2021级研究生英语学术论文写作

王新

目录

  • 1 Preface: General understanding of academic writing
    • 1.1 Definition of academic writing
    • 1.2 Characteristics of 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
        • 3.2.1.1 Sources in the library
        • 3.2.1.2 Card catalog
        • 3.2.1.3 Note taking
      • 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
            • 3.2.2.3.3.1 Two basic types of questions
            • 3.2.2.3.3.2 Writing relevant questions
            • 3.2.2.3.3.3 Writing reliable and valid questions
          • 3.2.2.3.4 Writing effective instructions
          • 3.2.2.3.5 Presenting an effective questionnaire
          • 3.2.2.3.6 Selecting respondents
          • 3.2.2.3.7 Distributing a questionnaire
          • 3.2.2.3.8 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 right 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
        • 4.3.2.1 Opening paragraph
        • 4.3.2.2 Concluding paragraph
    • 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)
Definition of academic writing

            Chapter One: General understanding of academic writing

Academic writing is any formal written work produced in an academic setting. Students, professors and researchers in every discipline use academic writing to convey ideas and male arguments. Academic writing is characterized by evidence-based argument, precise word choice, logical organization and impersonal tone. It informs, analyzes and persuades in a straightforward manner and enables the reader to engage critically in a scholarly dialogue.

Acquiring good academic research and writing skills is essential for you success both atuniversity and in your professional life.

In this course, we will get a good understanding of the conventions of academic writing in English and know how to write academically and successfully. 

1. 1 Whatis academic writing? 

“Writing”is the activity or skill of making coherent words on paper and composing text.  ------ The New Oxford Dictionary of English

Academic writing is usually a formal, fairly long and well-documented paper that explores, discusses or analyzes a certain factual or theoretical issue.

Its main aim is to inform rather than entertain. How can you explain your ideas effectively? Although there is no fixed standard of academic writing, it is clearly different from the written style of newspaper or novels. Academic writing is clear, concise, focused structured and backed up by evidence. It has a formal tone and style, but it is not complex and does not necessarily require the use of long sentences and complicated vocabulary.