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QAB 4032FINAL YEAR PROJECT I
Abdul Halim Abdul Latiff
Department of Geosciences
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Academic Writing – Writing a Proposal
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
Identify the differences between personal and academic writing
Identify the characteristics of effective academic writing
Apply appropriate tone for related audience.
How to write a good project / research proposal.
Academic Writing
What is academic writing?
Personal writing versus academic writing
Effective academic writing
Organization
Audience and tone
What is Academic Writing?
A generic term for all writing done in high school and college / university classes.
In academic writing, words, grammar and way of organizing ideas are different from other types of writing.
Elements such as format, sentence structure and organization are essential in academic writing.
Differences: Personal & Academic WritingPersonal
(Informal/Colloquial)
Academic
(Formal/Technical)
Audience close friends and family professors, lecturers
Tone informal, friendly formal, objective, serious
Vocabulary slang, idioms, contracted forms academic, wide range, concise, accurate
Style simple or compound sentences simple, compound, complex sentences, sentence variety
Language fragments, run-on sentences, misspellings, punctuation errors
should have no errors
Content conversational, maybe repetitive
depth of thought, unified
Organization maybe less structured than formal writing
clear, coherent, well planned
Convincing Content
The content is informative and thought-provoking.
use specific and logical details, examples, facts, statistics and case studies to support generalizing.
The support is relevant.
the support relates directly to the proposal and should
not digress away from the main point.
The content of the proposal / dissertation should shows depth of thought:
elements of critical thinking
analysis of information
interpretation of facts
making judgments
drawing conclusions
summarizing
defending opinions
Convincing Content
Clear Organization
• Introduction
• Body
• Conclusion
Most writing in English is linear with one central point or theme with every part contributing to the main line of argument:
Clear Organization
Two approaches used in academic writing:
Deductive: Generalization is stated first followed by supporting details and facts.
Inductive: Supporting details stated first followed by generalization.
Effective Use of English Language
Sentences must be clearly written.
Include subject-verb agreement, spelling, punctuation.
Style
Use complex and compound-complex sentences.
Avoid too many simple sentences.
Frequent use of conjunctions such as for, and, nor, but, or, yet and so.
Use a wide vocabulary range.
Tone
Different audience and purpose require different set of tone:
1. Objective
2. Persuasive
3. Enthusiastic
4. Serious
Objective language: Language used in formal report.
Example:a. A hazard exists if contact is made with this part while it
is whirling.b. Warning. Turn off all power before you remove the
cover. The blade underneath could slice off your fingers!
Tone
Tone
Persuasive language: Language used in formal proposal for thesis or final year project.
Example: a. The purpose of this study is to discover a more efficient
way to produce hydrocarbons. The financial support for this study will benefit many users. The researchers will be able to investigate the problems comprehensively…
Enthusiastic language: Writing in favor of a particular subject for possible recommendation or acceptance.
Example:a. The discovery of medicinal properties in this bacteria will
eradicate Alzheimer’s disease. This is a very importantand exciting discovery in the world of medicine.
Tone
Serious language: Language used to convey the seriousness of an event/item or a discovery.
Example:
a. Our study has shown that if we do not recycle, naturalresources will be depleted in 2010 and planet Earthwill be barren. This will cause economic andenvironmental disasters.
Tone
A FYP proposals must include:
A rationale for your problem / research question.
An overview of the literature relating to your research question.
A proposed methodology.
A proposed timetable.
A proposed reading list.
Ethical approval planning.
What is a Proposal?
When writing a proposal, think of these rules:
Be realistic
No one expects you to undertake a huge research study – you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to get a good grade.
Research, research AND research Do research before you begin planning your proposal to
better identify a topic area.
Research will help you focus on a question / hypothesis
You may chose to focus on an area you already know – but you still need to research
Give Yourself Enough Time!
Please avoid last minute work.
What is a Proposal?
Writing a Proposal
Analyse / Evaluate your topic
Identify why you have chosen the
research / project area
Read the literatureClarify your ideas
Discuss / finalisewith your
supervisor/s
Developing Your Proposal
Stage One
Discuss your ideas with your current academic supervisor in order to:
Agree a topic.
Agree a preliminary plan.
If necessary, your supervisor may refer you to another lecturer who has specialist knowledge in the field you are interested in.
Developing Your Proposal
Stage Two
Organise your initial ideas for the whole FYP duration (FYP1 + FYP 2):
The topic area.
The proposed title.
The main research question / problem statement.
The objectives of the project.
The proposed focus / scope of study.
Developing Your Proposal
Stage Two
When deciding your research question / problem statement, the topic should be:
Interesting to you personally.
Relevant to your work after your graduate (especially if you wish to continue your studies at post-graduate level).
Precise – avoid superficial generalisations.
Not to small or too large, so that you avoid either padding or being overloaded.
Developing Your Proposal
Stage Three
Keep discussing the topic with your SV
It will evolve the more you think about it / research it. This is perfectly natural, but your SV should be able to keep you on track.
The FYP proposal you write will be a result of these conversations.
FYP Proposal Outline
Front Page
Introduction
Problem Statement
Objectives
Scope of Study
Literature Review
Methodology
Project Workflow
Project Gantt Chart (Both FYP 1 & FYP 2)
Conclusion
References (APA Referencing Format)
Points to Remember
Give yourself enough time!
It’s a marathon, not a sprint – make sure when writing your proposal you create a realistic time-table!
Always check with your SV.
Know your deadlines.
Remember – it’s a proposal.
It isn’t set in stone, it’s flexible. Your SV can help you iron out problems, or guide you when your research questions changes (which it invariable will, as you learn more about the subject area).
Datelines 7th October 2016 (Friday) – 11.59pm (no extension)
To submit the proposal: Word PDF format Upload into Shared Google Drive:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B185x2PtA48HbmQyMk9tSm5xdWc?usp=sharing
No hardcopy / print out required.
Each student proposal will be marked by: Supervisor (15%) Internal Examiner (15%)
Marks will be deducted for late submission