Navigating the Balancing Act: Reflecting on Familiarity and New Insights in Academic Writing

QUESTION

This week there was some old information. The need to be specific and clear when writing is a concept that I am familiar with. I do still have room for improvement in this area, however. The need for objectivity in academic writing, more specifically APA writing, is paramount due to its nature and a topic that I am very familiar with. I was also familiar with some of the other writing requirements with APA writing such as writing in third person, the use of active voice, and the absence of conjunctions.

There was also quite a bit of new information presented this week. While I knew that figures of speech were not allowed to be used in APA writing I had not considered that using the word “discussed” when talking about an article fell into the category of personification and as such, is not supposed to be used in APA writing. I was also unaware of a lot of the rules for correctly representing numbers in writing. For example, I did not know that when mentioning an approximation for days it is supposed to be written in words rather than following the typical rule for numbers more than 10 be written in numerals.

This week the thing that is giving me trouble is the annotated bibliography.  Even though I received a good grade, I did not do as well on the last one as I would have liked to. I know where my errors were and what to watch for now based on the feedback, I received with my grade so I hope that I will do better this time around. The one element from this week’s lesson that I can see myself having difficulties with is remembering not use the word “discussed” when writing about. This phrasing was heavily encouraged several of my high school teachers and until now has not been discouraged by writing guidelines.

ANSWER

Navigating the Balancing Act: Reflecting on Familiarity and New Insights in Academic Writing

Introduction

The journey of refining academic writing skills involves a delicate balance between the familiar and the novel. This essay delves into my reflections on the interplay of familiarity and novelty in academic writing, specifically focusing on concepts I was familiar with, new insights gained, and challenges encountered, such as the annotated bibliography and the prohibition of certain phrasings.

Familiar Concepts

While I possess an understanding of the significance of specificity and clarity in writing, I acknowledge that there is room for improvement in this area. Objectivity in academic writing, particularly in adhering to APA guidelines, remains paramount. The principles of using third person, active voice, and refraining from using conjunctions are ingrained in my writing practices.

New Insights and Learnings

The recent module introduced me to novel insights, some of which were surprising. One revelation was the prohibition of figures of speech in APA writing. I had not previously considered that using terms like “discussed” when referring to an article could be construed as personification, contrary to APA guidelines. Additionally, I learned the nuanced rules for representing numbers, such as using words for approximations of days, which deviates from the conventional numerical representation.

Challenges Encountered: Annotated Bibliography

Despite achieving a satisfactory grade, I encountered challenges with the annotated bibliography. Learning from the feedback provided, I am determined to rectify my errors and enhance my performance in the upcoming submission. The feedback has equipped me with insights into where to exercise caution and precision in compiling the annotated bibliography.

Nascent Difficulty: Phrasing and “Discussed”

One aspect from this week’s lesson that presents potential difficulties for me is the prohibition of using the word “discussed” when referring to an article’s content. Having been encouraged to use this phrasing in previous writing contexts, unlearning it in light of APA guidelines requires conscious effort. I recognize the importance of aligning my writing practices with the established standards, even if it involves adjusting deeply ingrained habits.

Conclusion

Reflecting on my journey through the intricacies of academic writing, I recognize the blend of familiarity and novelty that shapes my learning experience. As I continue to refine my writing skills, I aim to strike a harmonious balance between adhering to established norms, embracing new insights, and surmounting challenges. The evolving nature of academic writing demands adaptability, and I am committed to embracing each facet of this process with diligence and a growth-oriented mindset.