8/19/2019 Updated Academic Writing Notes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/updated-academic-writing-notes 1/7

IMPORTANT: All assignments should be double-spaced using the font Times New Roman in 12 point or larger tpe! as "ell as "ith standard margins at the top! bottom and sides of each page# $nless other"ise

indicated! all final assignments must be printed and handed in# %and"ritten "or&s are ne'er accepted# (hole pages must be used for printing all assignments ) no smaller pieces of paper "ill be accepted# No co'er

sheet should be included for "riting assignments in an of m courses ) *ust put our name! the course abbre'iation and date at the top right corner of the first page# Also! do not use a plastic slee'e + eurofolie, for

our assignments pages of assignments must be stapled +se.it/, together# In addition to handing in printed assignments to me directl! the ma also be submitted b placing them in the "hite cardboard bo0 in the

corridor outside m office# In A M (ord attachments sent to me b email! the student3s last name! the course abbre'iation and the date should be included in the name of the file "ithout this information files

"ill not be opened#

 NOTES on WRITING in ENGLISH  One goal of writing is to say what you want to in the clearest way possible. This can only coe fro rewriting what you ha!e alrea"y written. Soe "on#t li$e or ha!e little to no e%perience writing in any language.

That&s O'( but there is only one way to ipro!e ) using a language "aily( not *ust "uring lessons. We are not in a region where English is wi"ely spo$en( but another way of e%periencing English is RE+,ING. In or"er for theirlanguage s$ills to ipro!e to an acceptable stan"ar"( stu"ents of foreign languages shoul" rea" in the target language e'er da. This eans aga-ines( internet webpages( newspapers( especially boo$s.  The goal shoul" be torea" an a!erage of at least 24 minutes a da  ) a iniu of hours an" / inutes a wee$.

Soe stu"ents "o not rea" enough. These people will fin" it "ifficult to gra"uate fro uni!ersity with a "egree in a foreign language. 0ountless stu"ents ha!e testifie" as to how uch this little bit of "e"ication an"effort ) not rea"ing for hours an" hours( but ore iportantly( more often ) has a"e their stu"ies so uch easier. Spea$ing( un"erstan"ing an" writing in the target language siply becoes uch ore fun an" efficient. Li$ean athlete a$es her uscles ore powerful by using the regularly( anyone can a$e their in" stronger by rea"ing. 1y "oing anything ore fre2uently( it slowly becoes a bigger an" bigger part of your life( so you becoe

 better at it. 3a$e rea"ing a habit( li$e brushing your teeth. 4our brain changes physiologically e!ery tie you rea" soething( so if you "on#t rea" your brain will not becoe strong enough. 5ro tie to tie as a lesson war6up a goo" i"ea is to as$ stu"ents to tell the class "etails about what they are rea"ing.

There are logical ways to approach your stu"ies an" to "e!elop goo" stu"y habits. 0onsistency 7-8sa"o!ost( "9sle"nost: is the $ey. If you go onl one "ee&  without using a foreign language( your s$ills "eteriorate. 5et

organi6ed an" fin" a regular tie for rea"ing 7an" for ot her school6relate" acti!ities.: ,on#t wait until the last inute to rea" the boo$ for your class or to coplete the writing assignent. 4ou will be un"er stress an" youwon#t be wor$ing at the highest le!el. If ou "ait until the night before the due date to do a "riting assignment for m class! ou "ill not pass it - it is simpl not possible#  So plan ahea" a little.

7inall! papers should be brought to class if it is meeting on the due date# If ou "ill not be there it is our responsibilit to ma&e sure one of our classmates brings the assignment to class to b e handed in#$nder normal circumstances "ritten "or&s for courses are not accepted b email# Papers can also be left in the bo0 in the corridor right outside m office# $nder normal circumstances there is no reason to bother

the 8AA secretar b as&ing to lea'e essas in m departmental mailbo0 in her office#

9 teps to ffecti'e (riting

The first step is to 2uic$ly write "own all of your i"eas ) wor"s an" phrases about your topic 7in 0-ech if you "on&t $now how to say it in English ) loo$ it up later:. This eans anything you can t hin$ of( e!en if it sees silly.4ou won&t use e!ery single concept( but e!en thoughts that see ri"iculous will lea" to brilliant i"eas at a later tie. This is a tie to be really creati!e; it&s not the t ie to worry about graar an" !ocabulary. Thin$ing aboutan" writing "own all the ipressions about a sub*ect as soon as they co e to you is calle" brainstorming . Reeber( these are only feelings an" thoughts( not full sentences yet. These wor"s an" phrases are siply written onthe page to inspire you( an" so that you won&t forget the. When you rea" the later( other i"eas will coe. If you ha!e no clue what to write about( this is a great way to begin. +ll assignents to be han"e" in ust be "one oncoputer. <se font Times Ne" Roman - si6e 12 or bigger an" double space 7=5or8t(> =O"sta!ec(> =?8"$o!8n@(> =,!o*itA> 6 not 1#;:( so I ha!e place for coents.

Step t"o is to a$e a plan or outline of the or"er an" structure of your wor$. 4ou can&t *ust put any i"ea anywhere. Blan coplete paragraphs( each with a ain i"ea an" with a logical beginning an" en"ing. 7see CD( C below:

(hene'er ou begin a ne" computer document  in English a$e sure you are writing using an English for of 3icrosoft Wor". 0lic$ Nástroje( then Jazyk  F Navstavit jazyk  F Angličtina 7<S+ or el$8 1rit8nie:. Now yourcoputer will autoatically "etect your spelling errors an" soe of your graatical ista$es ) they will be un"erline" in re" or green. Then you can clic$ on +10 7 pravopis: an" correct soe of your errors( for instance

 proper English 2uotation ar$s 7uvozovky: will also be autoatically use" 7“ ” is correct( not „ “ : an" the English apostrophe 7 & :( not the 0-ech "iacritic 7 :( which will appear outsi"e of the 0-ech Republic as a strangesybol. <sing spell chec$ 7 pravopis: will help you "e!elop your punctuation s$ills( yet another reason to a$e sure your "ocuent is foratte" in English using the steps abo!e. This siple step at the !ery beginning willa$e chec$ing your wor$ uch easier. +lso if you cut an" paste te%t fro another source soeties the te%t forat in your "ocuent changes autoatically( so to a$e sure all your te%t is the sae si-e an" in the sae fontyou nee" to re6forat 7Vybrat vše F Nástroje F Jazyk  F Navstavit jazyk  F Angličtina ( Ties New Roan 6 si-e J or bigger( "ouble space. The file nae of "ocuents sent by eail shoul" contain the sender<s last name! thecourse abbre'iation as well as a one or t"o "ord abbre'iation of the title of the "or& .

