Academic Writing: Things to think about

Writing in AcademiaMathias Klang @klangable mklang@sju.edu

But first, more disobedienceAnd (minor) changes to the schedule

WHAT IS AN ESSAY?Excercise in the clear presentation of evidence, reasons and arguments to arrive at a conlcusion.

Every text:

• Plan & Structure• Definitions of key

concepts• ARGUMENT, critical

thinking• Readable English &

Accurate spelling• References • No unnecessary points

“I CAN’T WRITE…”

Writing is a processNot an automatic skillLearning by doing and practicing

LazinessWrite and re-writeWork with your textSpelling and grammar

Strict Natural Science Structure• Title page• Introduction

• Purpose/Question• Background• Theory• Related Work

• Method• Result• Discussion• Conclusion• References

Objective

Analysis &conclusions drawn from material

TIME

Simple mathWhen is it due?

Length?”simple” mathematics

Advanced mathweekendsBoredom

I never thought it would happen…

WRITING

Do NOT begin at the beginningBorrow/steal ideas & text for inspiration (beware plagiarism)Write down ideas straight away!

GETTING STARTED

PicturesBrainstormingMindmapsNotebooksRead similar stuffWrite down every ”aha”

Why does anyone read essays?

One of the primary hurdles in getting people to read your paper is getting them to read the content of the paper. If the title is misleading, and if the abstract and introduction do not manage to establish the setting in an interesting way, chances are that the reader will not go any further, unless they are very devoted to the topic, appointed reviewers (in which case you are in trouble anyway), or a close friend. (Sørensen)

Or, if you love

me you would…

Catch the reader

What is your question?Why is it importantTell us quickly

Avoid poetry

BORROWING, COPYING AND PLAGIARISM

What’s wrong with Copy Paste

Have FUN

Deadlines!

Mathias Klang mklang@sju.edu or @klangable

www.klangable.com

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