Academic Writing

Topics:1.Supplies2.Using a Dictionary3.Presentation4.Error Correction5.Summarizing vs. Plagiarising

1. Supplies

• Pencil and Eraser (hmmm, I wonder why?)

• Notebook- To use for all note-taking

and in-class writing so you can keep it as a reference

- Also pages should be removable to be given to the teacher if wanted.

• Writing Textbook

2. Using a Dictionary• What are the benefits and drawbacks

to using a dictionary while writing? • Consider monolingual and bilingual

dictionaries as well as book and electronic forms.

• Brainstorm ideas with a partner.

2. Using a DictionaryPROS (+)Learn new wordsLearn synonymsLearn collocationsCheck spellingIt should be a dictionary that provides English synonyms and sample sentences. A Turkish-English dictionary is not sufficient because it doesn’t help you to learn the word completely.

CONS (-)Develop dependenceWaste timeOnly learn translationsNot always available

It may be beneficial to use a dictionary in the early stages of learning to write, but you should try to develop independent writing skills with time.

2. Using a Dictionary

• You can’t find a word by only looking at the Turkish/English translation.

• You also must check the word in the English dictionary and see it used in a sentence.

• Doing this extra step helps you to learn the word rather than just use in at the moment.

3. Presentation• Take some pride in the

appearance of the work you create.

• All homework should be done on a clean, whole piece of A4 paper.

• Whenever possible, homework

should be done on a computer, and printed out to hand in. Handwritten work is only acceptable if it is neatly written.

Handwriting! If your teacher can’t read

your handwriting, s/he can’t give you feedback.

These are examples of unacceptable handwriting for homework assignments.

3. Presentation

Double SpacingWhen writing anything that you want your teacher to give you feedback on (comments, corrections, praise, or advice), you should leave enough space for the teacher to also write on the paper. In this text, there is no space for someone to add any comments or corrections.

The best way to get

feedback is to leave

space for comments by

double spacing your

writing, like this. It takes

more space but its worth

it.

When typing, use a line height setting of 2.0 or higher. When handwriting, use every other line on your notebook paper.

3. Presentation

ProofreadingProfreading mean checkingwhat you rite afterwards you wrote it, looking for misteaks in spellling , grammmmar; punctuation. structure, nd content…

If yo tape your homework in a computer,your profreading can do wit the spellchecker availible in wrdprocessing softyear.

Yur langage must be set to Inglish!

Writing ALWAYS requires proofreading. Your teacher’s job is not to correct every single mistake you make, it is to focus on the most important issues. It is YOUR JOB to make your writing as good as you can before you hand it in.3. Presentation

ProofreadingProofreading mean checking what you write after you write it, looking for mistakes in spellling, grammar, punctuation, structure, and content.

If you type your homework on a computer, you can do your proofreading with the spellchecker available in word processing software.

Your language must be set to English!

This version looks a lot better, doesn’t it? There is a difference between errors made because you are learning the language and errors made because you aren’t careful. BE CAREFUL.3. Presentation

Punctuation – Typing Basics. period / full stop – use at the end of a sentence. There should be no space between the final word of the sentence and the period. There should be one space after the period and before the next sentence.

, comma – use in the middle of a sentence to separate clauses. When used, there should be no space between the word and the comma, and there should be one space after the comma.

Get in the habit of using these correctly and your writing will look much better! This is not just important for academic writing, but also for professional-looking email.

3. Presentation

4. Error Correction Methods1. Using correction codes2. Only correcting one type of problem3. Just highlighting4. Peer correction

Your teacher will use a variety of different

techniques to help you improve your

writing. The four above are the most

common.

4. Error Correction Methods1. Using correction codes – the teacher will

write these codes on your paper to help you identify your mistakes. You should use these when rewriting.

sp = spelling error

s/p = singular/plural error

vt = verb tense problem

wf = wrong form of the word used (noun, verb, adj)

ww = the word chosen is not suitable for the sentence

bw = there is a better word that you should know.

4. Error Correction Methods2. Only correcting one type of problem. Your teacher may choose to focus on just one aspect of your writing to help you improve in that area.

• Structure - how your writing is organized

• Content – the ideas included in your writing

• Grammar – the accuracy of your writing

• Vocabulary – the variety and choice of words

4. Error Correction Methods3. Just highlighting. After your teacher has used correction codes for a while, s/he might just use highlighting so that you can recognize your own mistakes, especially if you have been repeatedly making the same mistakes without improvement.

