated , unsupported claims and flowery language. Stick to specific, grounded arguments that you can support with evidence, and don’t overstate your point:

Charles Dickens is the greatest writer of the Victorian period, and his influence on all subsequent literature is enormous.
Charles Dickens is one of the best-known writers of the Victorian period and has had a significant influence on the development of the English novel.

There are a a lot of writing tools that will make your writing process faster and easier. We’ll highlight three of them below.

Paraphrasing tool

AI writing tools like ChatGPT and a paraphrasing tool can help you rewrite text so that your ideas are clearer, you don’t repeat yourself, and your writing has a consistent tone.

They can also help you write more clearly about sources without having to quote them directly. Be warned, though: it’s still crucial to give credit to all sources in the right way to prevent plagiarism .

Grammar checker

Writing tools that scan your text for punctuation, spelling, and grammar mistakes. When it detects a mistake the grammar checke r will give instant feedback and suggest corrections. Helping you write clearly and avoid common mistakes .

You can use a summarizer if you want to condense text into its most important and useful ideas. With a summarizer tool, you can make it easier to understand complicated sources. You can also use the tool to make your research question clearer and summarize your main argument.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Use the checklist below to assess whether you have followed the rules of effective academic writing.

Checklist: Academic writing

I avoid informal terms and contractions .

I avoid second-person pronouns (“you”).

I avoid emotive or exaggerated language.

I avoid redundant words and phrases.

I avoid unnecessary jargon and define terms where needed.

I present information as precisely and accurately as possible.

I use appropriate transitions to show the connections between my ideas.

My text is logically organized using paragraphs .

Each paragraph is focused on a single idea, expressed in a clear topic sentence .

Every part of the text relates to my central thesis or research question .

I support my claims with evidence.

I use the appropriate verb tenses in each section.

I consistently use either UK or US English .

I format numbers consistently.

I cite my sources using a consistent citation style .

Your text follows the most important rules of academic style. Make sure it's perfect with the help of a Scribbr editor!

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A new, private school focusing on competitive academics will open this year

A private school with a focus on competitive academics is set to open this summer in time for the next school year.

The Frazer School , named after Buchholz High School's Will Frazer, a nationally known teacher and math team coach, will serve Alachua County students in grades 3 through 12 who are interested in competitive academics.

The school will be private with spots for 520 students. Despite it being a private school, Frazer said keeping enrollment affordable is important to him. He said the school plans to charge about $2,000 over the Florida School Choice voucher , which provides families with around $8,000 for their student to attend private schools in the state.

Frazer said while they are still deciding on the qualifications for students interested in attending the school, students will be re-evaluated each year to make sure they're on track. However, he said, no students would have to reapply for the next year.

"I don't want anybody to think, 'Oh okay, I got in, now [I can be] lazy and sit back and coast' because I assume at some point we're gonna have a waiting list to get in," Frazer said. "I don't want somebody occupying a spot who's not putting forth much effort, when there might be somebody on the waiting list who's eager to get in and who wants to put effort. So, we're going to tell everybody it's a one-year thing, you have to work, you have to produce... Again, if we got a waiting list, it's not fair to those that might be interested in getting in or willing to do hard work when others maybe aren't."

Frazer also emphasized that, although his background is in math, The Frazer School won't be a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) -based school; it will focus on academic competition in all subject areas and helping each student find their passion.

Last year's win: Buchholz High School wins 15th math national championship in 16 years

"We're going to push them hard — no doubt we're going to have very high standards," Frazer said. "We're gonna push hard and get kids to compete... The younger ones can have time to kind of find their path. So yeah, it's really just academic competition, finding your love and being pushed... When I think of competition, I'm talking about teams, collaboration, working together. Strong kids helping weaker kids, older kids helping younger kids, you know, have a common goal and working toward it. The American culture generally [has] always done that in sports, but not academics."

Frazer said while some students may be drawn to The Frazer School from the district's public schools, this could benefit the overcrowding issue in schools. Additionally, Frazer said he plans to enroll a variety of students from different types of learning environments.

"It's a double-edged sword," he said. "They [the district] might lose some some kids, but [it] also could potentially help with some of the overcrowding on the west side. I don't know, I haven't thought too deeply about that, but I have been fielding lots of calls from out-of-towners, other private schools and homeschools, in addition to kids who are currently in the school district."

