Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
ACADEMIC WRITING
SKILLS
By
Paul Svongoro
October 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The assumption & the reality about writing
Expectations about writing at varsity level
What is writing & academic writing?
The importance of writing well
The nature of academic writing
The writing process
Effective paragraph writing
Effective argument
Conclusion
References
WHAT I WILL NOT CLAIM/DO ...
A specialist in research methods in the humanities
An expert in writing- it is the most cumbersome activity in
academia if not the most difficult especially getting started
and going!
Teach/inculcate one way of writing- we all write
differently- what works for 1 may not for the other!
Prescribe a citation method- you know the expectations in
the humanities!
SO....
2. Analyse
Break the information into constituent parts, examine the relationship between the parts; question the information
3. Argue
Put the case for or against a view or idea giving evidence for your claims/reasons for or against, attempt to influence the reader
to accept your view
7. Compare
Look for similarities and differences between; perhaps conclude which is preferable; implies evaluation.
9. Contrast
Bring out the differences.
10. Criticise
Give your judgement on theories or opinions or facts and back this by discussing evidence or reasoning involved
11. Deduce
Conclude; infer.
12. Define
Give the precise meaning, Examine the different possible or often used definitions
19.Evaluate
Weigh up, Appraise the worth of something in the light of its truth or usefulness; assess and explain.
20.Examine
Look at carefully; consider.
21. Explain
Make plain and clear; give reasons for
22.Give evidence
Provide evidence from your own work or that of others which could be checked by a third party to prove/ justify what you say
23.State
Present in a brief, clear form
Proofreading
THE PROCESS CONTD
Editing- everything you start doing after finishing the
first draft- e.g. Reorganise, transitions, check the
evidence:
Content edit- what topic/question requires, are
arguments complete & consistent
General structure edit- thesis, intro, dvpnt,
conclusion
Paragraph structure edit- structure & transitions
Style edit- formal/non-sexist/active/necessary
repetition
Clarity edit-terms, sentence meaning, pronoun
reference
Citations-accuracy, completeness, consistency
THE PROCESS CONTD
Proofreading- the final stage of the editing
process. It comes after all editing.
Check for surface errors- spelling,
punctuation, grammar, typographical errors,
numbers and abbreviations
Read slowly & check for 1 kind of mistake at
a time
Never over rely on spelling checks!
PARAGRAPH WRITING
What is a paragraph?
A paragraph is a collection of sentences
which all relate to one idea or topic.
Effective paragraphs have four main
characteristics:
A topic sentence
Supporting ideas for a clear/full
development
Concluding sentence
All are connected through cohesive devices
PARAGRAPH WRITING CONTD
Transitions within paragraphs
Paragraph unity-words, phrases and
illustrations focus on the central idea
Paragraph coherence-a paragraph is coherent
when it hangs together and flows smoothly in
a clear direction
Coherence is affected by choppy sentences
and use of insufficient transitions
Coherence is enhanced by repetition of key
words/phrases
PARAGRAPH WRITING CONTD
Transitions between paragraphs
THANK YOU!