Making an Academic Writing [Compatibility Mode]

8/6/2019 Making an Academic Writing [Compatibility Mode]

1/83

Making an AcademicMaking an Academic

WritingWriting

ByBy

SIRI SENA BABA HAMIDSIRI SENA BABA HAMIDLibrary Science DepartmentLibrary Science Department

20102010


2/83

First stepFirst step

Understanding types of reference sourcesUnderstanding types of reference sources

Types of informationTypes of information

Acknowledging your sourcesAcknowledging your sources

Making a Reference ListMaking a Reference List

Do not do PlagiarismDo not do Plagiarism

Note for teachers!Note for teachers!


3/83

Types of ReferenceTypes of Reference

SourcesSources


4/83

IndexIndex

Gives citations to periodical articles, books,Gives citations to periodical articles, books,conference proceedings, and other informationconference proceedings, and other informationsourcessources

All the information youd need to find a source inAll the information youd need to find a source inprintprint

Many print indexes now exist as electronicMany print indexes now exist as electronicdatabasesdatabases


5/83


6/83

AbstractAbstract

An index that gives citations to informationAn index that gives citations to informationsourcessourcesANDAND summaries of each itemsummaries of each item

Many print abstracts now exist as electronicMany print abstracts now exist as electronic

databasesdatabases


7/83


8/83

AlmanacAlmanac

Usually a single volumeUsually a single volume

Compilation of statistics and other factsCompilation of statistics and other facts

Often published yearlyOften published yearly


9/83

AlmanacAlmanac


10/83


11/83

AtlasAtlas

Book of maps and geographical informationBook of maps and geographical information

May focus on places/spacesMay focus on places/spaces Road atlasRoad atlas

May focus on places over timeMay focus on places over time Historical atlasHistorical atlas

May focus on differences between populationsMay focus on differences between populations Atlas with statistical informationAtlas with statistical information


12/83


13/83


14/83

BibliographyBibliography

Compilation of sources of informationCompilation of sources of information

Provides literature on a specific subject or by aProvides literature on a specific subject or by aspecific authorspecific author

Often theOften the EASIESTEASIESTway to begin research on away to begin research on atopictopic


15/83


16/83

Biographical DictionaryBiographical Dictionary

Sources of information about the lives of peopleSources of information about the lives of people

Short entriesShort entries


17/83


18/83

ChronologyChronology

Presents information organized by datePresents information organized by date

Can cover brief or long time periodsCan cover brief or long time periods

World War I vs. all of human historyWorld War I vs. all of human history

May be subjectMay be subject--specificspecific


19/83


20/83

DictionaryDictionary

Confirms spelling, definition, pronunciationConfirms spelling, definition, pronunciation

Tells how words are usedTells how words are used

Gives synonyms & antonyms, as well as wordGives synonyms & antonyms, as well as word

originsorigins

May be general or subjectMay be general or subject--specificspecific


21/83


22/83

DirectoryDirectory

Lists names and addresses of individuals,Lists names and addresses of individuals,companies, organizations and institutionscompanies, organizations and institutions

Telephone books = directoriesTelephone books = directories


23/83


24/83

EncyclopediaEncyclopedia

Covers knowledge, or branches of knowledge, inCovers knowledge, or branches of knowledge, ina comprehensive but summary fashiona comprehensive but summary fashion

May be general or subjectMay be general or subject--specificspecific

Main entries generally alphabetical from A to ZMain entries generally alphabetical from A to ZBUTBUT the index is the most effective way tothe index is the most effective way toaccess informationaccess information


25/83


26/83

GazetteerGazetteer

Dictionary of geographical places namesDictionary of geographical places names

NO MAPSNO MAPS


27/83


28/83

GuidebookGuidebook

Provides detailed descriptions of places, as wellProvides detailed descriptions of places, as wellas geographical facts and mapsas geographical facts and maps

Intended for travelersIntended for travelers


29/83

HandbookHandbook

Treats one broad subject in brief, or gives a briefTreats one broad subject in brief, or gives a briefsurvey of a subjectsurvey of a subject


30/83


31/83

ManualManual

Specific work that tells how to do something, orSpecific work that tells how to do something, orhow something operateshow something operates


32/83


33/83

YearbookYearbook

Covers trends and events of the previous yearCovers trends and events of the previous year

May be general in coverage, or limited to oneMay be general in coverage, or limited to onesubject or placesubject or place


34/83


35/83


36/83

Making ReferencesMaking References

Acknowledging Sources in Academic

Writing

(Author-Date System, based on AmericanPsychological Association, APA)


37/83

Which should you use?Which should you use?

