Topic 2

Writing Assignments, Position

Papers & Reports
 Sub-Topic

2.1 Types of Academic Writing

2.2 Identifying Writing Task
2.3 Steps to Academic Writing
What is Academic Writing
Academic writing is a written form of reasoning
or argument about a topic falling within a field
of study, such as history or psychology.
Academicians and scholars write as experts in
their fields of study. A historian, for example,
will interpret historical events, such as the
dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima.
Academic writers research topics and then
present their reasoning as written evidence.
Differentiates Academic Writing

Academic Writing Personal Writing

Formal approach with an impersonal Formal or informal approach may

tone include conversational language.

Cites scholarly sources Doesn’t require scholarly sources

Sentences are made of evidence, Content is made of personal
evaluations, and arguments.
experiences
Focused and well-structured
Long-winded
 Types of Academic Writing
Showing your understanding of and critical arguments
Essay relating to a topic.

Objective, evidence-based writing commonly used in the

Reports sciences and some social science subjects.

Directly answers the essay question and provides an overview

Dissertations of the position you will be taking. Make sure to use key words.
 Types of Academic Writing

Introduce the three specific contentions that your paragraphs

Reflective Writing will focus on or lead into the rest of your essay with a relevant
statement.

Hook interest and lead into the essay by beginning with a

Examination Writing sentence that is broad but interesting and relevant to your
theme or topic.

Objective, evidence-based writing commonly used in the

Academic Posters sciences and some social science subjects.
 1. Essay Types
Discussion Find out how to write and structure a discussion essay.

Persuasion Understand how to write a persuasion essay. Includes information on counter-arguments.

Compare &
Read more about how to write and structure a compare and contrast essay, with transition signals.
Contrast

Cause &
Learn how to write a cause and effect essay, with appropriate structure and transition signals.
Effect

Problem
Understand what a problem-solution essay is.
Solution

Definition Understand how to write definitions and how to structure a definition essay.

Classification Find out how to classify and how to structure a classification essay.
 Essay Structure

Essay
Understand how to structure an essay.
Structure

Find out how to write your essay introduction, including information on thesis
Introduction
statements.

Learn how to write the main body of an essay. Includes information on topic
Main Body
sentences.

Conclusion Understand how to write a good conclusion to your essay.

 Features of essay writing
Essays vary lots between disciplines and specific tasks, but they share several features that are
important to bear in mind.

1. They are an argument towards a conclusion. The conclusion can be for or against a position, or just a
narrative conclusion. All your writing and argumentation should lead to this conclusion.
2. They have a reader. It is essential that you show the logic of your argument and the information it is
based on to your reader.
3. They are based on evidence. You must show this using both your referencing and also through
interacting with the ideas and thinking found within the sources you use.
4. They have a structure. You need to ensure your structure is logical and that it matches the
expectations of your department. You should also ensure that the structure enables the reader to
follow your argument easily.
5. They have a word limit. 1000 words means 'be concise and make decisions about exactly what is
important to include' whereas 3500 words means 'write in more depth, and show the reader a more
complex and broad range of critical understanding'.
6. They are part of a discipline/subject area, each of which has conventions. For example, Chemistry
requires third person impersonal writing, whereas Women's Studies requires the voice (meaning
experiential viewpoint) of the author in the writing.
Tips for structuring an essay
 2. Reports
Reports are found within many subjects, particularly sciences and some social sciences. They
present factual-based information for a specified audience, with each academic discipline area
having its own report types (many of which are based on real-world reports).

Sources of evidence

Reports are based on factual evidence and data, found in sources such as:
your own research findings (quantitative or qualitative)
findings from research papers (quantitative or qualitative)
published governmental or organisational datasets
reports from companies or organisations
business case studies
 Reports
Features of reports

Reports present and (usually) critically analyse data and other factual evidence.
There are different types of reports, which each have a specific purpose.
There is often a specific structure that must be followed - see our general structure
advice and guidance for each report type.
The writing style is concise and objective - for more detail, see our academic writing style
advice.
 3. Dissertation

What is a dissertation?

A dissertation is usually a long-term project to produce a long-form piece of writing; think of

it a little like an extended, structured assignment. In some subjects (typically the sciences), it
might be called a project instead.