4. Error Correction Methods4. Peer correction

Working with classmates to review and correct

each other’s writing can be beneficial for:

- proofreading practice

- seeing other writing styles

- teaching each other details that might

have been missed in lessons

- sharing vocabulary

4. Error Correction – Purpose??

No matter what error correction method is

used, the only way to improve your writing is

to USE the feedback and REWRITE your

assignments. • On a separate piece of paper, rewrite the sentences or sections that had the worst mistakes. Then, submit these changes to your teacher.

• Writing is NEVER a “do it once and it’s done” activity. Writing is a process that requires continuous practice and improvement.

5. Summarizing and Plagiarism

Your writing must be in your own words. Even if you use resources (newspapers, books, the internet) to find information, you MUST rephrase and rewrite what you read. In other words…

SUMMARIZE, DON’T PLAGIARIZE.

5. Summarizing and Plagiarism

Original Text: Knossos is one of the major archaeological sites in Greece in terms of its importance and interest to the visitor. This is because the mighty city of Minos, one of the first cities on European soil, was a centre which radiated the light of one of the most brilliant civilizations of Greek and European prehistory – the Minoans. The ruins of this city stand as irrefutable witnesses of its ancient splendour.

Student Version. Is this acceptable?The city of Knossos is one of the major archaeological sites in Greece and attracts many visitors each year. This is because of the famous stories of King Minos, Theseus, the Minotaur, and Ariadne. It was one of the first cities on European soil and was the center of one of the most brilliant civilizations of Greek prehistory - the Minoans. From what remains of this city, we can learn much about the splendour of this great ancient civilization.

5. Summarizing and Plagiarism

Original Text: Knossos is one of the major archaeological sites in Greece in terms of its importance and interest to the visitor. This is because the mighty city of Minos, one of the first cities on European soil, was a centre which radiated the light of one of the most brilliant civilizations of Greek and European prehistory – the Minoans. The ruins of this city stand as irrefutable witnesses of its ancient splendour.

Student Version. Is this acceptable? NOThe city of Knossos is one of the major archaeological sites in Greece and attracts many visitors each year. This is because of the famous stories of King Minos, Theseus, the Minotaur, and Ariadne. It was one of the first cities on European soil and was the center of one of the most brilliant civilizations of Greek prehistory - the Minoans. From what remains of this city, we can learn much about the splendour of this great ancient civilization.

5. Summarizing and Plagiarism

Original Text: Knossos is one of the major archaeological sites in Greece in terms of its importance and interest to the visitor. This is because the mighty city of Minos, one of the first cities on European soil, was a centre which radiated the light of one of the most brilliant civilizations of Greek and European prehistory – the Minoans. The ruins of this city stand as irrefutable witnesses of its ancient splendour.

Student Version. Is this acceptable?Knossos, an archaeologically important ancient city, is very popular with tourists. This is because of the famous stories of King Minos, Theseus, the Minotaur, and Ariadne. Knossos was one of the earliest European cities, and was an important center for Minoan civilization. From what remains of this city, we can learn much about the splendour of this great ancient Greek civilization.

5. Summarizing and Plagiarism

Original Text: Knossos is one of the major archaeological sites in Greece in terms of its importance and interest to the visitor. This is because the mighty city of Minos, one of the first cities on European soil, was a centre which radiated the light of one of the most brilliant civilizations of Greek and European prehistory – the Minoans. The ruins of this city stand as irrefutable witnesses of its ancient splendour.

Student Version. Is this acceptable? YESKnossos, an archaeologically important ancient city, is very popular with tourists. This is because of the famous stories of King Minos, Theseus, the Minotaur, and Ariadne. Knossos was one of the earliest European cities, and was an important center for Minoan civilization. From what remains of this city, we can learn much about the splendour of this great ancient Greek civilization.

5. Summarizing and Plagiarism

To avoid plagiarism, use your note-taking skills:

• Read your information source completely to understand what it is saying.

• Read it again and take brief notes on the important points. Note down useful vocabulary words.

• Close the original source and use your notes to write your own sentences.

5. Summarizing and Plagiarism

Practice 1: Read this short text and write 2-3 sentences on the same topic in your own words.

Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body and diminishes a person’s overall health. Smoking is a leading cause of cancer and heart disease. Smoking are also at higher risk of developing pneumonia and other breathing problems. A pregnant smoker is at higher risk of having her baby born too early and with an abnormally low birth weight. A woman who smokes during or after pregnancy increases her infant’s risk of death from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

5. Summarizing and Plagiarism

Practice 2: Read this short text and write 2-3 sentences on the same topic in your own words.

One obvious benefit of playing video games is enhanced manual dexterity. One study done on surgeons supports this idea, demonstrating a significant increase in surgical skill and reduction in errors among the surgeons who played games. The same study showed how video games can also improve cognitive skills, and another paper demonstrating that game-based learning can support scientific thinking.

Ok, now you’re ready to write!