Introductory steps
- You can use prewriting techniques for identifying your theme. Some brainstorming is really useful before you start!
- For academic writing, a very specific research question needs to be developed.
- There are several issues to consider when developing your title: a clearly defined title will help make the writing process interesting and manageable. An inappropriate title that is not clear or too broad will make the process difficult.
- Write a literature review in the introduction of your article. Summarize or evaluate what other scholars have written on your topic.
- You can use the rules provided for writing annotation here.
Ethical code of conduct
Texts published in this Wiki (including your own writing assignments) must respect the GNU Free documentation licence - exactly as Wikipedia articles.
When using the ideas, materials or information of other people you have to follow the basic ethical principles of academic writing: respect the copyright of the work you borrow information from. Please consider the following resources to gain an understanding of the diversity of copyright and your rights and obligations in relation to authors:
- When to cite sources
- Avoid plagiarism - see OWL materials
- A brief overview of: The Correct Use of Borrowed Information {online}. Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA : Winthrop University, 2005-2007 {2007-12-27}. Online <http://faculty.winthrop.edu/nearym/correct_use_of_borrowed_info.htm>.
- Cite your sources correctly - a reference list should be developed while you are reading and using your resources for writing. You can read more on citation rules
- Here is an overview of (mainly American) copyright and examples of country specific regulations.
- Some other types of copyright
Academic writing - rules
Study the following sources:
- There is a difference between writing at school and joining a community of scholars at university, and particurarly how to choose an appropriate topic. Online: <http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/ac_paper/what.shtml>
- Developing a thesis statement or question. Online: <http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/ac_paper/develop.shtml>
- Scaffolding the academic writing process: A focus on developing ideas. Online: <http://jalt.org/pansig/2005/HTML/Hayashi.htm>
- Pages connected to an online resource: <http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/ac_paper/what.shtml> - about constructing an argument, developing your position, organising a structure, tone and style.
Proofing and reviewing
- Revise your text: upgrade your text according to quality criteria.
- You can start with a text analysis!
- Offer your article for a peer review process - it is the basis for evaluation.
- You can find external links, web pages where additional information on the topic is kept.