Many dissertations are structured into four key sections:

introduction & literature review
methods
results
discussion
 4. Reflective Writing
Reflection is something that we do everyday as part of being human. We plan and undertake
actions, then think about whether each was successful or not, and how we might improve next
time. We can also feel reflection as emotions, such as satisfaction and regret, or as a need to
talk over happenings with friends.

Reflective academic writing is:

almost always written in the first person.
evaluative - you are judging something.
partly personal, partly based on criteria.
analytical - you are usually categorising actions and events.
formal - it is for an academic audience.
carefully constructed.
 Reflective Writing
The following diagram illustrates the reflective process
 Sample Reflective Writing
A reflective blog: an academic reflection in four paragraphs
 Sample Reflective Writing
A reflective blog: an academic reflection in four paragraphs
 Sample Reflective Writing
A reflective blog: an academic reflection in four paragraphs
 Sample Reflective Writing
A reflective blog: an academic reflection in four paragraphs
 Quick Quiz: Reflective Writing
(a) Reflective writing should be objective and unemotional.

Agree Disagree

(b) You should only write about the positive aspects of your learning development.

Agree Disagree

(c) It is important to use lots of reference sources as evidence for your reflection.

Agree Disagree
Quick Quiz: Reflective Writing
 5. Examination Writing
An examination is:
an assessment of academic ability that contributes to the overall grades in a module within
a degree.
a test of a student's abilities in controlled conditions.
a part of most degree programmes.
an experience that few enjoy!
a type of assessment that has many iterations and question types.

Reflective academic writing is:

almost always written in the first person.
evaluative - you are judging something.
partly personal, partly based on criteria.
analytical - you are usually categorising actions and events.
formal - it is for an academic audience.
carefully constructed.
 6. Academic Posters
Academic research can be shared with an audience in a number of ways: journals, books,
presentations.

One of the ways is via an academic poster: a large paper poster that summarises the
research and its findings, a bit like an illustrated and extended journal abstract.

These posters are typically displayed at a conference or exhibition, often in the main
circulation space, or as part of a poster presentation session. Typically you will be stood
with your poster, fielding questions and potentially talking through its contents.
Example of Academic Posters
Example of Academic Posters
2.2 Identifying Writing Task
 4 Basic Types of Writing

Expository Focuses on the facts. The goal is to provide explanations,

information or definitions. There are no opinions, just clear, E.g. a Wikipedia entry.
Writing hard facts.

Narrative Tells a story. It usually follows a sequence of events and is

E.g. a What I Did Last
Summer writing
Writing written in the first person. It can be fiction or non-fiction. assignment.

Expresses an opinion. It provides arguments as to why this

Persuasive opinion is correct and tries to convince the reader. It often
E.g. an essay about Why
Uniforms Are Good (or
Writing mentions the opposing view but provides statistics, facts or
proof that supports the opinion held.
Why Uniforms Are Bad).

Provides a vivid picture. The goal is to help the reader picture

Descriptive in their mind’s eye that which is being described. It’s like E.g. describing a photo.
Writing painting a picture with words. This is why descriptive
language is very detailed.
2.3 Steps to Academic
Writing
Steps of the Writing Process
 Steps of the Writing Process
Step 1: Prewriting Step 2: Research (if needed) Step 3: Drafting

Think and Decide Search Write

Make sure you understand List places where you can Write sentences and paragraphs
your assignment. find information. even if they are not perfect.
Decide on a topic to write Do your research. Create a thesis statement with
about. Evaluate your sources. your main idea.
Consider who will read your Make an outline to help Put the information you
work. organize your research. researched into your essay
Brainstorm ideas about the accurately without plagiarizing.
subject and how those Remember to include both in-text
ideas can be organized. citations and a bibliographic
Make an outline. page.
Read what you have written and
judge if it says what you mean.
Write some more.
Read it again.
Write some more.
Read it again.
Write until you have said
everything you want to say about
the topic.
 Steps of the Writing Process
Step 4: Revising Step 5: Editing and
Proofreading
Make it Better Make it Correct
Read what you have Be sure all sentences
written again. are complete.
Rearrange words, Correct spelling,
sentences, or capitalization, and
paragraphs into a clear punctuation.
and logical order. Change words that are
Take out or add parts. not used correctly or
Do more research if you are unclear.
think you should. Make sure you are using
Replace overused or the appropriate style
unclear words. formatting.
Read your writing aloud APA Formatting
to be sure it flows Chicago Style
smoothly. Add Formatting
transitions. MLA Formatting
Have someone else
check your work.
 Structures for ANY IELTS Writing Task 2 essay

Introduction
General Statement (No opinion, just a neutral observation)
What’s the issue? (What do some people think – show
awareness)
What’s your opinion? (What do you think?)

