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Academic Writing Techniques Guide

1. The document discusses various text structures used in academic texts including definition, description, sequence, cause-effect, problem-solution, comparison, enumeration, and classification. 2. It also covers approaches for determining text structures such as noting language cues, graphic presentations, and outlining. Outlining principles include division, classification, coordination, and subordination. 3. Language and text structures are discussed across different disciplines including math, business, social sciences, natural sciences, and literature/arts. Each discipline employs certain terminology, symbols, and conventions in texts.

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Cloe Miranda
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
91 views5 pages

Academic Writing Techniques Guide

1. The document discusses various text structures used in academic texts including definition, description, sequence, cause-effect, problem-solution, comparison, enumeration, and classification. 2. It also covers approaches for determining text structures such as noting language cues, graphic presentations, and outlining. Outlining principles include division, classification, coordination, and subordination. 3. Language and text structures are discussed across different disciplines including math, business, social sciences, natural sciences, and literature/arts. Each discipline employs certain terminology, symbols, and conventions in texts.

Uploaded by

Cloe Miranda
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL constitute a concept, presented in

PURPOSES REVIEWER hierarchical order


Made by: JP De Guzman o Key words: several type/kinds, another
-Kung mahal mo, magreview ka muna! kind of, divided to
• Thesis-evidence
I. READING ACADEMIC TEXTS
o Serves the purposes of arguing a
A. Informational Text Structures point/position or interpretation
o Key words: assert/claim, prove/show
• Definition/Elucidation that, support, allege that
o Explains nature of something and
describes the thing being defined and B. Approaches to Determine Text Structures
cites examples
• Noting Language cues (key words)
o Key words: is/are, is defined as, means,
• Make Graphic presentation of the text
involves, as appears to be, a type of, a
• Outlining (main ideas and subtopics)
kind of
o Framework of a text through division
• Description
and subdivision of ideas
o Concrete details of appearance,
o Basic Principles and Rules in
characteristics, and actions
Outlining
o Key words: describes size, shape, color,
▪ Principle of Division
position, texture, adverbs of manner,
➢ every part of an outline
adjective phrases
that has subtopics
• Recount of a Sequence
should have at least two
o Chronological narration and sequential
parts or subsections
description of a process/procedure
▪ Principle of Classification
o Key words: first, second, now, before,
➢ Similar ideas should go
after, then, finally, while, meanwhile,
together
during
▪ Principle of Coordination
• Cause-Effect ➢ Coordinate headings
o Explains reasons why something must be expressed in
happened/effect of something parallel construction
o Key words: Effect-so, so that, as a ▪ Principle of Subordination
result, Cause-due to, because of, a ➢ There are big ideas and
cause of small idea
• Problem-Solution o Types of Outlines
o Starts with negative situations ends with ▪ Sentences Outline
a positive situation ▪ Topic Outline
o Key words: the problem/dilemma is, o Outline Format
if/then, so that, solves, an answer to, ▪ Traditional Outline
addresses the problem of ➢ Main ideas are labeled
• Comparison and Contrast with Roman numerals
o Similarities and differences are ▪ Non-Traditional Outline
presented
o Similarities key words: Similarly, in like C. Language and Text Structures across Disciplines
manner, in the same way
• Math
Differences key words: On the other
o Use of symbols and expressions in
hand, on the contrary, the opposite,
place of words
compared to, in contrast, although,
o Exact, precise language
unless, however
• Business
• Enumeration
o Use of business jargons and letters
o List of parts, of characteristics, of
o Compound nouns are standard
examples,
expressions
o Key words: To start with, first, second, in
addition, next, then, another, finally • Social Science
o Analysis of graphs and tables
• Classification
o Political Science, Economics, Sociology
o Present groupings, types, classes,
and Psychology
categories, and sub-categories that
• Natural Science o People’s evaluation can help improve
o Technical terms, symbols, one’s skill or craft
abbreviations, diagrams and drawings o Guide to help people make decisions
o Science texts are dense and o Critique
information-heavy ▪ Assess/evaluate the merits of a
• Literature and the Arts work
o Connotative language and figures of ▪ Objective, using a criteria
speech; vivid language for images and o Reaction Paper
impressions ▪ Evaluation of the works,
o Creativity weighs as much as content experiencesfeelings in relation
to the work being evaluated
D. Stating the Main Idea of a Text ▪ Subjective, how the work affects
the writer
• The thesis or main point of an informational text
o Subjectivity sets the difference between
• Types
reaction papers and critiques
o Deductive
o Both provides accurate descriptions of
▪ Stated ate the beginning;
the work being evaluated
followed by the supporting ideas
o Inductive B. Facts and Opinions
▪ Stated at the end; earlier
statements are details/specifics • Facts
that build up the main point o Verifiable statements
o Can be proven as true or false
E. Summarizing and Paraphrasing o Tested through direct experience
• Opinions
• Summary
o Expression of a person’s “feelings,
o Short/abbreviated version of a longer
attitudes, or beliefs, that are neither true
text
nor false”
• Paraphrase
o Can never be proven as true or false
o A restatement/restructuring of ideas for
o But may be difficult to prove as true or
the purpose of clarifying the meaning of
false because of ambiguous wordings
a text
C. Content and Organization of Critiques and
Reaction Papers

