academic english iii december 10 th 2012. today formal verbs in academic papers introductions and...

ACADEMIC ENGLISH IIIDecember 10th 2012

Today• Formal verbs in academic papers

• Introductions and conclusions

Formal Verbs

Academic writing tends to use more formal verbs than in day-to-day conversation (or informal writing).

This contributes to academic “tone”.

i.e.,

These results show a positive correlation between ice cream and crime rate.

Academic tone: These results indicate a positive correlation between ice cream and crime rate.

Formal Verbs

Academic writing tends to use more formal verbs than in day-to-day conversation (or informal writing).

This contributes to academic “tone”.

i.e.,

Another problem came up when thinking about the best way to build the bridge.

Academic tone: Another problem arose when considering the best way to construct the bridge.

• adapt = modify• arise = occur• carry out = conduct• characterise = have features of• clarify = explain• concentrate on = look at closely• concern with = deal with• demonstrate = show• determine = find• discriminate = distinguish• emphasise = highlight• establish = lay down/found• exhibit = show

• focus on = look at closely• generate = create• hold = be true• identify = pick out• imply = suggest• indicate = show• interact = work together• interpret = explain• manifest = show• overcome = get over• predict = forecast• propose = suggest• prove = turn out• recognise = accept• relate to = link to• supplement = add to• undergo = experience• yield = produce

#2 Solutions• 2a yielded

• 2b arose

• 2c demonstrate

• 2d held

• 2e emphasized

• 2f exhibited

• 2g concerned

• 2h carried out

#3 Solutions• 3a demonstrate

• 3b clarify

• 3c recognised

• 3d discriminate

• 3e focus on

• 3f interpreted

• 3g overcome

• 3h predict

Introduction Paragraph(s)

The introduction should accomplish the following:

- Grab the reader’s attention.

- Indicate the topic of the paper.

- Introduce the topic (background information).

- Clearly state your position (thesis statement).

Ways to begin the introduction

General statement introduction

Quotation introduction

Statistic introduction

Question introduction


General statement introduction

Almost every time that you turn on the television you will find a number of shows which are extremely violent.

Many public schools have decided that their students should use uniforms.

In the United States of America the public burning of the flag has become a common sight.

Ways to begin the introductionQuotation introduction

A recent article in Time magazine states, “the viewing of extremely violent television shows is the number one cause of violence in our inner cities” (Jones, 2012: 131).

The Monitor recently conducted a study and concluded that students in public schools where uniforms are mandatory have less problems and perform better academically.

A recent article in The Austin Statesman states that “most Americans are very much against flag burning in public and are in favor of passing a law banning this activity” (Herring, 2011; 87).


Statistic introduction

Four out of every five crimes committed in South Korea in the summers of 2009 and 2010 were connected to ice cream (Ahn, 2012).

With 29,650 people for each square kilometer (km2), Mumbai is the most densely populated country in the world (Singh, 2011).


Question introduction**

Are you ever bothered by the excessive violence on prime time television?

Do you think that to improve our public school education the students should be required to wear uniforms?

Should United States citizens be permitted to burn the flag in public?

Simple examples

Note: These examples only indicate basic construction.

They are not examples of what you should be doing for Paper 4.

General statement introductionToday smoking is an

issue which is on everybody’s mind. The whole country is divided on this issue. Some people believe that smoking should be banned everywhere while others are not so harsh. However, I believe that tobacco should be outlawed because smoking endangers everyone’s health, pollutes the environment, and drains us of valuable energy.( 57)

Quotation introduction

In The Monitor it was recently stated that smoking is the greatest threat to our health. The whole country is divided on this issue. I believe that tobacco should be outlawed because it endangers everyone’s health; it pollutes the environment, and it drains of valuable resources.

For longer papers…

The introduction may be divided into two paragraphs.

The purpose of the introduction, however, remains the same.

- Grab the reader’s attention.

- Indicate the topic of the paper.

- Introduce the topic (background information).

- Clearly state your position (thesis statement).

Two-Paragraph Introduction

First Paragraph:

- Grab the reader’s attention

- Introduce the topic

&

- Provide background on the topic (context)

This paragraph tends to give general information on the topic, to help the reader better understand your position in paragraph 2.

Forty-five days after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States,

Congress passed the USA PATRIOT Act, also known as the “Uniting and

Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and

Obstruct Terrorism” Act, or more simply, the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act was created

with the noble intention of finding and prosecuting international terrorists operating on

American soil; however, the unfortunate consequences of the Act have been drastic.

Many of the Patriot Act’s provisions are in clear violation of the U.S. Constitution—a

document drafted by wise men like Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Alexander

Hamilton, and George Washington in order to protect American rights and freedoms.

The Patriot Act encroaches on sacred First Amendment rights, which protect free

speech and expression, and Fourth Amendment rights, which protect citizens against

“unwarranted search and seizure” (Justice). The Patriot Act authorizes unethical and

unconstitutional surveillance of American citizens with a negligible improvement in

national security. Free speech, free thinking, and a free American lifestyle cannot

survive in the climate of distrust and constant fear created by the Patriot Act.