APAAPA: psychology,: psychology, educationeducation, and other social, and other socialsciences.sciences.

MLAMLA: literature, arts, and humanities.: literature, arts, and humanities.

AMAAMA: medicine, health, and biological sciences.: medicine, health, and biological sciences.TurabianTurabian: designed for college students to use: designed for college students to use

with all subjects.with all subjects.

ChicagoChicago: used with all subjects in the "real: used with all subjects in the "real

world" by books, magazines, newspapers, andworld" by books, magazines, newspapers, andother nonother non--scholarly publications.scholarly publications.


38/83

Academic Writing?Academic Writing?

At university a large percentage of your written work isbased on the ideas of other writers. Therefore, it isimportant to let the reader of your writing know whereyou found your ideas. Whenever you have taken

something from another author, (that is, you have takenan author's theory, opinion, idea, example, conclusion,or findings), you must saywherethe original can befound. In other words, you must acknowledgeand

citeyour sources. This is important whether or not youuse the author's own words.


39/83

Academic WritingAcademic Writing

Academic writing might be defined in many ways,Academic writing might be defined in many ways,there are three concepts that you need to understandthere are three concepts that you need to understandbefore you write your first academic paper.before you write your first academic paper.

1.1. Academic writing is writing done by scholars forAcademic writing is writing done by scholars forother scholars.other scholars.

2.2. Academic writing is devoted to topics andAcademic writing is devoted to topics andquestions that are of interest to the academicquestions that are of interest to the academiccommunity.community.

3.3. Academic writing should present the reader withAcademic writing should present the reader withan informed argument.an informed argument.

Diff A d i dDiff A d i d


40/83

Differences Between Academic andDifferences Between Academic and

Personal WritingPersonal Writing

Personal Writing Academic Writing

Tells a story Comments, evaluates, analyses

Non-technical vocabulary Subject-specific vocabulary

I at the centre I as observer and commentator

Information comes from the writers

experience

Information comes from sources and

refers to what others say

Personal views and feelings Evidence and arguments

Conventions for citation


41/83

DocumentationDocumentation

Information which is exclusively the idea orInformation which is exclusively the idea oroutcome of someone else work, you must useoutcome of someone else work, you must usedocumentationdocumentation. The material you need to. The material you need to

document appears either as adocument appears either as aparaphraseparaphrase,, aa

summarysummary, or a, or a direct quotationdirect quotation in yourin yourwriting.writing.

(Bell, K., 1990. p. 402)(Bell, K., 1990. p. 402)


42/83


Using documentation demonstrates the extentUsing documentation demonstrates the extentof your knowledge, builds the readers trust inof your knowledge, builds the readers trust inyour opinions, and increases your ethical appeal.your opinions, and increases your ethical appeal.

(Bell, K., 1990, p. 402)(Bell, K., 1990, p. 402)


43/83

2 ways to document your work:2 ways to document your work:

1.1. Internal documentationInternal documentation

InIn--texttext

2.2. External documentationExternal documentation

referencesreferences



44/83

OVERVIEW

The American Psychological Association (APA) style, iswidely accepted in the Social Sciences and Education.The APA citation format requires parentheticalcitations within the text rather than endnotes or

footnotes. Citations in the text provide brief information, usually

the name of the author and the date of publication, tolead the reader to the source of information in the

reference list at the end of the paper.

WHY h ld k l d


45/83

WHY should you acknowledge your

sources?

to show that you have read and understood the research published inyour area of study

to lend authority to what you are writing

to strengthen your argument

to support your own ideas

to provide details or background to what you are writing

to provide interest.

WHEN h ld k l d r


46/83

WHEN should you acknowledge yoursources?

Whenever you use a source of information:

as your inspiration

as the source of a theory, argument or point of view

for specific information such as statistics, examples or casestudies

for direct quotations (using the authors exact words)

to paraphrase or summarise an authors work


47/83

HOW do you choose your sources?

When you are taking something from anothersource, you are taking it out of its original

context and putting it into a new context yourown assignment. You must make sure it fitsproperly into this new context.

This means:


48/83

This means:

it must be relevant to your argument

it must join neatly with what comes before and after

it must make logical and grammatical sense.


