Why and How Academics Write

Abstract

Academics are often criticized for their poor or rotten writing. In this essay, I look first at several ways in which academic writing may be regarded as, for example, obscure and turgid. Second, I discuss reasons why, despite such criticism, academics persevere with their writing. Third, I outline a number of approaches to the how of academic writing as a daily practice. Finally, I present my playful yet serious efforts to confront the hows and whys of academic (and post-academic) writing as an important human and social practice.