2. Developing Business Practice – 302LON Writing for academic success Week 2

3. Overview of sessions Week 1Reading for academic success 2Writing for academic success 3Finding and using information 4Plagiarism and how to avoid it 5Putting it all together

4. Have an understanding of what is expected in writing at postgraduate level Know about the different writing styles you may be asked to use throughout your course Know how to plan and structure your writing Understand the concept of citing and referencing sources in your writing By the end of this session...

5. Different types of writing Email Wikis Blogs Executive Briefing PowerPoint presentations Management reports Essays Dissertations Letter Reflective writing

6. Whatever you’re writing... You Content Tutor What do you want to communicate? Who is your audience? Are there any considerations to take into account? What are you trying to communicate? Are you using the best form to communicate your message?

7. Writing basics: spelling Use a dictionary or your spell checker......but don’t always trust your spell checker!

8. Writing basics: spelling Make sure you use UK English......avoid ‘txt spk’

9. Get the right tone Use appropriate vocabulary Avoid slang and colloquialisms

10. –But also avoid colloquialisms and slang –Read it out aloud Writing style: keeping it simple One point per sentence Avoid over-use long, multi-syllabic words

11. Structure Introduction Body Conclusion References

12. Introduce your topic and expand upon the question. Outline any assumptions, the scope and outline of your argument, including the main gist of your essay. Introduction

13. Structure Introduction Body Conclusion References Background information

14. Include the main points that answer the question Remember to think about your writing style Include any evidence to back up your arguments Main body

15. Paragraph 1: Idea 1 Paragraph 2: Idea 2 Paragraph 3: Idea 3

16. Paragraphs –Paragraphs should have one topic or idea –The first sentence should introduce the idea, the final sentence conclude it. –Use paragraphs to focus and strengthen your argument Writing style

17. Example paragraph The root of the problem is the failure to distinguish between operational effectiveness and strategy. The quest for productivity, quality, and speed has spawned a remarkable number of management tools and techniques: total quality management, `benchmarking, time-based competition, outsourcing, partnering, reengineering, change management. Although the resulting operational improvements have often been dramatic, many companies have been frustrated by their inability to translate those gains into sustainable profitability. And bit by bit, almost imperceptibly, management tools have taken the place of strategy. As managers push to improve on all fronts, they move farther away from viable competitive positions.

18. Example paragraph The root of the problem is the failure to distinguish between operational effectiveness and strategy. The quest for productivity, quality, and speed has spawned a remarkable number of management tools and techniques: total quality management, `benchmarking, time-based competition, outsourcing, partnering, reengineering, change management. Although the resulting operational improvements have often been dramatic, many companies have been frustrated by their inability to translate those gains into sustainable profitability. And bit by bit, almost imperceptibly, management tools have taken the place of strategy. As managers push to improve on all fronts, they move farther away from viable competitive positions.

19. Example paragraph The root of the problem is the failure to distinguish between operational effectiveness and strategy. The quest for productivity, quality, and speed has spawned a remarkable number of management tools and techniques: total quality management, `benchmarking, time-based competition, outsourcing, partnering, reengineering, change management. Although the resulting operational improvements have often been dramatic, many companies have been frustrated by their inability to translate those gains into sustainable profitability. And bit by bit, almost imperceptibly, management tools have taken the place of strategy. As managers push to improve on all fronts, they move farther away from viable competitive positions.

20. Main body Opening sentence introducing idea that is going to cover in the paragraph Introduce the evidence that supports your argument or that you are using to demonstrate your point Concluding sentence that summarises your argument for this paragraph and introduces the next paragraph Opening sentence introducing idea that is going to cover in the paragraph Introduce the evidence that supports your argument or that you are using to demonstrate your point Concluding sentence that summarises your argument for this paragraph and introduces the next paragraph Opening sentence links to the previous paragraph and introduces the idea for this section Introduce the evidence that supports your argument or that you are using to demonstrate your point Concluding sentence that summarises your argument for this paragraph and introduces the next paragraph Opening sentence links to the previous paragraph and introduces the idea for this section Introduce the evidence that supports your argument or that you are using to demonstrate your point Concluding sentence that summarises your argument for this paragraph and introduces the next paragraph Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2

21. When writing... Point Evidence Evaluate Make your point or argument

22. When writing... Point Evidence Evaluate What evidence or sources back up your point or argument?

23. When writing... Point Evidence Evaluate Evaluate how the evidence strengthens or demonstrates your point

24. Example The economic impact of the ‘credit crunch’ will be felt for the next three decades. Point

25. Example Studies conducted on behalf of the UK’s national banks have investigated the impact on consumer confidence (Bank of England 2010, Humler 2010). Consumer confidence has been demonstrated to be a major factor in economic growth (Johnson 2008:15) and Jupitus highlighted that the typical recovery can take a generation (2009:27-29) Evidence

26. Example Studies conducted on behalf of the UK’s national banks have investigated the impact on consumer confidence (Bank of England 2010, Humler 2010). Consumer confidence has been demonstrated to be a major factor in economic growth (Johnson 2008:15) and Jupitus highlighted that the typical recovery can take a generation (2009:27-29) Evidence

27. Example Evaluate The effects of this phenomenon will be felt in many aspects of daily life for years to come. Future policy, both social and economic will be shaped by the consequences of the credit crunch.

28. Citation within your writing to demonstrate the use of other sources Always the same format –In text citation: (Author Year of publication) –Reference at the end with full details Citing and referencing

29. Review the key points that you have made Demonstrate how these points answer the question set out at the start The conclusion mirrors your introduction where you answer what you set out to address Conclusions

30. List of references at the end List of all the sources that you have cited in the essay Set format laid out in the CULC Harvard citing and referencing guide References

31. Think about your presentation –Clear and simple font –Double spacing –No silly pictures or cartoons Writing tips for success

32. Personal Development Plan By A. Student Where I am now Where I want to go How am I going to get there As I student at CULC, I am studying for my MBA. I want to work in an investment bank, because I want to make lots of money. What do I need to work on? There’s lots of stuff I need to practise like 1) presentation skills 2)writing 3) I need to get an internship

33. Think about your presentation –Clear and simple font –Double spacing –No silly pictures or cartoons Follow the guidelines set out Have a plan before you start Writing tips for success

34. Do you understand the question? Plan out your research Have a structure and plan in mind before you start to write Ensure you have evidence to back up your arguments Leave enough time for a draft Planning your time

35. In this Knowledgecast, we have: Looked at what is expected in terms of academic writing at postgraduate level Looked at examples at different types of writing that will be expected during your course Looked at ideas on how to structure a piece of academic writing, including how to use evidence and other sources of information in your work Introduced the concept of citing and referencing in academic writing Knowledgecast Summary

36. ‘DSC_0202’ by incurable_hippie http://www.flickr.com/photos/hippie/33150 11136/sizes/o/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/hippie/33150 11136/sizes/o/in/photostream/ ‘Simple’ by R_rose http://www.flickr.com/photos/r_rose/10276 6969/sizes/l/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/r_rose/10276 6969/sizes/l/in/photostream/ Image credits