Generic Academic Writing Training—What Is It Good For?

Academic writing is a fundamental skill, but how should it be taught? In English for Academic Purposes (EAP), there is ongoing debate about whether students benefit more from generic academic writing instruction or if writing should be discipline-specific.

During my time working with Imperial College London’s Centre for Academic English, I encountered this question in real-world academic settings. I worked with Mechanical Engineering students on writing lab reports, helped Computer Science researchers craft abstracts for technical papers, and supported students across disciplines in developing clear, structured, and well-argued writing. These experiences reinforced that both approaches matter, but their effectiveness depends on the context, the learner, and the academic or professional goals at hand.

📌 The Case for Generic Academic Writing Training

Generic academic writing instruction focuses on universal principles that apply across disciplines. These foundational skills include:

• Clarity & Structure – Writing logical, well-organized arguments.

• Academic Conventions – Understanding citations, referencing styles (APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard), and formal writing norms.

• Critical Thinking & Argumentation – Developing coherent, evidence-based reasoning.

• Grammar & Style – Writing in an academic tone with precision and conciseness.

• Cross-Disciplinary Applicability – Skills that are relevant whether writing an IELTS essay, a literature review, or a grant proposal.

  
  

🔹 Why Generic Academic Writing Matters

1️⃣ A Strong Foundation for Any Discipline – Before mastering technical or subject-specific writing, students must be able to construct clear, logical arguments.

2️⃣ Necessary for Exams & University Assignments – Standardized tests like IELTS Writing Task 1 and 2 and first-year university essays rely on cohesion, coherence, and clarity.

3️⃣ Preparation for Advanced Research – Many students struggle with structuring ideas and developing arguments before they even reach the point of focusing on disciplinary conventions.

This approach is particularly useful for students who are new to academic writing, non-native English speakers, or those transitioning to a new level of study (e.g., undergraduate to postgraduate, or master's to PhD).

📌 The Argument for Discipline-Specific Writing

While generic writing skills form the backbone of academic communication, writing expectations differ greatly across disciplines:

• Mechanical Engineering & Lab Reports – Writing precise, structured analyses of experiments with minimal interpretation.

• Computer Science & Abstract Writing – Condensing complex research into clear, concise summaries.

• Medicine & Research Papers – Using the IMRAD structure (Introduction, Methodology, Results, and Discussion) with precise technical language.

• Humanities & Social Sciences – Engaging in critical analysis, theoretical discussion, and argument-driven writing.

  
  

🔹 Why Discipline-Specific Writing Matters

1️⃣ Each Field Has Its Own Conventions – An engineering report is not structured like a literary analysis; a scientific article differs from a history dissertation.

2️⃣ Preparation for Academic & Professional Writing – Researchers writing for journals, grants, or conferences must meet field-specific expectations.

3️⃣ Specialized Writing Techniques – The way evidence is presented, the level of interpretation, and the tone vary by discipline.

For instance, an engineering student writing a lab report focuses on data and empirical analysis, while a history student writing a thesis must construct thematic arguments based on archival research.

📌 Finding a Middle Ground: A Hybrid Approach

Given the strengths of both approaches, the most effective way to teach academic writing is a hybrid model that:

✔ Builds a foundation in generic academic writing – Ensuring students master clarity, structure, and argumentation.

✔ Introduces discipline-specific writing strategies – Tailoring instruction to STEM, humanities, and social sciences.

✔ Encourages practical application – Engaging students in real-world academic tasks, such as writing abstracts, literature reviews, and reports.

This approach acknowledges that while generic skills are essential, they must be adapted to the expectations of different fields.

📌 Final Thoughts: Context Matters

The question of whether generic or discipline-specific writing is more effective is not a matter of choosing one over the other—it’s about understanding when and how each should be applied.

• For first-year university students or those preparing for standardized exams (e.g., IELTS,

  FCE, TOEFL), generic writing instruction is essential.

• For advanced students, researchers, and professionals, field-specific writing becomes more important.

• For interdisciplinary work, a balance of both approaches is needed.

  
  

The key takeaway? Good academic writing is never "one-size-fits-all." It evolves with experience, discipline, and purpose—and understanding both generic principles and discipline-specific conventions is the most effective way forward.