The third step is to begin writing full sentences 7see in List below: to fill in your plan fro step two. 0ontinue until you ha!e a coplete first "raft 7! KetinM 6 koncept :. On the top of the first page +no co'er sheet isneeded for an of m classes,! ma&e sure ou ha'e "ritten 1, our complete name! 2, our student number! =, the course for "hich the assignment "as "ritten! 9, the date ou "ill hand in the assignment# W+IT4O< +RE NOT 5INISHE, 4ET 6 4O< +RE <ST 1EGINNING.

Ta$e a brea$( hopefully until another "ay. Go for a wal$( eat "inner or telephone your u. E!en better( lea!e your writing for a wee$ or two if you ha!e tie. When you rea" your wor$ again( you be able to see your ista$es

 better. 4ou will also ha!e fresh i"eas about sentences to a"" or to ta$e out of your wor$. This is another reason it is so iportant so start writing assignents as soon as possible.

Step four ) the ost iportant one of all +fter at least a "ay or two( better a wee$ or ore( coe bac$ to your wor$ an" BROO5RE+, for errors. This is another reason you shoul" start writing +S SOON +S BOSSI1LE.

 Now real writing begins( after you ha!e alrea"y written the first( terrible( incomplete !ersion of your wor$. 7This is true for e!erybo"y( no atter how any years of e%perience.: +LL WRITING IS REWRITING. No one hastie to waste correcting ista$es that you shoul" ha!e correcte" yourself ) typing errors( siple spelling ista$es( punctuation( etc. ,on&t be la-y ) see + in List J below. Say what you want say as clearly as you can( ta$esoe pri"e in your wor$. 0hec$ your !erb fors using the Puic$ General Tense Re!iew inclu"e" here o n the last page. 0ROSS6RE5EREN0E all !ocabulary using the steps liste" below.

When spea$ing( you ha!e to use the graar an" !ocabulary you alrea"y $now. 1ut when you are writing an assignent( you ha!e ore tie to use the tools a!ailable to you ) t he internet( "ictionaries(te%tboo$s( etc. Soe stu"ents ha!e probles with writing assignents( often because they are guessing at wor"s. 0hallenge yourself to be as accurate as you can. 4es( we all $now nobo"y&s perfect. 3erely assuing you ha!e acorrect wor" woul" be uch easier( but this is not the way to ipro!e your English. Guessing lea"s to using the wrong for 7noun instea" of !erb( a"*ecti!e instea" of a"!erb( etc.: or siply inserting a wrong wor" 7aybe oneyou ha!e hear" o f instea" of a correct one: for the conte%t. Two e%aplesQ The wor" eig!t  is a noun( but overeig!t  is an a"*ecti!e; !azar"  is a noun( but !ap!azar"  is an a"*ecti!e. 4ou ust use a >ualit bilingual dictionar. 7see 1 in List J below: 4ou ha!e no e%cuse not to( because there are any in the library an" e!en ore a!ailable on the internet( although not all to be truste".

?RO-R7RN? all 'ocabular. Step by step( this is what you shoul" "oQIf ou start "ith a ?6ech "ord:J: Loo$ up the 0-ech wor" in the English half of the "ictionary. 4ou will usually fin" se!eral

English wor"s( each with a "ifferent eaning.: If you thin$ you ha!e the right English wor"( an" loo$ this new wor" up in the 0-ech half

of the "ictionary.C: 4ou shoul" fin" the 0-ech wor" you starte" with( or at least a !ery close synony. If not(

ST+RT OER an" REBE+T the process until you fin" your original wor" or a synony.If ou start "ith an nglish "ord:

J: Loo$ up the English wor" in the 0-ech half of the "ictionary. 4ou will usually fin" se!eral0-ech wor"s( each with a "ifferent eaning.

: 5in" the 0-ech wor" with the eaning you were thin$ing of( an" loo$ this wor" up in theEnglish half of the "ictionary.

C: 4ou shoul" fin" the English wor" you starte" with( or aybe soething e!en ore precise.If not( ST+RT OER with another wor" an" REBE+T the process.

Here&s another tric$Q If you thin&  you ha!e finally foun" the correct e%pression for a specific conte%t( siply go to #oogle$com or %a!oo$com an" search your new ter. Then the 7usually nuerous: results of your search willgi!e you any e%aples of how the wor" or phrase coul" be use" correctly in English. If you "on#t see any results( you ha!e the wrong e%pression. In a""ition( you will li$ely see thousan"s of results for the ter that in factshoul" use"( then you ipro!e your !ocabulary in both spea$ing and writing. <se all of the tools at your "isposal. If you wor$ har" when you write shorter assignents( your language s$ills ) spea$ing( writing an"un"erstan"ing ) will ipro!e( an" later e%as an" longer writing assignents will becoe easier. This is the way stu"ents ust ta$e responsibility for their own learning( an" this shoul" begin with the first writing assignentof the first seester of uni!ersity.

 &n "eveloping your vocabulary an" grammar' you are teac!ing an" training yoursel( so t!e riting o( your bac!elor)s or master)s t!esis ill be muc! easier$ *ut not only t!is+ in a""ition' you are also !elping your classmates$

%ou ill be able to s!are your ne knole"ge it! your colleagues an" t!ey ill s!are t!eirs it! you' in an" out o( t!e classroom setting$ ,!is is t!e true purpose o( a university - not to memorize an" repeat (acts given to youby a teac!er' but to "evelop your on knole"ge' interests an" abilities an" to communicate your results it! ot!er people$ .tu"ents at university !o "on)t ork !ar" are not only "epriving t!emselves o( knole"ge' but t!ey

are not (ul(illing t!eir responsibility to t!eir classmates an" even t!eir (ello citizens$ ,!e rami(ications o( being an in(orme" an" aare member o( society e/ten" (ar outsi"e o( t!e classroom$ &n many societies' ignorance an"its e/ploitation !as been proven to be literally "ea"ly$

0ross6referencing !ocabulary an" graar as you are writing your te%ts is a J// guarantee" way to ipro!e your language s$ills. ,on&t cheat yourself. Puality writing( li$e e!erything worthwhile( ta$es wor$( tie an"coitent. 4ou will be shoc$e" at the positi!e results in your rea"ing coprehension( listening( spea$ing an" writing s$ills( all of which ust reach a set stan"ar" each seester an" will be e!aluate" as such.

+s you are writing the first "raft( you thin$ of a wor" or phrase. 1ut there ay be better

alternati!es. 4ou won#t $now for sure unless you cross-reference when you are correcting F proofrea"ing your subse2uent "rafts. It is !ery easy to see yourself if you ha!e been la-y( an" ha!e only guesse". (hen oufinall T%IN8 ou are finished! follo" these ; steps:

I.: BROO5RE+, your wor$. When you ha!e written your assignent once( 4O< +RE NOT5INISHE,. 4ou shoul" wait until another da( then 0HE0' 4O<R WOR'. If you rea" your sentences right after you ha!e written the( you will not see a ny ista$es. If you wait until another "ay( you will ha!e afresh perspecti!e. Writing is REWRITING. J inspiration an" perspiration.

