Academic Writing:Writing in a critical way

Dr. Tamara O’ConnorStudent Learning Development

Student Counselling Service

student.learning@tcd.ie

896-1407

http://student-learning.tcd.ie

Learning Objectives

Understand what is meant by academic writing

Awareness of academic conventions and practices

Learn how to develop argument in your writing

Awareness of plagiarism and use appropriate use of references/citations

Writing in an academic way

Being critical and analytical Using language in a precise & subject-

specific way Adopting a position - thesis Drawing on and citing a range of authors &

arguments Remaining objective

Writing Process

Planning Thinking Researching Writing Editing

Think

Write

Plan

Planning the assignment

Understand the question– Breakdown– Verbs

Requirements– Length, Wording– Referencing

Establish Time Frame

Thinking

Brainstorm– Ideas– What know– Try mindmapping

Preliminary reading Refine topic Continues throughout process

Organizing your argument Title Introduction

– Thesis statement Body Paragraphs

– Constructing Topic Sentences

– Building Main Points– Countering the Opposition

Conclusion

From Purdue University Writing Lab http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

Structure

Introduction– outline of essay

Main section– Main point A

• details, evidence

– Main point B

Conclusion– summary of main points– personal conclusions

Researching

Rough outline Gather information relevant to topic Keep good notes

– organise content according to outline– choose what to include

Keep references Digest and reflect on information

Writing

Start writing early– extend outline– one idea or section at a time– get something down!

Write first, rough draft Revise & improve draft How many drafts?

What is critical writing?

Argument– Evaluate & weigh up

ideas

– State point of view

– Consider available evidence

– Possible counter arguments

– Claim that is proven throughout the paper

Opinion– Point of view

– Lack of supporting evidence

– Personal feelings and views

Steps in constructing thesis

Analyse topic Write down your working thesis

– Your point of view in relation to topic– Keep thesis prominent

Organise your argument Develop argument Document points and claims Reference or bibliography

Develop your argument

Use source material – reliable evidence Show line of reasoning

– link points– central guiding line

Show awareness of complexities– Counter arguments, relativism

Your conclusions - based on evidence

Signposting your line of reasoning

Indicator words for claims– Therefore, thus, hence, so, as a result

Indicator words for reasons– Because, since, on account of, for, in view of,

for the reason that

Tentative or ‘hedging’

References

Why?

Credit sources of information & ideas Reader can locate for further information if

required Validate arguments Increase and spread knowledge Show depth, breadth & quality of your reading!

References

When?

Direct quotes Paraphrases Statistics/Studies Theories Interpretations Facts

Plagiarism

Using someone’s words or ideas and presenting them as your own (Marshall & Rowland, 1998)

Inappropriate use of ideas from books, articles, internet, or other students’ work

???

References

How?– Reference system e.g. Harvard, Footnote– Record sources– Take careful notes– Reference list– In-text citing or referencing

Further information

http://student-learning.tcd.ie http://owl.english.purdue.edu http://www.learnhigher.ac.uk http://writing.umn.edu Linking words:

http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/Resources/la/QuickClicks%20Repository/LC_worksheet_linking%20words.pdf

Crème & Lea (1997). Writing at university.