1. Academic Writing: An Overview

2. “Whether you knew it or not when you started, conducting research is the defining feature of your graduate career. If you plan to stay in academe, it will be the defining feature of your academic life.” --Lesli Mitchell The Ultimate Grad School Survival Guide

3. The genre of research What it’s not: What it’s not: A loose collection of anecdotal information A loose collection of anecdotal information What it’s not only: What it’s not only: Reporting of others’ knowledge Reporting of others’ knowledge What it is: What it is: Creation of knowledge Creation of knowledge Added security of academic support Added security of academic support Contribution to a larger academic discussion Contribution to a larger academic discussion Problems and solutions Problems and solutions

4. Before you write: Read sources critically Read studies similar to what you want to write Read studies similar to what you want to write Professional journals, master’s theses, Google scholar Professional journals, master’s theses, Google scholar Abstracts Abstracts Literature Reviews Literature Reviews Conclusions/Discussion Conclusions/Discussion Recommendations for Future Study Recommendations for Future Study Take notes (don’t highlight!) Take notes (don’t highlight!) Summarize/paraphrase passages Summarize/paraphrase passages

5. Quoting Sources (in brief) Use quotations sparingly and strategically. Use quotations sparingly and strategically. Use quotations only when the language is so unique that you must use it; that is, the language adds “color, power, or character,” to your project. Use quotations only when the language is so unique that you must use it; that is, the language adds “color, power, or character,” to your project. Too many quotes are distracting; reader needs to hear your voice. Too many quotes are distracting; reader needs to hear your voice.

6. Quote use Identify quotes with frames that precede, follow, or interrupt. Identify quotes with frames that precede, follow, or interrupt. Use appropriate verb of attribution. Use appropriate verb of attribution. Punctuate correctly. Punctuate correctly. Quotes should be syntactically correct and integrated into your own language. Quotes should be syntactically correct and integrated into your own language.

7. The Art of the Paraphrase You are writers, not re-typers. Instances of plagiarism (from the Office of the Associate VP, CSU Fresno) : “Failure to use quotation marks when quoting directly from another, whether it be a paragraph, sentence or part thereof “Failure to use quotation marks when quoting directly from another, whether it be a paragraph, sentence or part thereof Copying phrases or ideas from a book, magazine, or other source without giving credit to the author Copying phrases or ideas from a book, magazine, or other source without giving credit to the author Turning in a paper or computer program that is the work of another individual” Turning in a paper or computer program that is the work of another individual”

8. Drafting Should be the least time-consuming of all steps in the process Should be the least time-consuming of all steps in the process If it’s taking you forever to write 1,000 words, two things could be happening: If it’s taking you forever to write 1,000 words, two things could be happening: 1. You don’t have a clue what you should be saying. 1. You don’t have a clue what you should be saying. 2. You're revising while you draft so that you end up with one sentence an hour. 2. You're revising while you draft so that you end up with one sentence an hour.

9. The Introduction: Your paper’s “first impression” Introductions should: Introductions should: Introduce subject and problem Introduce subject and problem Clearly state purpose Clearly state purpose

10. Strategies for Introductions Begin with a narrative Begin with a narrative Anecdotes that make the topic more “real” to reader. Anecdotes that make the topic more “real” to reader. Begin with a question or series of questions. Begin with a question or series of questions. Shows reader that your subject is provocative and interesting. Shows reader that your subject is provocative and interesting. Begin by quoting a key source. Begin by quoting a key source. Bold, expert opinion captures readers’ attention. Bold, expert opinion captures readers’ attention. Begin by citing key data Begin by citing key data Alarming stats emphasize importance Alarming stats emphasize importance Writing Studio at Duke University: Writing Studio at Duke University:http://uwp.duke.edu/writing-studio/resources

11. Review of Literature Examine/analyze what has already been published on your topic Examine/analyze what has already been published on your topic Find the gaps (Recommendations for future research) Find the gaps (Recommendations for future research) Provide framework for scope of the problem Provide framework for scope of the problem Explain where your study “fits” Explain where your study “fits” Review must be thorough Review must be thorough Currency, credibility Currency, credibility Snowball your sources Snowball your sources Review must be accurate Review must be accurate Follow rules for specific documentation style Follow rules for specific documentation style

12. Report your findings What trends did you find in the research? What trends did you find in the research? Did you discover something that hasn’t been addressed? (Creation of knowledge) Did you discover something that hasn’t been addressed? (Creation of knowledge) Did you gather your own data? (surveys, experiments) Did you gather your own data? (surveys, experiments) Presentation of findings in tables, figures, etc. Presentation of findings in tables, figures, etc.

13. Conclusions Place the paper in a larger context Place the paper in a larger context Convince readers that what they read was meaningful. Convince readers that what they read was meaningful. Go beyond mere summary and avoid repeating word- for-word a statement you wrote earlier in the paper. Go beyond mere summary and avoid repeating word- for-word a statement you wrote earlier in the paper. Answers the question, “Where could we go from here?” Answers the question, “Where could we go from here?” Makes suggestions or calls to action Makes suggestions or calls to action

14. You are the author Paper should be predominately your ideas and opinions. Paper should be predominately your ideas and opinions. Show your critical thinking skills. Show your critical thinking skills. A paper with patched together summaries and paraphrases, even if they’re in your own words, will not succeed. A paper with patched together summaries and paraphrases, even if they’re in your own words, will not succeed.