Writing in an Academic Style This workshop will:   Establish the difference between academic writing and other written formats  Provide guiding principles when writing for assessment at word and sentence level  Offer practical follow-on resources for enhancing your academic style when writing Complete register and LHS grid on feedback sheet Is aimed at Level 1 undergraduates Louise Livesey Academic Skills Adviser 15/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice The Plan… Differences between academic writing and other written formats Not wasting words by being concise Guidelines to sentence content and length Resources for enhancing your academic writing style All appear on click 15/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Activity 1: Elements to watch for 1.Difference between academic writing and other formats Activity 1: Elements to watch for Grammar Vocabulary Abbreviation Punctuation Voice Structure 1st/3rd person Clarity Precise Concise Evidence Prose/lists/ Headings/bullets 15/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 2.Not wasting words by being concise Every word matters ‘Write tight’ Helps with word count Improves academic voice 15/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Activity 2: Being concise 2.Not wasting words by being concise Activity 2: Being concise Work with a neighbour to decide and highlight which words or phrases from the sentences below could be ‘pruned out’ without damaging their meaning. In several of their published books, Walking Made Easy and Hiking for Laughs, Bill Hewson and Patrick Abernathy, the authors behind the series made consistent reference to the famed monster of Loch Ness. Fiscal returns for this quarter do not show a greater upwards turn than the previous session that is why it could be said that there has been stability these three months. Despite an unsuccessful career beginning Eddie Bryce, Hollywood starlet, playboy and media muse has been able to turn this to his advantage through public appearances and forays into reality television, although the start of his journey into the film world was not a positive one. Whilst recent research has begun to look at further innovative infectious disease treatments some current studies are also highlighting the need for more responsive treatments.  15/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 3.Guidelines to sentence content and length no sentence is longer than 1 ½ lines there is one point for each sentence words are not repeated unnecessarily punctuation is used appropriately 15/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 3.Guidelines to sentence content and length It is possible to argue that almost all advertisements are informative. Indeed, as we have already seen, some appear to be wholly concerned with this. Although government bodies, releasing warnings about smoking or the use of domestic fire alarms, are clearly intent on changing our behaviour, they are still concerned to give the public what they believe is vital information. 15/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Activity 3: Improving sentences 3.Guidelines to sentence content and length Activity 3: Improving sentences Read the following paragraph, and highlight where punctuation or word addition or removal can improve clarity. Check with your neighbours to see if your results tally. But here lies the problem: we seem to talk about three different things when we describe something as a ‘need’. First, there is the strongest case: the need for certain things, like food and water, to maintain the minimum biological levels necessary for survival. Second, there are those things we need in order to maintain a good quality of life, like adequate education, housing and a clean environment, to which we believe we are entitled. Finally, there are those things we might describe as ‘social needs’ created by living in a particular society or part of the world where these things are normal. Some are created by advertising, others by governments and organisations that influence our expectations. Advertisers lead us to believe that we all need annual holidays, fast cars, the latest fashions, even smart phones and table computers, while governments promote our need for national identity and a sense of community. Adapted from Greetham (2013: 230) 15/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Activity 3: Improving sentences 3.Guidelines to sentence content and length Activity 3: Improving sentences But here lies the problem: we seem to talk about three different things when we describe something as a ‘need’. First, there is the strongest case: the need for certain things, like food and water, to maintain the minimum biological levels necessary for survival. Second, there are those things we need in order to maintain a good quality of life, like adequate education, housing and a clean environment, to which we believe we are entitled. Finally, there are those things we might describe as ‘social needs’ created by living in a particular society or part of the world where these things are normal. Some are created by advertising, others by governments and organisations that influence our expectations. Advertisers lead us to believe that we all need annual holidays, fast cars, the latest fashions, even smart phones and table computers, while governments promote our need for national identity and a sense of community. 15/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 4.Resources for enhancing your academic writing style http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/ http://www.chompchomp.com/ www.brad.ac.uk/academic-skills 15/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice References Cottrell, S. (2001) Teaching Study Skills and Supporting Learning. Palgrave Study Guides. 4th ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan Ltd. Cottrell, S. (2013) The Study Skills Handbook. Palgrave Study Guides. 4th ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan Ltd. Coyle, M. and Peck, J. (2005) Write It Right: A handbook for students. Palgrave Study Guides. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan Ltd. Greetham, B. (2013) How to Write Better Essay. 3rd ed. Palgrave Study Guides. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan Ltd. Neville, C. (2009) How to Improve Your Assignment Results. Maidenhead: OUP. Wingate, U. (2006) Doing away with ‘study skills’. Teaching in Higher Education. Vol. 11:4. pp.457-469 [online] Available at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13562510600874268#tabModule [Accessed 18.7.2014] Clip art - question 15/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice Service Where are we? Chesham Building B0.23. Give us a call or come speak to us Monday- Friday 9am-5pm (closing at 4pm Fridays). Who am I? Louise, the dedicated workshop adviser. Who can help me with study and writing skills? Lucy and Russell run Instant Study Skills Advice sessions every weekday and Writing Skills Clinics three times a week. You can also access self-help resources on our webpage. Who can give me maths advice? Helen and Michael specialise in Maths support for students though clinics and pre-booked appointment. How do I get in touch? Email: academic-skills@brad.ac.uk Telephone: 01274 236849 15/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice Any questions? 15/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice