English for Academic Purposes (EAP): Academic Writing Skills

1. Academic English Skills:
Introduction to AcademicWriting
By: Iwan Syahril

2. What is freewriting?
✤ “Freewriting is a brainstorming activity in which you write freely
about a topic because you are looking for a specific focus” (Oshima &
Hogue, 1999, p. 6).
✤ The purpose of freewriting is to generate as many ideas as possible.
So, the more we freewrite, the more ideas we have.

3. How to freewrite?
✤ Choose the topic that you want to freewrite. Write it at the top of a
clean sheet of paper.
✤ Write about the topic without stopping for about 10 minutes. This
means that you should be writing constantly, or you should NOT
STOP.
➡ Write down everything that comes to your mind.
➡ Do not judge your ideas.
➡ Do not worry about spelling or grammar.
➡ If you run out of things to say, continue writing whatever comes to
mind.

4. Now, let’s
practice.
Choose a topic and then write nonstop for
about 5 minutes.

5. Questions
✤ What difficulties do you usually find when you write?
Some answers may include:
- writer’s cramp (mental blocks)
- high level of anxiety.
- the pressure of being judged.
- no chance for revision.
✤ How do great writers write?

6. Process Approach toWriting
✤ Writing is indeed a thinking process.
✤ Unlike conversations, the nature of
writing is that it can be planned and
given an unlimited number of
revisions before its “release”.
✤ The process approach is an attempt
to take advantage of the nature of the
written code to think as they write.

7. Process Approach toWriting
✤ Focuses on the process of writing that leads to the final product.
✤ Helps student writers to understand their composing process.
✤ Helps build repertoires of strategies.
✤ Gives time to write and rewrite.
✤ Places central importance on the process of revision.
✤ Lets students discover what they want to say as they write.
✤ Gives feedback in the composing process, not just the final product.
✤ Encourages feedback from both instructors and peers.

8. Now, let’s
practice.
For your reflection paper (the 1st
assignment) you will be responding to the
question:
“Who am I as a learner?”
Please take out your journal and start
freewrite about this topic. You have 5
minutes.

9. Academic English Skills:
Note-taking Strategies
By: Iwan Syahril

10. Questions
✤ How do you take notes?
✤ Is there any difference when you take notes in Indonesian
and in English? Explain.

11. Taking Lecture
Notes
• Take notes. Don’t just listen. You won’t
remember the information later.
• Don’t try to write everything. Note
taking is not dictation.
• Write important information.
Source: Blass, L., & Hartmann, P. (2007). Quest 1: Listening
and speaking. New York: McGraw-Hill.

12. So, what does
this mean?
Let’s do some practice. Look at the
handout and listen to the lectures.

13. 2 SPECIAL SKILLS
✤ There are 2 special skills you can focus on to improve your note-
taking ability.
Improving Speed.
★ Practice rapid writing.
★ Using abbreviations.
Increasing Listening Efficiency.

14. Let’s practice listening
for directions.

15. IELL 3:Academic English Skills
EDITING YOUR WRITING: FOCUSING ON SENTENCE GRAMMAR
November 13, 2009.

16. Simple Sentences
✤ Every subject must have a verb, and every verb must have a subject.
✤ A sentence with a subject and a verb is called a simple sentence.
✤ A subject tells who or what the sentence is about.
✤ A verb tells what the subject is or does.
✤ A simple sentence can have more than one subject or verb.
๏ Every morning, her mother and father wake up at six o’clock.
๏ She never gets up of speaks to anyone before nine o’clock.

17. Correct or incorrect?
Does every sentence have a subject and a verb?
✤ Night is the best for me.
✤ In the evening.
✤ I call my friends.
✤ We go to a club.
✤ And have a good time.
✤ Everything silent, serene, and perfect.

18. Let’s do more
practice!

19. Fragments
✤ If a sentence does not have a subject or a verb it is called a fragment.
✤ There are three problems a fragment can have:
๏ No subject. Also loves to follow my teenage brother around.
๏ No verb. He short for his age and a little heavy.
๏ No subject and verb. And big brown eyes.

