Academic Writing Writing in a critical way Dr

Academic Writing: Writing in a critical way Dr. Tamara O’Connor Student Learning Development Student Counselling Service student. learning@tcd. ie 896 -1407 http: //student-learning. tcd. ie

Learning Objectives 4 Understand what is meant by academic writing 4 Awareness of academic conventions and practices 4 Learn how to develop argument in your writing 4 Awareness of plagiarism and use appropriate use of references/citations

Writing in an academic way 4 Being critical and analytical 4 Using language in a precise & subject- specific way 4 Adopting a position - thesis 4 Drawing on and citing a range of authors & arguments 4 Remaining objective

Writing Process 4 Planning 4 Thinking 4 Researching Plan Think 4 Writing 4 Editing Write

Planning the assignment 4 Understand the question – Breakdown – Verbs 4 Requirements – Length, Wording – Referencing 4 Establish Time Frame

Thinking 4 Brainstorm – Ideas – What know – Try mindmapping 4 Preliminary reading 4 Refine topic 4 Continues throughout process

Organizing your argument 4 Title 4 Introduction – Thesis statement 4 Body Paragraphs – Constructing Topic Sentences – Building Main Points – Countering the Opposition 4 Conclusion From Purdue University Writing Lab http: //owl. english. purdue. edu/

Structure 4 Introduction – outline of essay 4 Main section – Main point A • details, evidence – Main point B 4 Conclusion – summary of main points – personal conclusions

Researching 4 Rough outline 4 Gather information relevant to topic 4 Keep good notes – organise content according to outline – choose what to include 4 Keep references 4 Digest and reflect on information

Writing 4 Start writing early – extend outline – one idea or section at a time – get something down! 4 Write first, rough draft 4 Revise & improve draft 4 How many drafts?

What is critical writing? 4 Argument – Evaluate & weigh up – – ideas State point of view Consider available evidence Possible counter arguments Claim that is proven throughout the paper 4 Opinion – Point of view – Lack of supporting evidence – Personal feelings and views

Steps in constructing thesis 4 Analyse topic 4 Write down your working thesis – Your point of view in relation to topic – Keep thesis prominent 4 Organise your argument 4 Develop argument 4 Document points and claims 4 Reference or bibliography

Develop your argument 4 Use source material – reliable evidence 4 Show line of reasoning – link points – central guiding line 4 Show awareness of complexities – Counter arguments, relativism 4 Your conclusions - based on evidence

Signposting your line of reasoning 4 Indicator words for claims – Therefore, thus, hence, so, as a result 4 Indicator words for reasons – Because, since, on account of, for, in view of, for the reason that 4 Tentative or ‘hedging’

References Why? 4 Credit sources of information & ideas 4 Reader can locate for further information if required 4 Validate arguments 4 Increase and spread knowledge 4 Show depth, breadth & quality of your reading!

References When? u Direct quotes u Paraphrases u Statistics/Studies u Theories u Interpretations u Facts

Plagiarism 4 Using someone’s words or ideas and presenting them as your own (Marshall & Rowland, 1998) 4 Inappropriate use of ideas from books, articles, internet, or other students’ work ? ? ?

References 4 How? – Reference system e. g. Harvard, Footnote – Record sources – Take careful notes – Reference list – In-text citing or referencing

Further information 4 http: //student-learning. tcd. ie 4 http: //owl. english. purdue. edu 4 http: //www. learnhigher. ac. uk 4 http: //writing. umn. edu 4 Linking words: http: //www. unisanet. unisa. edu. au/Resources/la/Qu ick. Clicks%20 Repository/LC_worksheet_linking% 20 words. pdf 4 Crème & Lea (1997). Writing at university.