Improve Your Academic Writing

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Improving Your Academic Writing

Wednesday 23 rd November 2011

Maggie Hardman


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The importance of strong academic writingThe process of academic writingGiving meaning to your work, through four differenttypes of clauses.Linking and transitional signalsAim to challenge you to think about your own writing

Session Today


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RP, LA, IA, IE, full thesis.Written communicationFormal academic style of EnglishStart writing early

Introduction: Thesis and

Report Writing


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On a construction project, what happens first?Then?Then?Then?

Then?When is a construction project finished?

Building Blocks of your Thesis


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1. Reason

2. Contrast3. Addition4. Result

Four Types of Clauses


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1. Reason Clauses

Reason clauses answer the why question Cause and effect of somethingIf you dont provide reasons you will be encouragingyour supervisor / examiner to ask so what? Important to justify your choices


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Statement : The methodology chapter is arguably themost important part of the thesis (Hardman, 2012).Question: Why is the methodology chapter the mostimportant part of the thesis?Reason clause: Because the methodology chapter demonstrates an understanding of research methods, itcan be argued that it is the most important part of thethesis (Hardman, 2012).Note the comma rule: if the dependent clause comes atthe beginning, use a comma.

Reason Clauses - Example


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Contrast clauses are independent or dependentclauses that present an idea with another idea in thesentence.The second clause has a contrasting opinion to that ofthe first clause

Used to show different arguments, views,perceptions, principles, theories.

2. Contrast Clauses


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Statement: Writing is always a difficult process (Hardman, 2012).Contrasting Opinion: Writing becomes easier withpractice (Ahmed, 2012).Contrast Clauses: Writing is always a difficult process,(Hardman, 2012), however, it does become easier withpractice (Ahmed, 2012).

Contrast Clauses - Example


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To add related statements / similar opinions to buildan argumentSchools of thoughtThemesParagraphsSupporting arguments

3. Addition Clauses


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Statement 1: The methodology chapter is arguably themost important part of the thesis (Hardman, 2012).Statement 2: Ahmed (2012) states that themethodology section is crucial to understanding research methods.Addition clauses: Hardman (2012) states that the mostimportant section of the research project is themethodology, similarly, Ahmed (2012) argues that thispart of the thesis is paramount in justifying understanding.

Addition Clauses - Example


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Result clauses are independent clauses that tell theresult or effect of something described in the firstindependent clause.Cause and effect sentencesTherefore, consequently and so are often used (notethat a comma should follow these transitional signals)

4. Result Clauses


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Statement: The methodology chapter is arguably the

most important part of the thesis (Hardman, 2012).Result: Many students spend months researching methodology (Ahmed, 2012).Result clause: The most critical aspect of the thesis is

the methodology chapter (Hardman, 2012); thereforemany students spend considerable time researching this aspect of their thesis (Ahmed, 2012).

Result Clauses - Example


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Conclusion

Academic writing is a skill that can be developedIt should be started earlyClauses are joined together in different ways toprovide reason, contrast, addition, or result.When writing this way, it gives meaning to your work

Documents

Improve Your Academic Writing