How it came to be

Frazer said that James Schrader, current owner of (and headmaster at) Gainesville Christian Community School (GCCS) , reached out to him in January with an idea to start a new private school. Frazer, who said the opportunity will provide him with flexibility and involvement, agreed to join the private sector.

Schrader said The Frazer School won't be religion-based or affiliated with GCCS — it will be its own separate school. Some resources, such as finance and tech staff, may be shared between the schools to mitigate cost.

"The Frazer School is for competitive academics in all fields and grade levels," Schrader said in an email to The Sun. "Frazer has done an excellent job with math and is building a program that will have competitive academics in all subjects. The goals of the Frazer school is to prepare its students for the highest level of academics including the Ivy Leagues."

Schrader said he and other partners are footing the bill of upfront costs — he said large costs are to be expected with the opening of any new school — but did not specify a number.

Schrader said that Frazer, along with a group, will handle admissions and will have academic requirements for each student that align with their education level to ensure students are at the level required for the school's education model.

"The school will provide the best education in the state and hopefully in the nation to students," said Schrader in an email. "Frazer is considered the pipeline to the Ivy Leagues, and having a private school that gives Frazer the freedom to teach how he sees fit."

Frazer, who has been with Alachua County Public Schools (specifically at Buchholz High) for 27 years, said leaving the district is bittersweet.

"It's tough," he said. "There's no animosity; these are good people... a lot of great relationships over those 27 years and, like I said, it was not easy. I had a lot of opportunities to leave almost from the very beginning and I've never taken any of them; and I love Gainesville, I love the community. I was born here, so, I've left a couple times and came back every time."

A Gainesville native and Buchholz High alumni, he also formed the math competition team at the school in 1998. Frazer said he hopes Buchholz's acclaimed math team — which has won 15 of the last 16 Mu Alpha Theta national championships and 15 of the last 18 state championships under his leadership — will continue after he's gone.

Schrader said eight teachers from Alachua County schools have committed to joining The Frazer School so far, and further interviews of candidates from several states are being conducted.

Frazer said he's also pursuing teachers who wouldn't go in to teaching if it weren't for this type of opportunity. Those from different professions will also teach at The Frazer School, such as a former math team student who now works in the tech world, a former science teacher who switched career paths and a former math teacher who left teaching and started his own business, among others.

Frazer's history didn't always revolve around teaching, similar to some employees he's bringing to The Frazer School. With a former career in finance on Wall Street, Frazer began to search for a new purpose in life and fell in love with teaching.

"I fell in love with it and still love it," he said. "I hope I'm doing it 'till I'm in the grave. And I'm 65; I got a lot of energy, and I'm in good health, and I hope to go a long time."

The Frazer School will occupy an existing building bought by Schrader at 1520 NW 34th St. Real estate websites such as Zillow.com , Trulia.com and Xome.com list the address as sold for $65,000 in March 2024.

The building will undergo minor renovations over the summer once the school currently occupying the building ( Cornerstone Academy ) vacates. It is unknown where Cornerstone Academy will relocate to at this time.

Future plans for the school may include acquiring another property or building another facility in the next few years to expand enrollment, Schrader told The Sun.

The Frazer School is set to open in August with three open houses currently planned:

Grades 3-5: 7 p.m. on April 26
Grades 6-8: 7 p.m. on April 27
Grades 9-12: 7 p.m. on April 28

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How to Write a Good Essay in Academic Career

