Facts I Always Wanted to Know About Formal Writing

(*But Were Afraid to Ask)

Rodrigo I. Da Silva

Some General Advice on Academic Essay-Writing

An essay should have an argument which answers question and proves something. Its organization should be designed to present a clear and persuasive argument.

Some good writer’s methods:

They write as a way of exploring and discovering. They write what seems readiest to be written.They keep in mind the essay’s overall purpose and organization.They revise extensively by writing and rewriting drafts.When the draft is completed, they revise sentences to be sure that a reader will be able to follow the sequences ideas (sentences and paragraphs)

Dealing with New Words

Sound Use simple phonics to attempt saying the wordStructure prefixes and suffixes shape the root meaning.Context Guess at the word's meaning from the way it is used in the sentenceDictionary Writing.

What is a paragaph?

A paragraph is a series of related sentences developing a central idea, called the topic.

How do I unify my ideas in a paragraph?

To unify my ideas in a paragraph I need to express them in a topic sentence, the

central idea of the paragraph.

What is a topic sentence?

A topic sentence states the main point of a paragraph. It alerts readers to the most important, interpretive points in my essay. help you to improve your essay by making it helps me to recognize gaps or weaknesses in my argument. Use a topic sentence to show how your paragraph contributes to the development of your argument.

How do I develop my ideas in a paragraph?

Illustration in a paragraph supports a general statement by means of examples, details, or relevant quotationsThe definition paragraph defines a term. It will often be specific to my subject area in a meaningful way.The classification paragraph develops a topic by distinguishing its component parts and discussing each of these parts separately.A contrast paragraph compares ideas, similarities and differences between them.A qualification paragraph recognizes that what you previously asserted is not absolutely true or always applicableThe process paragraph describes a proces in a sequence.

How do I make my ideas flow in a paragraph?

Deliberate repetition of key words to focus the analysisStrategic use of pronouns to keep the focus on the ideas announced at the beginning of the paragraphSpecialized linking words to put ideas together and to sopport logic

Critical Reading Towards Critical Writing

Critical writing depends on critical reading. Most of the papers you write will involve reflection on written texts - the thinking and research that has already been done on your subject. In order to write your own analysis of this subject, you will need to do careful critical reading of sources and to use them critically to make your own argument. The judgments and interpretations you make of the texts you read are the first steps towards formulating your own approach.

What is critical reading?

To read critically is to make judgements about how a text is argued: How does this text work? How is it argued? How is the evidence (the facts, examples, etc.) used and interpreted? How does the text reach its conclusions?

How Do I Read looking for Ways of Thinking?

Purpose of the text how these purposes are developed or argued. Context What audience is the text written for? Who is it in dialogue with?Kinds of reasoning What concepts are defined and used? Does the text appeal to a theory or theories?Evidence check supporting facts or examples that the text employsEvaluation is the argument weak? Is it strong? Why? Could it be better or differently supported? Are there gaps?

Using the Computer to Improve Your Writing

1 Try jotting down your ideas as they come, without looking up spelling or other details 2 Brainstorm3 Outlining4 pay attention to the lines5 short forms 6 cut and paste to check 7 Search function 8 thesaurus

Some Tools and Rules to Improve Your Spelling

1 Use a good dictionary. 2 Be consistent about using British or American spellings in your writing 3 Create your own "difficult-to-spell" lists 4 Learn the standard pronunciations for frequently misspelled words 5 Watch out for homophones, near-homophones, and other easily confusable words6 Become familiar with English spelling rules

Research Using the Internet

1 Authority2 Affiliation3 Audience Level4 Currency5 Content Reliability/Accuracy

How much should I quote?Consider quoting a passage from one of your sources if any of the following conditions holds

1 Elegant language2 Support of an authority3 The passage is worthy of further analysis4 Start to argue with someone else's position.

Letting your reader know exactly which authorities you rely on shows that you have done your research and that you are well acquainted with the literature on your topic

What verbs and phrases can I use to introduce my quotations?

Argues, writes, points out, concludes, comments, notes, maintains, suggests, insists, observes, counters, asserts, states, claims, demonstrates, says, explains, reveals

When should I paraphrase, and when should I summarize?

To paraphrase means to restate someone else’s ideas in your own language at roughly the same level of detail.To summarize means to reduce the most essential points of someone else’s work into a shorter form.

When choosing which to use, consider first your discipline and the type of writing in which you are engaged.

How do I paraphrase?

You must provide a reference.The paraphrase must be in your own words.You must also create your own sentence structures. filtering the ideas through your own understanding

How do I summarize?

absorb the meaningcapture in your own words the most important elements from the original passage.

Bibliography

• University of Toronto, writing course

http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/