GET AHEAD POSTGRADUATE SUMMER PROGRAMME 2014 Writing at postgraduate level ‘In my experience the most important thing is to write the way they want. You can write all kinds of stuff you know about, but you don’t get good marks unless you write it the proper way.’ Northedge, A. The Good Study Guide 2007: 245 Sara Steinke s.steinke@bbk.ac.uk

Aims of the session To consider what makes English academic To identify the style and conventions of academic writing To recognise the importance of academic writing skills for postgraduate study To think about the writing process To reflect on how to develop your academic writing skills to express and present your critical thinking for postgraduate study

Why do you think writing gives students the most anxiety? They have not written an essay in a long time. They do not know what an academic essay looks like. They miss deadlines as a result of poor time management. They have no idea why they are writing an essay. Answer: A, B, C and D

What makes English academic Importance of academic English for postgraduate study Check your academic English

What is academic English? What makes spoken or written English ‘academic’ is not the ideas, but the way the ideas are presented - in a logical order, with evidence to support them, objectively and expressed - using formal language, using specialist vocabulary, using words and phrases that are expected in writing at university Definitions ‘academy’ = place of study, university ‘academic’ = doing things they way they are done in the Academy ‘academic writing’ = writing in the way that is expected of people at university

‘in a logical order’ start with a plan jot down any ideas that you have as you think of them group your ideas about the same point together and present them in the same paragraph start each paragraph with a sentence that shows what you are going to write about in that paragraph - the topic sentence put your points in order so that they follow on from each other develop the main idea in the topic sentence with your other points

‘with evidence’ read and make notes from different sources use sources that are reliable and/or recommended to you make notes of where different writers agree or disagree so that you can compare different views remember that critical thinking sees things as grey, rather than black and white

‘objectively’ make suggestions, not strongly emotional comments avoid stating your personal opinion do not involve the reader directly by asking questions

‘use formal language’ write in full sentences do not use abbreviations or contractions use impersonal forms (not the first person ‘I’) no slang or colloquial expressions

‘use specialist vocabulary’ check the meaning of specialist terms in your subject note examples of how these terms are used in the books and articles that you read do not use terms that you do not understand

‘use words and phrases that are expected’ academic writers are expected to be cautious -- use ‘this suggests ...’, ‘this might explain ...’ readers expect phrases that act as signposts to guide them through the text - additional information (‘furthermore ...’, ‘moreover ...’, ‘in addition ...’) - to move to specific examples (‘for instance ...’, ‘as an illustration ...’

Why write the way ‘they’ want? (Northedge 2007: 246) Deepens your learning Develops your writing skills Doing yourself justice Enables the reader to understand your point of view Strengthens your powers of self-expression Major medium through which your progress is assessed

How to annoy your lecturers Using apostrophes wrongly Confusing common words, for example there/their Making spelling errors Using informal language Writing sentences without verbs Making every sentence a paragraph Not using paragraphs Writing long convoluted sentences Trying to write too pompously Using run-on sentences/comma splices A group of lecturers from different subjects were asked what really annoyed them about students’ grammar and language . . .

Check your academic English skills at http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/orientation CheckyouracademicEnglishskills.pptx/view http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/orientation/ get-ready-to-study-at-birkbeck Grammar Vocabulary Punctuation Spelling Academic style

Key academic writing conventions Importance of academic writing to express your critical thinking at postgraduate level How to develop your academic writing

Academic writing: key conventions Do not use contractions or slang Use the terminology of your field Avoid the first (‘I’) and second person (‘you’) Define key terms you use in a particular way Include only ideas that are relevant to your argument and subject Limit ideas to one per sentence/single point for each paragraph Be kind to your reader - give reader clues (transition words, summaries) to let them know where they are in your argument Use subheadings and sections

Academic style Use formal style Writing style does not have to be complicated /elaborate Be well organised and present ideas in logical order Present objective analysis that is critical without being too positive or negative, be cautious Use clear, precise language Avoid emotive language Establish clear connections between ideas Cite relevant sources Explain, not just describe Use quotes, examples

Quick quiz What is wrong with this piece of critical writing Quick quiz What is wrong with this piece of critical writing? (Cottrell 2008: 209) Mount Pepe is going up - it’s going to take everything with it when it goes. And I mean everything - villages, farms, trees, the lot. It’s frightening to think of how powerful a volcano can be. Think of the damage they cause! Remember Pompeii and Mount Etna!

