Writing Foundations 3 1. Background to Writing Some of the terms used to describe different types of writing assignments can stude eed to be ar about the has oduction to these topics. c components 1.Students may havetoproduce various types ofwritten work as part of Complete the table to show the main purpose of the following,and their usual approximate length. Type Purpose Length letter for formal and infomma usually lessthan 500 communication words report hesis/dissertatior article/paper 2.Organisation of texts a)Explain the following terms in italic: Shorter texts,e.g essays,are normally organised in the form Introduction Main Body Conclusion Abstract Contents >Introduction Main Body Case Study Discussion Findings Conclusion Acknoiledgements Bibliography/References Appendices Books may also contain: Dedication >Foreword >Preface >Index b)Match the definitions below to one of the terms in (2a). Short summay(-00wordsofthe writer's purposeand ii)Section where various people who assisted the writer are thanked () ii)Final part where extra data,too detailed for the main text,are stored (.j iv)List of all the books that the writer has consulted v)Section looking at a particular example relevant to the main topic (.j vi)Introductory part of book which may give the writer's vii)Alphabetical listof all topics in the text （)
Writing Foundations 3 1. Students may have to produce various types of written work as part of their courses. Complete the table to show the main purpose of the following, and their usual approximate length. Type Purpose Length letter for formal and informal communication usually less than 500 words notes report project essay thesis/dissertation article/paper 2. Organisation of texts. a) Explain the following terms in italic: Shorter texts, e.g. essays, are normally organised in the form: Introduction > Main Body > Conclusion Longer texts, e.g. dissertations and articles, may include (depending on subject area): Abstract >Contents >Introduction > Main Body >Case Study > Discussion >Findings >Conclusion >Acknowledgements > Bibliography/References >Appendices Books may also contain: Dedication > Foreword > Preface > Index b) Match the definitions below to one of the terms in (2a). i) Short summary (100–200 words) of the writer ’s purpose and findings (.) ii) Section where various people who assisted the writer are thanked (.) iii) Final part where extra data, too detailed for the main text, are stored (.) iv) List of all the books that the writer has consulted (.) v) Section looking at a particular example relevant to the main topic (.) vi) Introductory part of book which may give the writer ’s motives (.) vii) Alphabetical list of all topics in the text (.) 1. Background to Writing Some of the terms used to describe different types of writing assignments can be confusing. In addition, students need to be clear about the basic components of written texts. This unit provides an introduction to these topics
4 Part 1:The Writing Process 3.Other text features. Abbreviations are often used to save space: 2.9 References and Call Centres(CCs)feature prominentlyin the technology mix. Quotations 3.15 Punctuation Italicis used to show titles and words from other languages Where once the titles ofArmchair Theatre and The Wednesday Play celebrated. Squatter housing(called gecekondu in Turkish) Footnotes are used to indicate references at the bottom of the page: In respect of singapore the consensus is that the eovemment has made a difference.' Endnotes are givento showreferences at the end of the articleor chapter: The market for masonry construction may be divided intohousing and non-housing sectors [1] The research shows that the'pains of imprisonment'for women are. 4.All types of writing consist of a number ofkey elements Label the items in the text. a)THE ORIGINS OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION b)Introduction )I is generalyd that the Industrial Revolution began Britain durin develo nts in the ir ewhat aused this sudden increase in populations and the political and
4 Part 1: The Writing Process 3. Other text features. Abbreviations are often used to save space: Call Centres (CCs) feature prominently in the technology mix. Italic is used to show titles and words from other languages: Where once the titles ofArmchair Theatre andThe Wednesday Play celebrated. Squatter housing (called gecekondu in Turkish) . Footnotes are used to indicate references at the bottom of the page: In respect of Singapore the consensus is that the government has made a difference. 3 Endnotes are given to show references at the end of the article or chapter: The market for masonry construction may be divided intohousing and non-housing sectors[1] Quotation marks are used to draw attention to a phrase, perhaps because it is being used in an unusual or new way: The research shows that the ‘pains of imprisonment’ for women are. 4. Alltypes of writing consist of a number ofkey elements. Label the items in the text. a)THE ORIGINS OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION b)Introduction c)It is generally agreed that the Industrial Revolution began in Britain during the eighteenth century, with significant developments in the iron, steel and textile industries. But it is less clear what caused this sudden increase in production in key areas; different writers have examined the availability of capital, the growth of urban populations and the political and cross reference 3.1 Abbreviations 2.9 References and Quotations 3.15 Punctuation
