EAPP REVIEWER again until you understand completely what the

author is saying in the text.

2. Take note of the points that seem important to
the author
STRUCTURE
3. Write the main idea in your own words. Make it
- the arrangement of and relations between the
as concise as you can. Do not include your opinion.
parts or elements of something complex.
4. Revise your writing to be sure your version is
accurate.
Academic text
- The term academic writing refers to the forms of 5. Check if the sequence of the original is exactly
expository and argumentative prose used by the same as the new version.
university students, faculty, and researchers to 6. Reread your precis with a view to cutting its
convey a body of information about a particular length in half.
subject.

- Generally, academic writing is expected to be A GOOD SUMMARY

precise, semi-formal, impersonal, and objective. 1. Read the entire work to see it as a whole
2. Determine the length of your summary
- Academic writing is a process that starts with 3. Apportion your space according to the material
posing a question, problematizing a concept, 4. Select the main points
evaluating an opinion and ends in answering the 5. Omit all extraneous comments.
question or questions posed, clarifying the problem 6. Write the paragraph according to your material
and or arguing for a stand. not the author.
7. Write the summary from the author’s point of
view.
8. Be faithful to the author’s emphasis and
*Academic writing is thinking, you cannot just write
interpretation.
anything that comes to your mind.
9. Use the author’s point of view in a nutshell.

Formal but not pretentious language is required. It should…

Your audience will determine the language of your
a. cover the original as a whole.
paper.
b. be presented in a neutral fashion.
c. be a condensed version of the material presented
STRUCTURE AND FEATURES OF ACADEMIC TEXTS in your own words.
• Complex • Explicit

• Formal • Responsible-clear BAD STRATEGY

• Precise • Accurate - Copy few ideas from the text and delete a few
sentences.
• Hedging-stance
- Include every detail or copy everything that
happens in the story.
- Writing a one sentence summary.
PRECIS
- This word is marked by exactness and accuracy of - Writing your own opinion leaving a cliffhanger
expression or detail ending like, If you want to know what happen, read
the book.

THE SIX STEPS IN WRITING A PRECIS

1. Read the selection carefully. Read again and
* A summary depends on the story.  Drama/Film

 Physical Education & Sports Management

- Finally…
 Journalism/Communications
- In the closing lines, the writer…
- The author concluded by…  Business
- The article ends with …
- The writer’s position is brought to a close by…  Psychology

 Sociology

ACADEMIC FIELDS OF DISCIPLINE

 Physics THESIS STATEMENT
 Astronomy/Space Science - a short statement, usually one sentence, that
 Philosophy summarizes the main point or claim of an essay,
research paper, etc., and is developed, supported,
 Engineering and explained in the text by means of examples and
evidence.
 Mathematics

 History
What is a Thesis Statement?
 Chemistry
- It is a complete sentence that expresses your
 Biology/Life Science position on a given topic
- It narrows down your topic to a specific focus of
 Linguistics
investigation.
 Computer Science - It establishes a direction for the entire paper,
especially if it consists of sub-parts.
 Agriculture
- It is the thread that connects all parts of your
 Geology/Earth Science paper.
 Architecture - It is always stated near the beginning of your
paper
 Literature

 Law What is not a thesis statement?

 Geography - A thesis is never a question; it could be the answer
 Music to a question

 Economics - A thesis is not a statement of purpose.

 Archaeology - A thesis is not simply a topic

 Anthropology

 Religion/Theology

 Art Your thesis should include three components:

 Education

 Political Science • What - claim about the topic

• How - the events, ideas, sources, etc. that you among different species. I will provide examples
choose to prove your claim from different parts of the world and among flora
and fauna to prove my point.”
• Why - The significance of your idea in terms of
understanding your position as a whole ( answers
the dreaded” so what “question) - This sort of thesis statement is more overt in the
sense that it directly articulates the writer's intent.
A thesis statement like this can be especially helpful
Why is it successful? in foreshadowing the structure of your paper and
giving your readers a sense of how your argument
• Answers ‘What’ will look, and what kinds of sources you will be
• Mentions ‘How’ relying on to prove your point. This kind of thesis
statement can be especially helpful if you will be
• States ‘Why’ drawing evidence from a variety of sources.

