Transcript AEP: Boot Camp Session October, 2013

AEP: MKT-2290
November, 2013
Academic Writing
Faiza Umar
Objectives for today:
By the end of today’s session you should have an
understanding and practice of:
• Conventions of Academic Writing
• How to analyse essay questions
• Planning your essay
• Paragraphing
• Referencing and Plagiarism
Academic writing -overview
Personal Writing
Tells a story
Non-technical vocabulary
(often informal)
‘I’ at the centre
Information comes from the
writer’s experience
Personal views and feelings
Academic Writing
Comments, evaluates,
analyses
Subject-specific vocabulary
(formal)
‘I’ as observer and
commentator
Information comes from
sources and refers to what
others say
Evidence and arguments
Conventions for citation
Conventions of academic
language
• Avoid slang or colloquial terms
– E.g. ‘kids’, ‘
• Use 3rd person - NOT ‘I think that...’ BUT ‘It is well
recognised that...’
• Use the passive voice- NOT ‘The students collected
the data...’ BUT ‘the data was collected (by the
students)
• Avoid personal pronouns
• Avoid rhetorical questions – rephrase, use ‘whether’
Academic language
• Avoid contractions – don’t, won’t, can’t
• Avoid abbreviations
– E.g. ‘etc.’ – use for example, ...among others
• Use the Harvard Referencing System
• Pay attention to grammar and punctuation!
• The best way to write in an academic style is
to READ academic work
The Process of writing
PREPARE
RESEARCH
WRITE
•Making a timeline
•Reading
(broadly)
•Plan
•Draft
•Analysis of the
question
•Taking a stand
•Re-draft
•Reading
(narrowly)
•Final edit
Features of a good essay
• Correctly interprets the essay question on a
topic and answers it fully.
• Puts forward a well thought out argument and
line of reasoning rather than merely
reproducing information from source material.
• Treats the topic in sufficient depth, with
evidence of thought research
• Is cohesive, i.e,. ‘hangs together as a whole,
and is logically structured
• Provides references of source material, in the
required referencing style.
• Keeps to the word limit, without being
substantially under or over.
• Demonstrates interest in and enthusiasm for,
the topic
• Follows the conventions of academic writing
at university level.
(Hunter, 2009)
Step1-Prepare: how to analyse the
essay question
‘Understanding the question is half an answer’
(Socrates,n.d.)
Which methods have you used so far to
understand a question that has been set to you?
Step1-Prepare: how to analyse
essay questions:
http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/Includes/Static/Online
%20learning/Analysing%20questions/Story.ht
ml
Task 2:
Take notes while watching the video. You will be
asked related questions afterwards
Task 2: In your groups, analyse the
questions given, using the method
discussed in the video.
Key Terms
Which words matter the most, give clues
and can be used as research terms?
Topic
What is the broad area of interest?
Focus
What is the narrow area of interest? What
should you NOT focus on
Comment word
(e.g. discuss, analyse, evaluate)
What kind of research will be needed?
Perspective
How will you carry out the research? Rewrite the brief as a set of instructions.
Step 2-Research: Gathering and
Organising Information
STEP 1
HOW CAN I ORGANISE THIS?
I have analysed the title , so what
information do I need to look for?
Mind maps
lists
STEP 2
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Where can I look to get this information?
Information from student handbook
Lecture notes
Unit handouts
Recommended reading list; book
Journals
Databases; online search engines
STEP 3
What is the best way of organising the
information, once it is collected?
HOW CAN I ORGANISE THIS?
Index cards
Information grids
Bibliographic software
Step 2-Research: Gathering and
Organising Information
You have already analysed the questions. What
kind of information do you think you will require
for this particular assignment?
Class discussion
Step 2-Research: From reading to
note-taking to writing
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•
•
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Read with a focus
Underline/highlight
Take notes
Organize your notes into the planned
structure of your essay
• Write up from your notes and NOT using
copy/paste (unless you want to make a direct
quotation)
Step 2-Research – take a stand!
• After you have done some
broad reading, you need to
develop your standpoint or
point of view
• Do some narrow reading to
support your point of view
or argument
• Develop points of argument
based on the evidence you
have collected.
Step 3-Writing: making a plan
Step 3-Writing: structuring an
essay
• 1 x Introduction
• 3-4 x paragraphs in support of your
opinion / side of the argument
• 2-3x paragraph for counterargument
and refutation
• 1 x Conclusion
Introduction
Your introduction should:
• Introduce the topic of the essay OR Explain
the purpose of the report
• Give a general background to the topic
• Explain the objectives
• Indicate the overall plan of the essay or
report
• Gain the reader’s attention.
