Writing

Academic Writing

Structure, Point of View, Elements of Writing, Text Types/Types of Writing

Text Types or Types of Writing

There are FIVE types of text types or types of writing

• Narrative

• Persuasive/Argumentative

• Descriptive

• Expositive

• Directive (Not as well used as the other four)

Multiple Choice

A novel is an example of what type of text?

• Persuasion

• Narration

• Exposition

• Description

Multiple Choice

A Textbook is an example of what type of text?

• Persuasion

• Narration

• Exposition

• Description

Multiple Choice

Which of the following "describes a place, person or thing?"

• Persuasion

• Narration

• Description

• Exposition

Structure

The two main types of structure

Structure is dependent on the type of text you are writing.

Narrative text will use plot structure

Persuasion, description and Exposition use academic structure

Academic structure

Academic writing has an introduction, a body and a conclusion.

You will be trying to prove a statement or hypothesis as true, discussing a topic of interest or providing information.

Elements of Writing

Elements of Academic Writing

Central idea

Organisation

Supporting Material

Expression, word choice and POV.

Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation.

Central Idea/Thesis

• The central idea is a clear, manageable idea, argument or thesis

• The thesis is what the entire piece of writing is about.

• A thesis is usually found in the first or second paragraph, and it is usually stated in one sentence. All of the other paragraphs of a text relate to and support the thesis. 

• The central idea or purpose must be limited to be able to be meaningful, it must be stated clearly, and all subordiante ideas relate to it.

Subordinate Ideas

• A subordinate idea is what an entire paragraph is about. It is like a “mini-thesis” that applies to just one paragraph.

• Subordinate ideas are like sub-topics or parts of the overall thesis.

• The subordinate idea of a paragraph is usually expressed in a topic sentence. Sometimes the subordinate idea is unstated, in which case the subordinate idea is implied.

Supporting Details

• Supporting details are all the other sentences in a paragraph that support the main ideas. Not all supporting details are equally important. They may take the form of facts, statistics, examples, or quotations.  

Organisation

• Coherent arrangement of material.

• Keeps the reader oriented on the central and subordinate ideas.

• Good organisation = logical and sequential

• It guides the reader from one idea to the next.

• INTRODUCTION, BODY, CONCLUSION

Transitions

• Transitions are words or phrases that link ideas together and tell the reader how they relate to one another. Some common transitions are shown in the following table. 

Supporting Material

• Explanations

• Examples are relevant, specific, detailed, sufficient and persuasive.

• Statistics

• Quotations support the argument

• These make information presented meaningful and memorable.

• Supporting material clarifies or persuade.

Expression, word choice and point of view

• Language is clear, specific, accurate and appropriate to the audience, purpose and material.

• Variety in sentence structure and length creates emphasis.

• Do not use cliches or misused jargon

• Sentences should be concise and unambiguous.

Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation

• This element only counts when it is wrong.

• Your reader will notice errors.

• Spelling - technical terms and proper names

• Words used convey intended meaning

• Rules of grammar and syntax are followed (pronoun/noun agreement, subject/verb agreement, appropriate verb tense, pronoun case, possessive forms, etc.

• Punctuation - comma usage in particular

Point of View