NUGSE Academic English Resources: Writing (drafts, language, structures)

Your research and writing should be guided by an evidence-based process of analysis and synthesis of sources as they relate to the central problem you are addressing. With a focus on the literature review, this presentation discusses the process of connecting your research proposal to previous works that will clearly establish the reasoning behind the goals and objectives of your research and its significance to stakeholders.

Any piece of writing is a journey that begins with an introduction and ends with a conclusion. This presentation instructs you on how to remind the reader of the path the paper is on and how each section connects to the stated goals and objectives of the research. Frequent reminders of your destination over the length of your journey purposefully unite your work into a coherent and cohesive piece of academic writing.

An academic paper needs to be more than a collection of information and ideas. It also needs to be a dialogue between the writer and reader. This presentation discusses how such a dialogue can be established through the deliberate use of meta-commentary words and phrases. By populating your academic writing with these markers of guidance and communication, you will more effectively direct your readers toward understanding the purpose of your research.

Although an academic paper is often a substantial collection of information, data and ideas, it should read as a discussion. This can be accomplished by various strategies that will be presented in this video. Through the use of analytical reporting verbs, effective paraphrasing and a suitable balance of author-prominent and information-prominent references, the author can establish a conversational tone that acts as a glue to connect all the information together in a meaningful and understandable way.

In this interactive session, the host instructor is joined by NU graduates to field important questions on the academic writing process. Attention is focused on the preparation, organization, and process of writing the Findings chapter of a thesis.

A select number of verb tenses are most commonly used in academic writing. This video discusses, with an abundance of examples, how, why and when verb tenses are used strategically across the various chapters and contextual settings of a thesis.

A new paradigm has emerged that is altering the professional landscape of language use when discussing various topics and issues. How we talk and write about gender and people with special needs is part of this new zeitgeist. In this presentation, the use of language as it relates to gender and special needs is examined. Language is a reflection of character and knowledge. Young scholars need to be part of the vanguard of this more socially-sensitive and progressive lexicon that is developing that reflects greater respect, understanding and inclusiveness towards all members of society.

This presentation discusses the structure and lexicon required when reviewing the data you gathered from your research. Specific attention is focused on non-verbal data, such as graphs, illustrations and figures. Through a careful analysis of your data, you will strengthen your ability to discuss the implications of your study and make well-supported recommendations to future stakeholders.