Learning Unit 2: Academic writing skills

 Critical readingStudy readingSkimmingScanning Purpose (why) To enhance understanding of a topic and to agree/ not agree To understand a topic and to aid recall To revise information and find information quickly To find particular information – e.g. word Technique (how) Read carefullyRead carefully; make notes Read headings, bold/ italised words Run eyes over text to find information Situation (when) Research; studying Studying; revision Revision; to get a basic idea To find something #1 Differentiate between i. Purpose, ii. Technique and iii. Situation of four (4) types of reading used in academic and organisational contexts - Fielding 2014: 3 - 4

  While driving in the car as a navigator, I need to read a map for our destination  While burning the midnight oil for the APCT5111 final exam  Preparing for a debate arguing pro-life/ anti- abortion

 Style : “A distinctive manner of expression – e.g. writing in the flowery style of 18 th century prose” - Merriam-Webster Dictionary – Style in writing can be : 1) formal (frozen – intimate) or informal 2) personal or impersonal 3) active or passive 4) concise or wordy 5) clear or ambiguous, or 6) concrete or abstract Tone : “An inflection or manner of expression of a mood or emotion” - Merriam-Webster Dictionary #2 Selecting a suitable tone and style for different communication contexts - IIE APCT5111 Student manual 2015: 30; Fielding 2014: 162 -

 Using online tools such as online books, online encyclopaedia articles, FTP files, online abstracts and journal articles, etc. can be useful. But how do we determine what is believable? Step 1 : Establish key words Broad or narrow words describing your topic Step 2 : Use search operators Using “” * and –, to return results Step 3 : Combine key words to create a search phrase Combining broad and narrow key words #3 Appropriate research tool & techniques to source credible online information in different contexts - IIE APCT5111 Student manual 2015:

 When searching for affordable hotels in the Durban area online:

 Paraphrasing Paraphrasing : Putting a piece of text from a source in your own words while retaining the meaning of the original. This shows that you understand the material as well as showing your reasoning and paraphrasing skill. (To copy from a source word-for-word, is referred to writing verbatim ). Purpose: Referencing from sources gives your writing credibility. Paraphrasing shows your interpretation of another author’s work. Paraphrasing help avoid plagiarism. Paraphrasing can help summarise key points. PARAPHRASING #4 Purpose and process of PARAPHRASING - IIE APCT5111 Student Manual 2015: 31-32; Fielding 2014:

 Process Process for paraphrasing information: #1 Read the text several times #2 Identify the main points the author is making #3 Consider how these points support or contradict the argument you want to make #4 Try to determine what the attitude of the author is towards the topic #5 Try to phrase the main points in a way that means approximately the same as the original idea #6 Without returning to the original text, write down the main ideas in your own words and link it logically to your own argument #7 Read the original text to ensure that you have retained the intended meaning

 Complete the practical writing exercise. Remember to make notes as you read through the original text. Also remember to in-text reference the original text. #5 Writing a clear & comprehensive paraphrase for source material ( *practical )  In-text reference from a newspaper Surname (year of publication: page number) (Surname year of publication: page number)  In-text reference from a blog (weblog) Surname (year of publication: page number) (Surname year of publication: page number)

 Referencing refers to “acknowledging the work of others when using their ideas or research findings as evidence to support your own arguments”. Purpose: Five (5) key reasons why we have to reference 1)Gives your work credibility 2)It shows that you are informed as you have read extensively 3)It shows relevance or that your source provide information that is up-to-date 4)Improves others’ knowledge as readers can refer back to original sources 5)Shows academic integrity by avoiding plagiarism REFERENCING #6 Purpose & nature of REFERENCING in academic- & professional contexts

 Nature of referencing (i.e. what referencing is)  We do not need to reference: common knowledge; own views and opinions; and your own conclusions from the evidence presented  Plagiarism is unethical because i) you won’t develop referencing skill, ii) you commit fraud, iii) you develop a negative reputation, iv) you show disrespect to your peers, v) you deny others their due credit, and vi) you misrepresent your ideas & mislead others  People plagiarise because a) they claim English inadequacy, b) academic inferiority, c) being unaware that they plagiarised, d) time constraints, and e) no one will know or mind

  You are plagiarising when: - More than 10% - Scan, change, translate or convert information into other formats - Place copyrighted works on a website - Copy and reproducing DVDs, CDs, etc.  Only use direct quotes when: * Definitions or parts of definitions * Coined terms * Particularly powerful/ controversial statements * Incorporating informal language into academic writing * Laws, theory, policy or principle