1、English Academic WritingChapter 7:Abstract English Academic WritingvLead in:v(1)What do you think the abstract may include?v(2)How many types of abstract do you know?v(3)What are the features for a good abstract?v(4)When writing a descriptive essay,what factors should be considered?Chapter Seven:Abs
2、tract Part One:Rounding Out the Paper Part Two:Description Part Three:Abstract WritingChapter Seven Part One:Rounding Out the Paper v1.First Draftv(1)Prepare an outlinev(2)Prepare adequate materialsv(3)Write as you thinkv(4)Keep a balance between the sectionsv(5)Document the references while quoting
3、v(6)Deal with the difficulties laterv(7)Constantly back up the file documentChapter Seven Part One:Rounding Out the Paper vActivity 1:v How do you usually revise the first draft？What is the effect?Chapter Seven Part One:Rounding Out the Paper v2.Revision Revision can be carried out in the following
4、three steps:v (1)Entire frameworkv (2)Partial modificationv (3)Language王嘉陵(2003:127129)promotes the use of more operational approaches for revision:Revisions of view point Revisions of methods Additions and deletions of materials Restructuring Language polishing Finalizing the titleChapter Seven Par
5、t One:Rounding Out the Paper vActivity 2:v Revise the following sentences to remove the redundancies.a.In grateful appreciation of your patronage,we are pleased to offer you this free gift as a token gesture of our gratitude.b.An anticipated major breakthrough in storage technology will allow us to
6、proceed ahead in the continuing evolution of our products.c.During the course of the next two hours,you will see a demonstration of our new speech-recognition system that will be introduced for the first time in November.Chapter Seven Part One:Rounding Out the Paper vKey:v a.In appreciation of your
7、patronage,we are pleased to offer you this free gift.v b.A breakthrough in storage technology will allow us to proceed in the evolution of our products.v c.During the next two hours,you will see a demonstration of our new speech-recognition system that will be introduced in November.Chapter Seven Pa
8、rt One:Rounding Out the Paper v3.Editing Guidelines lIs each sentence clear and complete?lCan any short,choopy sentences be improved by combining them?lCan any long,awkard sentences be improved by breaking them down into shorter units and recombining them?lCan any wordy sentences be made more concis
9、e?lCan any run-on sentences be more effectively coordinated or subordinated?lDoes each verb agree with its subject?lAre all verbs forms correct and consistent?lDo pronouns refer clearly to the approiate nouns?lDo all modifying words and phrases refer clearly to the words they are intented to mofify?
10、lIs each word in the essay approiate and effetive?lIs each word spelled correctly?lIs the punctuation correct?Chapter Seven Part One:Rounding Out the Paper v 4.Proofreading Checklistv l Have I used correct tenses in the essay?l Do I have problems with the agreement of verbs with the subject?l Have I
11、 used clause structures correctly?l Have I considered if my vocabulary is as academic and precise as possible?l Have I considered carefully my choice of nouns and pronouns?l Have I proofread the entire essay to make sure there are no typing and spelling errors?l Have I set out my references in an ap
12、propriate format?Chapter Seven Part One:Rounding Out the Paper v5.Final Checklistv(1)Titlev(2)Introductionv(3)Research questionv(4)Hypothesisv(5)Theoretical frameworkv(6)Methodologyv(7)Sourcesv(8)OriginalityChapter Seven Part Two:Description v1.Introduction Definition:v Descriptive writing portrays
13、people,places,things,moments and theories with enough vivid details to help the reader create a mental picture of what is being written about.Purpose:v To enable readers to see,feel,and hear what the writer has experienced.Chapter Seven Part Two:Description v2.Conventions of Descriptive Essaysv Ever
14、ett(1997)elaborates on two main conventions of descriptive essays as follows:(1)Appealing-to-the-Senses Description:v Letting the reader see,smell,hear,taste,and feel what is written in the essay.v (2)Spatial-Order Description:v Showing the reader where things are located from the writers perspectiv
15、e.Chapter Seven Part Two:Description v3.Organization of a Descriptive Paragraphv Here is a common model for organizing a descriptive paragraph:v Topic sentence begins the paragraph by identifying a prized belonging and briefly explaining its significance to the writer.v Supporting details describe t
16、he item in four or five sentences,using the details listed after the topic is probed.v Conclusion finally ends the paragraph with a sentence emphasizing the personal value of the item.Chapter Seven Part Two:Description v4.Things to Consider When Writing a Descriptive Essayv l Think of an instance th
17、at you want to describe.v l Why is this particular instance important?v l What were you doing?v l What other things were happening around you?Is there anything specific that stands out in your mind?v l Where were objects located in relation to where you were?v l How did the surroundings remind you o
18、f other places you have been?v l What sights,smells,sounds,and tastes were in the air?v l Did the sights,smells,sounds,and tastes remind you of anything?Chapter Seven Part Two:Description v 4.Things to Consider When Writing a Descriptive Essayv l What were you feeling at that time?v l Has there been
19、 an instance in which you have felt this way before?v l What do you want the reader to feel after reading the paper?v l What types of words and images can convey this feeling?v l Can you think of another situation that was similar to the one you are writing about?How can it help explain what you are
20、 writing about?v l Is there enough detail in your essay to create a mental image for the reader?Chapter Seven Part Two:Description vActivity 1:Descriptive Writingv Use the following steps to write a descriptive essay:vChoose a famous place or person.vWrite down a number of important facts about that
