English

Question 1

Abstract

Answer 1

A short summary of the main points of an academic text that is written after a paper has been completed, when the author has a clear idea of the content. An abstract is written to give the reader a brief oversize of a journal article, for example.

Question 2

Academic conventions

Answer 2

Written and unwritten rules for the way things are carried out within the university world. For example, written work has to be referenced in a particular way.

Question 3

Academic paper

Answer 3

A piece of academic writing containing original research or reviews of existing research. A paper that is published in an academic journal is also referred to as an academic article.

Question 4

Academic weight

Answer 4

The authority that is given to an argument, whether written or spoken, by the inclusion of references to reliable academic sources.

Question 5

Annotate

Answer 5

To write comments or explanatory notes directly onto a piece of text, e.g., in the margin.

Question 6

Bibliography

Answer 6

A list of written sources, such as books, articles and websites, that have been used in a piece of writing.

Question 7

Brainstorming

Answer 7

Working alone or with others in a group to generate a large number of ideas. Everyone suggests as many possible ways as they can to solve a problem or complete a task.

Question 8

Caption

Answer 8

A brief description of the content of a figure, table or illustration.

Question 9

Case study

Answer 9

A study of a specific person, group or situation over a period of time.

Question 10

Circular definition

Answer 10

A definition that uses the word or phrase being defined as part of the definition, e.g., “an extended writing class is a class where students learn to write extended essays”.

Question 11

Cite (sources)

Answer 11

To refer to the source of an idea used in academic work. This may be an in-text reference to an author, a reference in a bibliography or footnote or a verbal reference in a talk or lecture.

Question 12

Critical thinking skills

Answer 12

Thinking critically includes the following skills; supporting your own views with a clear rationale; evaluating ideas that you hear and read; and making connections between ideas as well as detecting and identifying bias.

Question 13

Data* commentary

Answer 13

The description of trends in tables or figures within a piece of academic writing, for example, ‘there has been a steady increase in sales as seen in Figure 1’.
*data is the plural form, the singular is datum

Question 14

Descriptive writing

Answer 14

Writing that gives a clear and detailed impression of what something is like, how something works or what has been said or done.

Question 15

Direct quotation

Answer 15

The use of a writer’s exact words, within inverted commas or sometimes in italics.

Question 16

Discursive (writing)

Answer 16

Writing based on the presentation of ideas, with arguments and evidence to support them.

Question 17

Dissertation

Answer 17

A detailed, formal piece of writing on a specific subject normally submitted for the purposes of gaining a university degree.

Question 18

Encapsulate (an idea)

Answer 18

To express an idea in a clean brief and concise way.

Question 19

Establish a clear focus

Answer 19

Narrow down a general topic into something more specific that can be addressed clearly within a piece of extended writing.

Question 20

Evaluative writing

Answer 20

Writing that presents a balanced argument, taking into consideration all aspects of a topic and drawing a conclusion based on the ideas presented. Also known as analytical writing.

Question 21

Evidence

Answer 21

Supporting statements from reliable sources that provide proof for what is being stated.

Question 22

Extended definition

Answer 22

A definition that is longer and more detailed than a simple dictionary-style definition. It may contain supporting examples and/or a contrast with other similar, but distinct, concepts.

Question 23

Extended writing

Answer 23

In the context of university study, extended writing is a means through which students can express views, display knowledge and demonstrate an ability to use evidence to refute or support existing theories in considerable detail.

Question 24

Extensive reading

Answer 24

This generally involves reading several sources, some of which may be quite long and detailed. It therefore requires a clear purpose and a selective approach.

Question 25

Formal definition

Answer 25

A definition from an acknowledge source, such as a dictionary or an acknowledge expert in the field.

Question 26

Framing a title

Answer 26

Structuring an essay title in a certain way, in order to elicit specific responses from the writer. For example, a title may be presented in the form of a question or a statement.

Question 27

Hypothesis

Answer 27

Something that is assumed to be true for the purpose of an investigation or argument

Question 28

Inform

Answer 28

A major purpose of academic writing is to inform, i.e., to provide information that is either new to the reader or presented from a new or different point of view.

