Academic Writing Workshop Fall 2011

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S i T i D il

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Section Topic Details

Foundation• General document structure & terms

Foundationprinciples • Writing an academic abstract

• Revising & proofreadingRevising & proofreading

2 Academic • Style conventions & referencing

V b l &2 principles • Vocabulary & grammar

• Technical object & process description

3 Document types

• Research proposals

• Journal & conference papers

D t St t

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Document StructureTitle • Descriptive of document subjectTitle Descriptive of document subject

• Document navigation toolAbstract • Identify key document content

• Expert audience

Summary • Identify key document content• Less/non‐specialized audience

Glossary • Explanation of technical terms

D t St t

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Document StructureContext • Information backgroundContext Information background

Data • Information gathered & analyzedData • Information gathered & analyzed

Analysis • Explanatory investigation of dataAnalysis • Explanatory investigation of data

C l i • Summary of interpretationConclusion y p• Recommendations, application

bl h i i f dBibliography • Description of sources used

W iti b t t

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Writing an abstract• Summarize purpose & content

Purpose • Guide reader through document• Present conclusions• Background challenge• Research aim

Structure • Brief details of methodology• Summary findings & results• Key conclusion

Form & • Brief & descriptivecontent • Appropriate to audience

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‘This study is about some research we didthe other day. First we selected ourresearch topic. Then we looked for someresearch topic. Then we looked for somedata. After we found our data, we did

t t d l d it Thsome tests and analyzed it. Then, wewrote up our conclusion andrecommendations. You can find out moreif you read our article ’if you read our article.

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‘We examined algorithmic application ofant path finding behaviour to optimalvehicle delivery routes.vehicle delivery routes.

A i l i h b h iAnts are social insects whose behaviourcan teach us many useful things abouty goptimal path finding. Algorithms aremathematical instruction sets formathematical instruction sets fordescribing processes.’

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‘Viewing a late night movie in home is amodern convenience. But, winterenvironment is cold, especially in the lateenvironment is cold, especially in the latenight. How to enjoy the movie and stay

i i bl t b l dwarm is a serious problem to be solved.

Herein we find the solution! Specialmaterial full body sleeping bag with armmaterial full‐body sleeping bag with armand leg holes is designed.’

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‘This study aims to measure the on‐roadspatial distribution of levels of carbonmonoxide, a health hazard known to bemonoxide, a health hazard known to beincreasing in Middletown.

Methods of measurement are discussedand the difference between on‐road andfixed site data is analysed ’fixed‐site data is analysed.

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‘The influence of temperature, windspeed and humidity is considered.

Conclusions as to the effectiveness of thish d f b id i imethod of carbon monoxide monitoring

are given, together with suggestedg , g ggrecommendations for future air qualitysampling programmes ’sampling programmes.

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‘You need to actively avoid writing thistype. This describes the structure of thedocument. It does not give the maindocument. It does not give the mainfindings and conclusions. It is like a road

’map.’

Silyn‐Roberts, ‘Writing for Science & Engineering’ (2000)


‘This structural description is generallyused only in a long selfcontainedliterature review.literature review.

P d i i l l dPostgraduate writing nearly always needsthe informative type of abstract (seeyp (below).’

Silyn‐Roberts, ‘Writing for Science & Engineering’ (2000)


‘Assessors, journal editors and conferenceorganizers often ask for the descriptivetype to be avoided.type to be avoided.

C i d d id d if i i iCare is needed to avoid drifting into itstypical phrasing and structure.’yp p g

Silyn‐Roberts ‘Writing for Science & Engineering’ (2000)Silyn‐Roberts, Writing for Science & Engineering (2000)

G d lit b t t h kli t


Good quality abstract checklistContext • Explaining the backgroundContext Explaining the background

Purpose • Describing the reason for the studyPurpose • Describing the reason for the study

Method • How the study was conductedMethod • How the study was conducted

R lt Q lit ti d i tiResults • Qualitative description

l i l l i d iConclusion • Final analysis, recommendations

R i i & f di


Revising & proofreading• Use a printed form, double spaced

How to read • Read aloud, slowly & carefully• Use a co‐reader

Modifying content

• Highlight content for revision• Write brief notes on the documentcontent • Revise with document in hand

Modifying • Check style conventionsstyle • Check punctuation & grammarProofreading • Use a style guide to check your workchecklist • Use a style guide to check your work