20. Let’s do some
practice!

21. Run-on sentences
✤ A run-on sentence happens when two simple sentences are run
together without correct punctuation to correct them.
✤ Run-on sentences: Adam is a sweet boy he really loves animals.
Adam is a sweet boy, he really loves animals.
✤ Correct sentences: Adam is a sweet boy. He really loves animals.

22. Let’s do some
more practice!

23. Academic English Skills:
Paraphrasing
By: Iwan Syahril

24. What is paraphrasing?
✤ Paraphrasing is a writing skill in which you “rephrase” (rewrite)
information from an outside source in your own words without
changing its meaning.
✤ Avoid writing paraphrasing that is too similar to the original. A
paraphrase is unacceptable when it contains the same vocabulary and
sentence structure as the original.
✤ Tips: 1) Find synonyms - use thesaurus; 2) Change the grammar.

25. ✤ Example:
Language is the main means of communication
between peoples.
➡ Humans communicate through language.

26. Let’s do some
practice!

27. ✤ PARAPHRASE THIS!
So many different languages have developed that
language has often been a barrier rather than an aid to
understanding among peoples.

28. ✤ Original sentence:
So many different languages have developed that
language has often been a barrier rather than an aid to
understanding among peoples.
✤ A possible answer:
Because there are so many languages in the world, language
is an obstacle rather than an aid to communication.

29. ✤ PARAPHRASE THIS!
For many years, people have dreamed of setting up an
international, universal language which all people
could speak and understand.

30. ✤ Original sentence:
For many years, people have dreamed of setting up an
international, universal language which all people
could speak and understand.
✤ A possible answer:
For a long time, people have wished for an international
language that speakers all over the world could undertsnd

31. ✤ PARAPHRASE THIS!
If all people spoke the same tongue, cultural and
economic ties might be much closer, and good will
might increase between countries.

32. ✤ Original sentence:
If all people spoke the same tongue, cultural and
economic ties might be much closer, and good will
might increase between countries.
✤ A possible answer:
A universal language would certainly build cultural and
economic bonds. It would also create better feelings among
countries.

33. Academic English Skills:
Introduction to APA style
By: Iwan Syahril

34. What &Why APA?
✤ APA is a writing style described in the Publication Manual of the
American Psychological Association.
✤ APA style describe rules for the preparation for manuscripts for
writers and students.
✤ APA style is not only used in Psychology, but also in other fields such
as Sociology, Business, Economics, Nursing, Social Work, and
Criminology.
✤ Using APA style will make it easier for readers to follow your writing
because it is a format that is commonly used internationally.

35. What should my paper look like?
✤ Paper is typed and double-spaced on a standard paper (8.5 x 11 inches).
✤ Margins are set to 1 inch on all sides.
✤ Paper should include a title page.
✤ A running manuscript head appears in the upper right-hand corner of
each page showing the short version of the title and a page number.
✤ Papers are numbered consecutively beginning with the title page in the
upper right-hand corner of each page.

36. Title Page
✤ The title of your paper.
➡ about 10-12 words long, centered in the middle of the page.
✤ The author’s name and institutional affiliation.
➡ centered, directly below the title.
✤ A running head.
➡ A short version of your title, no more than 50 characters (including spaces &
punctuation).
➡ It is left-justified, and also appear at the top right-hand of the page.
✤ A page number
➡ It is placed at the upper right-hand corner after the running head.

37. Headings
✤ ONE LEVEL
Centered Uppercase and Lowercase Heading
✤ TWO LEVELS
Centered Uppercase and Lowercase Heading
Flush Left, Italicized, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading
• THREE LEVELS
Centered Uppercase and Lowercase Heading
Flush Left, Italicized, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading
Indented, italicized, lowercase paragraph heading, ending with a period, with
the following text on the same line.

