目录

  • 1 Preface: General understanding of academic writing
    • 1.1 Definition of academic writing
    • 1.2 Characteristicsof good academic writing
  • 2 Types of academic writing
    • 2.1 Types based on writing format
    • 2.2 Types based on writing purpose
      • 2.2.1 Writing to summarize
      • 2.2.2 Writing to synthesize
      • 2.2.3 Writing to explain
      • 2.2.4 Writing to argue
      • 2.2.5 Writing to propose
      • 2.2.6 Writing to analyze
      • 2.2.7 Writing to evaluate
  • 3 Process of effective academic writing
    • 3.1 Identifying the rhetorical context
      • 3.1.1 Topic or subject
      • 3.1.2 Identifying audience
      • 3.1.3 Identifying purpose
    • 3.2 Researching the topic
      • 3.2.1 Library research
      • 3.2.2 Field research
        • 3.2.2.1 Observing
        • 3.2.2.2 Interviewing
        • 3.2.2.3 Using questionnaires
          • 3.2.2.3.1 Usefulness of questionnaires
          • 3.2.2.3.2 Choosing restricted topic
          • 3.2.2.3.3 Writing the questions
          • 3.2.2.3.4 Two basic types of questions
          • 3.2.2.3.5 Writing effective instructions
          • 3.2.2.3.6 Presenting an effective questionnaire
          • 3.2.2.3.7 Selecting respondents
          • 3.2.2.3.8 Distributing a questionnaire
          • 3.2.2.3.9 Tabulating responses
        • 3.2.2.4 Questionnaires versus interview
      • 3.2.3 Internet research
    • 3.3 Outlining
      • 3.3.1 Importance of outlining
      • 3.3.2 Draft outline
      • 3.3.3 Formal outline
      • 3.3.4 Two commonly used patterns of formal outlines
      • 3.3.5 Four rules for writing outlines
      • 3.3.6 Writing a thesis statement
    • 3.4 Drafting, revising, editing and proofreading
      • 3.4.1 Drafting
      • 3.4.2 Revising
      • 3.4.3 Final editing and proofreading
    • 3.5 Some tips for an effective academic writing
  • 4 Strategies of academic writing
    • 4.1 Choosing effective words
      • 4.1.1 Common words, formalwords and nonstandard words
      • 4.1.2 General words and specific words
      • 4.1.3 Idiomatic expressions
      • 4.1.4 Synonyms
      • 4.1.5 Faulty use of pronouns
      • 4.1.6 Jargon and slang
    • 4.2 Writing effective sentences
      • 4.2.1 Conciseness of sentences
      • 4.2.2 Variety of sentences
      • 4.2.3 Emphasis of sentences
      • 4.2.4 Faults of sentences
    • 4.3 Writing valid paragraphs
      • 4.3.1 Understanding paragraph structure
      • 4.3.2 Two special types of paragraphs
    • 4.4 Basic Organizational patterns of essays
      • 4.4.1 General-to-specific / abstract-to-concrete order
      • 4.4.2 Specific-to-general / concrete-to-abstract order
      • 4.4.3 Order of importance
      • 4.4.4 Chronological order
      • 4.4.5 Spatial order
      • 4.4.6 Other organizational patterns
    • 4.5 Strategies for development
      • 4.5.1 Definition
      • 4.5.2 Classification
        • 4.5.2.1 Choosing the principle(s) to classify
        • 4.5.2.2 Testing the effectiveness
      • 4.5.3 Example
        • 4.5.3.1 Relevant examples
        • 4.5.3.2 Specific examples
        • 4.5.3.3 Sufficient examples
      • 4.5.4 Comparison and contrast
        • 4.5.4.1 Points for comparing and contrasting
        • 4.5.4.2 Two ways for organizing comparison and contrast
      • 4.5.5 Cause and effect
        • 4.5.5.1 Distinguishing between cause and effect
        • 4.5.5.2 Necessity, sufficiency, and Mill’s Methods
        • 4.5.5.3 Organizing cause and effect analysis
      • 4.5.6 Generalization
      • 4.5.7 Visual elements
  • 5 Documentation of sources
    • 5.1 Importance of documenting the sources
    • 5.2 Avoiding plagiarism
      • 5.2.1 Forms of plagiarism
      • 5.2.2 Ways to avoid plagiarism
      • 5.2.3 Common knowledge
      • 5.2.4 Confidential information
    • 5.3 Two formats of documenting the sources
      • 5.3.1 Notes and bibliographies: (MLA style)
      • 5.3.2 Author-date method and references: (APA style)
Two formats of documenting the sources

5.2 Two formats of documenting the sources

Numerous formats exist for documenting sources. Many professions publish their own style sheet or book to provide such instruction or to recommend that writers follow the format used in a specific journal. So before you write a paper or submit a report, ask about the preferred format.

Basically, two kinds of documentation exit. One kind uses notes and bibliographies. And the most common and widely respected model of this kind is the MLA Handbook. (New York: Modern Language Association of America, 1977). The second kind uses the author-date and reference list system, which is commonly used in the sciences and applied sciences (American Psychological Association style).