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

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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.