Writing Foundations what is meant by e)Industry had existed for thousands ofyears prior to the eighteenth century,but before this time society as a whole remained agricultural.With of the iromrks and ole towns were dom c prodcd more food foreo 5.Why are alltexts divided intoparagraphs?Howlong are paragraphs? Organising Paragraphs ootodoe Read the follo INVESTMENT Most people want toinvest for the future,tocoverunexpected financialdifficultiesand provide them with rity,however,tend to have year-oldjustleavinguniversitywould be investingforthe long-term,whereasa60-year-old who had just retired wouldprobablyinvest forincome.Despite these differences, apply in most cases.The first issue to consider is risk.In general,the greater the degree ofrisk in investment,thehigher theretur.Shares for example,whichcan quicklyriseorfall invalue typically have a higher yield than bonds,which offer good security but payonly about 5%. Therefore all investorsmust decidehow muchrisk isappropriate in their particular situation Diversification must also be considered in an investment strategy.Wise investors usually seek tospread their investmentsacrossavarietyof geographical and predictions of the future are almost impossible,it is best to have as many options as possible. A further consideration is investorinvolvement.Some investorsopt for a high degree of involvement and want to buy and sell regularly,constantly watching the markets Others want to invest and then forget about it.Personal involvement can be time-consuming and worrying and many prefer to leave the management oftheir portfolios to professional fund managers
Writing Foundations 5 d ) religious climate. All of these may have played a part, but first it is necessary to consider the precise nature of what is meant by ‘Industrial Revolution’. e)Industry had existed for thousands of years prior to the eighteenth century, but before this time society as a whole remained agricultural. With the arrival of the ironworks and cotton mills whole towns were dominated by industrial activity. At the same time, agriculture itself went through significant changes which produced more food for the growing urban population. 5. Why are all texts divided into paragraphs? How long are paragraphs? Read the following text, from the introduction to an essay, and divide it into a suitable number of paragraphs. INVESTMENT Most people wanttoinvestforthe future,tocoverunexpectedfinancial difficultiesandprovide them with security. Different people, however, tend to have different requirements, so that a 25- year-oldjustleavinguniversitywouldbe investingforthe long-term,whereasa60-year-oldwho had just retiredwouldprobablyinvest forincome.Despite these differences, certainprinciples apply in most cases. The first issue to consider isrisk. In general,the greater the degree ofrisk in investment, the higher the return. Shares, for example,whichcan quicklyrise orfall invalue, typically have a higher yield than bonds, which offer good security but pay only about 5%. Therefore all investors must decide how muchrisk is appropriate intheir particular situation. Diversification must also be considered in an investmentstrategy.Wise investors usually seek to spread their investments across a variety of geographical and businesssectors. As accurate predictions ofthe future are almost impossible, it is best to have asmany options as possible. A further consideration is investor involvement. Some investors opt for a high degree of involvement and want to buy and sell regularly, constantl y watching the markets. Others want to invest and then forget about it. Personal involvement can be time-consu min g and worrying, and many prefer to leave the management oftheir portfoliosto professional fund managers. cross reference Organising Paragraphs Organising theMain Body
6 Part 1:The Writing Process 2.Developing Plans from Titles Most written work begins with a title,and students must be quite clear what question the title is asking before starting to plan the essay and read around the topic.This unit deals with analysing titles and making basic plans. 1.When preparingto write an essay,it is essential toidentify the main requirements ofthe title.Youmust be clear about what areas your teacher wants you to cover.This will then determine the organisation of the essay.For example: are of litte real world-Discuss Here the key word is discuss.Discussinginvolves examining the benefits and drawbacks of something. Underline the key words in the following titles and consider what they are asking you to do. a)Define Information Technology (IT)and outline its main applications in medicine b)Compare and contrast the appeal process in the legal systems of Britain and the USA c)Evaluate the effect of mergers in the motorindustry in the last ten years. d)Trace the development ofprimaryeducationin Britain.Illustrate some oftheissues currently facingthis sector. Note that most of the titles above have to terms in the title.You must decide ho h 2.The following terms are also commonly used in essay titles. Match the terms to the definitions on the right. Analyse Give a clear and simple account Describe Make a proposal and support it Examine Deal with a complex subject by giving the main points State Divide into sections and discuss each critically Suggest Giveadetailed account Summarise Look at the various parts and their relationships cross rererence 3.Almost all essays,reportsand articles have the samebasic pattern of organisation: Introduction Main body Conclusion do.In A plan for the first example might look like this:
