Section 3: Structure of Academic Writing(1 / 1)

学术英语写作 常俊跃 2065 字 1个月前

In Section 2, we looked at some common features that might lead us to recognize a text as “academic”. Another important aspect of academic writing is the use of a clear and fairly predictable structure.

Although writers vary in their level of formality, we do expect academic texts to have certain predictable structures. In many academic texts, it is easy to see the organizational structure because it is marked by headings and subheading.

Short essays (including exam answers) generally have this pattern:

Introduction ____________________________________

Main body _____________________________________

Conclusion_____________________________________

Longer essays, dissertations or journal articles may include:

(Some sections are optional and the order of sections may vary.) _____________________________________________

Title page ____________________________________________________

Abstract _____________________________________________________

Acknowledgements _____________________________________________

List of abbreviations ____________________________________________

List of tables, figures or illustrations________________________________

Contents ______________________________________________________

Introduction___________________________________________________

Body (This section can be further divided.)

e.g. Literature review

Methods

Results

Discussion

_____________________________________________________________

Conclusion_____________________________________________________________________

References ___________________________________________________

Appendices _____________________________________________________

Reports should generally include the following sections:

(Some sections are optional and the order of sections may vary.) ___________________

Letter of transmittal ____________________________________________

Title page ____________________________________________________

Abstract /Executive summary/ Synopsis ____________________________

Acknowledgements ____________________________________________

List of abbreviations ____________________________________________

List of tables, figures or illustrations _______________________________

Contents _____________________________________________________

Introduction __________________________________________________

Body (This section can be further divided.)

e.g. Literature

Methods

Results

Discussion_____________________________________________________________

Conclusion ___________________________________________________

Recommendations _____________________________________________

References ___________________________________________________

Appendices ___________________________________________________

Activity 3-1: Knowing the essential parts of academic writing

Find the words in the lists above that match the following definitions.

1. A short summary of 100~300 words, which explains the purpose and main findings.

____________________________________________________________________

2. A list of all the sources the writer has mentioned in the text.

____________________________________________________________________

3. A short section where people who have helped the writer are thanked.

____________________________________________________________________

4. Part of the main body in which the writer discusses relevant research.

____________________________________________________________________

5. A separate document attached to the front of the report. It is a covering letter, memo or email to the person who requested it.

____________________________________________________________________

6. A section, at the end, where additional information is included.

____________________________________________________________________

Activity 3-2: Identifying the structure

Skim over the academic article titled A Study of the Effects of Content-Based Instruction for English Majors in the Chinese Context (See Appendix 1). Study its structure and list its parts in the box below.