Academic writing is a great journey. We don't cross the campus tarmac and suddenly find our pockets full of high distinctions.
For some (like this learning adviser) the journey - especially in undergraduate study - is painstaking and it can take until the final years until the marks are solid and the academic achievement high.
For other students, some aspects of the journey are smooth sailing but others are mountainous terrain. For example, the structure might be there, but the referencing not.
In any case, there are a few gold passport stamps which can certainly make the journey shorter and (somewhat less painful). Here are some of the main ones:
- Make sure you understand the task you are undertaking. Is it an essay? Is it a report? Is it a literature review? Is it a research proposal? Each assessment task will be very different.
- Use excellent STRUCTURE. Remember 'firstly' and 'secondly' (I first learned to become good at this working with engineering students - who are the experts!) A really great resource is Linking Words. I give this one out almost on a daily basis.
- Show BREADTH of reading. A 2000 word paper with only three references is very thin. Do you realise, that the reference list is one of the first places a lecturer will look when he or she marks your work? A 2000 word paper should have at least eight references (unless your lecturer says otherwise).
- Show QUALITY references. Not Wikipedia. Not your lecture notes or your lecturer's PowerPoint slides. Scholarly references - books from the library, databases (such as Academic Search Premier or Web of Science or IEEE Explore). You must use your recommended readings as well as extended reading.
- Use an ACADEMIC tone in your writing. Here's a very simple formula to get you thinking about the rhythm of the writing. Note how others write - this sometimes helps.
They say that 'getting there is half the fun' but the journey to academic excellence is long. These are but a few passport stamps to collect on the way through to perfection.In reality, nobody ever really achieves 'perfection' as we are all on a path to continuous improvement - lecturer, learning adviser or student.
If you need help with navigation...do post a question (click on comments and select anonymous, Google blogger or name).
Still travelling...
Andrea
Passport Image from: www.immigrationphotos.us
3 comments:
I think this is so helpful Andrea.
If I were to add anything it would a remidner that analysing the topic well is another way to a gold stamp in that passport.
Helen
Hi - I am a student in education. I need to quote in my essay. But I do not know how to quote in essay.
Can you give me some instruction about how to quote?
Maybe you can give me some example articles which has some quotations in it.
Hi and thanks for using the blog to post what is a really perplexing question to students (especially if you are writing academically or the first time).
There are a couple of ways you can approach quoting.
In the first instance, it's good if you can decide whether you actually reqire a quote or a paraphrase.
The difference between the two is that quotes are exact words while a paraphrase is an expression of the meaning of what an author has said (and is often preferred over 'quoting')
However, there are at least two ways of approaching quotes.
The first is to use 'selected words of importance or emphasis' (Duff, 2008).
The second (if the quote is more than two lines) is to indent it within your text. Note - you do not need to use italics, just move the block in by about 1.5cm to distinguish it from the rest of the text.
Use quotes with caution, though.
If they are words which simply cannot be changed (like a piece of legislation or an absolutely brilliant piece of writing) then use by all means.
However, quotes are mostly overused by students.
Harvard system (Online modules) has an excellent model essay which shows how small and large quotes are used.
http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/learn/LearningConnection/?PATH=/Resources/la/The+Harvard+Referencing+Guide+-+Modules/&default=Welcome.htm
Helen - what's your view?
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