II.: 0hec$ your wor$ with WRITING NOTES. Rea" the entire "ocuent again an" copareeach ite on the list to 3+'E S<RE you ha!en&t repeate" probles liste" there. 4es( this is tie consuing( but the ne%t tie you write a "ocuent in English you will reeber the ista$e as ou are "riting( notafter when you are proofrea"ing. Then you will internali-e the correct usage( i.e. this aspect will becoe a noral part of your written and spo&en English( an" your language s$ills will ipro!e. This etho"ologywor$s( an" has been planne" into all language stu"ies at '++.

III.: 0hec$ EER4 NO<N to see if it is singular an" countable an" use an appropriate"eteriner with each. +gain( this repetition is the way you internali-e correct article usage.

I.: 0he c$ EER4 ER1 with the TENSE REIEW inclu"e" here..: 0ROSS6RE5EREN0E O0+1<L+R4 following the abo!e process.

5ollowing all or soe of the abo!e steps can change your s$ills in any language( e!en your own. No one can e!er e%pect J// perfection( only J// E55ORT. Soe so6calle" =lac$ of t alent> is a yth. 4ou coul" ha!e all the naturalability in the worl" an" still fail this seester because of la6iness. No one in"s ista$es a"e fro lac$ of e%perience ) this is noral. 1ut ista$es a"e because you aren&t wor$ing har" will not be tolerate".

3+R'S for WRITING +SSIGN3ENTSWhen you recei!e your correcte" paper( it will be ar$e" with a nuberQ  ) failure( ust be "one aga in( with an a""itional assignent. 4ou ha!e not wor$e" har"

enough to coplete the assignent. If ou recei'e t"o @9s< for "riting assignments in one semester! ou "ill not recei'e the 6poBet#

C ) below a'erage( a lot of ipro!eent nee"e". 4ou will usually be as$e" to re!ise theassignent an" turn it in again.

  ) !ery good( but coul" be a bit better in style( inforation or language.J ) e%cellent( one or ore aspects of your writing 7your i"eas( your writing s$ills( your har"

wor$: is outstan"ing.

4ou will also see the following notations on your paperQJ: 01 eans 0or" 1!oice. 4ou ha!e use" a wor" incorrectly ) 0ROSS6RE5EREN0E

!ocabulary.: + wor" F phrase in brac$ets 7 : eans that the graar or wor" choice ay be O'( but you

shoul" ha!e use" a better wor" or phrase for reasons of clarit( stle or 'ariet.C: WN U a nuber or letter 7e.g. 0N 23 ( 0N  1 : refers to the 0riting Notes nuber F letter of the

ista$e. These coe fro the following Lists J an" .: PGTR eans a tense ista$e that is e%plaine" in the Puic$ General Tense Re!iew at the en"

8/19/2019 Updated Academic Writing Notes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/updated-academic-writing-notes 2/7

of this "ocuent.

8/19/2019 Updated Academic Writing Notes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/updated-academic-writing-notes 3/7

LIST J ) 1+SI0 BRO1LE3S +6, 7No e%cuse ) papers with these errors will recei!e a V#.:If three of any of the following ista$es are foun" on one page of the assignent I stop rea"ing it an" the assignent recei!es a . These errors can be pre!ente" e%treely easily( so if you ha!en#t ta$en the tie to chec$ your

 paper so why shoul" I I#" rather spen" y tie helping stu"ents who ha!e "one all they can on their own to ipro!e.+: BLE+SE chec$ your wor$ carefull for ista$es ) professionals proofread their te%ts

carefully. <sing spell chec$ 7 pravopis: to eliinate errors is re2uire". Blease noteQ + WRITER 0+NNOT S<00ESS5<LL4 BROO5RE+, + ,O0<3ENT RIGHT +5TER WRITING IT. + BERIO, O5 TI3E IS NEE,E,(THE LONGER THE 1ETTER( ONL4 +5TER WHI0H THE WRITER WILL SEE 3IST+'ES. If there are three tping errors on one page( the assignent autoatically recei!es a . If the first assignent recei!es a failingar$ it has to be "one again plus the student "ill ha'e an additional assignment. 3ore wor$ for e an" ore wor$ for you ) neither of us is happy. Nobo"y has tie to chec$ your typing. It#s siple ) BROO5RE+,ING is

e%pecte" of professionals#

1: 5uessing at 'ocabular and spelling does not impro'e our nglish and "ill not be

accepted in "riting assignments# ,on&t assue !ocabulary $nowle"ge an" repeat the sae ista$es that are routinely accepte" at lower le!els of stu"y( i.e. in secon"ary schools an" language centres. 7Not because of la-iness

 but because of ignorance( although la-iness lea"s to ignorance.: 3any stu"ents ha!e probles with using the "ictionary an" other reference tools li$e thesauruses an" specialist aca"eic websites; this is a s$ill that professionalsfro first6year uni!ersity stu"ents to e%perience" professors becoe goo" at an" accustoe" to( i.e. they "on&t siply accept their first guess regar"ing proper usage. +ll "ictionaries are not e2ual. Soe are atrocious ) they gi!eyou only one basic "efinition 7an" soeties the wrong one:. The best "ictionaries gi!e writers any "efinitions an" e%aple sentences. osef 5rone$ has written an e%cellent one for stu"ents 7 456A //X:. 5rone$#s "ictionary

gi!es you an e0cellent 'ariet of coonly use" "efinitions( phrases an" i"ios. 5or your le!el 7an" your bu"get:( 5rone$#s is probably the best. 0 ros s6referencing 'ocabular is also e0pected at this le'el. ,ifferentsynonys an" collocations are use" for "ifferent conte%ts. See steps for cross6referencing !ocabulary abo!e. This e%treely coon ista$e is *ust one e%aple of guessingQ 4ou want to say in English =a$ !ypa"8 no!Y$ur-> So you guess =How "oes the new course loo$ li$e> This is wrong in se!eral ways. 5irst( =loo$ li$e> in English only "escribes phsical appearance( not abstract or general states. Secon"( e!en if you are "escribing

 physical appearance( the correct e%pressions are =How "oes st  loo$> or =What "oes st  loo$ li$e> =How is the new course> or =What is the new course li$e> are correct. + siilar basic guessing ista$e entione" in WN X

 below is I stu"y the <ni!ersity of Bar"ubice. If you guess you learn nothing to ipro!e your English an" fail the assignent as well. This is especially true regar"ing basic "ifferences between 0-ech an" English( e.g. the"ifference between i(  an" !en is basic English an" cannot be translate" fro 0-ech in only o ne way all the tie. 5uessing or assuming that siilar e%pressions are use" the sae say in the two "ifferent languages also causes

 basic ista$es ) three 2uic$ e%aplesQ J: the use of the o"al can( which is not usually use" in English to e%press the o"ality of habit; : using the title 7ro(essor  for a secon"ary school or uni!ersity teacher who "oes not

ha!e that title; C: always using the a"*ecti!e normal  in English 7instea" o f correct a"*ecti!es li$e common( or"inary( regular ( stan"ar" ( typical ( usual ( etc.: in the sae way that normáln8  is use" in 0-ech. These siple types of probles "o not belong at the uni!ersity le!el an" can only be sol!e" by long ter stu"y an" e%perience( especially regular rea"ing.

