Multimedia in Organisations
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Agenda
1

 Why Write?
 Writing in a First Language
 Writing in a Second or Third Language
 Genre and its Implications
 Genre Defined
 Benefits of Genre for Students
 Benefits of Genre for Teachers
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Agenda
2
 Assistance at UOW
 Lecturer
 Michael Birt Library
 Learning Resource Centre (19:G102)
 Woodward-Kron (1996)
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Agenda
3
 Academic Essays
 Types of Essays
 Explanatory & Evaluative Essays
 For and Against Essays
 Essay Genre
 Case Study Reports
 Case Study Report Genre
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Introduction
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Introduction
Why Write?
 you cannot avoid reading and writing in any academic discipline
 you must write in most examinations and in many subjects you must provide written answers to assignments
 students who are writing in their first language often intuitively know what is required in essay or case study writing
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Introduction
Writing in a First Language
 students writing in their first language have an advantage because writing in that language is very familiar to them (that is reduced to the level of habit )
 despite this, many students writing in their first language may not have much experience in academic writing
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Introduction
Writing in a Second or Third Language
 writing can be hard work for people who are writing in a second or third language
 regardless of whether you are using a first or subsequent language, all students must develop appropriate written communication skills
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Introduction
Genre
 any written and spoken language has a considerable amount of information and structure
 linguists have identified a particular kind of structure responsible for the large scale organisation of entire texts
 this type of structure is referred to as genre
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Introduction
Implications of Genre
 the conventional nature of genre assists readers in predicting the meanings of the text
 understanding a particular genre assists writers in developing appropriate texts
 several commercial written genres have been identified
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Introduction
Genres Defined
 genres consist of sequences of elements - each element serves a particular function within a particular type of written or spoken language
 there are two major genres that often occur in commercial writingEssays and Case Study Reports
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Introduction
Benefits of Genre for Students
 to be considered a professional in IS you must sound like one, and you must also write like one
 at postgraduate level, you must be able to gather, evaluate, argue and interpret facts- your employers will expect you to perform at this level
 by using an appropriate genre, student performance is improved
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Introduction
Benefits of Genre for Teachers
 lecturers will or should set assignments which require students to communicate using one of the typical structures
(called genres ) found in commerce
 by using the appropriate genre, teachers get the benefit of being able to mark consistently
 students will know the appropriate structure for the assignment
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Assistance
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Assistance
 If you need help in writing you should first ask for help from your lecturer . It is the lecturers responsibility to help you or direct you to places where you can get help.
 there are several places at UOW where you can get Assistance
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Assistance
 Michael Birt Library : run courses on using the library to help you research assignments.
 these courses are short and very useful. Examples include:
 Using the Computer System
 Using the CD-ROM Abstract Services
 Basic Library Skills
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Assistance
 Learning Resource Centre (19:G102) : run a number of courses which are useful for students using English as a second or third language.
Examples include Intensive
Grammar, Advanced Grammar,
Cohesive Writing, and Academic
English (the courses range from 3-6 weeks).
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Assistance
 Woodward-Kron, R. (1996) Writing in
Commerce: A guide to assist
Commerce students with assignment writing Revised Edition Centre for the Advancement of Learning and
Teaching (CALT), Australia:
University of Newcastle <$20
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Academic Essays
Source: Woodward-Kron (1996, 7-8)
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Academic Essays
Types of Essays
 Several types of essay genres exist
 the differences between these types of essay are based on the degree of interpretation and evaluation required.
 the degree of interpretation and evaluation depend not only on the wording of the question which forms the essay but also on the essay’s topic .
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Academic Essays
Explanatory Essays & Evaluative Essays
 Explanatory Essays:
 essay questions ask what , how , and/or why
 do not require a great deal of interpretation on your part
 Evaluative Essays
 essay questions ask you to evaluate , assess or to be critical
 do require a great deal of interpretation on your part
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Academic Essays
For and Against Essays
 some essay questions require the writer to structure the argument of the essay in terms of pro- and contra- arguments
 examples: the advantages (pro) and disadvantages (contra), strengths and weaknesses , or adequacies and inadequacies of a concept, method or model
 not common in this department!
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Element
Thesis
Meaning Parts a thesis is the proposition to be argued, explained interpreted or evaluated
Orientation brief statement that leads the reader into the topic
Thesis Statement & Essay Outline
(Key Terms Defined)
Argument is the body of the essay, which presents your information, data or evidence to support the thesis paragraphs containing Topic
Sentences and supporting information, called Elaboration , for each argument presented
Conclusions reiterates the writer’s case stated in the thesis
Restate Thesis
Summary of Main Points
(Reflection) or a statement made by the writer concerning the evidence presented or the thesis
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Case Study Reports
Source: Woodward-Kron (1996, 25-29)
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Element
Title Page
Meaning
Table of
Contents
Executive
Summary or
Synopsis provides the reader with an overview of the reports contents
Introduction outlines the report’s terms of reference (the what, where, and when) and outlines the report’s objectives and purpose
Parts
Report Title
Author’s Name
Submission Date
List of Numbered Sections in the
Report
Subject Matter
Methods of Analysis
Findings
Recommendations
Terms of Reference
Outline Report’s Structure
Body
Conclusion
Appendix
Bibliography there will be some overlap with Executive
Summary depends largely on the parts of the question the student must address
Headings and Subheadings which reflect the contents of each section
Findings of the Report
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