1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Academic Skills Advice
4.Resources for enhancing
your academic writing style
15/11/2018
Academic Skills Advice

11. 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 [online] Available at: [Accessed ]
Clip art - question
15/11/2018
Academic Skills Advice

12. 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? Telephone:
15/11/2018
Academic Skills Advice

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