Academic Writing

Academic Writing

Objectives • Identify why academic writing is important • Recognise a report format • Discuss narration perspective • Demonstrate writing in third person

Science Communication Is Important! “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.” (Newton) -It adds to the scientific body of knowledge -It helps to communicate to the public what scientists do -It helps secure funding for future projects

Why Reports Are Written • Need for specific information • Which enables a course of action to be taken; e.g. a problem needs investigating: a decision needs to be taken • The report is written for a purpose and a specific audience

The Report Format • Reports are not constructed as continuous prose • They are arranged so that any item of information can be spotted quickly and read separately • They are designed to convey specific information fast and accurately

Constitution of a Report • Evidence which substantiates your facts should be presented and the sources identified as references to texts. These are always listed in the reference list/bibliography at the end to enable your evidence to be checked or followed up. • Opinion- professional that is. Your considered opinions are placed as conclusions and recommendations at the end of the report.

How Reports Are Read Summary Introduction Main body Conclusion Appendix ( Windust, 1983)

Bases of a Good Report • The information is given in the way that the reader wants it • Ensure that you are aware of the purpose of the report • Tell them what you are going to tell them (summary) • Tell them ( body) • Then tell them what you already told them (conclusion and recommendation)

The Report Structure • The layout of most reports tend to follow a standard pattern: • - Title page • - Summary • - List of contents • - List of figures ( if applicable) • - Introduction • - Main body of report • - Conclusions and recommendations • - Appendices • - Bibliography

Style • Aim for readability, clarity and succinctness • Be objective and analytical • Think about meaning and effect in choosing words, e.g. ‘crowd’ or ‘mob’, ‘unfounded’ or ‘stupid’, ‘shows’ or ‘suggests’ • Use verbs appropriately • ‘What is easy to read has been difficult to write’

The Language of Essays • Different kinds of writing require different kinds of language. You have to write in a way that is appropriate to your audience and circumstances

Aiming at Clarity • Keep your sentences short • Try to express everything as simply as you can • Do not forget the reader. Remember there is someone out there who has to read and understand what you have written

Paragraphs • When you start a new argument, start a new paragraph • When you introduce a new piece of evidence, a detailed analysis, or an opposing argument, start a new paragraph unless it follows directly from a brief statement of a new argument • When you think the reader could pause for a moment without losing the thread of what you are saying , start a new paragraph

Sentences • A sentence begins and ends a clear idea, thought or action

Spelling, Grammar & Punctuation • Remember to use the spelling & grammar feature on your computer • By omitting to do this the whole meaning of your essay can change • Punctuation is also important to achieve the correct meaning of your work. Common mistakes include: ‘of’ instead of ‘have’; confusion over the use of ‘its’ and ‘it’s’ and the use of the comma • Do not abbreviate in academic essays, e.g. do not don’t etc.

Narration • Who is telling this story? To whom? • Exactly what is going on?

Point of View • First Person Narrators • Second Person Narrators • Third Person Narrators

First Person Narration (Point of View) TAXI by Jesus Garcia I look at her in the rearview mirror. Her face, slack with middle age, is grimly set. I return my gaze to the road. "Lourdes?" I ask. "Are you a religious woman?" "Yes," she says. She smoothes down her beige skirt, as if any of us were interested in her legs. "Yes, I am." "Good," I counter. "Then not only will God protect you, he will pay you back threefold anything we take from you." Handsome goes through her husband's wallet. "And your name is Adolfo," he says. Adolfo is lying in a fetal position on the floor of the cab beside me where the passenger seat should be. He chokes, gasping, yet again. The Monkey places his big foot in the crack of Adolfo's ass, just to make sure he doesn't get carried away. "Please," says Adolfo in a strained voice. "Please, let us go, for the love of God." I can't stand it when they beg. I am by no means a violent person, but the whining makes me want to move my foot from the accelerator and stomp their faces.

Second Person Narration (Point of View) If On A Winter's Night A Traveler by Italo Calvino You are about to begin reading Italo Calvino's new novel, If on a winter's night a traveler. Relax. Concentrate. Dispel every other thought. Let the world around you fade. Best to close the door; the TV is always on in the next room. Tell the others right away, "No, I don't want to watch TV!" Raise your voice - they won't hear you otherwise - "I'm reading! I don't want to be disturbed!" Maybe they haven't heard you, with all that racket; speak louder, yell: "I'm beginning to read Italo Calvino's new novel!" Or if you prefer, don't say anything; just hope they'll leave you alone. Find the most comfortable position: seated, stretched out, curled up, or lying flat. Flat on your back, on your side, on your stomach. Second person narration is very seldom used as it means that the author/performer can only address one person

Third Person Narration (P.O.V) • Unlike first person narrators, third person narrators do not take part in the story. The narrator is outside the story and refers to others either by name or in the third person • Third person narration can have four points of view

Task • Re-Write the following into third person… • ‘when the muscle contracts, your arm moves in an upward direction towards your head’ • ‘We think that the lateral ligaments of the ankle are somewhat weak in comparison to the medial’ • ‘In this assignment, I will firstly discuss the pros and cons of prison brothels before telling you my conclusion’

Tips for Success • Write objectively (in the third person) • Write clearly; avoid weirdness • Eschew obfuscation (“Don’t use big words unnecessarily”) • Label and explain graphs and tables properly • Don’t mix conclusions with the results • Proofread • Ask others to proofread for you

Academic Writing