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)
Importance of documenting the sources

5.1 Importance of documenting the sources

To document means to furnish readers with information about the materials which are used for the factual support of your statements. 

Fundamentally, documenting the sources is the the process of acknowleging the sources you have used in writing your essay, assignment or piece of work. It allows the reader to access your source documents as quickly and easily as possible in order to verify, if necessary, the validity of your arguments and the evidence on which they are based. You identify these sources by citing them in the text of your assignment (called citations or in-text citations) and referencing them at the end of your assignment (called the reference list or end-text citations). The reference list only includes the sources cited in your text. It is not the same thing as a bibliography, which uses the same referencing style, but also includes all material, for example, background used in the preparation of your work.

To documenting the sources successfully, it is essential that, as a matter of course, you systematically save full details, for example author, date, title, publication details, URL, of any material you use at the time you use it. Besides being good academic practice, this ensures that you do not have the problem of trying to find sources you may have used weeks or months previously. By documenting the sources to the works of established authorities and experts in your subject area, you can add weight to your comments and arguments. This helps to demonstrate that you have read widely, and considered and analyzed the writings of others. Remember, good referencing can help you attain a better grade or mark (often between five and ten per cent of thetotal). Most importantly, good referencing is essential to avoid any possible accusation of plagiarism.


Documentation serves three functions:

1) It verifies that you have found and read the current literature and sources, and have incorporated them into your paper.

2) It gives proper credit to those sources. Citing works by name is not a simple act of courtesy. It is an ethical requirement because so much of this material is protected by copyright. By documenting your sources, you will avoid plagiarism.

3) Documentation tells readers exactly where they can find a specific book or article if they want to read it themselves.