ADV211E
LECTURE 2
05 MAY 2021
Lecturer: Dr N. Khewu
SIX TRAITS OF WRITING
ACTIVITY 1: Correct this letter
taking note of the 6 7rait above
• Dear tchrs (qualfd & in training), Imge counts. Da exprexion that actns speak louder thn
words"is true. Nobdy will take u seriously if u undervalue yoself. Amongst the few, here ar
3 thngs tht may sabotage ur presentation b4 u even open ur mouth. I may sound oldskul
bt d following flaws hv no tym factor. 1. rytn in short hand: u may blv it saves tym bt d frst
messge it shouts is u cnt ryt. No teacher shld b allowed to ryt in dat manner as evry
teacher is supoz 2teach learners n students how 2 ryt & 2 ensure dt a learners or students
rytng improves erryday. Out of habit u may end up using dt rytng style in formal official
documents. Trying 2 figure out wht d ryter is saying is very irritating n tym consuming.
Ryting is a skill u hv learnt n mastered over tym n if u ar casual abt hw u ryt u easily lose d
skill. U dnt hv 2b a language teacher 2ryt properly, evry teacher is a role model n de4
teachers ar expctd 2b exemplary. 2. chewing a gum: as a it is disrespectful 2tok wd ur
mouth full of fud it is equally disrespectful 2teach or 2b in a formal event chewing gum.
Infect da person hu invented a gum shud b shot ded. A gum is distracting d learners may
struggle 2 grasp da learning content whilst tryn 2 figa out wat da tcha is tryn to say in
between chewing n teaching. D worst part of being a chewing gum user is when 1 is
preoccupied or deep in thought, de is nothing as disgusting as an aimless gum chewing. If
u use d gum 2distract yoself from overthinking dbest thing 2do wld b 2 explore other self
regulation strategies dt may assist u not 2think. Go en tok 2 a psychologist. 3. chapped
nails: it's either u use d nail polish or not. Der is nthg as hideous as dirty nails. If u cnt tyk
care of yoself u can't b trusted wd chldrn. As aforementioned, teachers ar rolemodels, de4
what ar u modelling? if u hv 2use nail polish, at list make sure that ur hands n nails are
clean. 1st imprssns last. Regards, Dr Khewu
ACTIVITY 1 cont.
Make note of all the
parts you have revised
and the reasons thereof
TEN MAIN FEATURES OF
ACADEMIC WRITING
Complexity
1. Academic writing is complex, has longer words and more
varied vocabulary.
2. It uses more noun-based phrases than verb-based
phrases/Academic writing tends to use nouns (and
adjectives), rather than verbs
3. Academic texts are shorter and grammatically complex
4. 4. Academic has more subordinate clauses and more
passives
TEN MAIN FEATURES OF
ACADEMIC WRITING cont.
Formality
1. Academic writing is relatively formal –
informal/slang words and expressions are
avoided
2. E.g. Assignment or application letter
TEN MAIN FEATURES OF
ACADEMIC WRITING cont.
Precision
1. In academic writing, facts and figures are given
accurately
2. No distortion of facts – application letter or CV
TEN MAIN FEATURES OF
ACADEMIC WRITING cont.
Objectivity
1. Academic writing is generally objective rather
than personal
2. Has fewer words that refer to the writer or the
reader
3. The main emphasis is on the information that you
want to give and the arguments/influences
TEN MAIN FEATURES OF
ACADEMIC WRITING cont.
Explicitness
1. Academic writing is clear to the reader how the
various parts of the text are related - use of different
gesturing/signalling words
TEN MAIN FEATURES OF
ACADEMIC WRITING cont.
Accuracy
1. Academic writing uses
vocabulary/jargon/terminology accurately.
TEN MAIN FEATURES OF
ACADEMIC WRITING cont.
Hedging
1. In academic writing, your stance should be clear,
on a particular subject. You cannot be
vague/imprecise
TEN MAIN FEATURES OF
ACADEMIC WRITING cont.
Responsibility
In academic writing, you must be responsible for, and
must be able to provide evidence and justification
for, any claims you make.
TEN MAIN FEATURES OF
ACADEMIC WRITING cont.
Organization
1. Academic writing is well organised - flows easily
from one section to the next in a logical/sound
fashion
TEN MAIN FEATURES OF
ACADEMIC WRITING cont.
Planning
1. Academic writing is well planned - researched
and evaluated according to a specific purpose
and plan.
2. LBs call
CONCLUSION
Enjoy the rest of the week and stay blessed….