4. INTRODUCTION
Various writing types/styles may be used in Academia.
At the Undergraduate Level:
Less formal types, e.g.
Expository Narrative
Descriptive Persuasive
At the Graduate Level:
Formal analytic styles, e.g.
oAPA – American Psychological Association
oMLA – Modern Language Association
oCMS – Chicago Manual of Style
“I write lustily and humorously. It isn't calculated; it's the way I think. I've invented a writing style
that expresses who I am.” Erica Jong (American writer and feminist, 1942)
6. What separates graduate level writing
from the undergraduate level?
The written style of the paper is important. Style refers both to conventions of
arrangement and layout, and to conventions of written language. Dirks (2005)
A student’s writing is considered to be at graduate level if criteria such as the following are
met:
The work is not just a rehashing of the research. Graduate level writing is meant to be an
exercise in critical thinking and personal analysis on the part of the student
The reason for writing is stated early and as much space as possible is used to solidify the
statement
The writing is clear and unambiguous. The reader walks away with a full understanding
of the topic
The writing exhibits good mechanical skills – grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence
construction, flow of ideas
Quotes are used correctly
Graduate writing: Taking writing to a higher level http
://custompapers.com.essays-articles/graduate-writing/
7. Writing at the Graduate Level
Graduate Level Research Papers
The most common type of research project at the
graduate level is the written research paper – usually a
formal essay based on an accumulation of facts gathered
in the research process
There is still an element of originality in that the
researcher uses the available information to present a
new view of the topic.
“The most original authors are not so because they advance what is new; but
because they put what they have to say as if it had never been said before”
Johann Wolfgang Van Goethe
8. Important Steps in Preparing a Research
Paper
1. Selecting a topic
2. Formulating a thesis
3. Preparing an outline
4. Finding information (the search strategy)
5. Evaluating resources
6. Writing the text of the paper
and formulating a conclusion
7. Documenting the sources (citations)
(#4, 5, 7 are important elements of this presentation)
9. Resources:
Information for writing research papers can be found in:
Academic journals
Peer-review journals/articles
White papers
Newspapers
Empirical studies
Literature reviews
Book review
Annotated bibliographies
*all of these sources are accessible on the Internet and in online courses
10. The Academic Journal
Commonly described as:
a peer-review periodical in which scholarship relating to a
particular academic discipline is published
a forum for the introduction and presentation for scrutiny of
new research
a forum for the critique of existing research
Articles printed in academic journals typically present original
research, along with review articles and book reviews.
(Wikipedia)
11. Peer-reviewed Journal Articles
Available in scholarly periodicals
Are published only after rigorous scrutiny (review) by an
independent panel of experts in the particular field of study,
followed by the approval of a majority of these peers
Alternately referred to as “refereed articles”
• Note: The approval is stated in the article or is available in Ulrich’s
International Periodicals Directory electronic resources site.
(Wikipedia)
12. Empirical Study
A way of gaining knowledge by means of direct and indirect
observation or experience, analyzed quantitatively or qualitatively
Alternately referred to as “refereed articles”
Characteristics of an Empirical Article:
e) Empirical articles will include charts, graphs, or statistical analysis.
f) Empirical research articles are usually substantial, are likely to be
from 8-40 pages long.
g) There is always a bibliography found at the end of the article.
Empirical research articles are published in scholarly or academic journals.
These journals are also called “peer-reviewed,” or “refereed” publications.
16. BOOK REVIEW
A descriptive, critical analysis and evaluation on the quality,
meaning and significance of a book.
It focuses on the book’s purpose, content, and authority.
(Los Angeles Valley College Library, 2011)
A review is a critical evaluation of a text, event, object, or
phenomenon.
It makes an argument. It is a commentary that allows you to
enter into dialogue and discussion with the work’s creator and
with other audiences.
(The Writing Center , 2011)
Common Features:
Gives a concise summary including perspective, argument or purpose
Gives reaction to the work
Suggests whether or not the audience would appreciate the work
17. Annotated Bibliography
A list of citations to books, articles, and documents.
Each citation is followed by a brief descriptive and evaluative
paragraph, the annotation.
The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader of the
relevance, accuracy and quality of the sources cited.