What is right with this piece of critical writing? (Cottrell 2008: 209) In order to assess whether it is necessary to evacuate the villages on Mount Pepe, three main factors need to be taken into consideration. The first, and most important, of these is the element Of safety. According to seismic experts currently working on the volcano, there is likely to be a major eruption within the next ten years (Achebe 2007). According to Achebe, the eruption is likely to destroy villages over a radius of 120 miles (Achebe 2008, p.7).

Importance of academic writing skills for postgraduate study Postgraduate students are - required to be independent, critical thinkers - expected to contribute to the field of study This influences postgraduate writing in 4 ways: 1. critical thinking 2. research 3. academic integrity 4. academic style

Critical thinking See ‘Critical thinking at Postgraduate level’ 13 August Think independently Provide original perspective on previous research Make connections between ideas/between your work and other research

Research Become aware of the current knowledge in your field - deep and breadth - synthesise information - literature review Expected to contribute personally to the knowledge in your field - creative thinking - presenting information in a new way, applying previous research to new problems, proving a thesis

Academic integrity Give credit for intellectual property that you borrow - paraphrasing, quotes, referencing Be familiar with intellectual property rights - opportunities to produce original work Be aware of research ethics

Importance of feedback to improve your writing skills Read through work and lecturer’s comment Check you understand lecturer’s comments Make list of major issues and minor errors Compare with comments/lists from previous essays - Which comments appear more than once? - Which issues have you improved? 5. Number issues in order of priority 6. Act on them!

Self evaluation: S.W.O.T. What are the strengths of your writing? Are you able to express complex ideas clearly? Do you know how to structure your essay well? What are the weaknesses of your writing? Do you struggle with spelling and grammar? Are you simply not used to writing in a formal/academic way? What opportunities do you have to improve on your writing? Have you attended one of the essay writing workshops? What threats do you face in your writing? Do you understand the essay question? Are you struggling to find enough time for proof reading? Do you lack confidence in your ability to write?

Stages of the writing process Analysing the question Writing introductory, main body and concluding paragraphs Essay v. Dissertation

Stages of essay writing Northedge 2005: 297 1. Thinking about the essay title 2. Planning the writing process 8. Reviewing and polishing 7. Drafting an answer 3. Studying the course content 6. Organising your material 4. Taking stock before you start writing 5. Getting ideas written down

Analysing the question Essay questions can be broken down into: Its topic Any restriction/ expansion to the topic The aspect/angle you are asked to consider Instructions you need to follow An analysis of the changes in US policy towards China during the 1970s.

Writing introductory paragraphs State title of essay in first line/link to question Explain the title/why the question is important/establish the field/give background information/state aim of the essay Outline approach to the essay/thesis statement Narrow the field/particular focus/outline issues Outline structure of essay 10% of word count

Writing main body paragraphs Topic (first)sentence: main idea of the paragraph Supporting sentence: gives details about/ explains topic sentence Concluding (last) sentence: repeats the main idea/gives final comment about topic

Writing concluding paragraphs Summarise main arguments/themes State general conclusions Make it clear why conclusions are significant Refer back to question/directly answer it Make recommendations or suggest way forward/further research Do not present new material/ideas in your conclusion 10% of word count

Think about the following Follows basic procedure Adheres to academic conventions - academic English, referencing, style Involves research skills Requires writing in prose Uses analytical reading /writing skills What are the similarities between writing a dissertation and writing an essay?