• Contain a thesis statement.
Writing a thesis statement
A thesis statement:
• Answers the question posed by providing a brief
summary of the main points
• leaves the reader in no doubt as to what the
essay/report is about and what your opinion is
• E.g. ‘Thus this paper will demonstrate that although
extrinsic factors, such as monetary rewards, are
motivators in the workplace, in fact intrinsic
motivating factors, such as recognition and selfesteem, are more important to job satisfaction.’
Main Body
• Structure around key issues / points /
arguments
• Each paragraph should contain a new
argumentative point.
• Use linking devices and transition signals:
When, after, before, then, next, first, second, last
However, nevertheless, although, while, in contrast
And, or, similarly, incidentally, furthermore, in
addition, for example …
• The paragraphs should be structured according
to the P.E.E format.
Paragraphing: Point-EvidenceExplanation
• Point: This is the topic of your paragraph: the
point that you are making
• Evidence: This is the evidence that you will
use, from your research, to support your point
• Explanation: here you need to relate the point
you were making to the example you have
given. This explains to the reader why you
have used that quotation/paraphrase.
P E E: An Example
‘Stealing is always wrong’ Discuss with reference to unpaid downloading of
music from the internet.
• In recent years, there have been a number of high profile cases against
people who have shared music files for free on the internet. Prior to the
development of the internet, music was similarly shared via home taping.
Lee (2006) argues that although home taping is technically illegal, no-one
pursues this as perpetrators cannot be caught. Because it is possible to
catch internet file sharers. Lee argues that they are being unfairly
punished. Whilst there may be a practical basis to this argument (it is
easier to catch downloaders than home tapers) this does not mean that
one behaviour should be considered acceptable and the other should not.
This kind of argument is a rationalisation, used to make unacceptable
actions appear acceptable.
Cottrell, 2005
P E E: An Example
• In recent years, there have been a number of high profile
cases against people who have shared music files for free
on the internet. Prior to the development of the internet,
music was similarly shared via home taping. Lee (2006)
argues that although home taping is technically illegal, noone pursues this as perpetrators cannot be caught.
Because it is possible to catch internet file sharers. Lee
argues that they are being unfairly punished. Whilst there
may be a practical basis to this argument (it is easier to
catch downloaders than home tapers) this does not mean
that one behaviour should be considered acceptable and
the other should not. This kind of argument is a
rationalisation, used to make unacceptable actions appear
acceptable.
P E E: An Example
• The student presents a clear argument that
downloading is wrong
• She begins by explaining that internet
downloaders have been caught and punished
• She supports this by paraphrasing and critiquing
the argument of her source (Lee)
• She then provides a ‘link’ between her point that
internet downloaders have been punished and
Lee’s argument by commenting upon the flaws in
Lee’s argument
Making your own voice heard.
Your lecturers are always telling you not to lose
your own voice in a sea of quotations or
references.
How exactly can you accomplish that?
Here are a few ideas…
Integrating evidence: Using
reporting words to highlight
You want to show the reader that the author has
treated this particular information as the most
important and you want to refer to it.
In his discussion of the types of learners, Jones
(2001) highlights that visual learners learn best
by ‘being exposed to external stimuli involving
images, pictures and colours’ (page 27).
Integrating evidence: Using
reporting words to demonstrate
You want to show the reader that you have read
and agreed with this research and are using it as
evidence.
Tran (1970) demonstrates that investment in
primary education has a strong beneficial effect
on a country’s economical growth.
Integrating evidence: Using
Reporting Words to Claim
You are telling the reader that the author has made a simple
statement of fact:
Giorgio (1995) claims that most eighteen year olds are
intelligent.
If you do not agree to it, the earlier statement can be followed
with a refutation such as:
However Giorgio’s definition of intelligence can be considered
very narrow.
What has been achieved here?
Integrating evidence: What
purpose do the following
sentences achieve?
It has been suggested that Accomodators
demonstrate qualities of being great leaders.
(Payne and Whittaker, 2006)
Integrating evidence: What
purpose do the following
sentences achieve?
Michael (2009) refutes the commonly accepted
notion that weight lifting can stunt growth in
teenage boys.
Conclusion
Your conclusion should:
• Summarize your main points
• Provide a final statement (e.g. say
which you think is best or
answer the question definitively.)
• End on a high note!
