NWAS Learning & Development Academic Writing Skills.

NWAS Learning & Development

Academic Writing Skills

Delivering the right care, at the right time, in the right place 2

Workshop Objectives

By the end of this workshop, you will:

• be able to explain how to structure a piece of academic writing

• understand how to write in third person

• be able to undertake literature searches to find the most relevant and up-to-date academic resources

• be able to reference sources correctly both in text and in a reference list

Delivering the right care, at the right time, in the right place


What is academic writing?

It keeps to the point There is no humour It isn’t ‘flowery’ Description plays only a small part It looks thoroughly at a subject It accurately defines things It analyses situations, looking at many sides of an

argument



Common Features of Academic Writing

Use literature sources - don’t just state your personal opinion. Use studies, books, journal articles, seminal pieces, etc. to support your arguments

Follow a set structure – group similar points together rather than dotting them about throughout the whole assignment

Write in 3rd person – when referring to yourself, your views, thoughts and opinions you should write in 3rd person, e.g. the author feels that, it is the opinion of the author that …



Follow a line of argument fully – tackle one line of reasoning at a time and fully, so that your assignment flows well from one point to the next

Compare and contrast – you may be asked to compare and contrast a number of theories or techniques and discuss the merits of each against the other (strengths and weaknesses)

Remain emotionally neutral – take care not use emotive words or phrases. You will be required to comment objectively and dispassionately on the topics in your assignments.

Common Features of Academic Writing



6 step process

1. Analyse the question2. Research and record information3. Organise and plan4. Write an outline plan and first draft5. Work on your first draft6. Final drafts



Analysing the Question

All assignments contain a central question which has to be answered. Your main task is to apply what you know to answer this central question.

It is NOT about showing how much you know. Focus on the title before you start researching and writing Read the question a few times to fully understand what you are

being asked. Keep it in front of you so that you can keep checking that you are

truly focused on the title when writing.


Analysing the QuestionAnalyse Examine in close detail; identify important points and chief

features.

Comment on Identify key issues & give reactions based on what you have read. Avoid personal opinion.

Compare Show how 2 or more things are similar. Indicate the relevance or consequences of these similarities.

Critically evaluate Weigh arguments for an against something, assessing the strength of the evidence on both sides. Use criteria (methodological and/or conceptual) to guide your assessment of which theories, models or items are preferable.

Describe Give the main characteristics or features of something.

Define Give the exact meaning of. Where relevant show that you understand why the definition may be problematic.


Analysing the Question

Discuss Write about the most important aspects of (inc. criticisms); give arguments for and against; consider the implications of.

Evaluate Assess the worth, importance or usefulness of something using evidence. There will probably be cases to make both ‘for’ & ‘against’.

Examine Put the subject ‘under the microscope’; focus in detail & critically evaluate.

Explain Make clear why something happens or why it is the way it is.

Justify Give evidence which supports and argument/idea; show why a decision or conclusions were made; consider possible objections.

Outline Give only the main points, showing the main structure.

To what extent Consider how far something is true or contributes to a final outcome. Also consider ways in which the proposition is not true (the answer is usually somewhere between ‘completely’ and ‘not at all’).



Step 2 – Research & record information

Use relevant sources from reading lists Visit University Library Undertake literature searches e.g. NWAS Library

Information Service, university electronic journals/books



Literature Searches

Good research needs to be placed in the context of existing – usually articles published in peer reviewed journals

Literature searching requires that you find other relevant published research – this means searching databases such as CINAHL, EMBASE and MEDLINE

Access to databases is provided through NHS Evidence or your University. You will need an NHS Athens Account and a University provided User Name or Password if you are attending a University



Literature Searches

• You will find all the information you need either from your University Library or from Matt Holland, NWAS Librarian

• For more information look at the NWAS Library guides located here http://www.networks.nhs.uk/nhs-networks/nwas-library-and-information-service/guides



Step 3 – Organise and plan

What do you do when you ‘plan’ your assignments?