i(  ) st  ay or ay not happen F has happene"!en ) st  "efinitely happens F happene" F will happen; *ust a 2uestion of t ie,on#t translate "irectly fro 0-ech( e.g. “,o znamená' 9e$$$” can alost be ne'er translate" as “&t means :” The phrase ust usually be ren"ere" as “,!at ; ,!is means:” ,eonstrati!e pronoun use ) WN CX.

0: All singular and countable nouns nee" a determiner! for e%aple an article or a possessi!ea"*ecti!e 7pZi!last[o!ac@ pZi"a!nA *eno:. 7See WN .: +fter you ha!e written your wor$( chec$ carefully e'er noun in your te%t. This ista$e is so easy to correct that it certainly "oes not belong at uni!ersity at any le!el. It

"oesn#t atter how any a"*ecti!es you ha!e before the nounQ my  small <-year-ol" car ( a little re" 1!inese book ( the craziest postmo"ern 1zec! poet 

E%ceptionQ soeties when referring to professions ) =ur supervisor is psyc!iatrist 0illiam .mit! :' ,ravel riter Jack >obinson says t!at : ?ary >ogers' 15= o( a multinational (irm' !as recently :

,: Puestions an" negati!e stateents in all siple tenses 7present( past( future: ust feature

the infiniti'e for of the !erb. Bast siple fors 6 use au%iliary !erbs "i"  for positi!e 2uestions an" "i" not  7spo$en or inforal English 6 "i"n)t : for negati!e stateents an" 2uestions.1a" e%aplesQ @e "i"n)t went  !ome by bus$ 0!y "i" s!e  fell  "on 0e "i"n)t liked  t!e (ilm$ 6i"n)t 7aul saw you ?ary "i"n)t cleaned  !er (lat yester"ay$ @o *rian cooked  t!e meal

LIST ) OTHER 0O33ON( 1<T BREENT+1LE 3IST+'ES F ST4LE BRO1LE3SJ: The rules for orthography in English are not the sae as in 0-ech ) "on#t assue that they are. 5or

e%aple( in writing a letter or an eail in English( the first wor" of the first sentence after =,ear \> is capitali6ed. +n" the pronoun you is not capitali-e"( no atter how polite you are trying to be. There are " ifferent ways of showingrespect in English. 7e.g. 3r. Teacher is ri"iculous: +nother e%aple of a "ifference is the use of first person pronouns 7 &' e: in foral or aca"eic te%ts( which is coon in 0-ech but 2uite strange in English. In English the passi!e

!oice( which connotes a sense of ob*ecti!ity( is use" ore often.1a" e%aplesQ  Birst o( all' we s!oul" mention t!e structure o( t!is book$

 &n t!is seminar paper I  oul" like to (ocus on :1etterQ  Birst o( all' t!e structure o( t!e book s!oul" be mentione"$

,!is seminar paper ill (ocus on :+lso( sub*ects are necessary in English sentences. 1a" e%aplesQ

 Brom t!ese Cuotations is obvious t!at : &mportant is !ic! part o( t!e :

: In lists( the use of con*unctions is "ifferent in English than in 0-ech. In all lists a con*unction ust be use" before the last ite. 5urther( in positi'e sentences in English( the con*unction an"  is use". In ost negati'e sentences or  is use".

1a" e%aplesQ @e likes #reek' 1!inese' &talian (oo"$ ?y !obbies are cycling' painting or  jogging$ C: ,on#t *oin full sentences with a coa 7K8r$a:. This is calle" a comma splice. If you feel that two

a clauses ust be connecte" in soe way( use a con*unction 7spo*$a ) in English  (or ( an" ( nor ( but ( or ( yet ( so:. + "ash 7polK$a: ay also be use" 7,!e problem coul" not be soli" D it as too complicate"$E See WN JD for ore punctuationnotes.

: Soe !erbs li$e !ave( recommen" an" nee"  ust ha!e a direct ob*ect 7pZ@Y pZe"Mt: or indirect ob*ect. These are calle" transiti'e 'erbs 7pZecho"n8 slo!esa: as oppose" to intransiti'e 7nepZecho"n8 slo!esa:. Soe !erbs are transiti!e in English an" the siilar !erb in 0-ech is intransiti!e an" !ice !ersa. ,on#t guess ) <SE 4O<R,I0TION+R4remin"  sb o(  st( in(luence sb( !ave st( recommen"  st( nee"  stFsb( "iscuss st( "emonstrate stTransiti!e !erbs can ne!er stan" aloneQV 6o you !ave a car # V & !ave$# is classic ]inglish. 7instea" of V & !ave one$# or F%es' & "o$G :

Why 1ecause !ave is transiti!e an" m8t  *e nepZecho"nA slo!eso. Other e%aplesQ.!e !elps you !en you nee" it $ @e recommen"e" t!at restaurant to us$

 & alrea"y !ave that version$ ,!e teac!er s!oe" us !is ne book $

Blease be careful with tenses. 5or e%aple( "on#t use present perfect if you are using a past fi0ed +finished, time e0pression. 1a" e%aplesQ  & !ave knon !im two years ago$ .!e !as playe" gol( in 1990$

Siilarly( (or  an" since are use" ost often with perfect an" perfect continuous tenses. If you un"erstan" perfect tenses 7se2uence of two or ore "ifferent ties: this will becoe clear. Learn these types of $eywor"s an" reinforce the byi"entifying the an" repeating the o!er an" o!er in the rea"ing an" listening acti!ities that you are "oing o n your own to ipro!e your English.0areful with other !erb fors ) e.g. acti!e an" passi!e. = ?y brot!er names Jo!n.> What "oes thisean  *ratr "á mu jmHno Jo!n 4ou learne" this in your first year of English ) = ?y brot!erGs

name is Jo!n.>Other ba" e%aplesQ  & born in 2II$ @e !ave a goo" job$ .!e !ave not your book$ 0e nee"$

^: 0OLLO0+TIONSQ Why "on&t ESL learners soun" li$e nati!e spea$ers One iportant reason is because certain nouns goonl with specific !erbs an" certain a"*ecti!es ay onl be use" with specific a"!erbs. +ny other wor"s are 2u ite strange to a nati!e spea$er. 1a" e%aplesQ solve a situation 7resol!e:( a disconsolate situation 7only people are "isconsolate:( make a suici"e 7coit( with no article:( do a party 7gi!e F throw:( make a step 7ta$e:( ha!e a ba" moo" 7be in:( make a problem 7create:

,on&t guess 6 use a >ualit "ictionary correctly. <se internet search engines. Siply search the wor" you wish to use an" you will fin" any results featuring e%aples of how the wor" is use" correctly.X: a' some' any' muc!' many' none' neit!er Q

a is use" with all singular( countable nouns in positi!e an" negati!e sentences as well as in2uestions. Not some nor any.

