Academic Essays Report Writing Southern Cross University Objectives

Academic Essays & Report Writing Southern Cross University

Objectives �Analyse and outline key points in preparing and writing academic essays �Identify types of reports and the principles of report construction �Identify techniques for collection and organisation of data

Readings �Dwyer, Chapter 12 and Chapter 18

Academic Writing �Background �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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The Process �Prepare 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 (Pittman. J. 2002)

Interpreting the Assignment Task �Focus of topic �Are 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 ideas �What is idea or concept of the assignment (Pittman J. 2002)

Analysing The Question �In this stage you carefully read 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 taxonomy �Evaluation �Synthesis �Analysis �Application �Comprehension �Knowledge

Expectations in Assignments �Words 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 Assignments �words such as: �describe, illustrate, summarise , outline, define, identify, demonstrate, how? and what? �convey expectations in relation to the lower order thinking skills.

Critical analysis �Analysis 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 task �Begin reading-efficiently, critically �Decide on perspective or stance �Write introduction �Write the body �Write the conclusion �Construct 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 introduction �Locate 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 Report �Interpret task �Decide on report purpose �Begin reading �Begin writing �Concentrate on organising and developing ideas in paragraphs

Report Format �Title page �Table of Contents �Executive Summary or Abstract �Introduction �Main Body of Report �Conclusion �Recommendations (only if required) �Reference List �Appendices (Optional) �Other - Letter of transmittal, Acknowledgements, List of Figures and Tables, Glossary

Executive Summary / Abstract �Gives the reader a logical overall view of the report �Has to be able to stand alone!! � 10 % length for a long report �Short report: a sentence for each of these �aim, �procedure/methodology, �results, �conclusion (or discussion) and recommendations.

Editing your report #1 �Firstly - 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 #2 �Is 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 #3 �Have 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 checks �Check the consistency of any numbering system �Check 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?