Southern Cross University

ObjectivesAnalyse and outline key points in preparing

and writing academic essaysIdentify types of reports and the principles of

report constructionIdentify techniques for collection and

organisation of data

ReadingsDwyer, Chapter 12 and Chapter 18

Academic WritingBackground What is academic writing

- need to convince reader - give details and explanations- take a stance- explain or define terms- use literature - use paragraphs

Result – ‘academic’ logical, clear writing

Essay & Report – What’s the Difference?Purpose,

Physical difference

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ACTIVITY

The ProcessPrepare to write

Write

Review your written material

Process of assignment writing- interpret assignment task- begin reading- take notes/organise ideas- further reading- develop plan- write first draft- rewrite to link and develop ideas- Rewrite/read/add ideas- Edit and final reading

(PittmanJ. 2002)

Interpreting the Assignment TaskFocus of topicAre you being limited to think of topic

in certain way?What are you being asked to do with

knowledge gathered?How are you being asked to organise

ideasWhat is idea or concept of the

assignment

(Pittman J.2002)

Analysing The QuestionIn this stage you carefully read and analyse

what is meant by the assignment task and the criteria that will be used to mark your essay.

This is important because it helps to give you a focus for gathering relevant information.

Bloom’s taxonomyEvaluationSynthesisAnalysisApplicationComprehensionKnowledge

Expectations in AssignmentsWords such as:

analyse, compare, contrast, judge, criticise, evaluate, argue, discuss, review, interpret and examine

convey expectations in relation to the higher order thinking skills

Expectations in Assignmentswords such as:

describe, illustrate, summarise , outline, define, identify, demonstrate, how? and what?

convey expectations in relation to the lower order thinking skills.

Critical analysisAnalysis means breaking down a

process/model/concept into its parts and then weighing up each of these parts by making a judgement about the strengths and weaknesses/ pros/cons in a context.

The Academic Essay - Construction

Interpret the taskBegin reading-efficiently, criticallyDecide on perspective or stanceWrite introductionWrite the bodyWrite the conclusionConstruct the reference list

(Pittman J.2002)

Structuring a critical analysis essay:

Break the process/model/concept into its parts. Identify these parts.

For each of these parts consider: What is the point you want to make about the

parts? Explain and develop this point by considering: What do you mean by this? What evidence is there for it?

Structuring a critical analysis essay:How does your point/comment fit into a

wider context? How does it compare (similarities and

differences) with what other writers have written?

What is your comment based on the evidence and comparisons you have given for this point?

The introductionLocate the topic in the general area

of study Define terms (if definition is short,

otherwise use a separate paragraph)

Limit the scope of the essay (if applicable)

Give the reader a clear indication of what is to follow. State your position / viewpoint / interpretation / thesis. This enables the writer to develop an argument and puts the reader/marker in a position to be able to judge the quality of the argument.

The body: paragraphs

Paragraphs can be used to: list examples introduce some new ideas that you intend to

explain further present one point of the argument with

reference to the literature compare, explain and/or report

Paragraphs

Note the paragraph structure. Note how:

the first sentence contains the point of the paragraph, that is, one of the reasons being given to substantiate the overall argument 'smoking is a health hazard'.

the subsequent sentences give an explanation of the point (with in-text referencing) and evidence to substantiate the point (with in-text referencing).

the final sentence makes a critical comment, i.e., acknowledges the limitations of the explanation and evidence, but draws a conclusion which supports the opening sentence (the point of the paragraph).

The conclusion

Complete

Succinct

Mirror plan

Types of Reports

Research report

Evaluative report

Research by reading report

Constructing an Academic ReportInterpret taskDecide on report purpose Begin readingBegin writingConcentrate on organising and developing

ideas in paragraphs

Report Format

Title pageTable of ContentsExecutive Summary or AbstractIntroductionMain Body of ReportConclusionRecommendations (only if

required)Reference ListAppendices (Optional)Other - Letter of transmittal,

Acknowledgements, List of Figures and Tables, Glossary

Executive Summary / AbstractGives the reader a logical

overall view of the reportHas to be able to stand

alone!!10 % length for a long reportShort report: a sentence for

each of theseaim, procedure/methodology, results, conclusion (or discussion) and

recommendations.

Editing your report #1Firstly - Have you addressed the

question/task? Check for the organisation and

development of ideas Have you included all the relevant

sections for your report type? Is your report in logical order? Does each paragraph have a topic

sentence? (Note that point form is often used in reports).

Editing your report #2Is each paragraph developed

appropriately for your purpose? Have you reported facts before you begin

to discuss them? Have you tried to include some critique of

others' work when appropriate? Have you taken your information beyond

the level of 'this is what I found and this is what I (or others) have to say about it'?

Editing your report #3Have you answered the questions:

'What are the implications of this finding/information?'

'What are the strengths/weaknesses or pros/cons of this information?

You can lead yourself to these answers by asking yourself 'so what?' after you've written the points in the discussion.

Check your structure/layout Do your sub-headings reflect the

information that follows? If you remove the sub-headings will the

information in the first sentence still make sense?

Are the headings consistent in their use of capitals, font size etc?

Note that in short reports there is generally no need to start a new page for each section.

Final checksCheck the consistency of any numbering

systemCheck for spelling, grammar and

referencing Have you spell-checked your work? Do you know

the difference between affect/effect and it's/its? Is your punctuation appropriate? Is the verb tense

appropriate for each section? Have you supported your discussion or evaluation/interpretation with reference to the literature?

Have you referenced accurately?