.!e !as a book$ 7not some book : .!e "oesnGt !ave a book$ 7not any book :  6oes s!e !ave a book 7not some book :  6oes s!e !ave a book 7not any book : Some is not a uni'ersal substitute for all articles some is used "ith plural onl#

=ne is use" only if you are spea$ing about o ne specific e%aple out of any. & !ave a lot o( (rien"s$ & !ave !a" one (rien"' Jane' (or 2K years$ 

.ome can only be use" with uncountable an" plural nouns in positi!e sentences..!e !as some apples$ & nee" some (res! air$

 Any is use" with uncountable an" plural nouns in 2ue stions an" negati!es..!e "oesnGt !ave any apples$ 6o you !ave any apples

 ?uc! is generally use" 7with uncountable nouns: in 2uestions an" negati!es.  A lot o( is use" in alltypes of sentences( although it is 2uite inforal 7i.e. not use" in aca"eic prose:.

1a" e%aplesQ  & !ave much money$ .!e astes much time$ ,!ere is much ice cream$

 ?any is use" with countable nouns in 2uestions an" negati!es. .!e "oesnGt rea" many books$

  This is also true for coparati!e fors of  muc! an" many$ :much more in(ormation$ : many more letters$

 Neit!er  is use" with two possibilities; none is use" with ore than two. Neither  o( t!e tins ere accepte" at university$  None o( t!e stu"ents ent to t!e party$ ?ost ; ?any ; .ome ; LAE Be ; U plural noun _ general+ ?ost ; ?any ; .ome ;  A Be o( t!e _ specific

 ost  "ogs !ave (leas$ ost  of the "ogs in t!e 1zec! >epublic !ave 5 nglis! names$ any people like beer$ any of the people in my ton are silly$

 Some sc!ools !ave little money$ Some of the sc!ools in my region are (un"e" by t!e 5M$!ew citizens vote noa"ays$ 7negati!e connotation:  A few citizens are beginning to un"erstan" t!e bu"get . 7positi!e connotation: A few o( my neig!bours ent to 7rague to protest$

+ siilar caseQ .ome LpeopleE U plural !erb _ general; .omebo"y L!o ; t!atE U singular !erb _ specific.,!ere are <K people in my class$ Some stu"y !ar"$ Somebody !o "oesnGt is Jim$

1a" E%apleQ  Someone "oesnGt like to ake up early$D: In English( 1  is not $ ecological' political' economical' control' collection' c!aracter . ,on#t guess

at !ocabQ aerobics( g ymnastics( at!letics ' stylistics.: There is one basic( easy to reeber "ifference between English an" 0-ech. In any types of

fun"aental phrases( when the !erb m8t  is use" in 0-ech( the !erb be is use" in English. + siple e%apleQ Jak se máš  + literal translation 7"oslo!nY pZe$la": woul" be =How "o you ha!e it> 5or any logical an" graatical reasons( thisis ri"iculous. =How are you> is closer( but( "espite what language te%tboo$s a n" those with little e%perience say( nati!e spea$ers alost ne!er greet each other this way 7siilar to the way in 0-ech =a$ se 8> isn#t really use" e!ery "ay.:=How ha!e you been> after a long tie between eetings or =How#re you "oing> e!ery "ay are( for e%aple( uch ore coon. When you are writing( "on#t guess Loo$ it up ) this is how you ipro!e your language s$ills while youare writing; first an" secon" year language stu"ies are the tie to "o this. Here are soe ore basic e%aples of how be is use" instea" of !ave+ what are the 0-ech e2ui!alents for these phrasesQ ,o"ay"s my birt!"ayO .!e isnGt in a goo"

moo"$ 0!ere<s !er car & "m ; & "m not !ungry ; t!irsty ; a(rai" ; rig!t ; sure ; =$

,!at all is green$ L0all t!ere !as green colour$ P ]inglish( see WN J:: &n t!e nature is ]inglish ) the is NCR used "ith nature. 1etter possibilitiesQ

out"oor  _ !en$o!n@ F !-ch8-$o!Y 7a"*: out"oors  _ !en$u F ! pZ@ro"M 7a"!:  Natural habitat 7countable: refers to a specific area in scientific( e.g. biological( en!ironental

ters. ,!e jungles o( sout!ern &n"ia are t!e natural habitat  o( t!e *engal tiger$

  The ter scenery 7$ra*ina: is use" to refer a bit ore c losely to specific features( such as ountains(ri!ers( etc. ,!e scenery aroun" my ton is beauti(ul$  The general area aroun" a town or !illage is the countrysi"e.

,!e countryside aroun" 6ublin is "elig!t(ul$There are any other( ore specific wor"s an" phrases ) cross6reference !ocabulary when writing.

J/: Titles of historical e!ents an" "ocuents( officials an" other iportant persons( countries( buil"ings( etc. in English are written "ifferently than in 0-ech. 7see also WN : All important "ords in titles must ha'e ?APITA TTR at the beginning# Only prepositions an" articles ha!e sall letters. ,on&t guess attranslations. Search the internet for the correct phrasing( e.g. the 0-echoslo!a$ Socialist Republic Brofessor Sith  The 1attle of White 3ountainThe 0-ech National Re!i!al The 3unich Bact The <nite" 'ing"o Bresi"ent Ha!el Pueen Eli-abeth II 7no perio": The 0athe"ral of the Holy Spirit

8/19/2019 Updated Academic Writing Notes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/updated-academic-writing-notes 4/7

Titles of boo$s( fils( usic 0,sF albus( T shows( long poes( etc. ust be in italics.,!e Mnbearable 4ig!tness o( *eing 1losely 0atc!e" ,rains Brien"s

,!e Baerie Queene ,!e Bor t!e *ene(it o( ?r ite An &mportant 5vent in ?y 4i(eTitles of short stories( chapter titles( aga-ine F *ournal articles( essays an" in"i!i"ual songs an"

short poes shoul" be in 2uotation ar$sQ The Literature of E%haustion The Ron"oli Sisters Song of 3yself The 1ro$en TowerJJ: With habits( plural ust be use" if you are tal$ing about using "ifferent things.

