GET AHEADPOSTGRADUATE SUMMER PROGRAMME 2014

Writing at postgraduate level‘In my experience the most important thing is to write the way they want.

You can write all kinds of stuff you know about, but you don’t get good marks unless you write it the proper way.’

Northedge, A. The Good Study Guide 2007: 245

Sara Steinke s.steinke@bbk.ac.uk

Aims of the session• To consider what makes English academic

• To identify the style and conventions of academic writing

• To recognise the importance of academic writing skills for postgraduate study

• To think about the writing process

• To reflect on how to develop your academic writing skills to express and present your critical thinking for postgraduate study

Why do you think writing gives students the most anxiety?

A. They have not written an essay in a long time.

B. They do not know what an academic essay looks like.

C. They miss deadlines as a result of poor time management.

D. They have no idea why they are writing an essay.

Answer: A, B, C and D

• What makes English academic

• Importance of academic English for postgraduate study

• Check your academic English

What is academic English?

Definitions

‘academy’ = place of study, university

‘academic’ = doing things they way they are done in the Academy

‘academic writing’ = writing in the way that is expected of people at university

What makes spoken or written English ‘academic’ is not the ideas, but the way theideas are

presented - in a logical order, with evidence to support them, objectively and

expressed - using formal language, using specialist vocabulary, using words and phrases that are expected in writing at university

‘in a logical order’• start with a plan

• jot down any ideas that you have as you think of them

• group your ideas about the same point together and present them in the same paragraph

• start each paragraph with a sentence that shows what you are going to write about in that paragraph - the topic sentence

• put your points in order so that they follow on from each other

• develop the main idea in the topic sentence with your other points

‘with evidence’

• read and make notes from different sources

• use sources that are reliable and/or recommended to you

• make notes of where different writers agree or disagree so that you can compare different views

• remember that critical thinking sees things as grey, rather than black and white

‘objectively’

• make suggestions, not strongly emotional

comments

• avoid stating your personal opinion

• do not involve the reader directly by asking questions

‘use formal language’

• write in full sentences

• do not use abbreviations or contractions

• use impersonal forms (not the first person ‘I’)

• no slang or colloquial expressions

‘use specialist vocabulary’

• check the meaning of specialist terms in your subject

• note examples of how these terms are used in the books and articles that you read

• do not use terms that you do not understand

‘use words and phrases that are expected’

• academic writers are expected to be cautious -- use ‘this suggests ...’, ‘this might explain ...’

• readers expect phrases that act as signposts to guide them through the text - additional information (‘furthermore ...’, ‘moreover ...’, ‘in addition ...’) - to move to specific examples (‘for instance ...’,

‘as an illustration ...’

Why write the way ‘they’ want?(Northedge 2007: 246)

1. Deepens your learning

2. Develops your writing skills

3. Doing yourself justice

4. Enables the reader to understand your point of view

5. Strengthens your powers of self-expression

6. Major medium through which your progress is assessed

How to annoy your lecturers

A group of lecturers from different subjects were asked what really annoyed them aboutstudents’ grammar and language . . .

1. Using apostrophes wrongly2. Confusing common words, for

example there/their3. Making spelling errors4. Using informal language5. Writing sentences without

verbs6. Making every sentence a

paragraph7. Not using paragraphs8. Writing long convoluted

sentences9. Trying to write too pompously10. Using run-on

sentences/comma splices

Check your academic English skills athttp://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/orientation CheckyouracademicEnglishskills.pptx/view

http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/orientation/get-ready-to-study-at-birkbeck

1. Grammar

2. Vocabulary

3. Punctuation

4. Spelling

5. Academic style

• Key academic writing conventions• Importance of academic writing to express your

critical thinking at postgraduate level• How to develop your academic writing

Academic writing: key conventions

• Do not use contractions or slang• Use the terminology of your field• Avoid the first (‘I’) and second person (‘you’)• Define key terms you use in a particular way• Include only ideas that are relevant to your argument

and subject• Limit ideas to one per sentence/single point for each

paragraph• Be kind to your reader - give reader clues (transition

words, summaries) to let them know where they are in your argument

• Use subheadings and sections

Academic style• Use formal style• Writing style does not have to be complicated /elaborate• Be well organised and present ideas in logical order• Present objective analysis that is critical without

being too positive or negative, be cautious• Use clear, precise language• Avoid emotive language• Establish clear connections between ideas• Cite relevant sources• Explain, not just describe• Use quotes, examples

Quick quiz

What is wrong with this piece of critical writing? (Cottrell 2008: 209)

Mount Pepe is going up - it’s going to take everything with it when it goes. And I mean everything - villages, farms, trees, the lot. It’s frightening to think of how powerful a volcano can be. Think of the damage they cause! Remember Pompeii and Mount Etna!