6 Part 1: The Writing Process 1. When preparing to write an essay, it is essential to identify the main requirements of the title. You must be clear about what areas your teacher wants you to cover. This will then determine the organisation of the essay. For example: Academic qualifications are of little practical benefit in the real world – Discuss. Here the key word is discuss. Discussing involves examining the benefits and drawbacks of something. Underline the key words in the following titles and consider what they are asking you to do. a) Define Information Technology (IT) and outline its main application s in medicine. b) Compare and contrast the appeal process in the legal systems of Britain and the USA. c) Evaluate the effect of mergers in the motor industry in the last ten years. d) Trace the development ofprimaryeducationinBritain.Illustrate some ofthe issues currently facing this sector. Note that most of the titles above have two terms in the title. You must decide how much importance to give to each section of the essay (e.g. title (a) might demand 10% for the definition and 90% for the outline). 2. The following terms are also commonly used in essay titles. Match the terms to the definitions on the right. Analyse Give a clear and simple account Describe Make a proposal and support it Examine Deal with a complex subject by giving the main points State Divide into sections and discuss each critically Suggest Give a detailed account Summarise Look at the various parts and their relationships 3. Almost all essays, reports and articles have the same basic pattern of organisation: Introduction Main body Conclusion The structure of the main body depends on what the title is asking you to do. In the case of a discuss type essay, the main body is often divided into two parts, one looking at the advantages of the topic and the other looking at the disadvantages. A plan for the first example might look like this: 2. Developing Plans from Titles Most written work begins with a title, and students must be quite clear what question the title is asking before starting to plan the essay and read around the topic. This unit deals with analysing titles and making basic plans. cross reference 1.10 Planning a Text 2.5 Discussion
Writing Foundations 7 Academic qualifications are of little practical benefit in the real world-Discuss Introduction variety of different qualifications different methods of assessment Benefits international standards for professions e.e doctors students have chance to study latest theories qualifications lead to better salaries and promotion Drawbacks many essful people don't many qualified people don't have jobs Conclusion qualifications are useful but not guarantees of success 4.Write a plan for one of the titles in (1). title introduction main body conclusion 5.Teachers often complain thatstudentswrite essays thatdo not answer theauestion set. titles and decide which sections should be a)Describe the growth of the European Union since 1975 and suggest its likely form by 2010. A short account of European history 1900-2000 An analysis of candidates for membership before 2010 A discussion of the current economic situation in Europe An outline of the enlargement of the EU between 1975 and now b)Summarise the arguments in favour of privatisation and evaluate its record in Britain. A case study of electricity privatisation An analysis of less successful privatisations A study of major privatisations in the UK A discussion of the benefits achieved by privatisation
Writing Foundations 7 Academic qualifications are of little practical benefit in the real world – Discuss. Introductio n variety of different qualifications different methods of assessment Benefits internation al stand ard s for professio n s, e.g. doctors students have chance to study latest theories qualification s lead to better salaries and promotion Drawbacks many successful people don’t have qualification s many qualified people don’t have jobs Conclusion qualifications are useful but not guarantees of success 4. Write a plan for one of the titles in (1). title introduction main body conclusion 5. Teachers often complain that students write essays that do not answer the question set. Consider the following titles and decide which sections should be included in each essay. a) Describe the growth of the European Union since 1975 and suggest its likely form by 2010. A short account of European history 1900–2000 An analysis of candidates for membership before 2010 A discussion of the current economic situation in Europe An outline of the enlargement of the EU between 1975 and now b) Summarise the arguments in favour of privatisation and evaluate its record in Britain. A case study of electricity privatisation An analysis of less successful privatisations A study of major privatisations in the UK A discussion of the benefits achieved by privatisation c) Towhat extent is tuberculosis (TB) a disease of poverty? A definition of TB