 & enjoy ri"ing !orses$  7not one horse( but any horses: 7 & enjoy ri"ing my !orse. _ one horse:+lso( be aware of this patternQ =ne o( R plural noun :  e.g. =ne o( my !obbies is gol(ing$

.!e likes rea"ing book s$ ,!ey paint pictures# 1a" e%aplesQ & like ri"ing bike$ .!e enjoys rea"ing book$J: no usually only eans znát  or vS"St . 7not umSt ( which ma ean can( be able to or kno how 

to "o st( not poznat ( which ma ean recognize.: There are any other siilar !erbs in English li$e be aare o( ( get to kno' become accustome" to( be (amiliar it!( un"erstan" ( realize( appreciate( see( (in"  out ( e/perience( an" i"enti(y. +ll

ha!e a slightly "ifferent eaning. ?ross-reference#

JC: Punctuation in "irect 2uotes for "ialogueQ Two "ifferent systes 6 one foral( one inforal.Inforal( for e%aple in a no!el or 2uoting a frien" in a letterQ .!e sai"  $ %  &Gll go' too$& 

5oral( for e%aple in an aca"eic paperQ ,!e report rea"s as (ollos' % ,!e amount must be  speci(ie" :& 

7or rules on the usage of commas! see TA5 document D?orrect $se of ?ommas in nglish#E

Also see (N29 belo"#

J: Soeties these are no easy rules an" you ust use set phrases. 4ou ust siply &no" these#

in t!e pub( in t!e city( at t!e cinema( in t!e orl" ( in t!e rain( yester"ay ; t!is 7not to"ay: evening ( last nig!t  7not yester"ay nig!t :( tonig!t 7not to"ay nig!t :( t!e ne/t "ay( in "etail' t!e !uman bo"y' in !eaven ; !ell ( etc.J^: ust because it is countable in 0-ech "oes not ean that it is in English 7an" !ice !ersa:. 5or

e%aple a"vice( in(ormation( nes' money an" !air 7usually: are uncountable in English. <se some( any or nothing. ?y brot!er gave me LsomeE a"vice$

 &s t!ere LanyE ne in(ormation &Gm aiting (or LsomeE goo" nes$

 ?oney is important$ @aving it  can !elp you in many situations$ 7not t!em: ?y girl(rien" !as long re" !air$ 7not some:+lso( any basic nouns li$e cake( marriage( pain( beer ( love can be either countable or uncountable.

JX: ,on#t use 0-ech punctuation mar&s when writing in English( for e%aple accent ar$s 7:instea" of an apostrophe 7#: or 0-ech 2uotation ar$s instea" of English ones.  3ulti6wor" a"*ecti!es an" copoun"s cobining se!eral wor"s to a$e one i"ea: ust ha!e a !yp!en 7spo*o!n@$( not a "as! `polK$a which arelonger lines between clauses of a sentence. If a "as! is use" to set o ff a phrase within a sentence( t"o are nee"e" ) one at the beginning an" one at the en" ) as in this sentence.:. There are huge "ifferences in the rules for 0-ech an"English punctuation. 7see WN : Nubers in copoun" a"*ecti!es are written without Vs# an" there are no spaces between wor"s.

 seven-year-ol" brother nine-mont!-ol"  son  (ive-year  plan  sky-blue eyes blue-green car to-car  crash sel(-con(i"ent    (act-(in"ing scree"-up 7-atenY:JD: ,!ereQ If you can see it( t!ere is usually the first wor". If you can#t( t!ere is the last wor". 7=ver  

t!ere is an e%ceptionQ it is always at the en" of the sentence.: In stan"ar" English( t!ere is alost ne'er in the i""le of the sentence. 7This is not always true for literary English.:,!ere is my car$ 7We see it.:  ?y car is t!ere$ 7We can#t see it. 3aybe it is in the city:

 ?y car is over t!ere$ 7We see it( but it&s far away.:I ha!e there new car. 7]inglish:

J: I"ios are strange anials in any language. If you "on#t treat the with the utost care( they will bite you in the ass. If you isplace e!en one little wor"( you soun" 2uite strange. 5or e%aple( if you coent that( V &tGs raining "ogs an" cats.# 7instea" of Vcats an" "ogs#: you ay not be un"erstoo". +t the !ery least you will fin" yourselfrecei!ing a o"" loo$ fro the person you are spea$ing to. I"ios are !aluable tools. <se the with precision. 7.lang  is "ifferent ) useless to learn because it is always changing an" is usually specific to a particular subculture or region. 1y the

tie you hear a slang e%pression in a fil( in usic or on tele!ision( it is usually se!eral years ol" an" out"ate". If you try to use these e%pressions you will usually soun" foolish because the e%pression has alrea"y change". Non6nati!e spea$erswon&t un"erstan" you; nati!e spea$ers will laugh at you.:

J: Bronouns 7an" wor"s li$e everyt!ing ( everyone( !ic!( t!at ( anybo"y( somebo"y( etc.: ) 0hec$carefully to a$e sure your rea"er $nows what your pronoun or po ssessi!e refers to. The sae goes of course for wor"s li$e one 7:the sae as the last one:. There is one siple ruleQ in almost all cases a pronoun +especiall relati'epronouns! e#g# which! that , should refer to the last noun or noun phrase that has *ust preceded it. If there is any "oubt at all that your rea"er will be e!en oentarily confuse"( use the noun again instea"( or better yet( if possible( use asynony; this will increase clarity as well as aintain interest. Reeber( if the rea"er has to stop( go bac$ an" rerea" because he is not sure what you are trying to say( you ha!e lost her F h i. See also WN ^ regar"ing nuber use of

 pronouns./: =ne o(  the U plural noun. 1a" e%aplesQ =ne o( t!e thing  & like is : 5nglis! is one o( my (avourite

sub(ect $

J: <nli$e in 0-ech( in English( it  can ne'er refer to a person.1a" e%apleQ  ?y boss  It  is a great guyO

5or anials( if you ha!e a personal relationship with the anial( for e%aple a pet( use !e or s!e.If there is no personal connection( use it .+lso( unli$e in 0-ech( in English !ere refers to physical location only.1a" e%aplesQ : in t!e case where s!e "oesnGt ant to$ : t!e scene where @amlet "ies$

<se in !ic! instea" for these types of sentences.:  the !ole F anot!er  ) with singular nouns

 the entire ; all  7the( of the: F ot!er  ) with plural an" uncountable nounsa bit U a"*ecti!e 7e.g. a bit strange:( a bit of a  R singular' countable noun 7e.g. a bit o( a strange situation:

C: In conteporary( non6aca"eic English short( siple sentences an" e%act( clear clauses withincople% sentences are usually better. ,on#t *oin coplete sentences with coas. 7see WN C: +lso sall "efining relati!e clauses an" short prepositional phrases "on#t nee" co as. Too any of these interrupt the flow o f thesentence.