Intro paragraph 1
















Grabs the reader’s attention & introduces the topic
















Provides background info on the Patriot Act’s violations of the U.S. Constitution

Two-Paragraph Introduction

Second Paragraph:

- Provide more specific information that leads into the thesis statement.

The great American patriot Robert F. Kennedy once said in his famous “Day of Affirmation

Address” that the first and most critical element of “individual liberty is the freedom of speech; the

right to express and communicate ideas, to set oneself apart from the dumb beasts of field and

forest . . .” Modern American politicians and lawmakers, it seems, have lost sight of the important

ideals that Kennedy spoke about and upon which this country was founded—ideals like civil rights,

personal freedom, and the right to privacy. No longer can a newspaper editor publish an article that

is critical of the government—even if it is legal—without fear that Big Brother may begin to survey

his every thought and action. This may very well be the most frightening aspect of the Patriot Act:

the fact that the Act allows the government to spy on any of its citizens, not just the “bad” ones. The

Patriot Act does not demand sufficient proof that alleged “suspects” are engaged in criminal activity

before authorizing government surveillance. Even upstanding American citizens can become

targets of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) surveillance simply because of the manner in which

they exercise their First Amendment rights (Beeson). Simply put, the Patriot Act fails to secure

American liberties; in reality, the Act exposes Americans to potential abuses of power by creating

an environment that encourages government corruption, secrecy, fraud and discrimination while

using “national security” as a pretense for violating basic Constitutional rights like privacy and free

speech. As the century drags on, it is becoming painfully obvious that the Patriot Act has actually

moved the United States further away from an ideal democratic society since its passage in

October of 2001.

Intro paragraph 2



















October of 2001.

Leads into the central idea of the paper (leads into the thesis statement).



















October of 2001.

Thesis statement

The Conclusion: Goal

Signal the conclusion

Summarize your position

Provide a logical, meaningful ending to the paper

Remember:

Never introduce new information (a new point) in your conclusion.

The Conclusion: Structure- Signal the conclusion (statement)

- Restate your position

- Main reasons/factors supporting your position (summary)

- Reinforce thesis statement

- Provide prediction or recommendations (based on the information in your paper).

Topic: Workplace diversity in Australia

Based on interviews with managers and staff in six organisations (public and commercial), this report examines these three problem areas, and shows that many of the difficulties faced by both natives and migrants in the workforce are caused by a lack of awareness of, and training in, intercultural communication.

It is clear, therefore, that not only do employees have to be trained for working in the Australian

multicultural workplace, but managers also need to be trained. Managers must ensure that effective in-

house training programs are provided for migrant workers, so that they become more familiar with the

English language, Australian communication norms and the Australian work culture. In addition,

Australian native English speakers need to be made aware of the differing cultural values of their

workmates; particularly the different forms of non-verbal communication used by other cultures.

Furthermore, all employees must be provided with clear and detailed guidelines about company

expectations. The interviews with managers and staff reveal that a majority of managers must also

have training in cross cultural communication and in managing a culturally diverse workplace. Above all,

in order to minimise communication problems and to maintain an atmosphere of tolerance,

understanding and cooperation in the multicultural workplace, managers need to have an effective

knowledge about their employees, to understand how their social conditioning affects their beliefs about

work and to have the communication skills to develop confidence and self-esteem among diverse work

groups. The culturally diverse Australian workplace may never be completely free of communication

problems, however, further studies to identify potential problems and solutions, as well as better training

in cross cultural communication for managers and employees, should result in a much more

understanding and cooperative environment.

It is clear, therefore, that not only do employees have

to be trained for working in the Australian multicultural

workplace, but managers also need to be trained.

- Signals the conclusion.

- Links to previous information (Body)

- Indicates the paper’s main topic.

Managers must ensure that effective in-house training programs are provided for

migrant workers, so that they become more familiar with the English language,

Australian communication norms and the Australian work culture. In addition,

Australian native English speakers need to be made aware of the differing

cultural values of their workmates; particularly the different forms of non-verbal

communication used by other cultures. Furthermore, all employees must be

provided with clear and detailed guidelines about company expectations.

- Summarizes the main points of the essay.

The interviews with managers and staff reveal that a

majority of managers must also have training in cross

cultural communication and in managing a culturally diverse

workplace.

- Refers back to the thesis statement.

- Identifies a key finding.

Above all, in order to minimise communication problems and

to maintain an atmosphere of tolerance, understanding and

cooperation in the multicultural workplace, managers need

to have an effective knowledge about their employees, to

understand how their social conditioning affects their beliefs

about work and to have the communication skills to develop

confidence and self-esteem among diverse work groups.

- Gives an important recommendation.

The culturally diverse Australian workplace may never be

completely free of communication problems, however,

further studies to identify potential problems and solutions,

as well as better training in cross cultural communication for

managers and employees, should result in a much more

understanding and cooperative environment.

- Suggests future trends and makes a final recommendation

for future studies.

Final Journal Entry

A critical review of your work in Academic English 3 Journal.

Read your previous entries and in one or two paragraphs, write about your progress through this course; what you have done well and what you need to do to improve.

Due: Friday (1:30 p.m.)

You can collect your journal any time next week.

academic english iii december 10 th 2012. today formal verbs in academic papers introductions and...

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