What is right with this piece of critical writing? (Cottrell 2008: 209)

In order to assess whether it is necessary to evacuate the villages on Mount Pepe, three main factors need to be taken into consideration. The first, and most important, of these is the element Of safety. According to seismic experts currently working on the volcano, there is likely to be a major eruption within the next ten years (Achebe 2007). According to Achebe, the eruption is likely to destroy villages over a radius of 120 miles (Achebe 2008, p.7).

Importance of academic writing skills for postgraduate study

• Postgraduate students are - required to be independent, critical thinkers - expected to contribute to the field of study

• This influences postgraduate writing in 4 ways:1. critical thinking2. research3. academic integrity4. academic style

Critical thinking

• See ‘Critical thinking at Postgraduate level’ 13 August

• Think independently• Provide original perspective on previous

research

• Make connections between ideas/between your work and other research

Research

• Become aware of the current knowledge in your field - deep and breadth - synthesise information- literature review

• Expected to contribute personally to the knowledge in your field - creative thinking - presenting information in a new way, applying

previous research to new problems, proving a thesis

Academic integrity

• Give credit for intellectual property that you borrow - paraphrasing, quotes, referencing

• Be familiar with intellectual property rights - opportunities to produce original work

• Be aware of research ethics

Importance of feedback to improve your writing skills

1. Read through work and lecturer’s comment2. Check you understand lecturer’s comments3. Make list of major issues and minor errors4. Compare with comments/lists from previous essays

- Which comments appear more than once? - Which issues have you improved?

5. Number issues in order of priority6. Act on them!

Self evaluation: S.W.O.T.• What are the strengths of your writing? Are you able to

express complex ideas clearly? Do you know how to structure your essay well?

• What are the weaknesses of your writing? Do you struggle with spelling and grammar? Are you simply not used to writing in a formal/academic way?

• What opportunities do you have to improve on your writing? Have you attended one of the essay writing workshops?

• What threats do you face in your writing? Do you understand the essay question? Are you struggling to find enough time for proof reading? Do you lack confidence in your ability to write?

• Stages of the writing process• Analysing the question• Writing introductory, main body and concluding

paragraphs• Essay v. Dissertation

1. Thinking about the essay title

2. Planning the writing process

3. Studying the course content

4. Taking stock before you start writing

5. Getting ideas written down

6. Organising your material

7. Drafting an answer

8. Reviewing and polishing

Stages of essay writingNorthedge 2005: 297

Analysing the question

Essay questions can be broken down into:

• Its topic• Any restriction/

expansion to the topic• The aspect/angle you

are asked to consider• Instructions you need

to follow

An analysis of the changes in US policytowards China during the 1970s.

An analysis of the changes in US policy towards China during the 1970s.

Writing introductory paragraphs

• State title of essay in first line/link to question• Explain the title/why the question is

important/establish the field/give background information/state aim of the essay

• Outline approach to the essay/thesis statement• Narrow the field/particular focus/outline issues• Outline structure of essay • 10% of word count

Writing main body paragraphs

Topic (first)sentence: main idea of the paragraph

Supporting sentence: gives details about/ explains topic sentence

Concluding (last) sentence: repeats the main idea/gives final comment about topic

Writing concluding paragraphs

• Summarise main arguments/themes

• State general conclusions

• Make it clear why conclusions are significant

• Refer back to question/directly answer it

• Make recommendations or suggest way forward/further research

• Do not present new material/ideas in your conclusion

• 10% of word count

Think about the following

What are the similarities between writing a dissertation and writing an essay?

1. Follows basic procedure

2. Adheres to academic conventions - academic English, referencing, style

3. Involves research skills

4. Requires writing in prose

5. Uses analytical reading /writing skills

Think about the following

What are the differences between writing a dissertation and writing an essay?