: 0oas are not necessary in English after & t!ink ( .!e knos( 0e believe( etc. Neither are theyuse" with "efining relati!e clauses 7containing !ital( not e%tra inforation: beginning with t!at ( !o( !ic!( !en' w!ere' etc. Blease reali-e these types of "ifferences between 0-ech an" English.

1a" e%aplesQ .!e is a person' !o & respect$ 7rague is a place' t!at & love$ Learn the "ifference between English an" 0-ech usage.

,!e captain sai" t!at e ere leaving$ 7no coa before t!at :.!e believes s!e ill see !im again$  7no coa after believe:

+nother ruleQ ?ommas are necessar before DasE clauses 7siilar in eaning to =because(> which"oesn#t nee" a coa:( for e%aple.

 & !ave alays enjoye" a"venture stories' as & (in" t!em e/citing$

 &( you !ave a c!oice' pay it! cas!' as it is alays accepte"$0orrect punctuation( for e%aple in eails( letters an" o utlines( can also be loo$e" up for accuracy(e.g.in an eail a coa is nee"e" after the greeting 7,ear ohn(: an" closing 7Sincerely yours(: an"the first wor" after the greeting is 0+BIT+LIE,( unli$e in 0-ech ) learn the "ifferences. See alsoWN J.

^: Relate" to WN J( a$e sure your pronouns agree in nuber with their antece"ents. 70larity withantece"ents is !ital.: 1a" e%aplesQ &( my t!ree sisters lose her job: & love !orror (ilms$ It  is my

 (avourite$

X: 0orrect prepositions an" !erb patternsQ li$e any !erbs an" a"*ecti!es in 0-ech( in English any!erbs an" a"*ecti!es can only ta$e certain prepositions( or no preposition at all. ,on#t assue that you can siply translate wor" for wor" fro one language to another. 3a$e sure you ha!e the correct preposition( or that one is e!en necessary.7"ictionary: 4ou will not learn by guessing.

0lassic e%aplesQ listen to the ra"io 7no preposition in 0-ech:( but atc! T 7no preposition in English:. We "on#t stu"y school F u ni!ersity.  We stu"y at  a school F at uni!ersity 71ritish: or at the uni!ersity 7<S:. take care about st;sb P

]inglish care about   st;sb or take care o(   st;sb - two copletely "ifferent eanings. 0oe to( but arri!e at;in+ apply to sb (or st; than$ sb (or st; say st to sb; recoen" st to sb; welcoe sb to sw; suggest st to sb; intro"uce sb to sbOther e%aplesQ an e%a F course F lecture in cheistry F Geran; a no!el by ac$ Lon"on +not from,

+lso( using two !erbs together re2u ires the correct !erb pattern( e.g. enjoy doing  st ( oul" like to do st!. See =erb Batterns> file on ST+G. E%aples of a"*ecti!esQ applicable to st( intereste" in st( easy to "o st( copatible it! st( afrai" o(  st;to be faous (or  st( $een on st( etc.

D: 1a" wor" or"er can confuse the rea"er about what you ean. This is another reason why lea!ingyour "ocuent for as long as you ca n( then coing bac$ to it( rea"ing it li$e an in"epen"ent rea"er( then "oing your final re!isions before subitting it is so iportant 6 perspecti!e.1a" e%apleQ %ou aske" me !en &Gm going to 5nglan" in your letter . 7+re you going to Englan" in y letter:  &n your letter you aske" me !en &Gm going to 5nglan" . is clearer.

  'eep one i"ea together in a single clauseQ7 &n your letter you aske" me: or %ou aske" me in your letter::

: Wor" or"er with a"*ecti!esQ in English opinion a"*ecti!es coe before factual a"*ecti!es7the c!eap re"  car; the c!arming  #erman girl( etc.: This is the or"er with fact a"*ecti!esQJst how big n" how ol" Cr" what colour th where fro ^th what#s it a"e ofa tall young  girl( a small plastic table( big blue eyes( an ol" >ussian song( a small black paper  bag+n" si-e an" length coe before shape an" wi"thQ a large roun"   table( a long narro street+"*ecti!es always coe after be( becoe( get( an" seeQ  *e care(ulO   @e seems nice$ &Gm tire" an" getting !ungry.  *us! became more an" more arrogant$

: The in"efinite articleQ 7also see 0 abo!e: If a singular( countable noun is being entione" for the first tie( use a. The "efinite articleQ One e%ceptionQ if there is clearl ONF ON of something in e0istence! use the. This eanswith wor"s li$e (irst 7an" all or"inal nubers )  the secon"' eig!teent!' (ive-t!ousan"t!:( ne/t ( last ( previous( (olloing ( best ( orst ( same( !ole ) all of these usually ha!e the '  besi"es set phrases which nee" another "eteriner li$e =m 

 best frien"” an" =y worst "ay e!er.> The only one rule below also applies to concrete ob*ects li$e sun( moon( 7also( usually( for e%aple if we are in a roo: the  (loor ( ceiling ( "oor ( etc. 1egin learning coon phrases that fit t his rule(for e%apleQ

the same Lt!ingE the ne/t L"ayE the (irst LtimeE the 5nglis! ; 1zec! languagethe last L(e eeksE the only LayE the rig!t ; rong LpersonE 

One way to begin to feel when to use t!e 7or soeties a possessi!e a"*ecti!e li$e my( !is( your : is to reeber that when there is onl one or  one group of soething( t!e is usually use"( as in soe of the abo!e e%aples. OthersQ t!e top' t!ebottom' t!e (ront' t!e back' t!e rig!t' t!e le(t ( etc. 0arefulQ e%aples li$e these can be use" as nouns or a"*ecti!es( for e%aple( on t!e rig!t 7noun: or on t!e rig!t si"e 7a"*.: Still ore e%aplesQ t!e roo(' t!e (ri"ge' t!e tent! o( June' t!e tentiet!

century' t!e ?i""le Ages' t!e >oman 5 mpire' t!e ?unic! 7act' t!e ki"s in t!e !all' t!e neig!boursG "ogs' t!e knig!tGs story+nother tric$ along siilar linesQ loo$ for phrases 7e.g. beginning with prepositions or relati!e pronouns: following nouns that define the nouns 7e.g. "efining relati!e clauses or prepositional phrases:( an" tell us there is only one specific thing we aretal$ing about. Then use t!e in ost of these cases( the e%ceptions being when a possessi!e a"*ecti!e is use" when the noun is the only one belonging to soebo"y( e.g. =my left foot(> =!er  we""ing "ay(> =our  last lesson.> E%aplesQ

