BBA111Week4.pptx
- 1. WRITING Writing is a system of graphic symbols that can be used to convey meaning. It is the act of composing a text that uses and is affected by Alphabet, Graphemics, Handwriting, Ideogram, Language, etc. Richard Nordquist, 2019. Therefore, it is the process of using symbols (letters of the alphabet, punctuation and spaces) to communicate thoughts and ideas in a readable form. Writing is the fourth of the four language skills, which are: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. Good writing reveals a structure or organization that is logical and effective. The order of ideas and the way the writer moves from one idea to the next is felt natural. The sentence fluency of good writing feels natural, smooth and expressive.
- 2. Academic Writing Academic writing is clear, concise, focussed, structured and backed up by evidence. Its purpose is to aid the reader’s understanding. It has a formal tone and style, but it is not complex and does not require the use of long sentences and complicated vocabulary. Academic writing is a formal style of writing used in universities and scholarly publications. You’ll encounter it in journal articles and books on academic topics, and you’ll be expected to write your essays, research papers, and dissertation in academic style. Academic writing follows the same writing process as other types of texts, but it has specific conventions in terms of content, structure and style.
- 3. Academic writing is… Academic writing is not… •Formal and unbiased •Clear and precise •Focused and well structured •Well sourced •Correct and consistent •Personal •Long-winded •Emotive and grandiose Types of Academic Writing Academics mostly write texts intended for publication, such as journal articles, reports, books, and chapters in edited collections. For students, the most common types of academic writing assignments are listed below.
- 4. Type of Academic Text Definition Essay A fairly short, self-contained argument, often using sources from a class in response to a question provided by an instructor. Research paper A more in-depth investigation based on independent research, often in response to a question chosen by the student. Thesis/dissertation The large final research project undertaken at the end of a degree, usually on a topic of the student’s choice. Research proposal An outline of a potential topic and plan for a future dissertation or
- 5. Type of Academic Text Definition Literature review A critical synthesis of existing research on a topic, usually written in order to inform the approach of a new piece of research. Lab report A write-up of the aims, methods, results and conclusions of a lab experiment. Annotated bibliography A list of source references with a short description or evaluation of each source.
- 6. Characteristics of Academic Writing Planned and focused: answers the question and demonstrates an understanding of the subject. Structured: is coherent, written in a logical order, and brings together related points and material. Evidenced: demonstrates knowledge of the subject area, supports opinions and arguments with evidence, and is referenced accurately. Formal in tone and style: uses appropriate language and tenses, and is clear, concise and balanced.
- 7. To write clearly it is essential to understand the basic system of a language. In English this includes knowledge of grammar, punctuation and sentence structure. Vocabulary is also necessary, as is correct spelling and formatting. The 7 Cs of Professional Writing 1) Clear: involves knowing what you want to say, matches vocabulary to the audience, avoiding jargon and unnecessary technical or obscure language while at the same time being precise. 2) Coherent: ensures the reader can easily follow your ideas and your train of thought. Uses transitional words and phrases, structural markers, planned repetition, sentences with clear subjects, headings that are clear, and effective and parallel lists. 3) Concise: uses the least words possible to convey the most meaning while still maintaining clarity. Avoid unnecessary padding, awkward phrasing, overuse of “to be” forms (is, are, was, were, am, be, being), long preposition strings, vagueness, unnecessary repetition and redundancy.
- 8. 4) Concrete: involves using specific, precise language to paint a picture for your readers so that they can more easily understand your ideas. Use measurable descriptors whenever possible; avoid vague terms like “big” or “good.” Try to get your readers to “see” your ideas by using specific terms and descriptions. 5) Correct: uses standard English punctuation, sentence structure, usage, and grammar. Being correct also means providing accurate information, as well as using the right document type and form for the task. 6) Complete: includes all requested information and answers all relevant questions. The more concrete and specific you are, the more likely your document will be complete as well. Review your checklist of specifications before submitting your document to its intended reader. 7) Courteous: entails designing a reader-friendly, easy-to-read document; using tactful language and appropriate modes of addressing the audience; and avoiding potentially offensive terminology, usage, and tone. Suggest Site: https://mosroncommunications.wordpress.com/2015/03/05/10- techniques-for-more-precise-writing/
- 9. Essay Writing Developing the skill of essay writing takes practice, time and patience, your essay writing skills will improve and develop the more you write. The Purpose of an Essay Essays, and other academic writing, focus the mind and encourage you to come to conclusions about what you are studying. Writing is often the best possible way to assimilate and organise information. Writing helps to highlight any areas that you have not fully understood and enables you to make further clarifications. It develops your powers of criticism, analysis and expression, and gives you a chance to try out your and other writers' ideas on the subject. The feedback you receive from the marker of your essay should help to advance your study skills, writing, research and critical thinking skills.
