From School Essays to University Arguments: Mastering Academic Writing

Shaun Joynt (PhD) is a teacher and researcher with a deep passion for seeing others succeed in their academic journey. He focuses on academic writing, including but not limited to: writing persuasive assignment essays, crafting convincing research proposals, compiling ethical clearance applications, composing articulate academic papers for journals, structuring dissertations and theses, assisting with blueprints for literature reviews, processing and evaluating research designs and methodologies, and proofreading and editing, among other things. He is also an excellent conversation partner to talk to about your research and help you process what you intend to convey, assisting you in achieving clarity, conciseness, and coherence. As a speaker, Shaun engages audiences with his evidence-based approach and practical insights, assisting participants in achieving their academic objectives.

Like with most things in life, a good foundation provides the much-needed support for what is to follow. So, too with academic writing. You may find that in your transition from high school to university, academic English is very different to everyday spoken or written English. The challenge may be even greater when English is your 2nd, or 3rd, or even 4th language.

In the beginning, you are "unconsciously incompetent" and don't realise what you don't know. For example, you don't know that all positions and arguments you present need to be substantiated with citations.

Next, you become aware of your shortcomings in a specific area, which indicates that you are now in the "consciously incompetent" stage, where you realise that you don't know. For example, you become aware that you don't know how to properly cite a source both in-text and in the reference section.

This is followed by the "consciously competent" stage, where you acquire the skills to accomplish what is required and you realise that you do know how to do something.

Finally, you enter the "unconsciously competent" stage where you do something without necessarily consciously thinking about it; that is, it has become second nature to you. For example, you don't need to have the referencing style book or document open to know how to cite a specific type of source.

The webinar is designed to assist you in moving from your current stage (1 or 2) to the next stage (3 or 4) and enable you to achieve good results in your 1st year of academic writing.