Paragraph 1:
the advantages OR
reasons to agree OR
the problems

Paragraph 2:
the disadvantages OR
reasons to disagree OR
the solutions

Conclusion
Summary of the issue.
Summary of your opinion.
A final thought, recommendation or consequence.
‘Using animals to test the safety of cosmetics or drugs used for medical reasons is never acceptable’.

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Introduction

Before any new product is put on the market, whether it is a

cosmetic product or potentially life-saving medicine, the
manufacturers have to ensure that it is safe for humans to use.
Advocates of vivisection would argue that testing products on
animals is the only reliable method of doing this. Although I can see
convincing arguments behind testing drugs on animals for medical
purposes, I am strongly opposed to the practice of using animals to
test the safety of cosmetics.

Paragraph 1 (in favour):

Animal testing has helped scientists to make great discoveries in

the field of medicine, providing effective drugs against cancer,
heart disease and other potentially fatal illnesses. As a result, many
lives have been saved and prolonged. However, there are new ways
of testing products, using cell cultures, which need not involve
animals at all. Therefore I would prefer such testing to be kept to a
minimum wherever possible.
‘Using animals to test the safety of cosmetics or drugs used for medical reasons is never acceptable’.

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Paragraph 2 (against):

On the other hand, when it comes to the cosmetic industry it is

difficult to see why it is necessary to test these types of products
on animals. For example, several well-known brands such as The
Body Shop and Lush have always used human ‘guinea pigs’ to test
their products without any detrimental effects. So in my view, we
no longer need to exploit animals for the sake of human vanity, and
this kind of testing is now completely unacceptable.

Conclusion

In conclusion, though testing on animals has undoubtedly brought

advances in medical treatments, I believe it must be reserved for
essential scientific work and to help end human suffering, and
never for enhancing our appearance.

305 words
 Essay Writing Vocabulary
To be a good writer and have the capacity to express your thoughts clearly, you need a bank
of verbs, connectives and phrases to use to help you vary your language and be precise when
analysing a text.
 Analytical Verbs
Different verbs have different meanings or suggest different relationships
between authors, readers, characters and ideas. These can be used in thesis
statements, topic sentences and explanations. Consider the following:

Affirms Explores Comments Critiques

Condones Interrogates Considers Challenges
Endorses Questions Presents Condemns
Supports Scrutinises Suggests Rejects
Compels Defines Includes Contests
Advocates Illustrates Reveals Attacks
Promotes Conveys Produces Argues
Compares Represents Indicates Disrupts
Contrasts Portrays States Justifies
 Connectives
Connectives are words we use in between sentences to join them. They allow us to
be more precise about the relationships between statements. Different phrases
and words serve different purposes in connecting ideas and arguments.

E.g. additionally, and, also, apart from this, as well (as), in addition, moreover,
Adding an idea further, furthermore

E.g. again, in fact, interestingly, indeed, it should be noted, more importantly,

Emphasising an idea most importantly, to repeat, fortunately/unfortunately, unquestionably

E.g. firstly, secondly, thirdly, next, before, earlier, finally, following, given the
To indicate a sequence above, later, meanwhile, subsequently, then, to conclude, while
 E.g. correspondingly, equally, for the same reason, in a similar manner, in
To compare comparison, in the same way, on the one hand, similarly

E.g. alternatively, although, but, conversely, despite, even so, even though,
To contrast however, in contrast, in spite of, instead, on the contrary, nevertheless,
nonetheless, on the other hand, rather, still, though, yet, whereas, while

E.g. A further instance of this is..., an example of this is…, for example, for
To illustrate an example instance, such as, thus, as follows

E.g. in other words, more simply, namely, simply put, to put it differently /
To restate ideas another way, such as, that is

To explain cause or E.g. the consequence of, because, due to, for, the effect of, since, the result
of, accordingly, as a result, consequently, for this reason, hence, so, therefore,
effect thus