• Characteristics of a Good Critique/Reaction


Paper
o Accurate
▪ Accurate description
II. WRITING CRITIQUES AND REACTION PAPERS ▪ Summary/background details (5
A. Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing W’s)
o Evaluative
• Critical Thinking ▪ Writer’s overall judgement
o Evaluative thinking ▪ 3 or more supporting
o Judgements can be both positive and evaluations
negative o Balanced
o Judgements = to criticize and evaluate ▪ Pointing out the weaknesses
• Critical Reading ▪ Recognizing the strong points
o Applying critical thinking skills upon the • Writing process
things we read that includes many kinds o Know well the nature of the writing
of materials that we encounter everyday assignment
o Important because it is not just used in o See, listen to, or otherwise experience
academics but is a life skill the work assigned for evaluation
• Critical Writing o Outline your presentation
o Result of critical thinking and reading o Draft and edit your paper
o Way of judging a student’s critical
thinking ability
o Way to determine how students feel
about the assigned subject
B. Writing a Position Paper
III. THE POSITION PAPER
• Choosing an issue for a topic
A. The Nature of a Position Paper • Collective information on the issue
o Logical Appeals
• Position Paper
▪ Use facts in order to support a
o Also called argumentative
position and persuade the
paper/manifesto
audience by targeting their
o Presents a person/group’s position or
thinking
stand on a particular issue
▪ Types of Arguments
o Convince the reader of the acceptability
➢ Transitivity
of the writer’s position
✓ Involves 3
• Uses of a Position Paper terms
o To express sentiments on an issue associated
o Any kind of situation in which there is a through the
significant issue that needs to be process of
addressed classification
o Helps others to become aware of certain ➢ Incompatibility
problems in society and possibly ✓ 2contradictory
become more involved in finding the choices
solution to it ➢ Reciprocity
• Parts of a Position Paper ✓ Individuals and
o Issue situations that
▪ An idea or question which can be put
people are divided together under
▪ Also called controversy the same
o Thesis category should
▪ A statement that expresses the be treated in the
stand or position on the issue same way
▪ Also called the claim ➢ Comparison
o Reasons ✓ argues that 2
▪ Explanation why the position is situations will
logical, acceptable, and have the same
believable outcome
▪ Also called arguments because of the
o Support similarities
▪ Evidences or ideas to between these
substantiate the reasons situations
▪ Types ➢ Generalization
➢ Facts - figures and the ✓ Use 1 member
writer’s own of a population
observations/reports to make
from scholarly studies conclusions
➢ Comparisons – about the entire
similarities/differentiatio population
n between two ideas, ➢ Examples
concepts, or situations ✓ use a group of
➢ Examples - real-life examples
demonstrations of an ➢ Cause
idea ✓ posits that A is
➢ Opinions - the author’s caused by B
feelings/generalizations
o Counterarguments ➢ Sign
▪ Opposing viewpoints give the ✓ uses a sign or
arguments opposing your stand indicator X to
▪ Refutes by showing argue for the
weaknesses existence of
condition Y
o Emotional Appeals o Conclusion
▪ Use the audience’s feelings and ▪ Summarize your arguments
values in order to persuade ▪ Reiterate your position
▪ Used only in addition to Logical
appeals to ensure balanced IV. THE CONCEPT PAPER
approach A. The Nature of a Concept Paper
▪ Types of Emotional Appeals
➢ Bandwagon Appeal • Concept Paper
✓ Uses people’s o An in-depth analysis of any idea,
tendency to situation or practice
conform with o It can be on anything that you find
the majority significant: feeling, a cultural practice, a
➢ Appeal to Common belief, a situation
Folk o It could be on something you feel strong
✓ the persuasion about or something you are very familiar
is done by with
pointing out that o Examines the “what-ness” or nature of
a person is no something
different from
ordinary people B. The Concept Paper as Extended Definition
➢ False Authority • Written to inform if the topic or concept is
✓ A type of false unknown to the audience
reasoning in • Written to introduce new information/dimension
