AW – midterm
1. Chapter 1: the writing process
1.1. Basics of writing
1.1.1. The purpose of academic writing
Be clear why you are writing
1.1.2. Features of academic writing
It is generally agreed that academic writing attempts to be accurate.
1.1.3. Common types of academic writing
Report: a description of a situation or process, often with suggestions for
dealing with a problem
Essay: the answer to a question set by the teacher, often on a theoretical
subject
Dissertation/thesis: the longest piece of writing normally done by a student,
often for a higher degree (20,000+ words)
Paper: a general term for any extended piece of academic writing
Case study: a detailed report on a particular situations or organisations
Survey report: the presentation of the results of a piece of research you have
conducted, using interviews or questionnaires
Reflection: a piece of writing in which you critically examine how you dealt
with a situation or task and what you learned from it
Proposal: a persuasive text written to convince a potential customer of the
value of a new product or strategy
1.1.4. The format of written assignments
Discuss the meanings of these elements with a partner
o Introduction
o Main body
Literature review:
Part of the main body in which the views of other writers on the
topic are discussed
Case study:
A section where one particular example is described in detail
Discussion
o Conclusion
o References:
A list of all the sources the writer has mentioned in the text
o Appendix:
A section, after the conclusion, where additional information is included
Dissertations and journal articles
o Abstract:
A short summary which explains the paper’s purpose and main findings
o List of contents
o List of tables
o Introduction
o Main body
Literature review
Case study
Findings
, Discussion
o Conclusion
o Acknowledgements:
A short section shere people who have helped the writer are thanked
o References
o Appendices
Business and reports often have a short section at the beginning called:
o Executive summary
Books may also include
o Foreword:
A preliminary part of a book in which the author often explains her
reasons for writing
o Preface
o Bibliography/further reading
1.1.5. The components of academic writing
Some general factors apply to most formats:
o Title
o Subtitle
o Heading
o Paragraph
o Phrase sentence
1.1.6. Some other common text features
References to sources using citation
The use of abbreviations for convenience
Italics: used to show words from other languages, or add emphasis:
Brackets: used to give extra information or to clarify a point
Numbering systems are often used in reports, less so in essays
Writers may choose to use bold, or vary the font size for titles and headings
Some departments may specify the typeface, or line spacing which
assignments should use
1.1.7. Simple and complex sentences
All sentences contain verbs
Simple sentences are easier to read and write, but longer sentences are also
necessary to explain more complex ideas
Students should make clarity a priority and avoid writing very lengthy
sentences with several clauses until they feel confident in their ability
Sentences containing two or more clauses use conjunctions, relative
pronouns or punctuation to link the clauses
1.1.8. Writing in paragraphs
What is a paragraph?
a distinct section of a piece of writing, usually dealing with a single theme
and indicated by a new line, indentation, or numbering
Why are texts divided into paragraphs?
Paragraphs show a reader where the subdivisions of an essay begin and
end, and thus help the reader see the organization of the essay and grasp
its main points
How long are paragraphs?
1. Chapter 1: the writing process
1.1. Basics of writing
1.1.1. The purpose of academic writing
Be clear why you are writing
1.1.2. Features of academic writing
It is generally agreed that academic writing attempts to be accurate.
1.1.3. Common types of academic writing
Report: a description of a situation or process, often with suggestions for
dealing with a problem
Essay: the answer to a question set by the teacher, often on a theoretical
subject
Dissertation/thesis: the longest piece of writing normally done by a student,
often for a higher degree (20,000+ words)
Paper: a general term for any extended piece of academic writing
Case study: a detailed report on a particular situations or organisations
Survey report: the presentation of the results of a piece of research you have
conducted, using interviews or questionnaires
Reflection: a piece of writing in which you critically examine how you dealt
with a situation or task and what you learned from it
Proposal: a persuasive text written to convince a potential customer of the
value of a new product or strategy
1.1.4. The format of written assignments
Discuss the meanings of these elements with a partner
o Introduction
o Main body
Literature review:
Part of the main body in which the views of other writers on the
topic are discussed
Case study:
A section where one particular example is described in detail
Discussion
o Conclusion
o References:
A list of all the sources the writer has mentioned in the text
o Appendix:
A section, after the conclusion, where additional information is included
Dissertations and journal articles
o Abstract:
A short summary which explains the paper’s purpose and main findings
o List of contents
o List of tables
o Introduction
o Main body
Literature review
Case study
Findings
, Discussion
o Conclusion
o Acknowledgements:
A short section shere people who have helped the writer are thanked
o References
o Appendices
Business and reports often have a short section at the beginning called:
o Executive summary
Books may also include
o Foreword:
A preliminary part of a book in which the author often explains her
reasons for writing
o Preface
o Bibliography/further reading
1.1.5. The components of academic writing
Some general factors apply to most formats:
o Title
o Subtitle
o Heading
o Paragraph
o Phrase sentence
1.1.6. Some other common text features
References to sources using citation
The use of abbreviations for convenience
Italics: used to show words from other languages, or add emphasis:
Brackets: used to give extra information or to clarify a point
Numbering systems are often used in reports, less so in essays
Writers may choose to use bold, or vary the font size for titles and headings
Some departments may specify the typeface, or line spacing which
assignments should use
1.1.7. Simple and complex sentences
All sentences contain verbs
Simple sentences are easier to read and write, but longer sentences are also
necessary to explain more complex ideas
Students should make clarity a priority and avoid writing very lengthy
sentences with several clauses until they feel confident in their ability
Sentences containing two or more clauses use conjunctions, relative
pronouns or punctuation to link the clauses
1.1.8. Writing in paragraphs
What is a paragraph?
a distinct section of a piece of writing, usually dealing with a single theme
and indicated by a new line, indentation, or numbering
Why are texts divided into paragraphs?
Paragraphs show a reader where the subdivisions of an essay begin and
end, and thus help the reader see the organization of the essay and grasp
its main points
How long are paragraphs?