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The Beginner's Guide to Writing an Essay
An academic essay is a focused piece of writing that develops an idea or argument using evidence, analysis, and interpretation. There are many types of essays you might write as a student. The content and length of an essay depends on your level, subject of study, and course requirements.
How to Write an Essay about Your Qualifications
In writing an essay about your qualifications, you must first consider what you want to highlight to your potential university or employer. Pick a main idea, select your top three qualifications, write an introduction and a paragraph for each qualification you chose, and finally, a conclusion. Planning and organizing your thoughts can make ...
Academic Essay: From Start to A+ Finish
Here's an academic essay format example with a breakdown of the key elements: Introduction. Hook: Begin with an attention-grabbing opening to engage the reader. Background/Context: Provide the necessary background information to set the stage. Thesis Statement: Clearly state the main argument or purpose of the essay.
Ultimate Guide to Writing Your College Essay
Sample College Essay 2 with Feedback. This content is licensed by Khan Academy and is available for free at www.khanacademy.org. College essays are an important part of your college application and give you the chance to show colleges and universities your personality. This guide will give you tips on how to write an effective college essay.
How to Structure an Essay
The basic structure of an essay always consists of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. But for many students, the most difficult part of structuring an essay is deciding how to organize information within the body. This article provides useful templates and tips to help you outline your essay, make decisions about your structure, and ...
How to Write an Academic Essay in 6 Simple Steps
Step 4: Writing the Essay Conclusion. Your essay conclusion is the final paragraph of your essay and primarily reminds your reader of your thesis. It also wraps up your essay and discusses your findings more generally. The conclusion typically makes up about 10% of the text, like the introduction.
Essay and dissertation writing skills
A PDF providing further guidance on writing science essays for tutorials is available to download.. Short videos to support your essay writing skills. There are many other resources at Oxford that can help support your essay writing skills and if you are short on time, the Oxford Study Skills Centre has produced a number of short (2-minute) videos covering different aspects of essay writing ...
Introductions
The introduction to an academic essay will generally present an analytical question or problem and then offer an answer to that question (the thesis). ... If you are joining a scholarly conversation about education reform, you will need to provide context for this conversation before explaining what your essay adds to the discussion. ...
What Is Academic Writing? Definitive Guide
Types of academic writing. Academic writing covers a variety of types of work. These include: Essays. An essay is a relatively short piece of writing that, like a research paper, makes and supports a specific point. Theses and dissertations. A thesis and a dissertation are two types of capstone projects.
Learn How to Write an Academic Essay With CIPD
CPD. An academic essay is a piece of writing in a formal style which answers the question or statement posed in the essay title. The essay will be based on your research and, possibly, your own experience. You'll need to reflect on your findings and present your ideas in an analytical or critical style. The essay marker will be looking for ...
"What Is an Academic Essay?"
Supporting evidence (properly cited) Counterarguments. Your academic essay is knowledge that you create for the learning community of which you're a member (a.k.a. the academy). Discussion. As a student in Core classes, especially in COR 102, you can expect that at least some of the major work in the course will entail writing academic essays.
Academic Essay
When creating an academic essay, it is very important for you to relay a sensible and clear argument to your target readers.Since academic essays are widely used in the field of education and research, you need to ensure that you do both logical, interesting and informative writing.The items that are commonly seen in an academic essay contain insights, actual occurrences, ideas, and facts.
Essay: The importance of academic qualifications
Firstly, academic qualifications can encourage having more knowledge and problem solving skills, to exhibit their potential in order to avail career promotions. According to Hegarty & Walsh (2011, pp 480-482), that a better qualification can help one to gain more knowledge for the professional development and building critical thinking model.
Educational Qualifications Essay
Explain the topic and state my position. Body paragraph 1. Give the view I disagree with, explain it a little, and then say why it's not a reasonable position. Body paragraph 2. Talk about the other side and give convincing arguments about why that is right. Conclusion. Summarise my essay.
Academic Qualification Ensures Success in Life?
Academic qualifications ensure you have the basics in learning. If your basic grounding in Maths, Sc…. There may be a few people like Bill Gates and others who have made it, in spite of their drop-out ba…. We spend ten years of schooling and several more years of our precious life in college, and then one…. An academic education gives ...
Checklist for Academic Essays
Checklist: Essay 0 / 14. My essay follows the requirements of the assignment (topic and length). My introduction sparks the reader's interest and provides any necessary background information on the topic. My introduction contains a thesis statement that states the focus and position of the essay. I use paragraphs to structure the essay.
Academic Qualifications for Success in Life Importance
Poor health ruins big dreams and visions irrespective of academic qualifications. Academic qualification is also one way the ability of an individual can be rated in terms of intellect. This can also be used to determine if an individual is quite flexible and ready to learn new concepts. This can be related to life directly.
Educational Qualifications and Success Essay
The Educational Qualifications and Success Essay answers the question fully. The two sides of the argument are discussed and the writer provides a personal view on the issue. Each body paragraph explains and extends the arguments. The essay has good coherence and cohesion. It is divided up into appropriate body paragraphs and the sentences are ...
Academic Qualifications Essay Examples
Academic Qualifications Essays. The Journey of a Professional Hip-Hop/Rap Music Producer. Introduction: The music industry is constantly evolving, requiring music producers to keep up with the latest trends and styles. To excel in the hip-hop/rap genre, producers need to have a range of knowledge, skills, and personal qualities. While academic ...
Academic Qualification Ensures Success in Life
Academic Qualification Ensures Success in Life. Categories: Success. Download. Essay, Pages 4 (866 words) Views. 4210. The definition of success differs from person to person and field to field. One could take economic success as a touchstone to label a person successful in life, ignoring his of her other failures, like divorce, health ...
Division I Council approves changes to transfer rules
The Division I Council on Wednesday unanimously adopted a package of rules changes to allow transferring student-athletes who meet certain academic eligibility requirements to be immediately eligible at their new school, regardless of whether they transferred previously. The council's action is not final until the meeting concludes Thursday and ...
Essay
Tomorrow I will have the opportunity to appear before the same committee and share what we have learned as we battle this ancient hatred at Columbia University. Oct. 7 was a day, like Sept. 11 ...
The Four Main Types of Essay
An essay is a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. There are many different types of essay, but they are often defined in four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive essays. Argumentative and expository essays are focused on conveying information and making clear points, while narrative and ...
University System of Georgia Approves Tuition for 2024-2025 Academic
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) voted today to approve tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year at USG's 26 public colleges and universities. Systemwide, in-state undergraduate tuition will increase by 2.5%, and out-of-state tuition will increase by 5%. ... Among the 16 Southern Regional Education Board (SREB ...
Book Bans Continue to Surge in Public Schools
By Alexandra Alter. April 16, 2024, 8:00 a.m. ET. Book bans in public schools continued to surge in the first half of this school year, according to a report released on Tuesday by PEN America, a ...
What Is Academic Writing?
Academic writing is a formal style of writing used in universities and scholarly publications. You'll encounter it in journal articles and books on academic topics, and you'll be expected to write your essays, research papers, and dissertation in academic style. Academic writing follows the same writing process as other types of texts, but ...
Private 'Frazer School' will focus on academic competition
0:21. A private school with a focus on competitive academics is set to open this summer in time for the next school year. The Frazer School, named after Buchholz High School's Will Frazer, a ...