How much time do you spend planning?


18%

60%

22%

40%

25%

35%

Planning Drafting Editing

Non-Professional Professional

Percentage of Time Spent Writing



Assignment Structure

Title Introduction Main argument Conclusion References Appendices


1. Create a spider diagram to identify key points

2. Place key points in separate circles

3. Add the detail using trigger words to create mind map

4. Highlight links and repetition – this will help you to group your content into relevant sections

5. Decide what key points you want to discuss in your introduction

6. Undertake additional literature research

Initial Planning


Academic Writing

A

D

C

B

1

2

2

1

3

1

2

32

1

Initial Planning


Select a sequence and number the details in a logical order.

Create an outline by converting your cluster into an ordered vertical list.

This may even become your contents page at a later stage.

Academic Writing

A

D C

B

1

2

3

21

2

1

2

13 A – Introduction: 1 –

2 –

3 –

B – Section 1: 1 –

2 –

C – Section 2: 1 –

2 –

3 –

Step 4 - Outline Plan and 1st Draft


Write 1st Draft

•Use your vertical list as your guide and start writing.•True drafting is where you start typing and carry on

typing.•Don’t re-read the sentence you’ve just written.•Don’t check your spelling or grammar at this point.•Don’t cross anything out•Just type!



Step 5 – Work on 1st draftThis is the stage where you will edit your work:

Correct spelling, punctuation and grammar errors

Change sentence/paragraph structure

Make sure that the whole assignment flows logically form one paragraph to the next. If not, change it.

Add/delete information as necessary

TIP: reading aloud will help you to spot places where your writing is not fluent



Step 6 – Final Draft

Again, check your spelling, punctuation and grammar Ask someone to proof read your work for you Make sure you have referenced all academic work

and that you have done this correctly



How to reference

… using the Harvard Referencing System or the Name/Date system

There are two parts to referencing, citing in text and the bibliography at the end of your piece of work

Citing in text – use the name of the author of the piece of work you are referring to and the date of publication (Holland 2011)

At the end of a piece of work list your references in alphabetical order by author using your University Harvard Style or the NWAS Harvard style



How to reference

• Your reference will look something like thisBook - Holland, M. 2011. Referencing is easier than

it looks. Harvard Press: Liverpool. Article - Holland, M. 2011. Referencing in research –

a look at the evidence. Journal of Very Advanced Referencing. 56 (1), 1-30.

• For a guide to referencing and links to all the referencing styles used by Universities in the North West see Citing references – a guide for students



Plagiarism

Copying word-for-word from a published text without indicating it’s source.

Passing off the ideas/work of someone else as your own – this can include writing something in your own words without acknowledging the original source of the idea/work.

Remember, to reference every source that you take information from and use in your assignment.


How to get good marks

DO:

• Always make sure you have answered the question

• Prepare

• Use up-to-date sources (usually within the last 10-15 years)

• Develop a clear & logical structure

• Ensure your introduction is focussed, concise & directional

• Go beyond mere description, critique the work of others & back up points with evidence

• Check spelling, punctuation & grammar



How to get good marks

DON’T: Waffle - check sentence construction & don’t fill an essay with

irrelevant information Over-rely upon direct quotations: keep to a minimum, the

majority should be written in your own words Rush Plagiarise - make sure you have perfect referencing!



Further Tips

Distinguish fact from opinion Be objective rather than emotional Avoid sweeping claims or statements – you should be

able to support everything you write with evidence Avoid using colloquialisms Remember to keep saving your work on your PC so that

you don’t lose it Set the language to UK English not US English



Formatting

Times New Roman or Arial font

Size 12

Double lined spacing

Always include a cover sheet detailing your name (or ID number), module number, assignment title, date of submission

Check if you have to declare the word count



Questions?

NWAS Learning & Development Academic Writing Skills.

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