- 10. What is the Marker Looking For? When marking an assignment, a marker will look for some of the following elements, which will demonstrate you are able to: Find relevant information and use the knowledge to focus on the essay question or subject. Structure knowledge and information logically, clearly and concisely. Read purposefully and critically. Relate theory to practical examples. Analyse processes and problems. Be persuasive and argue a case. Find links and combine information from a number of different sources.
- 11. Planning Your Essay A well-planned and organised essay indicates that you have your ideas in order; it makes points clearly and logically. In this way, a well-planned and structured essay enables the reader, or marker, to follow the points being made easily. Essay assignments are usually formulated in one of the following ways: As a question A statement is given and you are asked to comment on it An invitation to ‘outline’, ‘discuss’ or ‘critically assess’ a particular argument or point of view Remember always write your essay based on the question that is set and not on another aspect of the subject. Although this may sound obvious, many students do not fully answer the essay question and include irrelevant information. The primary aim of an academic essay is to answer the task set, in some detail.
- 12. Sources of Information Being able to research and use materials which back up your study or offer different interpretations of your study area is an essential aspect of studying and learning. Sources of information include: the internet, newspapers, journals, transcripts from radio or TV programmes, leaflets, photographs and other artefacts (man-made objects). These sources are divided into: 1. Primary Documents - A primary document is a document that was written at the time of an event or period of research. 2. Secondary Documents - A secondary document is written after an event - usually the authors will not have witnessed the event themselves.
- 13. 3. Secondary Documents - A secondary document is written after an event - usually the authors will not have witnessed the event themselves. 4. Tertiary Documents - Tertiary documents usually act as pointers to primary and secondary documents. They are indexes, directories, bibliographies and other categorised collections of information. 5. Other NOTEABLE sources of information include Library, Internet, Bibliographies, Colleagues, MENTORS, ETC.
- 14. Structuring Your Essay An essay should be written in a flowing manner with each sentence following on logically from the previous one and with appropriate signposts to guide the reader. An essay usually takes the following structured format: 1. The introduction - introduce the subject, to explain how you understand the question, and describe briefly how you intend to deal with it. 2. The main body: a development of the issues - back up the points you wish to make from your experience with the findings of other published researchers and writers. 3. A conclusion - sum up or draw a conclusion from your argument or comparison of viewpoints. 4. A list of references of the sources of information you have used - include a reference list or bibliography at the end of your work to avoid being accused of plagiarism.
- 15. Constructing Paragraphs Paragraphs show when you have come to the end of one main point and the beginning of the next. A paragraph is a group of sentences related to aspects of the same point. Within each individual paragraph an idea is introduced and developed through the subsequent sentences within that paragraph. Make the first sentence, your topic sentence. Provide support via the middle sentences. Make your last sentence a conclusion or transition. Know when to start a new paragraph. Use transition words.
- 16. Report Writing In academia there is some overlap between reports and essays, and the two words are sometimes used interchangeably, but reports are more likely to be needed for business, scientific and technical subjects, and in the workplace. Whereas an essay presents arguments and reasoning, a report concentrates on facts. Essentially, a report is a short, sharp, concise document which is written for a particular purpose and audience. Reports may contain some or all of the following elements: A description of a sequence of events or a situation;
- 17. Some interpretation of the significance of these events or situation, whether solely your own analysis or informed by the views of others, always carefully referenced of course (see our page on academic referencing for more information); An evaluation of the facts or the results of your research; Discussion of the likely outcomes of future courses of action; Your recommendations as to a course of action; and Conclusions.