Academic Writing, Essay Writing And Communication Flashcards
Define plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s words, ideas, or creations without properly acknowledging the original source.
Define paraphrasing
Paraphrasing is the act of rephrasing or restating someone else’s words or ideas in your own words while retaining the original meaning.
Using another person’s words in one’s own words
What is an essay
A continuous piece of writing on a particular issue or topic.
Differentiate between an essay and a composition
An essay and a composition are both forms of written expression, but they have distinct differences in terms of purpose, structure, and content.
Contrast between Essays and Compositions:
- Length:Essay: Essays are typically longer and structured, consisting of multiple paragraphs or pages, while compositions tend to be shorter, ranging from a single paragraph to a few pages at most.
- Factual vs. Non-factual:
Essay: Essays primarily focus on presenting factual information, analysis, and arguments supported by evidence or research, aiming to inform, persuade, or analyze real-world topics or issues.
Composition: Compositions may include both factual and fictional elements, ranging from personal narratives and anecdotes to creative storytelling or descriptive pieces.
- Non-fiction vs. Fiction:
Essay: Essays are primarily non-fictional, dealing with real-world topics or issues and aiming to convey information or persuade the reader to accept a particular viewpoint.
Composition: Compositions can be either fiction or non-fiction, encompassing various writing styles such as personal experiences, creative storytelling, or imaginative narratives
.4. Research and Citations:Essay: Essays often require references to studies, research findings, or expert opinions to support arguments or claims, with proper citations and adherence to academic conventions.Composition: Compositions typically do not involve extensive research or citations, relying more on personal experiences, observations, or creative expression without the need for external sources.
In summary, essays and compositions differ in terms of length, focus on factual vs. non-factual content, non-fiction vs. fiction, and the requirement for research and citations.
What key words must a question have?
Command/ instruction
Aspects
Subjects
Limitation/ expansion
Describe how an essay is laid out
A well structured essay has a clear
Introduction: Provides background information and a thesis statement.Body Paragraphs: Each focuses on a main idea supported by evidence.Conclusion: Restates the thesis and summarizes main points.
References/Citations: Include if using external sources.Formatting: Use standard font, double-spacing, one-inch margins.
What are some of the things that should be avoided in an essay?
Lack of proof reading
Don’t use first person pronouns vin an essay
It must be coherent
What is communication?
The process of exchanging information ideas, emotions and feelings between individuals and groups or between groups using the right media and channels
Describe and define the elements of communication
- Aim: The purpose or objective of the communication.
It defines what the sender intends to achieve by conveying the message to the receiver.
- Sender: The individual or entity responsible for transmitting the message to the receiver.
The sender is responsible for encoding the message in a manner that can be understood by the receiver.
- Encoding: The mentor process of putting your message into a suitable form for sending.
Encoding involves selecting words, symbols, or gestures to convey the message effectively.
- Message: The processed or encoded information
It can take various forms, including verbal (spoken or written), non-verbal (body language, facial expressions), or visual (images, symbols).
- Medium: a communication instrument in which the message is put.
It can include face-to-face communication, telephone calls, emails, letters, social media platforms, or any other communication tool.
- Channel: The physical means through which a message is delivered.
Channels can be direct (e.g., face-to-face conversation) or mediated (e.g., email, phone call).
- Receiver: The body responsible for receiving the information.
The receiver’s role is to interpret and decode the message to extract its meaning and respond appropriately.
- Decoding: The mentor process by which the receiver interprets and understands the message sent by the sender.
Decoding involves extracting meaning from the encoded message using the receiver’s knowledge, experiences, and cultural background.
- Feedback: The response or reaction provided by the receiver to the sender’s message.
Feedback helps confirm that the message was received and understood as intended, and it allows for adjustments or clarifications if needed.
These elements work together in the communication process to ensure that messages are effectively transmitted, received, understood, and responded to by the intended audience.
Describe the six stages of the communication cycle
Sender- conceives the information- encodes the message- selects the medium/channel> receive e-mails decided the information- interprets the information- provides feedback
Why do we cite
It helps readers find the original authors
It also helps readers understand how research has developed overtime and finally it helps distinguish these ideas from one’s original text.
What happens when an author does not credit their sources?
They breach the trust of the community they are working with and that is an academic dishonesty called plagiarism.
How can you avoid plagiarism?
By quoting from an original text directly while citing the source.
By paraphrasing
What is citation?
Citation is the act of acknowledging or referencing the sources of information, ideas, or data used in academic or scholarly writing.