WHAT TO AVOID TYPES OF EXPLANATIONS

• Sequential – These detail the stages in an event,
• The plot summary thesis
e.g. how a caterpillar turns into a moth.
• Proving the universal

• The overly general thesis • Causal - Details what causes the change from one
stage to the next, e.g. how a president is elected.
• The cliché thesis

• The list thesis

• Theoretical - Details the possible phenomena
behind a natural or created process that is not fully
understood (e.g. what caused the Nazi's to lose
EXAMPLES OF THESIS STATEMENT
World War II).

“While World War I had many causes, the primary • Factorial and consequential explanations
factors leading up to it were a new sense of
- explain effects and outcomes of processes. They
nationalism and an uptick in the development of are more commonly used in upper primary and
technology.” secondary contexts.

For example:
- A thesis statement like this clearly states a specific
argument that the remainder of the paper will be
dedicated to proving using information from  Scientific – e.g. Explain the causes of climate
research. This thesis statement is succinct and change (Factorial)
simple, setting the stage for a straightforward
 Historical – e.g. Explain the causes of World
structure in a history research paper. A paper War 2 (Factorial)
following this statement might include one section
on each of the causes mentioned in the statement,
and the conclusion would summarize the findings. STRONG OPENING STATEMENT
- Identifying the process to be explained. Emphasize
the process rather than the particular thing
“In this paper, I will show that Charles Darwin's involved in the process.
theory of evolution can account for all variations
 field audiences
SEQUENCING

- Use sequential paragraphs or statements Criteria for Clear and simple Depth, logic,
describing how or why something happens. Show Evaluation organization,Visually clarity, unity
connections such as cause and effect or temporal appealing and easy and grammar
sequence. to follow

A strong concluding paragraph or sentence that Graphics, Used very frequently Sometimes used
draws everything together will add more validity to Charts, and to support to help explain
your explanation. Numbers conclusions and
demonstrate
Visuals knowledge

- Use graphic organizers, labelled diagrams and

even videos you are constructing a digital text to
illustrate your understanding.
CHARACTERISTICS OF TECHNICAL WRITING
• Clear, concise and simply organized.
An explanation text is similar to a procedural text,
• Repetitive in nature.
and these can often be confused, however an
• Highly defined structure/format.
explanation text explains the how and why behind a
process such as
Examples: Lab reports, memos, business letters,
A procedural text generally instructs how to make technical reports, and proposals
or do something such as recipe. Although they
appear similar they are very different when
compared side by side. Academic Writing Technical Writing

Looking into the azure The sun set in the west.

An explanation text tells your audience how blue sky one could see
something works or why something happens. the golden orb of sun slip
Explanations detail and logically describe the stages gently beneath the
in a process, such as the water cycle, or how a western sky.
steam engine works. Other examples could be
how a law is made, or why we blink when we Notice that the technical description is clear,
sneeze. concise, and coherent. These three C’s are
trademarks of technical writing.

TECHNICAL WRITING STYLE IN TECHNICAL WRITING

Technical versus Academic • Writers have unique characteristics.

- Sentence structure, word length word choice, and
Technical Academic word order; these are choices we make without
Knowledge You are the expert You are still a being conscious of it. These decisions shape the
learner way we express ourselves
* Style is personal choice, there is no right or wrong
Audience Technical Wide range of here
background, academics and
professionals in the general Tone-Expression of an underlying attitude that can
be: • Elimination of-
• Casual • Requirement of-
• Objective

• Persuasive
Focus on strong verbs!
• Enthusiastic
• Assess
• Serious
• Classify
• Authoritative
• Compute
• Friendly
• Develop
**Always present your material in a positive light.
• Eliminate
Never let the negative be presented.
• Require

CLARITY AND COHESION Conciseness Tips

The following tips lend themselves to better clarity • Shorten wordy phrases
and cohesion in technical writing. • Replace long words with short ones
• Leave out clichés
• Cut out extra words that are redundant
SENTENCE TIPS
• Place the main point at the beginning of the Language Use Tips
sentence • Distinguish facts from opinions
**Don’t make the reader work to find it.
• Include supportive statements when necessary
• Choose your words carefully
• Use one main clause in each sentence • Avoid using words like “always” and
**more becomes confusing. “never”—these box the writer in and create finality

