The University of York
Katy Mann
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Why is structure important in a piece of
academic writing?
List three reasons and compare with your
partner.
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Academic writing conforms to a set of
general moves.
“ Academics say they enjoy innovative
structures devised by their students, but they
also warm very positively to this classic
model “ ( Barnes, 1995 p.130)
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Title page ( not counted)
Contents ( List of acronyms) ( not counted)
Abstract ( Abbrev.Acknowledgements) ( not
counted)
Introductions
Review of background literature
Critique/ comment on literature
Summary & conclusion
Recommendations
References ( not counted)
Bibliography ( not counted)
Appendices ( not counted)
(Blaxter, 2006)
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1. What is the question/ problem or situation
addressed? Title/ Introduction
2. How was the matter studied? Methods
3. What information/ data was obtained?
Results/ Appendices
4. What interpretations/ comments and
evaluations were made? Discussions/
conclusions
5. What actions are recommended?
Conclusion/ recommendations
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Within most sections of the project report
there are a series of moves ( Swales, 2000).
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Functions
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To establish the background/ context and
importance of the research
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To explain the value
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To identify the gap
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To provide the reader with a clear structure
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To clarify any key terms/ abbreviations
Establish the importance of the topic
•Give a very brief synopsis of the key literature
•Give your question
•Explain your interest in the topic
Outline approach
•Provide a synopsis of the research methods
•Define key terms/ abbreviations
Structure
•Provide an overview of how you will organise your report
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Functions
To give the reader all the information they
need to understand your research
To demonstrate the depth and breadth of
your reading
To establish connections between your study
and previous studies
To point out you know the arguments for and
against the subject matter
To inspire, educate and excite the reader
Distant-close
• You cite and discuss work ever closer to your own
Research question grouped
• From distance to close under each research question
Chronological
• History of research- be careful not to get too
descriptive here.
Evaluation
Synthesis
Summary
Studies
against
Studies for
Conference
abstracts
Journal
articles
Scholarly books
Gov. reports
Reliable
newspapers
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To describe exactly what you did
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To explain why you did it
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To describe the advantages and
disadvantages of the method
To allow another research to repeat / expand
on your research
Describe different methods often used
in this type of research
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Detail method selected and justify
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Describe exact procedure
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Discuss weaknesses
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Functions:
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To discuss relevant results or findings
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To demonstrate your critical thinking/
evaluation
Reiterate aims/ research question(s)
Restate key findings
Refrain from
introducing new
ideas
Recommend
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Zotero-Firefox extension
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Word 2007- referencing tool
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NOT footnotes
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Copy of questionnaire
Interview transcripts
Pictures/ diagrams not essential
Observation records
Extracts/ images
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Avoid all things that may confuse-abbreviations
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And so on….. etc
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Signpost-direct the reader
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Reference details in text and in References
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Numbers under 10 spell out
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Capitalisation-learn the rules and apply them
British spelling-adjust spellcheck
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Narrow range of literature
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Lack of critical analysis
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Poorly structured
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Lack of references
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Weak reflection and refinement of aims
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Read through the model/ exemplar reports
from previous cohorts.
Think about why they were awarded A or A*
Read the examiner’s commentary and
compare it to your view.
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Does the introduction help the reader
understand how your research fits into a
wider area of study?
Does the literature review demonstrate that
you are familiar with a wide range of
literature relevant to your study?
Is your method section clear and detailed
enough to allow another researcher to
replicate it?
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Is the information in the results and
discussion section relevant to your research
questions?
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Are all your conclusions drawn from your
research and supported by evidence?
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Are all the transitions managed smoothly?
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Are all the in-text references included in the
References section?