优质lecture1whatisacademicwriting

1、Lecture 1What is Academic WritingWhat is academic writing?In brief, academic writing is a “ structurealesearch Written by “scholarsfo”other scholars (with all uni versity writers being“ scholars ” in this con text). Acadewriting addresses topic-based “ researclquestions of interest to anyone who is

2、seek ing factually-based, objectively-prese nted in formati on on a particular topic.What are the rules of academic writing?1. StructureSome ki nd of structure is required, such as a beg inning, middle, and end. This simple structure is typical of a thesis format, as well as other assignment writing

3、 tasks. Basically, a compete nt academic writer is some one who can, for in sta nee, in the con text of a Master tbesis, exhibit pro?cie ncy in tackli ng seve n phases no rmally found in the Thesis Life Cycle (TLC) below:7. SubmitThesis52. ReferencingA significant distinction between academic writin

4、g and other writing genres is based on the citation and referencing of published authors.If you make judgments about something in academic writing, there is an expectation that you will support your opinion by linking it to what a published author has previously written about the issue.Citing the wo

5、rk by other authors is central to academic writing becauseit shows you have read the literature, understood the ideas, and have integrated these issues and various perspectives into the assignment task.The importance placed on referring to other authors in your work can be reflected in the elaborate

6、 referencing conventions that have been created within different disciplines, such as APA (American Psychological Association) referencing, which is used in psychology, education, some social sciences, as well as for business.3. Abstract thoughtTraditionally, academic topics have focused on abstract

7、 things, like ideas and concepts, which cannot, necessarily, be given in a concrete or physical form.Hence, academic writing is often more likely to focus on abstract processes and relationships. Yet, despite the abstract, non-material structure of some academic topics, you may be able to borrow con

8、crete and physically oriented words to explain these abstract ideas and the relationships between them.Typically, academic writing requires you to clearly describe abstract forms and their component parts, their links to other abstract forms, as well as where they are positioned in relation to a gen

9、eral, overall system.Even if you are dealing with a practically oriented topic like economics, computer science, rehabilitation, nursing, or teaching, the academic practice of learning about these things will likely require you to delve into theories, 2philosophies, concepts, and other abstract idea

10、s that underlie the practical nature of the activities concerned.Therefore, the very nature of academic writing is also different from many practically-oriented or socially-oriented writing tasks. This is because academic writing tasks require you to look beneath the surface for underlying principle

11、s, theories, and concepts that can offer mainstream as well as alternative explanations for common practices, processes, and procedures.4. Academic toneLike all varieties of writing, academic writing has its own tone, which dictates the choice of words and phrasing.Academic writing typically aims to

12、 be:objective (e.g. using inclusive language) conciseformal (e.g. avoiding slang, exclamation marks, contractions)The tone of academic writing can also vary significantly depending on the subject-area and the academic discipline you are writing for.5. The audienceIt is important to remember who you

13、are writing for. Being conscious of academic tone suggests that you are aware of your audience and respect the formality normally associated with academic writing.When writing academically, you should assume that your readers will be intelligent thinking people, but they may not be specifically info

14、rmed of your topic. Do not presume that your reader knows all the terms and concepts associatedwith your work.6. Punctuation and grammarIn academic writing you should always follow rules of punctuation and grammar. Hence, it is vital that you be clear. Punctuation and the conventions of grammar are

15、universally known systems (within English speaking cultures) that maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity in expression.PracticeSection 1Directions: Match the definitions in Column A to the terms of theorga ni zati on of a thesis in Column B.Colum n AColu mn B1. A short summary (100 -200 words) of the

16、writer s purpo?ndin gs.se andA. Bibliography2. A sect ion where various people who assisted the writer are tha nked.B. Index3. A final part where extra data, too detailed for the main text, are stored.C. Abstract4. A list of all the books that the writer has con sulted.4D. Ack no wledgeme nts5. A se

17、ction looking at a particularE. PrefaceSection 2Directions: Read the following two extracts from academic writings, identify the main problems with the writing style, and then rewrite them to make them more suitable for academic writings.Extract 1. After adding the solution, the mixture in the test

18、tube went a bright scarlet red, which we did not expect, as this was not the same as the washed out pink color it was supposed to go according to the book. We shook the test tube up and left it for a while in the test tube stand. When we came back, the mixture had settled to the bottom and dried out, which it was not supposed to have happened; this was a bit of a problem.Extract 2. The questionnaire will be carried out in the p