49/83

1 In t t R f r n in A th r D t St l (APA)


50/83

1. In-text References in Author-Date Style (APA)

Many forms of referencing are acceptable. Ask your lecturerswhich form of referencing they prefer. Most lecturers at theUniversities in Malaysia prefer the American PsychologicalAssociations (APAs) version of theAuthor/Datesystem, whichis outlined below. Whichever system you use, you must follow itconsistently; don't mix footnotes with Author-Date, for instance.

In-text references in the Author-Date system should containonly the following information, in this order:

1) the surname of the author/s

2) the year of publication of the text

3) the page number/s of the text (usually for direct quotations,particular ideas and concepts).


51/83

You need to provide an in-text


52/83

You need to provide an in-text

reference if you:

a. use a long direct quotation (three lines or more),

b. use a short direct quotation (two lines or less)

c. use an indirect quotation by either paraphrasing or

summarising


53/83

a. Long Direct Quotations

A direct quotation consists of the actual words used byan author, in the same order as the original text. Inother words, it is a direct copy (quotation) of 40 or

more words which is separated from the rest of the textas a freestanding block and does not require quotationmarks. Indent it 5 spaces from the left hand margin anduse the same font size as the text with double-line

spacing. Give page number(s) as well as author anddate.


54/83

For example:

Language is subject to change, just as everything else in the world is.

As Aitchison (1981, p.16) puts it:Language, then, like everything else, gradually transformsitself over the centuries. There is nothing surprising in this. Ina world where humans grow old, tadpoles change to frogs,

and milk turns into cheese, it would be strange if languagealone remained unaltered. In spite of this, large numbers ofintelligent people condemn and resent language change,regarding alterations as due to unnecessary sloppiness,laziness or ignorance. In other words, people should not getupset or angry because language use varies from generation togeneration, because this is a natural process that cannot bestopped.

b. Short Direct Quotations


55/83

b. Short Direct Quotations

A short direct quotation is inserted directly intothe text without separating it from the rest ofthe paragraph. Use opening and closingquotation marks, and give the page number.

For example:


56/83

For example:

Here the writer has chosen a few words from the passage thatare relevant to the topic of the paragraph. Notice again how thewriter then adds a comment to explain more fully what is meantby the quotation, and how it relates to the topic of theparagraph.

c. Indirect Quotations (paraphrasing and


57/83

c. Indirect Quotations (paraphrasing andsummarising)

Paraphrasing

When you paraphrase, you write an authors idea inyour own words, although you can use some of theauthors own words as well. This is preferable to

direct quotes, as the reference fits more neatly intoyour own style of writing. It also shows that youreally do understand what the author is saying. It isimportant to acknowledge the author with name and

date.

F l


58/83

For example:


59/83

Summarising

A summary gives an outline of the main points of apassage, chapter or book.

F lF l


60/83

For example:For example:

Note that page numbers are usually not required with

indirect quotations. Ask your lecturers whether they

require page numbers with paraphrasing or summarizing.

2. The Reference List


61/83

The Reference List is a list of all sources used inyour assignment. It is different from abibliography which includes all the sources youconsulted including some not cited in yourassignment. At the University in Malaysia mostlecturers require a reference list.

Reference listReference list


62/83

Reference listReference list

You should give a list of all the sources you havereferred to in your work. Your reference listmust provide full and accurate details, as it is themeans by which the reader can follow up yoursources. There are some standard conventionsthat you must follow, and some stylisticconventions that are more flexible.


63/83


64/83


65/83


66/83

Take note:Take note:


67/83

Take note:Take note:

Additional information can be obtained from the AmericanPsychological Association Website:

http://www.apastyle.org/elecsource.html


68/83

What is plagiarism?What is plagiarism?

(And why you should care!)(And why you should care!)

Definition:Definition:


69/83

Definition:Definition:

Plagiarism is the act of presenting the words,Plagiarism is the act of presenting the words,ideas, images, sounds, or the creativeideas, images, sounds, or the creativeexpression of others as your own.expression of others as your own.

