Academic writing

Aims of the session:

importance of developing good writing skills
understanding special characteristics of academic
style
planning and structuring an essay

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What is the point of writing?

Assignments require you to read, research, investigate,
and evaluate
Writing focuses and clarifies your thinking and
reinforces your learning
Writing enables your tutors to assess how much you
have learned and how well you can apply what you
know

Type of writting
Assignments / Coursework:

Essays

Business reports

Reflective reports

Book reports

Literature reviews

Project Dissertation

Exams

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Approach writing

Clarify the task

Collect and record relevant information
Organize and plan
Reflect and evaluate
Write outline plan rough draft
Work on your draft
Write a final draft

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Analysing question

Identify the subject

Identify instruction
Identify the key aspects
Identify what you already know
Identify what you have to look for
Identify relevant sources of information: library, web,
lecture notes

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Instruction words
Consider all the relevant factors and
Analyse
answer in a methodological and logical
way
Compare Discuss similarities and differences
(has to be objective)
Criticise
Point out strengths and weaknesses
(balanced answer)
Discuss
Give both points of argument, with
implication
Give detailed reasons for a
Explain
situation
Give the main points in a concise
Summarise
manner
(Leave out details)
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Academic writting - three main parts:

Introduction

Main Body

Conclusion
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Introduction
Explain how you understand question
Identify main issues you will be exploring
Give a brief outline of what you are going to do and in
which order
For 2000 words, Introduction = 200 - 400 words

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Main body - academic writing

Follow the structure you gave in your introduction
Build up arguments - in each paragraph should:
State you position
Sum up your argument in brief, clear sentence
Support your argument
Present relevant evidence to back up
you ideas (reference, quotation)
Consider your opposition
How you convince the reader that
disagrees with you
Develop the argument to the next point - links
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Writing Critically

Cr
it
ic
Cr a l
it
ic
is
e

Analysing and evaluation owns and others

work and presenting a point of view which
they can support

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Writing critically
Analysing
Examine and break
into parts

Evaluation
Make judgements about the
value of information, ideas,
material for a given purpose
in given context

Presenting your
own point of view
Giving your opinion

Identify causes and Investigate to what extend Provides reasoned

effects
something is true
evidence to
Draw conclusion
support your own
Investigate importance
Evidence and
point of view
Interprets and justify
examples to support
Deals with other
Connection,
peoples point of
comparison, contrast
view
Provide reasons
e.g.
e.g.
e.g.
How is .. related to?
Do you agree with the
What is your opinion
Can you show a
actions/outcomes?
of?
connection between
How important is.?
Provide a solution to
. and.?

Gilette A. et all (2009) Successful academic writing, Pearson

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Evidence
A quotation (or paraphrase) from journals,
reports, books, or other published source
Data from research
Observations from specific experience
The sources of all evidence
must be referenced !!!!

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Evaluative/ analytical writing

Find the points of similarity, and

e
compare show that you are
c
aware
Set items in opposition,la
innorder toof any
a
minor
points
of
difference within
b
contrast
bring out the
points
of
difference.
t
Evaluate
any similarities or
h
areas of
overall
similarity.
g
i
r
differences.
Do they matter? Do
e
evaluate significance
h have important implications
t
they
t
e
Indicate
which
theory
or side
G
for which
model
should
be is
used?
make judgment
preferable. Give the reasons for
your
opinion, based on an analysis
show your
criteria
criteria you used in arriving at your
of the evidence.
opinion, such as that you used data
or research evidence as the basis
of your decision.

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Conclusion
Summarise the most important points in the main body
Explain how these points answer the question in the title
State clearly why, in your opinion, you agree (or
disagree) with the main issues raised by your evidence

For 2000 words, Conclusion = 200 - 400 words

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Academic style

Critical, objective, well balanced

Argumentative good evidence from a respected source
Follows a clear logical structure
All sources of ideas and data are referenced
Considers all sides of an argument for and against

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Writting style
Use formal English avoid slang
Managers often have to take the flack from fed up customers
Managers often have to receive complaints from dissatisfied
customers
Use words you fully understand
As a result of the ever augmenting workload
As a result of the ever increasing workload
Avoid abraviation - e.g., didn`t, isn`t

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Writting style
Be impersonal avoid I, you, we
I suggest
It can be suggested
Numbers are written write in full
31%
thirty one percent
Be objective - avoid personal, subjective words
nice, wondeful, usual, natural

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Writting style
Be concise - edit out unnecessary words
A man called John Smith said
Smith (2010)
Use continues prose write in full sentence and than group them
together , avoid list of points.
Be precise
Some writers
who?
At that time
when?
Use facts, opinion, arguments that can be checked against
evidence.

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What can gain marks

Identify relevant themes to include

Identify the most relevant facts
Clarity, precision, accuracy
Present items in a best order
Keep to the point
Identify significance of what you describe

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Remember

Dont go over the maximum words

Cut out unnecessary or weak ideas
Use straight forward, concise language
Reduce the words in each sentence
write simple , short sentences - aim for 20 max
Keep paragraphs short
develop one main idea per paragraph
Check referencing and reference list
be careful of plagiarising!!!!!
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Before handing it in

Attach a header sheet

Word-process finished draft
Check word count (print at end of last page)
Read it through - Use Spell-Check
Use 11 or 12 pt font

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Handing it in

Aim for at least one day before deadline

Computer breakdown is not an excuse
Keep your receipts
Late submission loses marks daily
If you are ill, talk to your programme
leader/personal tutor immediately

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Essay
You have been give an essay task by the Management
Accounting and Ethics in Organisation course leader.
CSR will be a game changer in future business
critically discuss
PPD will help you with evaluating academic papers you
have collected, structuring the essay and referencing.
In 3 weeks time - presentation in small group of
academic paper that you have found and want to use
In 5 weeks time feedback on the draft of the essay

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Tutorial Task
During your tutorial you will be given three
essays to read
Evaluate essays - discuss in small groups
strengths and weaknesses of each of them
and write your comments
Feedback your findings to your tutorial group

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