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1 Foundationprinciples • Writing an academic abstract


Academic • Style conventions & referencing

V b l &principles • Vocabulary & grammar


3 Document types



St l ti

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Style conventionsStyle • Standardized style formsconventions • Identified by journalsReferencing • Harvard, Chicago, APA, SBLconventions • Typically subject specificSI units & • Système International d’ Unitésabbreviations

y• International standard practice

Editorial R f t j l f idconventions • Refer to journal for guidance

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Silyn-Roberts, ‘Writing for Science & Engineering’ (2000)

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V b l &

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Vocabulary & grammar• Figures for measured quantities• Words for numbers 1‐10• Figures for numbers 11+

Figures & words

• Figures for mixed list• Words for number at sentence start• Figures for percentages• Words for fractions• Figures for dates & times

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V b l &

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Vocabulary & grammar• Equation text should be centered

Equations • Equation number tabbed to right• Cite using form ‘Eq. (#)’


T h i l bj t & d i ti

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Technical object & process description1.Numbering: firstly, secondly, thirdly(no more than five steps); in stepone, in step two, in step three (no

Describingmore than five steps)

steps 2.Sequencing: initially, to start with, tobegin, at first (beginning words);next, then, now (sequencing words);finally, eventually, at last (endingwords)



Technical object & process description3.Consequence: as a result of [verb]‐

Describingsteps

ing, now the [noun] is [verb]‐ed, the[noun] may now, consequently, after[verb]‐ing, having [verb]‐ed



Technical object & process description1. A set of actions for a purpose: the

Describing[verb]‐ing process/procedure

actions 2. A stage where one kind of actiontakes place: the [noun]/[verb]‐ingstage/phase



Technical object & process description1. Time references: the cans are

heated for 5 minutes; after 2 hours,the fruit is canned

Adding details 2. Volume/size/weight references:details

the milk is poured into 20 literbottles; the thread is cut into 900mlengths; the bricks are piled in 100kilogram stacks



Technical object & process description3. Action references: a drying oven =

Adding something is dried; a roller = usedto roll something; material moves

details through a grid; new or extramaterial is added

V b l &


Vocabulary & grammarTense, voice • Check tense& mood • Avoid overuse of passive moodEfficient • Reduce use of prepositionsstructures • Avoid too many conjunctionsGrammatical • Use appropriate personperson • Use appropriate person

Common • Tense confusionerrors • Verb/noun disagreement

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Document types



R h l

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Research proposalsType & • Standardized style formssubject • Identified by journals

• Summary• Research objectives• Background

Structure • Survey of existing literature• Methods & procedures• Time schedule• Resources

R h l

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Research proposals• Explanation of key concept

Content

• Clear description of method• Rationale for fundingContent • Persuasive argumentation• Demonstration of competence• Relevance to subject

R h l t it i

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Research proposals: assessment criteriaValidity • Should it be taken seriously?Validity Should it be taken seriously?

Soundness • Experimental design is soundSoundness • Experimental design is sound

Significance • Explain contribution to literatureSignificance • Explain contribution to literature

R l E l i l t f di b dRelevance • Explain relevance to funding body

h h ?Competence • Are the researchers competent?

R h l t it i

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Research proposals: assessment criteriaBudget • Is it appropriate?Budget Is it appropriate?

Evaluation • How is its merit to be assessed?Evaluation • How is its merit to be assessed?

Advantage • How will it benefit the funding body?Advantage • How will it benefit the funding body?

L I th l l & ibl ?Language • Is the language clear & accessible?

J l

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Journal papersDistinctive • Demonstration of prior knowledgefeatures • Argumentation for new contribution

• Title, author, abstract, keywords,Structure introduction, method, results,

discussion, conclusion

Content• Substantiated argumentation• Demonstrated competence• Obvious contribution to the field

J l

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Journal papers• Receipt by review board

Review process

• Review by referees• Referee recommendations• Acceptance, more review, rejection• Read all comments with care

Responding • Do not take comments personally• Recognize superior knowledge

to rejection • Amend accordingly• Note comments for future reference• Respond respectfully

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3 Document types



Academic Writing Workshop Fall 2011

Education

i recommendations

care i

didsome t t

section t

science engineering

serious problem t b

postgraduate writing

writingsilynroberts