38. ✤ FOUR LEVELS
Centered Uppercase and Lowercase Heading
Centered, Italicized, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading
Flush Left, Italicized, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading
Indented, italicized, lowercase paragraph heading, ending with a period, with
the following text on the same line.
✤ FIVE LEVELS
CENTERED UPPERCASE HEADING
Centered Uppercase and Lowercase Heading
Centered, Italicized, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading
Flush Left, Italicized, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading
Indented, italicized, lowercase paragraph heading, ending with a period, with
the following text on the same line.

39. You need to cite a reference when:
Quoting – when you repeat another source word for word.
Summarizing – when you use or refer to facts or ideas, and
condense the material from another source using your own
words.
Paraphrasing – when you use or refer to ideas from another
source but put them into your own words.
InText Citations

40. ✤ The basic format is to give the author surname, year of
publication, and sometimes the page number.
✤ For subsequent references to the same study within the same
paragraph you do not need to repeat the year.
For example:
Chan (1996) referred to the effects of… Chen also outlines..
InText Citations

41. ✤ When a work has two authors, always cite both names every time
the reference occurs in text. Note: “and” is used in text, and “&”
is used within parentheses.
Example:
Bachman and Palmer (1996) argue that it is much more useful to
see language use being realized as learners performing specific
language use tasks.
It may be more useful to see language use being realized through
the performance of specific tasks (Bachman & Palmer, 1996).
Two Authors

42. Three, four, or five authors
✤ Cite all authors the first time the reference occurs in the text.
In subsequent citations, include only the surname of the first
author followed by “et al.”
Example:
As discussed in the previous chapter, Dunkel et al. (1993) do not
agree with this perspective.
As discussed in the previous chapter, there is an alternative
perspective (e.g., Dunkel et al., 1993).

43. Six or more authors
✤ Cite only the surname of the first author followed by “et al.”
Note: in the reference list, cite the first six authors in full, and
then shorten the remainder to “et al.”

44. Order in a citation in the same
parentheses - same author
✤ Arrange two or more works by the same authors by year
of publication.
Example:
Past research (Gogel, 1984, 1990) has shown intuitions to
be incorrect.

45. Two or more works by different
authors
✤ List in alphabetical order by the first author’s surname.
Separate the citations by semicolons.
Example:
Several studies (Balda, 1980, 2005; Kamil, 1978; Pepperberg &
Funk, 1990) come to the same conclusions.

46. Secondary Source
The original work is called the primary source.
The textbook is called the secondary source.
Name the original work in the text and its date, the secondary
source, and the date of the secondary source.
Example:
Supporting data appear in a study by Wong (1962, as cited in
Marconi & Hamblen, 1990).

47. Citations of source for a quote or
paraphrase
✤ Give author last name, publication date, and page number in
parentheses.
Examples:
๏ (Cheek & Buss, 1981, p. 332)
๏ (Shimamura, 1989, chap. 3)
๏ Cobb (1994) suggests that interventions work because “the
third party can alter persons’ discursive positions and, in the
process, generate a new pattern of interaction, a new
interdependence” (p. 58).

48. Quotations
1) Fewer than 40 words; 2) More than 40 words;
3) More than 500 words
Make sure your quotation is accurate, i.e., the same as the
original in wording, spelling, and interior punctuation.

49. Quotations - fewer than 40 words
➡ Put the quotation into the text, and enclose with double
quotation marks.
➡ Use single quotation marks within double quotation marks to set
off material in the original source that was enclosed in double
quotation marks.
Example:
She stated, “The ‘placebo effect’… disappeared when behaviors
were studied in this manner” (Miele, 1993, p. 276), but she did
not clarify which behaviors were studied.

50. Quotations more than 40 words
Use a block quotation, i.e., a freestanding block with no
quotation marks, not right justified, start on a new line, indent
0.5 inches from the left margin (same as for a new paragraph).
✤ Quotations – more than 500 words
You should probably obtain permission from the copyright
holder.

51. The Reference List
✤ Every citation in your reference list should be in the text/
body of your paper.
Unlike a bibliography, the reference list does not cite
works for background or for further reading.

