writing skills- academic writing, are you up for it?
TRANSCRIPT
Academic Writing
Learning Objectives
Understand what is meant by academic writing
Awareness of academic conventions and practices
Learn how to develop argument in your writing
Awareness of plagiarism and use appropriate use of references/citations
Resources
PURPOSE OF ACADEMIC WRITING
The word “essay” is derived from the Latin verb “exigere”, which means to:
ExamineTest Drive out
Other purposes
Discover knowledge Make a point Persuade the reader Share information Synthesize Information Analyze a topic Document your observations All of the above
STEP BY STEP PROCESS Read and Research Brainstorm Ideas Develop a Working Thesis and Outline Write a Rough Draft Review for Content Revise Rough Draft Review for Grammar and Mechanics Revise Second Draft Continue Reviewing and Revising as Needed
Ideas to write
Read texts related to your topic Use brainstorming techniques like:
– Listing ideas– Clustering or mind mapping– Free writing
Discuss the issue with others Research the topic
Developing an outline
Once you establish a thesis, use it to help you develop an outline of the paper
An outline will:– Help you organize your ideas– Keep you focused– Save time
For every main point, you’ll need several supporting details
Paragraph Level Concern
Effective paragraphs are:Well-developed
They avoid making assumptions.Cohesive
Their ideas connect to one another (transitions).Coherent
They clarify the logic of the paragraph (topic sentences).
Topic SentenceA topic sentence accomplishes the following tasks:Expresses a claim (not a fact) that supports the thesisIndicates the content of the paragraph (central idea)Creates a transition from the previous paragraphMaintain proper pacing (long/short sentences, etc.).
Ex: “Although previous studies of weather patterns have focused on rain and wind, this study proposes an analysis of tornado formation.”
Ex: “However, these studies have neglected the importance of tornado formation.”
Ex (Avoid): “Tornado formation is a major problem.”
Transitional Words and Phrases
Transitions signal relation between sentences, paragraphsKnow relationship between the sentences/paragraphs!
Addition (furthermore, more importantly, additionally, etc.)Contrast (however, conversely, on the other hand, etc.)Time Order (previously, subsequently, simultaneously, etc.)
Avoid multiple transitions/introductory clauses“On the other hand, however, although the study…”“Furthermore, where the study subsequently did…”
Avoid beginning with coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
Referencing Sources
Citations/references allude to previous work or valuable sources.Know the conventions of your field.
Style Guides, Published Work, Etc.Follow the guidelines for particular journals when
publishingKnow how and when to use references, quotations.
Avoid quoting to start/end paragraph.Work quotes into your own sentences.
Sentence Level Concern
Effective sentences will:Use active voice and clear, strong verbs.Build a balanced hierarchy of ideas.Use punctuation and quotes effectively.
Remember: The goal is to make your reader understand (and be persuaded by) your prose.
Format Thesis Main Point
Supporting Point Detail Detail
Supporting Point Detail Detail
Main Point Supporting Point
Detail Detail
Supporting Point Detail Detail
Supporting Point Detail Detail
Conclusion
Writing in an academic way
Being critical and analytical Using language in a precise & subject-
specific way Adopting a position or claim - thesis Drawing on and citing a range of
authors & arguments Remaining objective
What is critical writing?
Argument– Evaluate & weigh up
ideas– State point of view– Consider available
evidence– Possible counter
arguments– Claim that is proven
throughout the paper
Opinion– Point of view– Lack of supporting
evidence– Personal feelings
and views
Thesis StatementsWhich thesis statement is the most effective for an argument about the need for V-chips in television sets?
Parents, often too busy to watch television shows with their families, can monitor their children’s viewing habits with the aid of the V-chip.
To help parents monitor their children’s viewing habits, the V-chip should be a required feature for television sets sold in the U.S.
This paper will describe a V-chip and examine the uses of the V-chip in American-made television sets.
Steps in constructing argument
Analyse topic Write down your working thesis
– Your point of view in relation to topic– Keep thesis prominent
Organise your argument Develop argument Document points and claims Reference or bibliography
Another useful strategy to organize information is to use the PIE formula
PIE– P = Point = The main point you want to make– I = Illustration = A quote or paraphrase from
the text– E = Explanation = Your explanation about what
the quote or paraphrase means
Use transition words or sentences to bridge ideas so the reader does not get confused
First Second In addition Nevertheless In contrast Furthermore Therefore Etc.
Re-state your thesis statement in a different way.
Make a strong closing comment. Leave the reader with a closing thought.
Academic Conventions -Avoid
Avoid using personal pronouns like “I”, “We”, and “You”.
Avoid not use contractions like “isn’t”, “they’re”, “wasn’t”, etc.
Avoid slang Avoid a personal tone Avoid vague ideas Avoid plagiarism
Academic Conventions -Do
Do address both sides of an argument Do cite your sources Do use a formal tone Do take a stand Do use concrete details Do give yourself time to develop your paper
Supporting points are examples or pieces of evidence that support the claim you have made in your topic sentence.
They can be:– Facts– Examples– Anecdotes (Stories)– Expert Testimony – Quotes – Observations– Statistics
Organizing your argument Title Introduction
– Thesis statement Body Paragraphs
– Constructing Topic Sentences
– Building Main Points– Countering the Opposition
Conclusion
From Purdue University Writing Lab http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
Develop your argument Use body paragraphs & topic sentences Use source material – reliable evidence Show line of reasoning
– link points– central guiding line
Show awareness of complexities– Counter arguments, relativism
Your conclusions – based on evidence– No new claims
Signposting your line of reasoning Indicator words for claims
– Therefore, thus, hence, so, as a result
Indicator words for reasons– Because, since, on account of, for, in view
of, for the reason that
Tentative or ‘hedging’
Cohesion & Flow
Parallelism “One explanation for increasing rates of
anorexia is... Repetition of key words Given-New Prediction
From Center for Writing http:writing.umn.edu
References
Why? Credit sources of information & ideas Reader can locate for further information if
required Validate arguments Increase and spread knowledge Show depth, breadth & quality of your
reading!
Plagiarism
Using someone’s words or ideas and presenting them as your own (Marshall & Rowland, 1998)
Inappropriate use of ideas from books, articles, internet, or other students’ work
???
Further information http://student-learning.tcd.ie http://owl.english.purdue.edu http://www.learnhigher.ac.uk http://writing.umn.edu Linking words:
http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/Resources/la/QuickClicks%20Repository/LC_worksheet_linking%20words.pdf
http://www.learningdevelopment.plymouth.ac.uk/wrasse/
Crème & Lea (1997). Writing at university.