How to Write Academic English

Skills for Success / Academic Skills / How to Write Academic English

Writing at Level 7

At Level 7, the postgraduate level, you are expected to demonstrate a high level of expertise in academic writing. You should show your ability to engage critically with complex ideas, and contribute original insights to your field. Here’s what is typically expected at Level 7:

Key Expectations

 

• Research: Because you will be writing about your own research, you will need to know about formulating research questions, explaining your methodology, and showing that you have analysed data rigorously.
• Advanced Critical Thinking: Critically evaluating existing research, identifying gaps in the literature, and proposing new theoretical or practical approaches.
• Complex Argumentation: Develop and present complex, well-supported arguments that demonstrate a deep understanding of the subject matter and engage with current debates in the field.
• Writing Style of an Academic: Write with a high level of clarity, precision, and sophistication, suitable for publication in academic journals or professional contexts.

 

Practical Tips

• Engage Deeply with Literature: Conduct thorough literature reviews to understand the current state of research in your field. Critically evaluate sources, Ask questions, be sceptical and identify areas for further investigation. Imagine that your reader is doing the same with your writing.

  When you are reading, notice how other writers do analysis, evaluation, build arguments, synthesise, and review literature.

• Develop Original Arguments: Formulate original arguments that contribute new insights to your field. Use evidence from your research and existing literature to support your claims.
• Write for Publication: Aim to write at a level suitable for academic publication. 
• Structure Your Work Effectively: Writing at this level has higher word counts, so you can go deeper, but you will need to plan accordingly for your thesis, dissertation, or research papers.
• Seek and Incorporate Feedback: Continuously seek feedback from supervisors, peers, and academic mentors. Use this feedback to refine your arguments, improve clarity, and enhance the overall quality of your writing.

 

Examples

Examples of writing at Level 6 and Level 7, focusing on the same topic for clarity: The Impact of Social Media on Society.
Level 6 Writing Example

"The pervasive influence of social media on contemporary society is both profound and multifaceted, warranting a nuanced analysis of its benefits and drawbacks. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have revolutionised the way individuals communicate and access information, fostering unprecedented levels of connectivity and real-time information dissemination (Smith, 2019). These platforms enable users to maintain relationships and stay informed about global events, thereby enhancing social cohesion and awareness (Jones, 2020). However, the ubiquitous nature of social media also presents significant challenges. The rapid spread of misinformation, often referred to as "fake news," has been exacerbated by the viral nature of these platforms, leading to widespread misinformation with potentially serious societal consequences (Taylor, 2018). Additionally, privacy concerns have emerged as a critical issue, with users' personal data being exploited for commercial gain (Brown, 2021). The addictive design of social media, driven by algorithms that maximise user engagement, can result in excessive screen time and negative mental health outcomes, such as anxiety and depression (Williams, 2017). Therefore, while social media undeniably enhances communication and access to information, it is imperative that users navigate these platforms with a critical eye and a mindful approach to mitigate potential adverse effects. Future research should focus on developing strategies to address these challenges, ensuring that the benefits of social media are maximised while minimizing its negative impacts (Johnson, 2022)."

Level 7 Writing Example

"The pervasive influence of social media on contemporary society necessitates a comprehensive and critical examination of its multifaceted impacts. Social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, have fundamentally transformed communication and information dissemination, fostering unprecedented levels of connectivity and real-time engagement (Smith, 2019). These platforms facilitate the maintenance of personal relationships and enhance global awareness, contributing to social cohesion and collective consciousness (Jones, 2020). However, the omnipresence of social media also introduces significant challenges. The rapid proliferation of misinformation, colloquially termed "fake news," has been significantly amplified by the viral nature of these platforms, leading to widespread misinformation with profound societal implications (Taylor, 2018). Privacy concerns are paramount, as the exploitation of users' personal data for commercial purposes raises ethical and legal questions (Brown, 2021). Furthermore, the addictive nature of social media, driven by sophisticated algorithms designed to maximise user engagement, has been linked to excessive screen time and adverse mental health outcomes, including anxiety, depression, and decreased well-being (Williams, 2017). Thus, while social media undeniably enhances communication and access to information, it is imperative that users approach these platforms with a critical and informed perspective to mitigate potential negative effects. Future research should prioritise the development of robust strategies to address these challenges, ensuring that the benefits of social media are harnessed while minimising its detrimental impacts (Johnson, 2022). Additionally, interdisciplinary approaches that integrate insights from psychology, sociology, and information technology are essential for a holistic understanding of social media's role in contemporary society (Miller, 2023)."

Key Differences

• Depth and Detail: Level 7 writing provides an even more comprehensive analysis, incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives and suggesting specific areas for future research.
• Complexity of Language: Level 7 uses highly sophisticated vocabulary and complex sentence structures, with a strong emphasis on academic rigour and precision.
• Critical Thinking: Level 7 demonstrates the highest levels of critical thinking and analysis, offering a nuanced and interdisciplinary perspective, and proposing detailed future research directions.

 

Links

For more on this topic, go to our Writing at Masters Level page.