52. Layout of the Reference List
✤ New page at the end of your paper.
Type the word References in upper and lowercase letters,
centered, at the top of the page.
Generally double-spaced (exception for student papers).
Entries should have a half-inch hanging indent.
The basic information that needs to be included is author
surname and initials, year of publication, title, and publishing
data. Separate each part with a period and a single space.

53. References
Brenneis, D., & Lein, L. (1977). ‘You fruithead’: A sociolinguistic approach to children’s dispute
settlement. In S. Ervin-Trip & C. Mitchell-Kernan (Eds.), Child discourse (pp. 49-65). New York:
Academic Press.
Dersley, I., & Wootton, A. J. (2000). Complaint sequences within antagonistic argument. Research
in Language and Social Interaction, 33(2), 20-46.
Doe, B., & Doe, S. (Eds.). (1994). Stressful life events: Their nature and effects. Nashville, TN:
Bodem Books.
Henry, W. A. (1990, April 9). Making the grade. Time, 135, 28-31.
New drug appears to sharply cut risk of death from heart failure. (1993, July 15). The
Washington Post, p. A12.
Research and Training Center on Independent Living. (1993). Guidelines for reporting and writing
about people with disabilities (4th ed.) [Brochure]. Lawrence, KS: Author.

54. General forms - Non-perodicals
Author, A. A. (pub date). Title of book. Location: Publisher.
Example:
Doe, B., & Doe, S. (1994). Stressful life events: Their nature
and effects. Nashville, TN: Bodem Books.

55. General forms -Periodicals
✤ Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (pub date).
Title of article. Title of Periodical, xx, xxx-xxx.
Example:
Garcia, A. (1991). Resolution without disputing: How the
interactional organization of hearings minimizes
argument. American Sociological Review, 56, 818-835.

56. General forms - Part of a
nonperiodical
✤ Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (pub date). Title of chapter.
In A. Editor, B. Editor, & C. Editor (Eds.), Title of book (pp.
xxx- xxx). Location: Publisher.
Example:
Brenneis, D., & Lein, L. (1977). You fruithead: A
sociolinguistic approach to children’s dispute settlement.
In S. Ervin-Trip & C. Mitchell-Kernan (Eds.), Child
discourse (pp. 49-65). New York: Academic Press.

57. Electronic Media -
InText Citations
Give author surname, publication date
If no page numbers, give paragraph number and use ¶ symbol or para.
If no paragraph number, give heading and number of ¶ following it.
Example:
(Myers, 2000, para. 5)
(Beutler, 2000, Conclusion section, para. 1)
✤ If you cite an entire website in your text, give the electronic address in the
text. Do not cite in the reference list.
Example:
The APA’s website provides answers to frequently asked questions about
style (http://www.apa.org).

58. There are two main guidelines:
1.Direct readers as closely as possible to the information
being cited (i.e., the specific document instead of the
homepage).
2.Make sure the address works! Check that you have
transcribed it correctly. The best way is to copy it
directly from the address window in the browser and
paste it into your paper. Also, test the address regularly.
Electronic Media -
Reference Citations

59. Electronic Media - Reference List
General Forms
✤ The basic information that needs to be included is the author (if possible),
the document title or description, an address and a date (of publication or
retrieval).
Here are the general forms:
Online periodical
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (2004). Title of article. Title of
Periodical, xx, xxx-xxx. Retrieved month day, year, from source.
Online document
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (2004). Title of work. Retrieved
month day, year, from source.

60. Electronic Media - Reference List
General Forms
If the retrieval element is an internet address, DO NOT end
with a period.
Example:
Article in an Internet-only journal
Fredrickson, B. L. (1999, March 7). Cultivating positive
emotions to optimize health and well-being. Prevention &
Treatment, 3, Article 0001a. Retrieved November 20, 2000, from
http://journals.apa.org/prevention/volume3/
pre0030001a.html

61. Let’s do some
practice!
Are you ready?