Does academic writing need research?

Are you wondering if academic writing needs research? The answer is yes! In order to write a good academic paper, you need to have a strong understanding

Dr. Isla Merrick10/09/20220 minutes read

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Focused and well-structured An academic text is not just a collection of ideas on a topic, but 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 general purpose.

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Dr. Isla Merrick

The Cognitive Writing ScholarA guide who frames writing not simply as a skill, but as a cognitive process, a lens for understanding the world, and a discipline that teaches precision of thought.Background:Dr. Isla Merrick is a lecturer in Academic Literacy and Applied Linguistics, with a research focus on the cognitive and rhetorical foundations of writing. She has spent over a decade helping undergraduate and postgraduate students understand the why behind academic conventions—objectivity, clarity, argumentation, third-person stance, formality, and structured reasoning.Her work draws from:• rhetoric and composition theory• cognitive science and writing psychology• applied linguistics• research writing + epistemic literacy• academic integrity and ethical authorship• dissertation and thesis pedagogyIsla’s writing style blends analytical calm, conceptual clarity, and supportive instruction, helping students move from confusion to control. She specialises in explaining complex academic principles in simple, structured language.