1. Academic writing (1) The writing process
Keele University International Postgraduate Students’ Induction
Academic writing (1) The writing process
Dr Stephen Bostock FSEDA

2. Summary Different ways of writing Writing as a process
Prewriting: reading and talking
Planning
Revising & reviewing
Editing

3. Academic writing
Writing is an essential part of much academic work, including assessed work.
The product of other study activities like research, note-making, reflection, goal setting.
There are different purposes and types of writing but
All academic writing shares some features and writing processes.

4. Your own writing process3
There is no blueprint that works for everyone, every time.
The diver writer
The patchwork writer
The grand plan writer
The architect writer (Creme & Lea, p.78)

5. How do you write?
How do you typically organize your writing? Do you use something like one of those methods?
Describe it now, in writing.
What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of this method?
Write two lists now.

6. Practice writing in English
Write privately in a learning journal:
To record important information
To note ideas that you could use later
To Do lists
Write in sentences to:
Express reflections on things you learn and how you could apply them
Practice paragraphs you can improve later
Build a sense of yourself as a writer.

9. The writing process: a model based on Coffin, chapter 22

10. 1. Prewriting1 To find something to write about
Understand, generate ideas
Research, read, discuss
Methods:
Brainstorming
Freewriting
Personal journal writing

11. The academic essay Research the topic
Read the right
Books
Periodicals
Internet

12. Writing is not isolated

13. Freewriting now

14. 2. Planning To clarify, focus, organize Methods include: List
Graphic organizers: mind map, clustering
Outline view (essay plan).

15. Cluster diagram4

16. Mind maps

17. Outline

19. 3. and 4. Drafting and revision
Whatever your process, good writing takes
Time
Work
Revisions.
Revisions can be made on the word processor screen or on paper.
Leave time for revisions.

20. Revision example

23. Elements of writing
Summarize
Paraphrase
Synthesize
Analyze
Evaluate

24. Summarize

25. Paraphrase

26. Synthesize

27. Analyze

28. Evaluate

29. Paraphrase or summary?
Paraphrase: “To express the meaning … in other words”
Summary or Abstract: “Containing the chief points or sum or substance of a matter” … “with implication of brevity” (Shorter Oxford English Dictionary)

30. Exercise: a summary
Read the text provided and write a summary of less than 100 words.
Do not include any of the original sentences or phrases.

31. 5. Peer review
Peer review is an essential part of professional academic life.
Anonymous peer reviews are necessary for journal publication and some books.
Review by “critical friends” is common.

32. Support the revision Swap pieces of writing in pairs.
Write on the review form to give helpful advice to the author on their summary.
Hand back the writing with the review form.

33. “In your own words” 3
Degrees are awarded to individual students for demonstrating their own knowledge of a subject, not just re-using existing knowledge.
But you need to read what “authorities” think and compare your views with friends and colleagues.
Use a “critical friend”. Be a “critical friend”.
Then write in your own words but citing where you use someone else’s ideas and quoting when you use someone else’s words.

34. Revise your summary Read the review form.
Take note of its comments and address each one.
Rewrite your summary on a new sheet
Add your name at the top and hand it in at the end of the session.

35. Tomorrow We will give general feedback.
You will write a reflection on your summary and writing style.

36. 6. Editing
Editing, proofreading & polishing are to correct the surface features of the text.
Appearance
Formatting, fonts, footnotes, footers
Linguistic accuracy
Spelling, punctuation
Sources, references, acknowledgements
Citations correct, references complete

37. Visual clarity - formatting
You may be given format guidelines.
If not, ask a tutor for advice. E.g. what spacing? What margins?
Title page: student number, title, date, module, course; possibly word length.
Font: use Arial 11 point, unless specified otherwise; headings & sub-headings are a little larger; bold or italic use sparingly.
Footer: page numbers, other information?

38. References
Derek Soles, 2003, Writing an academic essay, Studymates Coffin, C. et al. Teaching Academic Writing London: Routledge
In your own words is a web document by Mike Brough
Further reading:
Stella Cottrell, 2003, The study skills handbook, second edition, Palgrave
Creme, P. and Lea, R.L Writing at university, a guide for students Second edition, Maidenhead: Open University Press