This assignment asks you to analyze "the writing strategies of an academic article." A frequent organizational strategy found in academic articles is one of  linking old and new knowledge about a topic. Riva Greenberg's article "Substance Abuse in Families" begins with the sentence "substance abuse affects entire families, yet only recently has attention been focused on the needs of children." The first clause of her sentence, substance abuse affects entire families, highlights old knowledge, something that experts in the field have already said. The second clause, yet only recently has attention been focused on the needs of children, introduces the new knowledge that will be the specific focus of her essay. This way of looking both forward and backward is a typical organizing strategy in academic articles.

To discuss other writing strategies used in academic articles and to qualify for a valuable individual conference, attend a LARC 39A writing workshop.