Plagiarism and Referencing
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It is cheating and fraud
It is totally unethical
It can lead to devaluing of degrees
Middlesex University, Dubai takes it very seriously
and students found plagiarizing could ultimately
be expelled.
How can we avoid plagiarism?
There are four things which are important to help you
avoid plagiarism:
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Planning
Preparation
Paraphrasing
Referencing and citation
How can we avoid plagiarism?
Planning
• Begin planning your assignments at the start of the session
• Create a timetable of all your assessments
• Allocate enough time to prepare and write up your assignments
Most students who plagiarize do
so because they run out of time!
How can we avoid plagiarism?
Preparation
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Research your assignments properly before you start writing
You will need a lot of time to read around the subject
Take careful notes as you read
Draw up an outline/plan and then write a draft
Redraft and edit your work until you are satisfied with it
If you need help, ask your lecturer/tutor well BEFORE the deadline
Paraphrasing
• In order to use your reading in your writing it
is important to learn to paraphrase
• Paraphrasing is expressing others’ ideas or
arguments using your own words and style
• Paraphrasing means changing the syntax and
vocabulary without changing the meaning of
the original text
How can we avoid plagiarism?
Referencing and citation
• Familiarize yourself with the referencing system used
in your Programme– included in your module
handbook
• Find out more about proper referencing http://www.mdx.ac.uk/www/study/Copy.htm
Remember:
Just providing a reference list at the end of
your assignment is NOT giving proper
acknowledgement – you must use in-text
citations to avoid plagiarism.
Introduction to Harvard referencing
In order for your work to be ‘academic’ and to
receive a passing grade, you MUST include
academic references.
• Harvard system of referencing = in text
citations + reference list at the end
Introduction to Harvard referencing
In text citation – direct quotation
• Include author, date, page number (if available)
• Words taken from original in quotation marks “…”
Example:
‘In the tsunami-hit village of Kalikuppam in southern India,
children with access to a hole-in-the-wall computer taught
themselves basic biotechnology, reaching a test score of 30%
in just two months’ (Mitra, 2010. p.236)
Introduction to Harvard referencing
In text citation – indirect quotation
• Include author, date, page number (if applicable)
• Paraphrase the original words
Example:
The introduction of hole-in-the wall computers has resulted
in huge educational improvements in a matter of months in
some rural areas of India (Mitra, 2010)
Writing a reference list
At the end of your work you MUST include a reference list of all
the material you have quoted within your essay/report etc.
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Entries must be in alphabetical order
Start with the author’s family name and initial
Do not use numbers or bullet points
Include the date and title of the work - use (n.d.) if no date
Journals – include the title, volume and issue no. & page
numbers of the article
• Electronic sources – include URL
Summary
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You should now have a clear understanding of
the following:
Conventions of Academic Writing
How to analyse essay questions
Planning your essay
Paragraphing
Referencing and Plagiarism
Task: Write an essay plan for one
of the topics and hand it to your
lecturer next week.
Why Plan?
• Helps to decide the points for discussion.
• Shows how these can be most logically organised.
• Weeds out irrelevant information.
• Identifies overlaps and repetition.
• Further refines the research direction.
• Prompts thinking when it’s difficult to “get into” an
assignment.
• Makes it easier to put ideas on paper (points can readily be
developed into sentences and paragraphs).
Best of all, you get feedback from your lecturer!
Need more help / advice?
The AEP Website
Mdx website>Student Portal>Academic
Enrichment Programme
Password: mdx-aep2013
Need more help / advice?
Are you still confused?
• Ask your lecturer – consultation time
Academic Enrichment Coordinator:
Racquel Warner [email protected]
Consultation can be booked with the following lecturers as well
Academic Writing
Faiza Umar [email protected]
Louise Edensor [email protected]
Statistics
Anuradha Vyas [email protected]
Researching and Oral Presentation
Mick King [email protected]
Mariam Abonil [email protected]
References
• Anglia Ruskin University. 2013. Harvard Referencing Basic Concepts.
Available :
http://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/files/QuickHarvardGuide2013Aug.
pdf (Accessed 26/9/13).
• Cottrell, S. 2005. Critical Thinking Skills. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
• Godfrey, J. 2013. How to Use your Reading in Your Essays. Basingstoke:
Palgrave Macmillan.
• Krause, S. D. 2007. The Process of Research Writing Chapter 3. Available
http://www.stevendkrause.com/tprw/Chapter%203.pdf (Accessed
24/9/13).
• Hunter, C. 2006. Planning and Writing University Assignments. University
of Otago: Newzealand