Academic writing
part 1
Becoming an investigator in your academics
What do you call
an alligator in a vest?
An investigator!
Long essays
Short answers
Calculations
All university students
need to be top investigators
…and this is the
academic investigator’s
training unit.
Then it’s time for you
to rethink the way you
investigate
your questions!
understanding what to do
and what is expected
is the most important part
Let’s look at an academic question
An academic question:
Discuss the impact that winning gold medals at the
Olympic games may have on tourism in South
Africa.
The type of answer expected?
• What type of answer is expected?
How and what should you DO?
• DISCUSS the impact that winning gold medals at the
Olympic games may have on tourism South Africa.
Example
Analyze x
Compare
Contrast
Criticize x
Define x
Describe x
Description
Divide x into parts or elements and describe it in detail, indicating how the
parts are linked to one another to form a whole.
Show similarities and differences between two or more aspects.
Show the differences or describe the differences between
characteristics/ features of something.
Show the good and the bad qualities of x (approve or disprove it) after
considering the facts.
Shortly give the precise meaning of x.
List the important qualities of x. Put it in words – a logical, well-structured
account of the matter.
Discuss
Investigate or debate the different sides of a view or statement with the
aim of reaching a conclusion.
Evaluate x
Make a deduction or form an opinion about the value of x according to
well- known criteria.
Explain
Make sure that the reader understands x through an illustration or a
description thereof.
Explain, give examples of or give a graphic illustration of x.
Study and critically discuss in terms of definitive criteria.
Illustrate
Investigate
Example
Analyze x
Compare
Contrast
Criticize x
Define x
Describe x
Description
Divide x into parts or elements and describe it in detail, indicating how the
parts are linked to one another to form a whole.
Show similarities and differences between two or more aspects.
Show the differences or describe the differences between
characteristics/ features of something.
Show the good and the bad qualities of x (approve or disprove it) after
considering the facts.
Shortly give the precise meaning of x.
List the important qualities of x. Put it in words – a logical, well-structured
account of the matter.
Discuss
Investigate or debate the different sides of a view or statement with the
aim of reaching a conclusion.
Evaluate x
Make a deduction or form an opinion about the value of x according to
well- known criteria.
Explain
Make sure that the reader understands x through an illustration or a
description thereof.
Explain, give examples of or give a graphic illustration of x.
Study and critically discuss in terms of definitive criteria.
Illustrate
Investigate
The method
Let’s tackle our question again:
• Which concepts should you use in
executing your answer?
The method
The concepts involved are:
Discuss the impact that winning gold medals at the Olympic games
may have on tourism in South Africa.
Limits to your discussion
• Are you asked to limit your discussion
in any way?
Discuss the impact that winning gold
medals at the Olympic games may
have on tourism in South Africa.
Limits to your discussion
Discuss the impact that winning gold
medals at the Olympic games may
Africa
have on tourism in South Africa.
How to use this initial investigation to
• plan an answer,
• answer a short question,
• write an essay.
Thank you!