Academic Writing:
Writing in a critical way
Dr. Tamara O’Connor
Student Learning Development
Student Counselling Service
student.learning@tcd.ie
896-1407
http://student-learning.tcd.ie
Learning Objectives
 Understand what is meant by academic
writing
 Awareness of academic conventions and
practices
 Learn how to develop argument in your
writing
 Awareness of plagiarism and use
appropriate use of references/citations
Writing in an academic way
 Being critical and analytical
 Using language in a precise & subject-
specific way
 Adopting a position - thesis
 Drawing on and citing a range of authors &
arguments
 Remaining objective
Writing Process
 Planning
 Thinking
 Researching
Plan
Think
 Writing
 Editing
Write
Planning the assignment
 Understand the question
– Breakdown
– Verbs
 Requirements
– Length, Wording
– Referencing
 Establish Time Frame
Thinking
 Brainstorm
– Ideas
– What know
– Try mindmapping
 Preliminary reading
 Refine topic
 Continues throughout process
Organizing your argument
 Title
 Introduction
– Thesis statement
 Body Paragraphs
– Constructing Topic
Sentences
– Building Main Points
– Countering the Opposition
 Conclusion
From Purdue University Writing Lab
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
Structure
 Introduction
– outline of essay
 Main section
– Main point A
• details, evidence
– Main point B
 Conclusion
– summary of main points
– personal conclusions
Researching
 Rough outline
 Gather information relevant to topic
 Keep good notes
– organise content according to outline
– choose what to include
 Keep references
 Digest and reflect on information
Writing
 Start writing early
– extend outline
– one idea or section at a time
– get something down!
 Write first, rough draft
 Revise & improve draft
 How many drafts?
What is critical writing?
 Argument
– Evaluate & weigh up
ideas
– State point of view
– Consider available
evidence
– Possible counter
arguments
– Claim that is proven
throughout the paper
 Opinion
– Point of view
– Lack of supporting
evidence
– Personal feelings and
views
Steps in constructing thesis
 Analyse topic
 Write down your working thesis
– Your point of view in relation to topic
– Keep thesis prominent
 Organise your argument
 Develop argument
 Document points and claims
 Reference or bibliography
Develop your argument
 Use source material – reliable evidence
 Show line of reasoning
– link points
– central guiding line
 Show awareness of complexities
– Counter arguments, relativism
 Your conclusions - based on evidence
Signposting your line of reasoning
 Indicator words for claims
– Therefore, thus, hence, so, as a result
 Indicator words for reasons
– Because, since, on account of, for, in view of,
for the reason that
 Tentative or ‘hedging’
References
Why?
 Credit sources of information & ideas
 Reader can locate for further information if
required
 Validate arguments
 Increase and spread knowledge
 Show depth, breadth & quality of your reading!
References
When?
 Direct
quotes
 Paraphrases
 Statistics/Studies
 Theories
 Interpretations
 Facts
Plagiarism
 Using someone’s words or ideas and
presenting them as your own (Marshall &
Rowland, 1998)
 Inappropriate use of ideas from books,
articles, internet, or other students’ work
???
References
 How?
– Reference system e.g. Harvard, Footnote
– Record sources
– Take careful notes
– Reference list
– In-text citing or referencing
Further information
 http://student-learning.tcd.ie
 http://owl.english.purdue.edu
 http://www.learnhigher.ac.uk
 http://writing.umn.edu
 Linking words:
http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/Resources/la/Qu
ickClicks%20Repository/LC_worksheet_linking%
20words.pdf
 Crème & Lea (1997). Writing at university.