Eh...

Academic writing is the basic stepping stone of any writing. When it comes down to it, with out learning to write through academic studies, most people would have blan, undetailed, and sloppy writing. Even basic writing in a personal journal or diary. Academic writing gives the basic knowledge to help put what we really want to say down on the page. In the end it is the writer who makes it good or bad, its the attempt at writing anything.
I dont fully understand... wait... scratch that... i dont know what the rules or goals are for academic writing. I honestly dont care, the basic guidelines behind them is crap that I already try to incorporate into my writing. The course reader is nothing more than wasted paper and falls upon deaf ears. Basic guidelines for academic writing... i like to stick to three that honestly, i think make a good paper at least.
1. Explain, dont leave any possible detail out that will leave a reader like "what the f**k?". Half the time you think someone knows what you are talking about, they dont.
2. Make sure it makes sense. If you cant understand what the hell your writing about, who else will.
3. Basic grammar. Enough said