ACADEMIC ENGLISH WRITING SKILLS

ACADEMIC ENGLISHWRITING SKILLSMdm Siti Aisyah binti Akiah

Faculty of Science, Technology & Human Development

Introduction

WRITING

TYPE 1Interpreting

Information Based on a Set of Non-

linear SourcesWrite a linear text

(150-200 words)

TYPE 2Extended Writing

Write an essay, report, article

or letter(at least 350

words)

2 UWB10102- Academic English

Question 1

You are expected to write a short linear text of 150 to 200 words based on:

a headline from a local newspaper a bar chart a table a line graph a pie chart a pictograph a flow chart

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Question 1

Study the following examples of non-linear texts and see how these can be analysed to extract only the relevant

information.

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Question 1:: Examples of Non-Linear Texts ::

Line Graph

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Question 1:: Examples of Non-Linear Texts ::

Bar Chart

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Question 1:: Examples of Non-Linear Texts ::

Pictograph

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Question 1:: Examples of Non-Linear Texts ::

Pie Chart

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Question 1:: Examples of Non-Linear Texts ::

Table

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Question 1:: Examples of Non-Linear Texts ::

Flow Chart

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Question 1:: How to analyse and interpret non-linear texts? ::

‘to analyse’ is to examine the data provided to discover the relevant/essential information presented to be put in the linear texts

1. Skim the text read through the texts quickly to get a general

idea of the information given read the titles, labels and any notes provided take note of the units of measurements used

Note: • If possible, highlight the keywords in the

question.

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2. Extract relevant information using the following questions

Question Information

What is the data about? Overview

What is the general trend

indicated?Controlling idea

What is the most

relevant / important

information?

Analysis & Synthesis

(should only be based on the

given texts)

What can be concluded

from the information?Conclusion

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Question 1:: How to analyse and interpret non-linear texts? ::

3. Write the Draft Since the essay is 150 to 200 words only, it will be helpful to follow the general plan given below:

(a) Introduction begin with a very general statement to describe what the non- linear sources are about. Then write a sentence to describe the general trend.

(b) Body analyse and synthesise only the relevant data, significant trends or significant features.

(c) Conclusion write a concluding sentence to summarise the data/information

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Question 1:: How to analyse and interpret non-linear texts? ::

Things to Remember: The report must be concise but accurate.  You have to make use of the existing data given in the

visuals only. While developing the outline into a linear text,

use a variety of sentences and a wide range of words / vocabulary

use linkers or transition words to give your linear text coherence

use words of phrases that describe information in a non-linear source

‘to synthesise’ is to combine separate sets of relevant information presented in the non-linear texts to form a coherent linear text

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Question 1:: How to analyse and interpret non-linear texts? ::

Question 1:: Vocabulary ::

To denote a rise:Verbs Adverbs Adjectives

increase

increase steadily

(move up gradually

at regular intervals)

a steep increase

go upgo up sharply

(a sudden rise)a gradual increase

riseincrease rapidly

(rise at a fast rate)

a record high

(the highest point in the

graph)

escalate

(the increased amount is

much higher) UWB10102 – Academic English15

Question 1:: Vocabulary :: To denote a drop:

Verbs Adverbs Adjectives

decrease decrease steadily

(drop gradually at

regular intervals)

a steep drop

decline fall sharply/steeply

(a sudden drop)

a gradual decrease

(drop at a slow rate)

fall decline rapidly

(drop at a fast rate)

a record low

(the lowest point in the

graph)

go down a downward trend

dip

(a small drop before a

rise)UWB10102 – Academic English16

Question 1:: Language ::

To describe a trend that shows a rapid change in an irregular manner (quick, short up-and-down movements): fluctuate (verb)

To describe a trend where there is little change: Verb: stabilize Adjective: stable growth, prices are stable,

prices remain constant, unchanged

To show comparison:more than, less than, higher than, lower than, least, most, highest, lowest

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Question 1:: Language ::

Think about the time period presented in the non-linear sources and the tenses should be used.

E.g. If the period mentioned is between 2005-2008, the verb tenses used to describe the information is in past form

For flow charts, use the simple present form in the active and passive voice if you are describing a process that is routine.

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