which a person that gives new perspective to the concept if the
speaks as audience knows the subjects
expert on
• Definition Paper and Project Proposal
something on
o Definition Paper: Targets the
which he / she
explanation of an idea, theory, practice,
has no
or principle for the purpose of informing
expertise,
the audience
➢ Name Calling/Ad
o Project Proposal: Seeks to present an
Hominem
idea for consideration by others,
✓ uses labels with
possibly for support; hence, a concept
negative
paper also entails persuasive intent
meanings to
• Formal Definition
cast one’s
o Give the class to which the term belongs
opponent in a
• Informal Definition
bad light
o Based on a person’s personal views
➢ Association
✓ done by • Technical Definition
creating a link o Makes use of the technical language or
between one specialized vocabulary of a field
thing or idea • Popular Definition
and another o Makes use of the layman’s language is
one that people easy to understand
have a positive • Deductive Order > Organization > > Negative to
or negative Positive & Chronological Order
feelings for • Present tense for defining a term;
Past tense for tracing the historical
development > Indefinite article in the 1st part of
the definition > Restrictive clause in the 2nd part
• Organizing the Content of the definition
o Introduction C. Rhetorical Strategies used to Extend a Definition
▪ Introduce the issue
▪ State the claim on the issue • Examples
o Body o Fitting strategy if the term is abstract
▪ Present the opposing viewpoint • Comparison and Contrast
▪ Present your arguments
o Used when the term is not familiar or ▪ Free of emotionally loaded or
popular to the audience biased words so that the report
• Giving Details appears neutral and factual
o Physical description: shape, size, color, o Nondiscriminatory Writing
texture; non-physical: characteristics ▪ Treats all people equally and
• Giving Historical Background respectfully: gender, age,
o Used when a definition has gone disability
through changes in time
B. Parts of a Report
• Analysis
o Discussing the idea’s components • Prefatory Elements
and/or its implications o Title Page
o Abstract
D. The Concept Paper as a Project Proposal
• Report Proper
• Serves as an initial stage in the process of o Introduction
preparing a project proposal o Procedures
• A summary of proposed project o Results and Discussion
• Serve the twin purposes of informing and o Conclusion
persuading o Appendix
• Sections of Project Concept Paper o References
o Introduction C. Field Report
▪ Arouse the interest of the
reader/target sponsor by • Documents and interprets a researcher’s
showing your understanding of observation of behaviors usually in relation to a
their mission theory
o Purpose • Participants’ behaviors are carefully recorded,
▪ a problem or need of the reader described, and classified in order to show
that you wish to address patterns and/or unique instances.
o Project Description • Assigned to allow students to connect a theory
▪ Describe the activities that your to real life
project will undertake to address • Parts of a Field Report
the problem/need. o Introduction
o Objectives ▪ Orients the readers about the
▪ SMART observation done
o Methodology/Project Design o Description
▪ steps/procedures to implement ▪ provides the details of what you
the project have experienced
o Project Needs ▪ Scope
▪ a list that will be needed to carry ▪ Subjects
out the project ▪ Obsevations
o Timetable o Interpretation and Analysis
▪ an estimate of the time it will ▪ explains what you have seen
take for the completion of the from the perspective of the
project theory
o Conclusions and Recommendations
V. WRITING A FIELD REPORT
▪ summarizes the findings of the
A. Basic Report Writing Principles paper
▪ Summary of the findings
• Writing Style for Reports ▪ Recommendations
o Concise Writing ▪ Limitations
▪ Efficient writing; text should o Appendix
state an idea with the least ▪ the “extras” that you don’t need
number of words without affect in the body, but are related to
meaning the study
o Clear Writing o References
▪ Transmits to the reader the ▪ presents the complete
exact idea you have in mind bibliographic information of all
o Objective Writing the sources cited in the paper

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