Question 29

Interact with the text

Answer 29

This involves taking a critical approach to reading, making the reader an active participant in the process.

Question 30

Journal article

Answer 30

An academic paper that has been published in a journal and has to conform to the particular academic requirements of that journal. It will generally include an abstract, an introduction and a conclusion as well as the main body and references. Articles in serious scientific journals have to be peer-reviewed, i.e., reviewed by recognized specialist in the field.

Question 31

(academic) literature

Answer 31

Existing textbooks, research and discussion papers that may be referred to in extended academic writing.

Question 32

Logical conclusion

Answer 32

A conclusion based on clear, consistent reasoning and which follows from the development of the essay.

Question 33

Oral presentation

Answer 33

A short lecture, talk or demonstration (usually formal) given in front of an audience. The speaker prepares and structures a presentation in advance and will often use visual aids to illustrate it.

Question 34

Paraphrase

Answer 34

A rewritten version of a writer’s or speaker’s idea, usually relating to a specific point that the writer has made, with an acknowledgement of the source.

Question 35

Persuade

Answer 35

A major purpose of academic writing is to persuade, i.e., to convince the reader of a particular point at view, which the writer sets out in her/his work.

Question 36

Plagiarism

Answer 36

Reproducing sections of another writer’s material and claiming it as your own, whether in the form of long chunks of text or short lines or phrases. This practice is unacceptable in academic writing. Any reproduction of another writer’s work has to be clearly acknowledged.

Question 37

Poster presentation

Answer 37

A visual display, for example, a placard displayed in a public place during a conference, incorporating information and pictures or diagrams. The audience generally reads the poster while the presenter stands next to it and provides additional explanation.

Question 38

Referencing

Answer 38

Acknowledging the quotations of other writers in a way that is academically acceptable for example using the APA style. This involves acknowledgement within the text and a full bibliographical reference at the end. There are a number of different referencing systems. The system used may depend on the location of the institution, or on the disciplines within that institution.

Question 39

Refute/support (an argument)

Answer 39

A major purpose of academic writing is to use reasoning and evidence to show that an argument is false (refute the argument), or that there is some basis for it being true (support the argument).

Question 40

Reiterate (an idea)

Answer 40

To explain in a different way ideas that have already been mentioned.

Question 41

Relevant information

Answer 41

Information that directly or indirectly addresses the issues within the chosen topic.

Question 42

Scanning

Answer 42

Reading in order to find specific information. For example, it is normal to scan a text to find Dates, names or facts. In such cases, the reader knows what he/she is looking for.

Question 43

Shared knowledge

Answer 43

Information that, it can be assumed, is understood by the reader of the particular piece of writing. An example might be that global warming is the result of human activity.

Question 44

Skimming

Answer 44

Reading in order to understand the general idea or gist of a text. This involves reading the text quickly to take in the main points, rather than focusing on every word/ for example, it is normal to skim a letter or book cover to find out what it is about. This often precedes reading for more specific information.

Question 45

Stance

Answer 45

The point of view of the writer, which is normally established in the thesis statement and is then developed and exemplified in the remaining text.

Question 46

Summarizing

Answer 46

Stating clearly and succinctly the key ideas of an argument in your own words, with an acknowledgement of the source.

Question 47

Synthesizing

Answer 47

Compiling and organizing different views in a way that shows their relationship and the differences between them.

Question 48

Thesis

Answer 48

A writer’s point of view or position on the main issue addressed within a text may be referred to as her/his thesis. In order to write an evaluative project, the writer needs to develop a thesis as the starting point.

Question 49

Thesis statement

Answer 49

This expression of the writer’s thesis is a key element of the introduction to an academic text which directs the reader and helps to focus the content. The thesis is then supported by evidence and reasoning in the main body of the essay or presentation.

Question 50

Tutorial

Answer 50

Usually a private meeting between a student and a tutor (a teacher or lecturer) who has been assigned to provide her/him help and support.