Academic Writing Sh 09

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Academic Writing Paragraph Structure Jon Buscall, PhD

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Jon who ? * Communications consultant * PhD in Writing * Journalist, copywriter, translator, * www.jonbuscall.com

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Academic Writing...

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Why are we here?

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Avoid pain

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Academic Writing is a game

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Some folks obey...

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Others don’t

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Follow the rules

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Respect the rules

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Get it wrong

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And you won’t be...

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Get it right

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A successful essay is built on the solid foundation of: *tone **structure ***evidence

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Getting it wrong... ...is like turning up to work in your pyjamas!

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Read...books!

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Be formal

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Remember:

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cannot can’t

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do not don’t

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Use sources...

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within the body of your text you must cite your sources as you use them

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you must cite any and all data, facts, information, opinion, ideas, tables, charts, photographs, etc, that you obtained in your research

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Learn how to format your essay

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Instructions

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use A4 paper

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set the font to 12 point, New Times Roman

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2.54 cm margins

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double-space your text throughout

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use a running header with your name: e.g. Buscall 1

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number pages consecutively, starting on page 1

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On to paragraphs...

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Essay Structure Introduction

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Body

Conclusion

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Paragraph

Introduction

Paragraph Paragraph Paragraph Paragraph

Body

Paragraph

Conclusion

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Paragraph

Thesis Statement

Paragraph Paragraph Paragraph Paragraph

Evidence

Paragraph

Conclusion

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Thesis statement?

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Paragraph Structure All paragraphs have:

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topic sentence

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supporting sentences

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concluding sentence*

*optional Wednesday, October 21, 2009

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Topic sentence

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Introduces the topic of the paragraph

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i.e. Tells the reader what the paragraph is about

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There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

Source:http://www2.actden.com/writ_Den/Tips/paragrap/topic.htm

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Required

Key sentence

There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

Source:http://www2.actden.com/writ_Den/Tips/paragrap/topic.htm

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Supporting sentences

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develop & discuss the topic (i.e. give extra details, provide evidence)

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There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

Source:http://www2.actden.com/writ_Den/Tips/paragrap/topic.htm

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

Source:http://www2.actden.com/writ_Den/Tips/paragrap/topic.htm

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Concluding sentences

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Signal the end of the paragraph

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Conclude the paragraph

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Link back to the thesis

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There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

Source:http://www2.actden.com/writ_Den/Tips/paragrap/topic.htm

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

Source:http://www2.actden.com/writ_Den/Tips/paragrap/topic.htm

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Hmm. Disagreement

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Look at page 6a in the course handout: Writing Academic English

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Note to Jon:

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Open up the file Paragraph 1.

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Good Topic Sentences ? Page 6b

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Languages influence each other.

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The slang expression so long (meaning “goodbye” is probably a corruption of the Arabic salaam.

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The Arabic origin of many English words is not always obvious.

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Good Topic Sentences ? Page 6b

The English language is influenced by Arabic. (Introduction)

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The Arabic origin of many English words is not always obvious.

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Paragraph 1

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Good Topic Sentences ? Page 6b

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Languages influence each other.

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The slang expression so long (meaning “goodbye” is probably a corruption of the Arabic salaam.

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The Arabic origin of many English words is not always obvious.

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Supporting sentences

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examples

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facts

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statistics

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quotations

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Reasons for Borduriaʼs Advanced Civilization

The role played by the ancient kingdom of Borduria in the development of modern civilization is complex. However by looking at the historical facts available, we can come to one simple conclusion: during its heyday, Borduria was the most modern civilization in Asia-Minor. This essay will examine how Borduriaʼs sewage system, early postal system, and theatrical traditions made it the most advanced civilization in the region.

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See 7b

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The concluding sentence ⊛

signals the end of the paragraph

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sums up the paragraph

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adds a final point

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paraphrases the first topic sentence

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Exercise

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Page 8 b: Exercise on Paragraph Structure

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Now (re)write your own paragraph. Substitute: gold for “the ability to write fluent, formal English”

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Good writing... ...comes from working out.

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