VCSEwiki:Writing manual

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 principles

Texts in this Wiki (including your own writing assignments) are published under same conditions 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 some additional resources to gain an understanding of the diversity of copyright and your rights and obligations in relation to other authors - see our Ethical code of conduct

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.

Citation rules

• In this Wiki, we use APA style - look how to cite in the text and what is the norm for a reference list
• You can learn how to cite correctly by entering the Wikipedia Citation rules or simply Citation on the bottom of this page.!
• Other: Research, Writing, and Style Guides (MLA, APA, Chicago/Turabian, Harvard, CGOS, CBE) http://www.aresearchguide.com/styleguides.html

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.