Question

How can you tell if a paper follows the conventions of academic discourse?

The writer includes prewriting notes and an outline with the paper.

The writer has correctly formatted the paper according to the style guide.

The writer includes many expert quotes and uses footnotes.

The writer presents and develops a main thesis using relatively formal language.

Answer 1

Short answer: Look for 2 and 4 as clear signs; 3 can indicate academic practice if used and cited correctly; 1 is not.

Brief explanation:
- The writer has correctly formatted the paper according to the style guide — Yes. Correct and consistent use of a disciplinary style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) is a standard convention.
- The writer presents and develops a main thesis using relatively formal language — Yes. A clear, arguable thesis developed with formal register is central to academic discourse.
- The writer includes many expert quotes and uses footnotes — Partly. Use of expert sources and proper citation (footnotes or in-text references) is expected, but academic writing favors synthesis and analysis of sources, not heavy quotation. Footnotes are discipline-dependent (more common in history/humanities).
- The writer includes prewriting notes and an outline with the paper — No. Drafts, notes, and outlines are part of the writing process but are not usually included with a finished academic paper.

Quick checklist of other signs a paper follows academic conventions:
- Clear thesis/question and logical organization (intro, literature review, method, analysis, conclusion where appropriate)
- Engagement with relevant scholarly literature and appropriate citation
- Formal, precise language and careful hedging where needed
- Evidence-based argumentation and methodological clarity
- Complete bibliography/reference list and adherence to formatting rules

If you want, I can evaluate a specific paper or excerpt against these conventions.