1. Individually designed piece of work

2. Personal involvement3. Time management4. Self-management and

motivation5. Literature search6. Presentation/structure7. Methodology8. Managing your

supervisor 9. Viva

Dissertation structure

• Overcoming writer’s block

• Suggestions for generating ideas

• Sources for academic writing

Overcoming writer’s block1. Scribble - what ever comes to mind2. ‘Its only a draft’ - something you are working on3. Write in pencil - reminds you that the draft is rough4. Write on loose paper - can throw it away5. Ignore mistakes in early drafts - can sort out later6. ‘For you eyes only’ - handwriting/mistakes do not

matter7. Start anywhere - in order to suit you8. Write by talking - if you find it hard to express

yourself in writing9. Take one step at a time - break task into manageable

steps10. Rest and relax - avoid stress

Generating ideas: brainstorming• use a large piece of paper - A3 or flipchart• identify and write down as many different

possible answers (rather than ‘one solution’) to the question that you can think of

• asking ‘what if’ or ‘supposing’ questions will help you

• allow yourself to think of crazy or wild suggestions - do not think of an idea as ‘stupid'

• it is fine to make mistakes - they may turn out to be productive

Generating ideas: free writing• use A4 lined paper• write nonstop for a set period of time (about

3-5 minutes)• do not make any corrections• do not write in sentences• use the writing tool you are most comfortable

with (pen/computer)• write/type as fast as you can• do not cross anything out• do not punctuate

Generating ideas: map mapping

• turn the paper sideways, A3 landscape is best• write the topic in the centre of the page• write related ideas around this centre• add secondary ideas to the main ideas• link up these ideas to show relationships• use colours, different line thickness, symbols, pictures• add details to points as you go along

What can I do to make my writing more academic?

• attend free Academic Development Workshops offered by Centre for Learning and Professional Development (CLPD):

http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/global/workshop_timetable?orgunit=SSK

• enrol for an one-term Academic Writing module:http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/facilities/support/academic-writing-modules

• note how the ideas in the books and articles that you read on your course are presented and expressed - use active reading and note making strategies

Useful reading for academic writing

Cottrell, S. (2008) The Study Skills Handbook (3rd edition) (Palgrave Macmillan, London) chapter 8 ‘Writing for university’ and chapter 9 ‘Developing your writing’

Crème, P. (1997) Writing at University (Open University Press, Milton Keynes)

Greetham, B. (2008) How to write better essays (2nd edition) (Palgrave Macmillan, London)

Northedge, A. (2007) The Good Study Guide (Open University Press, Milton Keynes) chapter 10 ‘Writing the way ‘they’ want’ and chapter 11 ‘Managing the writing process’

Peck, J. & Coyle, M. (2005) Write it Right: A Handbook for Students (Palgrave Macmillan, London)

Redman P (2001) Good Essay Writing (Sage, London)

Rose, J. (2007) The Mature Students Guide to Writing (2nd edition) (Basingstoke, Palgrave)

Useful websites for academic writing

Get ahead Stay ahead interactive tutorialshttp://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/get-ahead-stay-ahead/writing

website supporting the Palgrave MacMillan study skills bookshttp://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/studyskills/reading/essay.asphttp://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/studyskills/reading/writing.asp

Useful listening http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/mp3s.asp#tricks

Useful sources for PG writing

http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/facilities/support/phd-support

http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/facilities/support/dissertations/pg_dissertations

http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/studentlife/postgraduate/index.asp

http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/studentlife/postgraduate/writing.asp

Wisker, G. (2007) The Postgraduate Research Handbook (London, Palgrave)

Wallace, M. & Wray, A. (2011) Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates, 2nd ed., (London, Sage)

Presentations can be found at

http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/orientation/getaheadpostgraduate

Writing - recap

Can you:express your ideas clearly in written form?make an outline of what you are going to write?write in clear sentences and paragraphs?link your ideas in a logical order? use correct grammar?develop your own argument?identify your audience and write in an appropriate

register?

Next session

• Tuesday 4 September, 6pm-7.30pm, room 421

• Organising yourself at postgraduate level, including time management- time management techniques

- how to prioritise tasks

- importance of organisational skills and time management for postgraduate

study