Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector

Academic Writing

Workshop

2

Workshop Structure:

Understanding the assignment brief – deconstruction

Research – finding sources

Making lists & taking notes from your research

The essay plan

Essay structure and grammar

Harvard Referencing

3

Deconstructing the Assignment Brief:

Task 1 - Assessment criteria 1.1 and 1.2 (Essay - [word count - 1000]) Hand-in date w/c 24 February 2014

For this task you need to show that you understand models of reflection on which you can draw. You should explain how you use them in your reflections on your practice and professional development and explain why you have chosen to use a particular model, or models.Your essay should cover the following points: Analysis and evaluation of a range of theories, principles and models of

reflective practice. Using your research, contrast and compare the theories, principles and models

to enable you to select a model, or models, for your own use and justify your choice.

Provide examples of how you currently apply, or intend to apply, this model, or models.

1.1 Evaluate theories, principles and models of reflective practice

1.2Explain how theories, principles and models of reflective practice can be applied to own continuing personal and professional development

4

Finding and selecting sources (books, articles, other)

– Compile a preliminary bibliography – Select from the preliminary list

The basis for your first evaluation

– Age– Relevance– Generality / Specificity– Reputation – Bias – Length

How Do I Take Notes?

• Record the title, author, publisher, publication date, and page number(s).

• Skim the material again.• Look at any charts, graphs, or illustrations.• Locate the main ideas and list them.• Begin to record the supporting facts.• Decide: quote, summarise, or paraphrase• Does it support my point or go against it? +/-

How Do I Synthesize Information?

• Summarize

• Paraphrase

• Quote

• Summarise • Similar to paraphrase but usually shorter

• Steps to Summarise:• Find the main idea• Keep most important supporting ideas and

major details• Rewrite sentences in your own words • Leave out unimportant words and emphasise

the most important ideas.• Use transition words• A third as long as the original material

How Do I Paraphrase?

• Read the entire passage.

• Convert the author’s words into your own words.

• Use all the information in your essay.

• Provide the proper citation.

How Do I Quote?

• Read the entire passage.• Record the author’s words exactly as written in your paper

or project.• Enclose the sentence or passage in quotation marks.• Provide the proper citation.

Rules for Using Quotations

Use a direct quotation if:

• The author’s original words are noteworthy, unusual, or powerful.

• You intend to analyze the information contained in the passage.

• You do not want the author’s message to be misunderstood.

• Quotations cannot stand alone and must be accompanied by your original words.

Include your own commentary, analysis, and reaction.

• Vary the way that you use quotations.

One or two words, a single sentence, or an entire passage or paragraph.

Rules for Using Quotations

Quote

Introduce Point

Reason for quote

Quotations

Example:

• Introduce Point: The difference between web surfing and channel surfing is important when trying to figure out which medium has more surfing.

• Quote: According to Steven Johnson, “Web surfing and channel surfing are genuinely difference pursuits; to imagine them as equivalents is to ignore the defining characteristics of each medium” (Stanley, 2010 p.107).

• Reason for quote: Understanding the differences between web and channel surfing and their mediums, allows researchers other characteristics to keep in mind when comparing the two mediums.

Differences between quoting, paraphrasing, and summarising

• Quotations: identical to the original

• Paraphrasing: putting a passage from source

material into your own words

• Summarising: putting the main idea(s) into

your own words, including only the main point(s)

Definition of Plagiarism

• Polite term for copying.

• The unacknowledged use of someone else’s

words or ideas.

Actions that might be seen as plagiarism

Buying, stealing, or borrowing a paper

Using the source too closely

when paraphrasing

Hiring someone to write your paper

Building on someone's ideas without citation

Copying from another source without citing (on purpose or by accident)

Deliberate plagiarism Accidental plagiarism

Why Should I Make an essay plan?

• To organize your thinking.• To eliminate any information or ideas that do

not support your topic. • To guide the flow of your paper.• To mark when you have reached the end of

your writing.– “failing to plan is planning to fail” (Lakein, n.d.)

• Do not copy information straight from the article or book.

• Put quotation marks around any direct quotes to avoid plagiarism.

• Remember to summarize or paraphrase the information.

• Use the dictionary to define any words that you do not recognize.

Some key points to remember:

Examples of how to write in 3rd Person

• It is generally believed / held / argued /

acknowledged that . . . . . . .

• A commonly held opinion is that . . . . . .

• Doctors/ teachers / scientists have said that . .

― One, he, she, it, his, her, hers, its, him, her, they,

them, their, theirs

Examples of how to write in 1st Person

• In my lessons I usually. . . . . . .

• At Prism we review our learners’ progress. . . . .

.

• Our policy is to. . …..

― I, we, me, us, my, mine, our, ours

Examples of how to write in 2nd Person

• “…. my fellow Americans, ask not what your country

can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” –

John F. Kennedy , 1961

• When producing lesson plans you may find it easier to. .

• A commonly held opinion is that . . . . . .

• Doctors/ teachers / scientists have said that . .

— you, your, yours, yourselves

Supporting your own arguments and claims – it’s what makes academic writing “academic”!

“Your argument is your reasoned answer to

the essay question, supported by evidence

of academic research.” (Reid et al, n.d.)

Referencing

• What is Referencing?– An important part of academic writing. – A way of referring to the work of others to

provide evidence and support.• Why Reference? …….. To avoid plagiarism– (a) all sources used must be cited in the text. A

full list of sources cited must be included in the reference list.

– (b) accuracy and consistency.– (c) use Harvard style of referencing

Referencing

Bibliography and/or Reference List?

• ReferencesA reference list refers to all the books, articles and websites referred to in an assignment.

• BibliographyA bibliography refers to the list of all the sources used, even if not cited . Includes reference list plus all read material.

Referencing

• Harvard style referencing rules– List sources alphabetically by surname of author– Chronological listing for more than one work for one

author– Separate elements by commas – Author’s surname appears first followed by author’s

initials, separated by a comma– Author’s initials are followed by a full stop but no

spacing– The citation ends in a full stop– Separate names by commas for more than one

author – Include all necessary information. Be consistent

and accurate.

Referencing

• Reference lists for different entries – Book

Brown, J. 1998, Essay Writing for University Students, Sage, London.

(Separate names for more than one author by commas).Brown, J., Smith, L., & Jones, P. 1998, How to Write Good Essays, Sage, London.

and finally!:• use evidence to support your statements • state your opinion without being personal • 'hedge your bets' • avoided informal language including:

– No slang words– No contractions– No abbreviation– No colloquialisms– No informal vocabulary

• use subject specific conventions • write eloquently • check your spelling and grammar