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Introduction Students are asked to write many different kinds of

texts. Depending on your subject, these could beessays, laboratory reports, case-studies, book reviews,reflective diaries, posters, research proposals, and soon and are normally referred to as genre families orgenres.

Your first decision when faced with a new piece ofacademic writing is to decide which genre family youare expected to write.

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Essays Reports Case Studies Research proposals Book reviews Brief research reports

Literature reviews Reflective writing Introductions Research methods Research results

Research discussions Writing conclusions Research abstracts Research dissertations & theses

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In research conducted between 2004 and 2007, Hilary Nesi and Sheena

Gardner (Nesi & Gardner, 2012) at the University of Coventry proposed five

purposes for student writing in higher education.

Students might write to show that:

they are aware of and understand the latest knowledgein their subject area;

they can argue a particular point of view making use ofdifferent kinds of evidence;

they can plan and carry out research

they are ready for employment in a particularprofession;

they can reflect on how they and other people feel andthink.

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Nesi & Gardner call these purposes:

Demonstrating Knowledge & Understanding (DKU)

Developing Powers of Independent Reasoning (DPIR)

Building Research Skills (BRS) Preparing for Professional Practice (PPP)

Writing for Oneself and Others (WOO)

Decide which of these purposes is yours for a specific piece ofwork. Go back to your brief or question if necessary.

Once you have chosen the primary purpose of your writing,you can narrow that down to the genre family required.

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Nesi & Gardner divide the primary purposes up in

the following way:Primary Purpose Demonstrating Knowledge & Understanding

Genre Family Explanations ,Exercises

Primary Purpose Developing Powers of Independent Reasoning

Genre Family Essays, Critiques

Primary Purpose Building Research SkillsGenre Family Literature Surveys,Methodology Recounts,Research Reports

Primary Purpose Preparing for Professional Practice

Genre Family Case Studies, Design Specifications, Problem Questions,Proposals

Primary PurposeWriting for Oneself and OthersGenre Family Event Recounts, Public Engagement

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When you write an explanation, you are demonstrating or developing an understandingof the object of study, and the ability to describe and / or account for its significance.

The purpose of an exerciseis to give you practice in key skills (e.g. the ability tointerrogate a database, perform complex calculations or explain technical terms orprocedures), and to consolidate knowledge of key concepts.

In an essay, you will demonstrate or develop your ability to construct a coherentargument and make use of critical thinking.

The purpose of a critiqueis to show or develop an understanding of the object of studyand the ability to evaluate and/or assess its significance.

In a literature survey, you demonstrate and/or develop your familiarity with the literaturerelevant to your area of study.

Methodology recountsdemonstrate your familiarity with particular disciplinaryprocedures, methods and conventions for recording experimental findings.

When you write a research report, you will demonstrate or develop your ability toundertake a complete piece of research, including research design, and an understandingof its significance in the field.

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The purpose of a case studyis to demonstrate or develop an

understanding of professional practice through the analysis of asingle case.

In a design specification, you will demonstrate or develop yourability to design a product or procedure that could bemanufactured or implemented.

Problem questionsprovide practice in applying specific methods

in response to professional problems. The purpose of aproposalis to demonstrate or develop your

ability to make a case for future action. When you write an event recount, you will be expected to

demonstrate or develop your awareness of the motives and/orbehaviour of individuals, including yourself.

Public engagementwriting demonstrates or develops anunderstanding & appreciation of the relevance of academic ideasby translating them into non-academic register, so you cancommunicate to a non-specialist readership.

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