Date of Award
2018
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Humanities
First Advisor
Shaw, Carl
Area of Concentration
Humanities
Abstract
In this thesis, I discuss the long-standing trend of academics writing inaccessibly, and explore the consequences of this writing for academics and the general public. In Chapter One, I review the most cited and trusted texts about writing to establish a basis for “good” and “bad” writing, and provide a brief history of how academic writing came to be so “bad.” In Chapter Two, I explore the tangible consequences of bad academic writing in high school, undergrad, postgrad, and beyond. In Chapter Three, I take on the project of “translating” and “rewriting” three prime examples of inaccessible academic writing, to prove that good academic writing is possible and worthwhile.
Recommended Citation
Solomon, Liliana, "“SELF-INDULGENT NONSENSE”: WHY ACADEMICS WRITE BADLY AND WHY IT MATTERS" (2018). Theses & ETDs. 5608.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/5608