How to Write an Essay about Your Qualifications

First, you need to choose your main idea.

Next, select your top three qualifications.

1. I am a team player

2. I take feedback well

3. I am determined

Write your introductory paragraph and body paragraphs.

Here’s an example of an introductory paragraph for our essay:

Paragraph 1

Paragraph 2

Paragraph 3

Lastly, write your concluding paragraph.

Here’s a concluding paragraph for our essay:

Recent Posts

Academic Essay: From Basics to Practical Tips

Types of Academic Writing

Essay Writing Process Explained

How to Prepare for Essay Writing

Academic Essay Example

Academic Essay Format

Ready to Transform Essay Woes into Academic Triumphs?

How to Write an Academic Essay Step by Step

Captivate Your Reader

Provide Context for a Chosen Topic

Make a Thesis Statement

Outline the Structure of Your Essay

Continue with the Main Body

Choose the Right Length

Write Compelling Paragraphs

Finish by Writing a Conclusion

Proofread and Edit the Document

Ready to Turn Your Academic Aspirations into A+ Realities?

What Is An Academic Essay?

Ultimate Guide to Writing Your College Essay

Want free help with your college essay?

Writing a strong college admissions essay

Avoiding common admissions essay mistakes

Brainstorming tips for your college essay

How formal should the tone of your college essay be?

Taking your college essay to the next level

Student Stories

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How to Write an Academic Essay in 6 Simple Steps

Download Our Pocket Checklist for Academic Papers. Just input your email below!

Step 1: Preparing to Write Your Essay

Step 2: Writing the Essay Introduction and Thesis Statement

Step 3: Writing the Essay Body

Step 4: Writing the Essay Conclusion

Step 5: Writing the Bibliography or Works Cited

Step 6: Revising Your Essay

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Academic Essay

What is Academic Essay?

Academic Essay Writing Format/ Outline

2. Introduction

3. Body Paragraphs

4. Conclusion

Example of Academic Essay Writing

What is an example of academic writing?

Academic Essay Topics with Samples to Edit & Download

Academic Essay Writing Examples & Templates

2. Academic Essay for College Students

3. Short Academic Essay

4. Academic Essay Template

5. Academic Writing Essay Template