• Examine your copy to make sure you vary the ACTIVE VOICE
sentence length –but aim for 15-20 words per
- emphasizes the doer or the subject
sentence. If you use the same length sentences,
“Joe delivered the pizza within the specified time
the text becomes tedious to read
frame.”
- Active voice uses one verb “delivered” compared
CONCISENESS TIPS to passive voice which uses a form of the verb “to
- Avoid the repeated use of pronouns, this confuses be” + the verb---”was delivered”
the reader. Only use a pronoun immediately - Almost all technical writing should be done in the
following the noun it represents. Try to use active voice, except lab reports.
specific nouns such as the person’s name, or the
specific piece of equipment, etc. In place of Active Voice helps:
abstract nouns • Create less wordy sentences
• Places emphasis on the subject—e.g. company or
person’s name

Abstract Nouns PASSIVE VOICE

• Assessment of- - emphasizes the recipient of the action
• Classification of- • Verbs with the “to be” form
• Computation of- • Emphasize the receiver of the action
• Development of- • Avoid repetitious use of “I” and names
 often used when preparing a traditional essay.
TECHNICAL WRITING
• Provides clear communication in the workplace
• Has unique format and a specific style of writing
• Creates clarity, conciseness and coherency in
writing

1.0
SUMMARISING 1.1
1.2
How to format an essay outline
1.2.1
An essay follows this format:
1. Introduction - including something to get the
reader's interest
REACTION PAPER
2. thesis statement- usually a statement that has
three points you're going to talk about in your essay A reaction paper or response paper requires the
3. Body of the essay or paper writer to analyze a text, then develop commentary
4. Point 1, with 2 or 3 examples to back-up what related to it.
you are talking about
5. Point 2, including a few that prove what you are It is a popular academic assignment because it
talking about requires thoughtful reading, research and writing.
6. Point 3, with a few examples to show what you
are talking about
7. Conclusion - Summary or re-state your points TIPS IN WRITING REACTION PAPER
and including a 'kicker' to give the essay meaning. 1) Understand the purpose of reaction paper.

2) Reaction or response paper allows allow you

OUTLINING think carefully about the text strength and
Alphanumeric Outlines weaknesses.
This is the most common type of outline and usually
3) Read the text you are assigned right after it is
instantly recognizable to most people. The
assigned.
formatting follows these characters, in this order:
Roman Numerals 4) Write down your initial reactions.
Capitalized Letters
5) Annotate the text as you read.
Arabic Numerals
Lowercase Letters 6) Question as you read
If the outline needs to subdivide beyond these
divisions, use Arabic numerals inside parentheses • What issues or problems does the author
and then lowercase letters inside parentheses. address?

• What is author's main point?

1. Alpha numeric outline/Full outline
2. Decimal outline • What points or assumptions does the author
make, and how she back that up?

Full Sentence Outlines. The full • What are strengths and weaknesses? Where are
sentence outline format is essentially the same as problems with the argument?
the Alphanumeric outline. The main difference (as • How do the texts relate? (if multiple texts)
the title suggests) is that full sentences are required
at each level of the outline. This outline is most
• How do these ideas context to the overall ideas of Claim
the class/unit/etc.
-Point your arguing. Claims are not facts but rather
conclusions that the writer draws from factors.

Fact - a statement in which experiences and Academic Argumentation

experiments can be proven true.
-deals with any question that does not have a
Opinion - a view or a guess which may be true straightforward answer.

Persuade - to cause (someone) to do something by -a claim can be any statement that you must
asking, arguing, or giving reasons support with evidence. Most academic claims are
about anything that can be question within a
-to cause (someone) to believing something
discipline.
-heart
Explanation
Convince - to cause someone (someone) to believe
-the reasoning or rationale for why your evidence
something is true.
support your claim. Even when your evidence
-to cause (someone to agree to do something. seems to obviously support your claim, you should
explain the connection to your reader as clearly as
-mind. possible.

Original Passage
CONVINCING -Editing has indeed a remarkable place in writing
Steps in Convincing process. To prove one's work is the goal of any
writer. Putting this stage, he or she keep several
• Make good arguments drafts of his or her work to achieve a near perfect
• Develop your reasoning or any almost error-free composition.

• Back up your reasoning with vivid evidence and

example Note: Lifting passages from other people's works
• Give an idea and gain a mile and passing form as own to serious offense called
PLAGIARISM.
• Studying your argument

WRITING A REACTION PAPER, REVIEW OR

ELEMENTS OF A WRITTEN ARGUMENT CRITIQUE
Parts of a Written Argument -a very important expository discourse that
students must know how to write is the reaction
1) Claim - a point you are arguing (based on your
paper or review or critique. It is mainly written to
influence)
communicate a fair assessment of situation, people,
2) Evidence - the sources you use to support your events, and literary and artistic works and
claim (observation) performances.

