What does academic writing is a specialized discourse which students must appropriate mean?

"Academic writing is a specialized discourse which students must appropriate" means that academic writing is a unique form of communication with its own specific rules, conventions, and expectations. Students must learn and understand these specific features in order to effectively participate in academic discussions and produce high-quality academic work.

Here's a breakdown of the key terms:

* Discourse: This refers to a particular way of communicating within a specific community. Academic discourse is the way scholars and students talk, write, and think about their subject areas.

* Specialized: Academic writing has specific features that distinguish it from other forms of writing, like journalistic or creative writing. These features include:

* Formal tone and language: Avoiding slang, contractions, and personal opinions.

* Objectivity: Presenting information based on evidence and research, rather than personal beliefs.

* Structure: Using clear organization and logical flow of ideas.

* Citations: Giving credit to sources and referencing them correctly.

* Appropriate: This means that students must not only understand the rules of academic discourse but also learn how to apply them effectively in their own writing. This includes:

* Choosing the right language and tone for their audience.

* Supporting their claims with evidence and research.

* Following the specific formatting guidelines of their field.

* Using academic vocabulary appropriately.

In essence, students must learn to "speak the language" of academic discourse by becoming familiar with its conventions and applying them in their own writing.