Basic Elements/Steps of Academic Writing Process 

Academic writing is a form of writing that is widely adopted by scholars. The process of academic writing contains processes that have to be followed, they include Pre-writing, researching, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading (UNIVERSITY of KANSAS, n.d.). During the pre-writing stage, writers brainstorm and gather information on what they are going to write about and plan their writing. In the drafting stage, they put their ideas on paper and developed a structure for their work. Revising involves evaluating and improving the organization and content of the writing, while editing involves correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Finally, in proofreading, writers check for any remaining errors before submitting their work. According to a study by Wingate (2021), effective writing involves a recursive process of planning, drafting, and revising, which leads to better writing outcomes. Moreover, a study by the US Department of Education (2017), found that students who engage in revision and editing activities tend to have higher-quality writing outcomes than those who do not. In conclusion, academic writing involves a process that requires planning, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading to produce high-quality writing outcomes.

Plagiarism consequences and the importance of citing sources

Plagiarism is a serious offense problem in academic writing worldwide that if no measures taken can lead to serious repercussions. Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty where someone takes credit for another’s work by passing it off as their own (Department of Education, 2015). According to UNESCO's (2021) study, plagiarism affects students, tutors, and the academic as a whole. This means that students who engage in plagiarism are more likely to have poor writing skills, lower grades, and a lack of understanding of academic conventions. This not only undermines the academic integrity of the student but also damages the credibility of the institution they are part of. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of educating students on the principles of academic integrity and proper citation practices to prevent plagiarism (UNESCO, 2021).  This means that it allows the original author to receive credit for their work and validates the accuracy of the information presented. It also allows readers to access the source and gain a better understanding of the topic. Another study by the University of Nebraska Kierney (2023), emphasizes the role of citation in academic writing as a way of engaging in a scholarly conversation with other authors. The study argues that citing sources not only demonstrates the writer's knowledge of the field but also helps to situate their work within a broader context of research. Moreover, the study suggests that citation practices vary across different disciplines and genres of writing and that writers need to be aware of these conventions to communicate effectively with their intended audience. Briefly, plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty that can lead to poor writing skills, lower grades, and a lack of understanding of academic conventions, and institutions should address it by emphasizing citations by giving acknowledgment to the owners of the works.

REFRENCES

Department of Education. (2015). Student's Plagiarism in Higher Learning Institutions. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1080502.pdf

UNESCO. (2021). Plagiarism: A Global Phenomenon. Retrieved from UNESCO website: https://etico.iiep.unesco.org/sites/default/files/2021-02/plagiarism_a_global_phenomenon.pdf

UNIVERSITY of KANSAS. (n.d.). Steps of the Writing Process. Retrieved from Ku.edu: https://writing.ku.edu/writing-process

University of Nebraska Kierney. (2023, January). Identifying Parts of a Citation: Why Citing Sources is Important. Retrieved from library unk: https://guides.library.unk.edu/c.php?g=710678&p=5051044

US Department of Education. (2017). Using a focus on revision to improve students’ writing skills. Retrieved from Journal of Instructional Pedagogies: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1158379.pdf

Wingate, U. (2021, January). Completing the first assignment: A case study of the writing processes of a successful and an unsuccessful student. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347871192_Completing_the_first_assignment_A_case_study_of_the_writing_processes_of_a_successful_and_an_unsuccessful_student