A Short Guide to Academic Writing

by Johnson, Andrew P.

• ISBN13: 9780761825036
• ISBN10: 0761825037
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-03-17
• Publisher: UPA

Summary

A Short Guide to Academic Writing de-mystifies the process of writing and describes everything that is needed to write in an academic and professional style.

Table of Contents

SECTION ONE THE PROCESS OF WRITING
Introduction	ix
Chapter 1: Writing Groups	1	(4)
Writing Group Sessions	1	(2)
Checklist for Academic Writing	3	(2)
Chapter 2: Writing is a Very Messy Process	5	(4)
The Process	5	(1)
Steps of the Writing Process	6	(3)
Chapter 3: Reading Critically	9	(6)
Reading is Not the Same as Comprehending	9	(1)
Comprehension Strategies	9	(2)
Using Your Brain to Comprehend	11	(4)
Chapter 4: Sources and Notes	15	(6)
Academic Writing Uses Credible Sources	15	(1)
How to Gather Data Using Credible Sources	15	(3)
The Reference Page	18	(3)
Chapter 5: Taking Notes	21	(4)
What Your Notes Should Look Like	21	(1)
Organizing Notes: Looking for Groups	22	(3)
Chapter 6: Writing With Your Unconscious	25	(6)
Your Unconscious Mind is Your Friend	25	(1)
The Bone Pile	26	(5)
SECTION TWO ACADEMIC WRITING
Chapter 7: What is Academic Writing?	31	(2)
Form and Function	31	(1)
A Few Basics to Begin	31	(1)
The Prime Directive	32	(1)
A Question	32	(1)
A Few More Basics	32	(1)
Chapter 8: Using Objective and Subjective Language	33	(4)
Avoid Letter To The Editor Syndrome	33	(1)
Avoid Value Statements	34	(1)
The Subjective Stance	34	(3)
Chapter 9: Writing and Speech	37	(2)
Writing and Thinking	37	(1)
Avoid Speechisms	37	(1)
Avoid NonWords	38	(1)
Chapter 10: Writing as Teaching	39	(4)
Gender Neutral	39	(1)
Numerical Organizing Words	40	(1)
People Who Need People	41	(1)
Say It and Support It	41	(2)
Chapter 11: Creating Structure	43	(4)
Create Structure After DataGathering	43	(1)
Outline or Web Before DataGathering	43	(1)
Headings and Subheadings	43	(4)
Chapter 12: Less is More	47	(4)
SECTION THREE THE PARTICULARS OF ACADEMIC WRITING
Chapter 13: The Introductory Paragraph	51	(4)
Seriation	51	(2)
Do Not Become Seriation Happy	53	(2)
Chapter 14: Paragraphs	55	(8)
New Paragraphs	58	(1)
Topics and Topic Sentences	58	(1)
Conceptual Leaps	59	(1)
Paragraph Length	60	(1)
Redundancy Within the Paragraph	60	(3)
Chapter 15: Transition Words and Sentences	63	(4)
Transition Words	63	(1)
Transition Sentences	63	(4)
Chapter 16: Grammar and Punctuation	67	(8)
Grammar	67	(1)
Avoiding the Seven Most Common Grammar Errors	67	(3)
Punctuation	70	(5)
Chapter 17: Sentences	75	(1)
Long Sentences	75	(1)
Short Sentences	75	(1)
Long and Short Sentences	75	(1)
Chapter 18: Citations	75	(10)
Citing in the Text	75	(3)
The Reference Page	78	(1)
Journals, Magazines, and Newspapers	78	(1)
Books	79	(2)
Graduate Papers, EV IC, and Internet	81	(1)
Citations in Action	82	(3)
Chapter 19: Quotations	85	(4)
Quotation Guidelines	85	(1)
Another Word of Warning	86	(1)
The Reference Page	87	(2)
Chapter 20: Quantifying Reality	89	(8)
Using Numbers	89	(1)
Using Words	89	(1)
Reporting Numbers	90	(1)
Tables	91	(6)
Chapter 21: The Literature Review	97	(4)
Sources	97	(1)
Sample Literature Review	97	(4)
SECTION FOUR SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
Chapter 22: Understanding Science and Research	101	(8)
Science is a Verb	101	(1)
The Nature of Research: Ways of Seeing	102	(1)
Experimental Research	103	(3)
Qualitative Research	106	(3)
Chapter 23: Describing Empirical Research	109	(4)
Chapter 24: Writing Using 3D	113	(4)
SECTION FIVE FINAL PRODUCTS
Chapter 25: Theses and Dissertations	117	(8)
Some Survival Tips	117	(1)
Secondary Research	117	(3)
Original Research	120	(5)
Chapter 26: Journal Articles	125