3) Explanation - the reasoning for why your

evidence support your claim.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING THE REACTION
PAPER/REVIEW/CRITIQUES
CLAIM AND EXPLANATION 1) Value communicated
2) Basic Content • Term being defined= genus + differentia
Definition: a mode of paragraph dev’t+ that answer
3) Models of Ordering
the questions: what is it, what does it mean, what
4) Basic Qualities of a Good Reaction Paper are its special features
• An extended definition is needed to define
5) Basic Qualities of an Adequate Critical abstract concepts. It allows you to broaden your
Judgement definition by using analogy, metaphor, comparison
and contrast, descriptions, analysis, functions,
etymology, and semantic origin.
MOVIE REVIEW

1) View the film. The concept paper defines an idea and explains its
2) Express your opinion essence in order to clarify the “whatness“ of that
idea or concept. A concept paper starts with a
3) Avoid Spoiler - careless, thoughtless, revelation definition ,either formal or informal, of the term or
of key plot points the concept and proceeds with an expanded
definition and an analytic description of the aspects
4) Judge the story
of the concept.
5) Is the storyline logical?

6) Rate the actors GUIDELINES IN EVALUATING THE CONCEPT PAPER

1) Content
7) Evaluate the technical elements.
1. Is the thesis of the essay clear?
2. Is there a reason for the essay? What is the
significance of the topic?
WRITING A FORMALIST LITERARY ANALYSIS
3. Is the topic sufficiently researched?
- Kind of poem, lyric, epic, etc., tone, words, 4. Are the details relevant to the thesis?
imagery, figures of speech, sound, symbol, form,
rhythm 2) Organization

- Using formalism, a critic can show how the various 1. Is the lead interesting?
parts of a work are welded together to make an 2. Are the major points clear
organic whole. 3. Is there a coherent and logical sequencing of
ideas?
- This approach examines a text as a self-contained 4. Is the conclusion appropriate and satisfying?
object; it does not; therefore concern itself with 5. Is the focus clearly defined?
biographical information about the author,
historical events outside of the story, or literary
collisions, mythological patterns or psychoanalytical 3) Language and style
traits. a. Is the language consistent in relation to the
content of the essay?/consistent language
- A formalist critic examines the form of the work as throughout/
a whole, the form of each individual part of the b. Who is the author? Can you see him/her?
text/the individual scenes and chapters, and the Hear his/her voice as a writer?
elements of story or the text/selection. c.Are the sentences well-constructed?

d. Are words appropriately used?

CONCEPT PAPER
e. Is grammar-agreement, tense, articles, pronouns, 8) By analogy or metaphor
prepositions-correct?
Ex: The germs and bacteria or antigens are like a
gang of villains invading our body, attacking our
TECHNIQUES IN WRITING A CONCEPT PAPER unseen defenders, the layers of macrophages,
cytokines, and lymphocytes.
1) Formal - follow the pattern or equation:

term + genus + differencia (differentiating

characters) 9) By contrast - uses opposites

Ex: A robot is a machine that looks like a human Ex: Unlike those of gas, the particles of plasma are
being and performs complex acts of a human being. electrically charged.

2) By synonym - using a word or phrase that shares 10) By negation - stating what a term is not
a meeting with the term being defined.
Ex: Wild rice, an American delicacy, is not a rice
Ex: hashish - marijuana after all but the seed of a fail aquatic grass.

3) By origin or semantic history More techniques:

Ex: Yoga comes from the Sanskrit "to join" • Examples

• Common Usage

4) By illustration • Authority

Ex: Known for their shedding their leaves in the fall, • Operation
deciduous trees include oaks, maples, and beeches.
• Etymology

• History
5) By function
• Cause and Effect
Ex: A thermometer measures temperature change.
• Description

• Classification
6) By analysis - (breaking down wholes into parts,
• Comparison
aspects into levels, and a process into steps)
• Denotation
Ex: The republican form of government had three
executive branches: the executive, the legislative • Connotation
and the judiciary.
• Extension and Intention

7) By likeness or similarity

Ex: Brighter than 100 millions suns,, quasars stand

like beacons on the shore of the universe.