Think about the following Individually designed piece of work Personal involvement Time management Self-management and motivation Literature search Presentation/structure Methodology Managing your supervisor Viva What are the differences between writing a dissertation and writing an essay?

Dissertation structure

Overcoming writer’s block Suggestions for generating ideas Sources for academic writing

Overcoming writer’s block Scribble - what ever comes to mind ‘Its only a draft’ - something you are working on Write in pencil - reminds you that the draft is rough Write on loose paper - can throw it away Ignore mistakes in early drafts - can sort out later ‘For you eyes only’ - handwriting/mistakes do not matter Start anywhere - in order to suit you Write by talking - if you find it hard to express yourself in writing Take one step at a time - break task into manageable steps Rest and relax - avoid stress

Generating ideas: brainstorming use a large piece of paper - A3 or flipchart identify and write down as many different possible answers (rather than ‘one solution’) to the question that you can think of asking ‘what if’ or ‘supposing’ questions will help you allow yourself to think of crazy or wild suggestions - do not think of an idea as ‘stupid' it is fine to make mistakes - they may turn out to be productive

Generating ideas: free writing use A4 lined paper write nonstop for a set period of time (about 3-5 minutes) do not make any corrections do not write in sentences use the writing tool you are most comfortable with (pen/computer) write/type as fast as you can do not cross anything out do not punctuate

Generating ideas: map mapping turn the paper sideways, A3 landscape is best write the topic in the centre of the page write related ideas around this centre add secondary ideas to the main ideas link up these ideas to show relationships use colours, different line thickness, symbols, pictures add details to points as you go along

What can I do to make my writing more academic? attend free Academic Development Workshops offered by Centre for Learning and Professional Development (CLPD): http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/global/workshop_timetable?orgunit=SSK enrol for an one-term Academic Writing module: http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/facilities/support/academic-writing- modules note how the ideas in the books and articles that you read on your course are presented and expressed - use active reading and note making strategies

Useful reading for academic writing Cottrell, S. (2008) The Study Skills Handbook (3rd edition) (Palgrave Macmillan, London) chapter 8 ‘Writing for university’ and chapter 9 ‘Developing your writing’ Crème, P. (1997) Writing at University (Open University Press, Milton Keynes) Greetham, B. (2008) How to write better essays (2nd edition) (Palgrave Macmillan, London) Northedge, A. (2007) The Good Study Guide (Open University Press, Milton Keynes) chapter 10 ‘Writing the way ‘they’ want’ and chapter 11 ‘Managing the writing process’ Peck, J. & Coyle, M. (2005) Write it Right: A Handbook for Students (Palgrave Redman P (2001) Good Essay Writing (Sage, London) Rose, J. (2007) The Mature Students Guide to Writing (2nd edition) (Basingstoke, Palgrave)

Useful websites for academic writing Get ahead Stay ahead interactive tutorials http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/get-ahead-stay-ahead/writing website supporting the Palgrave MacMillan study skills books http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/studyskills/reading/essay.asp http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/studyskills/reading/writing.asp Useful listening http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/mp3s.asp#tricks

Useful sources for PG writing http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/facilities/support/phd-support http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/facilities/support/dissertations/pg_dissertations http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/studentlife/postgraduate/index.asp http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/studentlife/postgraduate/writing.asp Wisker, G. (2007) The Postgraduate Research Handbook (London, Palgrave) Wallace, M. & Wray, A. (2011) Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates, 2nd ed., (London, Sage)

Presentations can be found at http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/orientation /getaheadpostgraduate

Writing - recap Can you: express your ideas clearly in written form? make an outline of what you are going to write? write in clear sentences and paragraphs? link your ideas in a logical order? use correct grammar? develop your own argument? identify your audience and write in an appropriate register?

Next session Tuesday 4 September, 6pm-7.30pm, room 421 Organising yourself at postgraduate level, including time management - time management techniques - how to prioritise tasks - importance of organisational skills and time management for postgraduate study