(Engle, Blumenthal, and Cosgrave, 2011)
An example:
Huth. E.J. (1991). How to write and publish papers in the medical sciences.
2nd ed. London: Williams and Wilkins. This compact work offers
practical advice on how to make decisions about what to write and what
to leave out for both novice and experienced researchers. A highly
readable source
18. Newspaper
A serial issued at stated, frequent intervals (usually daily, weekly,
or semiweekly), containing news, opinions, advertisements, and
other items of current, often local, interest” (Young, 1983, p.153).
Characteristics of a Newspaper:
General audience interested in news and
• Audience current events
• Print APPeArAnce
Inexpensive paper, generally recycled material
Current events in: politics, business, sports,
• content/Focus leisure, etc.
Syndicate columnists, local staff, and
• Author newswire services
Usually name sources
• documentAtion
Generally common words and simple
• LAnguAge sentence structure
(Valencia College, (n.d.)).
19. White Paper
A White Paper:
• Is a persuasive document that usually describes problems
and how to solve them.
• Is a crossbreed between a magazine article and a brochure.
• Takes the objectives and educational approach of an article
and weaves in persuasive corporate messages typically
found in brochures
• Is fact driven and contain useful information, expert
opinions and iron clad logic (Sielzner, 2007).
20. A White Paper
Allows its readers to look at that which is factual as
opposed to that which is opinion.
Is also an article that states an organization’s position,
philosophy about a social, political ‘or other subject, or a
nottoodetailed technical explanation of an architecture,
framework, or product technology.
Explains results or conclusions based on research
methods.
21. Evaluating Sources
(In academic writing, sources must be evaluated for suitability and reliability)
Why are books and peer-reviewed articles the most preferred written sources in
graduate writing?
Reasons:
4.More credence is given in academia to these two sources. Books and peer-reviewed articles
assure quality works consistent with the standards of the field.
5.Prevent the promotion of untrue hypotheses. Other sources may have inaccurate,
unproven or over-simplified information.
6.Verify that a source is scholarly. This develops critical thinking skills.
7.Guard against plagiarism
8.They are heavily reviewed and revised by experts before being accepted for publication
9..They save the graduate student research time
“Determining what is scholarly is going to be a much more important issue as technology continues to be
integrated in the learning environment. (Hoffman, n.d.)
22. Comparing Books and Peer-reviewed
Articles
Books Peer-reviewed Articles
Usually an extended time for Greater speed of release for
publication – can take months, but journal articles; although several
usually takes years rewritings may be involved –
usually only months
May sometimes not have
‘current’ information. The pace of Information enclosed is usually
technology moves rapidly; books current – “cutting edge”
may be outdated before they are
printed
“Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later”
Rev. 1:19, NIV
23. REFERENCES
2.Burns, C. (2007). Empirical Research: How to Recognize and Locate. Paulina June & George Pollak
Library, California State University, Fullerton
http://users.library.fullerton.edu/cbruns/empirical_research.htm
3.Engle, M., Blumenthal, A., and Cosgrave, T. (2011). How to prepare an annotated bibliography. Cornell
University Library
4.Stelzner, Michael. A. (2007) Writing white Paper’s: how to capture readers and keep them engaged.
Retrieved from http://www.wringwhitepapers.co
5.Valencia University (n.d.). Newspapers. Retrieved September 14th, 2011 from
http://faculty.valenciacollege.edu/infolit/tutorial1/formats/newspapers.htm
6.Young, H. (1983). The ALA glossary of library and information science. Chicago: American Library
Association.
7.Hoffman, L. (n.d.) Determining Scholarly Resources. Retrieved from:
http://www.louis-hoffman-virtualclassroom.com?Psychologh%20Resources/Writing%20Resources?Determini
_Scholarly_Resources.htm
8.Lauer, J.M., & Asher, W.J. (1988). Composition Research: Empirical Design. New York: Oxford
University Press.
9.Los Angeles Valley College Library. (2011). How to write a book review. Retrieved from
http://www.lavc.edu/library/bookreview.htm
10.Shuttleworth, M., (2009) What is a literature review? Experiment-Resources.com
11.The Writing Center. (2011). Book reviews. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved from
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb , 9 September, 2011
12.Wikipedia