21、 place or person.vArrange the sentences into idea groups.vWrite a paragraph using the idea groups to create concise sentences.Chapter Seven Part Three:Abstract Writing v1.Introduction Definition:Principles of abstracts:avoid repetition are limited to one paragraph of about 120-250 words can stand al
22、one use the third person use the passive voice are highly signposted An abstract is a highly condensed version of a longer piece of writing that highlights the major points covered,concisely describes the content and scope of the writing,and reviews the writings contents in abbreviated form.Chapter
23、Seven Part Three:Abstract Writing The most usual structure for an abstract:Indicates the purpose of the paper.v States the method used.v States main findings or results.v Gives conclusions based on the findings.v Provides implications of the findings.Chapter Seven Part Three:Abstract Writing 2.Types
24、 of Abstracts (1)Indicative abstracts (2)Informative abstracts (3)Informative-indicative abstracts (4)Structured abstractsChapter Seven Part Three:Abstract Writing(1)Indicative abstracts Definition:Also known as descriptive abstracts or introductory abstracts,indicative abstracts mainly introduce th
25、e point of view or research purposes of the paper rather than the research methods,findings and conclusions.Requirements:tell readers what information the report,article,or paper contains.include the purpose,methods,and scope of the report,article,or paper.do not provide results,conclusions,or recom
26、mendations.are always short,usually under 50 words.introduce the subject to readers.Chapter Seven Part Three:Abstract Writing(2)Informative abstracts Definition:Informative abstracts outline the scope and content of the paper,including research purposes,methods,results and conclusions.It is suitable
27、 for experimental studies and the word limit is in general between 100150 words.Requirements:communicate specific information from the report,article,or paper.include the purpose,methods,and scope of the report,article,or paper.provide the results,conclusions,and recommendations.are shortfrom a para
28、graph to a page or two,depending upon the length of the original work being abstracted.Usually informative abstracts are 10%or less of the length of the original piece allow readers to decide whether they want to read the report,article or paper.Chapter Seven Part Three:Abstract Writing Components:T
29、he purpose of the study introduces the reason,the origin,the importance and significance of the study in question,including the premise,purpose and tasks and scope of the research.Research methods present the methods or techniques of the research,including the model,theory,conditions,objects,materia
30、ls,technology,structure,means,equipment,procedures,data collection and analysis,etc.Results report the results of the study,including data,identified relationship,observation results,effectiveness and performance achieved.Conclusions and recommendations comment on the main contribution or value of t
31、he research paper.It includes an analysis,comparison,evaluation of the research results,new issues raised,further studies of the future,assumptions,inspirations,recommendations and forecasts.Chapter Seven Part Three:Abstract Writing(3)Informative-indicative abstracts Definition:Informative-indicativ
32、e abstracts have the characteristics of both informative and indicative abstracts.They are relatively longer than indicative abstracts,but shorter than informative abstracts,generally between 50100 words.Chapter Seven Part Three:Abstract Writing(4)Structured abstracts Definition:Structured abstracts
33、 mark the Aim,Methods,Results and Conclusion headings with eye-catching font(bold,uppercase or italics)for the reader.Contents:Aim introduces the purpose of the paper and the problems to be solved.Methods describe research methods,including the processes,technical means or methods,equipment,etc.Resu
34、lts report on the experimental data,research results,the relationship,the theoretical results and observed phenomena.Conclusions are drawn based on the results obtained,mainly on the significance of the research.Chapter Seven Part Three:Abstract Writing Advantages and Disadvantages:Advantages Disadv
35、antages readability equivalent to the outline of the paper,which helps the author to write the first draft conducive to editing Their separate subheadings undermine the coherence between the various parts.Chapter Seven Part Three:Abstract Writing E.g.Example of a structured abstract for a literature
36、 reviewSurviving and thriving in academia:a selective bibliography for new faculty membersDeborah LeeReference Services ReviewVol.31 No.1PurposeTo provide a selective bibliography for graduate students and new faculty members with sources which can help them develop their academic career.Design/meth
37、odology/approach A range of recently published(19932002)works.Findings To provide information about each source,.Chapter Seven Part Three:Abstract Writing v3.Qualities of a Good Abstract Able to stand alone.Uses keywords.Uses one or more well developed,unified,coherent and concise paragraphs.Uses an
38、 introduction/body/conclusion structure presenting the purpose,results,conclusions,and recommendations in that order.Follows strictly the chronology of the article,paper,or report.Provides logical connections between the information included.Does not include unnecessary details.Adds no new informati
39、on,but simply summarizes the report.Is understandable to a wide audience.Adheres closely to the length given.Often uses passive verbs to downplay the author and emphasize the information.Chapter Seven Part Three:Abstract Writing v 4.Steps for Writing Effective Abstracts Print final copy and reread i
40、t to catch problems Revise a rough draft After you have finished rereading the article,write a rough draft without looking back at the paper Reread the paper with the goal of abstracting in mind.Chapter Seven:Abstract vHomework:v Abstract Writing Assume that you have finished your own paper.Refer to the techniques and guidelines for abstract writing and write your own abstract.Keep the instructions for writers of your targeted journal in mind,especially the word limit for abstract.Chapter Seven:AbstractThank you