Students If:Students If:


70/83

Students. If:Students. If:

you have included theyou have included thewords and ideas ofwords and ideas ofothers in your workothers in your workthat you neglected tothat you neglected to

cite,cite, you have had helpyou have had help

you wouldnt wantyou wouldnt wantyour teacher to knowyour teacher to knowabout,about,

Two types of plagiarism:Two types of plagiarism:


71/83

Two types of plagiarism:Two types of plagiarism:

IntentionalIntentional Copying a friends workCopying a friends work

Buying or borrowing papersBuying or borrowing papers

Cutting and pasting blocks ofCutting and pasting blocks oftext from electronic sourcestext from electronic sources

without documentingwithout documenting

Media borrowingwithoutMedia borrowingwithoutdocumentationdocumentation

Web publishing withoutWeb publishing withoutpermissions of creatorspermissions of creators

UnintentionalUnintentional Careless paraphrasingCareless paraphrasing

Poor documentationPoor documentation

Quoting excessivelyQuoting excessively

Failure to use your ownFailure to use your own

voicevoice

ExcusesExcuses


72/83

ExcusesExcuses

Its okay if

I dont get caught!

I was too busy towrite that paper!

(Job, big game, too much homework!)

My teachersexpect

too much!

Ive got to getinto

??? U.!

My parentsexpect As!

This assignment

was BORING!

Everyone does it!

Rationale for academic integrityRationale for academic integrity

( if i !)( if i !)


73/83

(as if it were necessary!)(as if it were necessary!)

When you copy you cheat yourself. YouWhen you copy you cheat yourself. Youlimit your own learning.limit your own learning.

The consequences are not worth the risks!The consequences are not worth the risks!

It is only right to give credit to authorsIt is only right to give credit to authorswhose ideas you usewhose ideas you use

Citing gives authority to the informationCiting gives authority to the information

you presentyou present Citing makes it possible for your readers toCiting makes it possible for your readers to

locate your sourcelocate your source

Education is not an us vs. them game!Education is not an us vs. them game!Its about learning to learn!Its about learning to learn!

Cheating is unethical behaviorCheating is unethical behavior

Is your academic

reputation valuable

to you?

Is this important?Is this important?


74/83

s s po a ?s s po a ?

What if:What if: Your architect cheated his way through math class. Will yourYour architect cheated his way through math class. Will your

new home be safe?new home be safe?

Your lawyer paid for a copy of the bar exam to study. WillYour lawyer paid for a copy of the bar exam to study. Willthe contract she wrote for you stand up in court?the contract she wrote for you stand up in court?

The accountant who does your taxes hired someone to writeThe accountant who does your taxes hired someone to writehis papers and paid a standhis papers and paid a stand--in to take his major tests? Doesin to take his major tests? Doeshe know enough to complete your tax forms properly?he know enough to complete your tax forms properly?

(Lathrop and Foss 87)(Lathrop and Foss 87)


75/83

Do I have

to citeeverything?

Nope!Nope!


76/83

Facts that are widely known, orFacts that are widely known, or Information or judgments consideredInformation or judgments considered

common knowledgecommon knowledge

DoDo NOTNOT have to be documented.have to be documented.

Hooray forcommon

knowledge!

Whats the big deal?Whats the big deal?


77/83

gg


78/83

Use these three strategies,Use these three strategies,


79/83

QuotingQuoting ParaphrasingParaphrasing

SummarizingSummarizing

To blend source materials in with your own, making sure your ownTo blend source materials in with your own, making sure your own

voice is heard.voice is heard.


80/83

This next sectionThis next section

is for teachers!is for teachers!

Preventing plagiarismPreventing plagiarism


81/83

g p gg p g

Set a climate where academic integrity is valuedSet a climate where academic integrity is valued Design thoughtful assignmentsDesign thoughtful assignments

Set up checkpoints throughout the process:Set up checkpoints throughout the process: Drafts, outlines, organizers, preliminary Works CitedDrafts, outlines, organizers, preliminary Works Cited

Keep portfolios of student writingKeep portfolios of student writing

Vary assignments and topic suggestions each semesterVary assignments and topic suggestions each semester Describe the degree to which collaboration is acceptable to yourDescribe the degree to which collaboration is acceptable to your

studentsstudents

Require an annotated bibliographyRequire an annotated bibliography

Shorter papers are okayShorter papers are okay

Reference:Reference:


82/83

Publication Manual of the American Psychological AssociationPublication Manual of the American Psychological Association,,5th ed. (2006). New York: American Psychological5th ed. (2006). New York: American Psychological

Association.Association.


83/83

Siri Sena Baba Hamid / IPG Kampus Darulaman 2010

Documents

Making an Academic Writing [Compatibility Mode]