 Animals in zoos s!oul" be protecte"$ ; The animals in t!e 7rague Too s!oul" be protecte"$

 ?ost o( t!e te/t (ocuses on marriage$ ; ?ost o( t!e te/t (ocuses on the marriage o( Jane an" ,om$

=pen a in"o' please$ ; =pen the in"o ne/t to t!e (ri"ge ' please$

,!e play is a plea (or tolerance$ ; ,!e play is a plea (or the tolerance o( !omose/ual love$.!e a classmate o( mine$ 7One of any: ; .!e is the classmate t!at & as telling you about$

 @e is just a guy & met$ ; @e is the guy !ose car broke "on$E!en with this gui"eline( howe!er( "on#t forget that if t he noun entione" is still only one among man the in"efinite article ust be use"( e.g. on a ebsite t!at is use" by (amilies t!an nee" an au pair$

+lso regar"ing "eteriners( learn the basic rules for their use in English( e.g.QJ: Only one "eteriner per noun. 1a" e%apleQ .!e lost her the one glove$ 1e specific( e.g. .!e lost one glove$

: ,on#t use articles for personal nouns( e.g. bo"y parts( one#s faily ebers an" one#s life. <se possessi!e pronouns for concrete nouns. 1a" e%aplesQ  @e broke the arm$ 5njoy the li(e$ .!e is a ) the soul mate$Goo" e%aplesQ @e broke her  arm$ 5njoy li(eO .!e is my ) his soul mate$  y mot!er is coming to"ay$

C/: In English( subject R verb R object R prepositional p!rase 7.V=7 : is the basic forula. 4es( soeof you ha!e seen other structures li$e cleft sentences( which are use" for emphasis 7see <nit J in the 1A5  te%tboo$:. 1ut in general( you shoul" rely on an" use the .V=7  pattern. 1a" e%aples o f 0lassic ]inglishQ

Mne/pecte"ly !ave !appene" a lot o( acci"ents$

 &t as un"er t!e !ill a cro" o( people$

 &n KK< as repaire" our !ouse$

8/19/2019 Updated Academic Writing Notes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/updated-academic-writing-notes 5/7

In general nothing 7e%cept soe a"!erbs li$e never ( alays( sometimes( etc. an" soe non6"efining relati!e clauses: shoul" coe between a sub*ect an" a pre"icate( or between a pre"icate an" an ob*ect. ,on&t isun"erstan" ) of coursesentences li$e these are soeties possibleQ

0!at e sa t!ere e oul" never !ave e/pecte"$ 6ing-"ong soun"e" t!e c!urc! bell$

This is a ore literary type of usage( as is the use of non6"efining relati!e clauses.Get use" to "ifferent types of register 7e.g. ore or less foral: an" learn to carefully control the tone of your language.

CJ: 0!at  is ne!er a "efinite relati!e pronoun. ,efinite relati!e pronouns are !ic!( !om( t!at ( !ose an" !ere. Here are soe ba" e%aplesQ  & !ave everyt!ing !at & ant$ .!e !as a gar"en' !at ill make !er !appy$ 0!at  ay be an in"efinite relati!e pronoun. Goo" e%apleQ .!e ill tell you !at you nee" to kno$

CC: Li$e any other languages( 0-ech has borrowe" wor"s fro English ) these are calle" loan wor"s.1ut "on#t assue that the eaning is the sae in both languages 6 "on#t guess( loo$ it up 3ost loan wor"s are use" in " ifferent ways( for e%aple as a "ifferent part of speech 7 slovn8 "ru!: in English. The wor" rela/ is a !erb in English; thenoun for is rela/ation. A rela/ or a !omeless in English is nonsense; !omeless is either an a"*ecti!e 7a !omeless person: or an uncountable noun 7the !omeless:. Siilarly( !orror  is either an a"*ecti!e 7a !orror  story( a !orror  fil: or anabstract noun 7hr9-a( "Ms( -"Men@:.  A !orror  is siply wrong. Loo$ it up.

C: 4ou&re learning to use con"itionals( right Here&s a 2uic$ gui"eline that can help you. Incon"itionals an" other sentences li$e those "escribing the future( after wor"s an" phrases li$e i( ( !en( !ile( as soon as( until ( unless( by t!e time( be(ore an" a(ter ( neither ill  nor oul"  are use" in alost all cases in written English. 75orforal( aca"eic register e%aples li$e given t!at  an" provi"e" ( see <nit J in the 0+E te%tboo$.:a: +ccor"ing to 3ichael Swan in  7ractical 5nglis! Msage( ill  ay be use" after if in po lite re2uests

7again( usually spo$en( not written:. Here ill  eans =to be willing to>; ill  in this case in not a future au%iliary; these are not con"itionals 7in 0-ech or English:. &( you ill ; oul" come t!is ay' &Gll take you to t!e room$ 7'"y bu"ete ta$ las$a! d:0ait over t!ere' i( you ill ; oul"$  7The use of oul"  is e!en ore polite than ill .:

 b: +lso accor"ing to Swan( in spo$en English i(  dill  ay be use" when we are tal$ing about laterresults than con"itions 7when if eans Vif it is true that#:.

 &Gll give you t!e money i( it ill !elp you$ 7d*estli ti to po9e d:The help is a result ) it follows the gift of oney.

Howe!er( the =classic> real 7Jst: con"itional is still accepte" usage( especially in written English. &Gll give you t!e money i( it !elps you$

Soe other uses of i( :ill; oul"  are eitherQJ: in inforal spo$en o"e only( e.g. parallel structures 7+erican English:   &t oul" be better i( t!ey oul" tell everybo"y in a"vance$

Howe!er( : i( t!ey tol"  : reains accepte" usage.: in reporte" speech ) uni!ersally accepte" usage.

 & "onGt kno i( &Gll be !ere tomorro$

+nother 2uic$( siilar para"igQ in =The ore F less d( the ore F less d> 7 č8m : t8m: types of sentences ha!e "ifferent fors. The č8m clause is li$e the i( ; !en part of the con"itionalQ no ill  or oul" ; often siple tenses are use" inthese clauses for the i"ea of soething repeate"Q perfect tenses are alost ne!er use" with this for.

,!e more you !elp t!em' t!e more t!ey LillE take a"vantage o( you$  ,!e more e orke"' it seeme" like t!e less money e !a"$

,!e less James travels' t!e more money !e ill save (or a car$C^: .tu"ying  !s. learning Q .tu"ying  is soeties concrete( for e%aple at a specific tie or place.,onig!t &)m stu"ying (or my test$ & stu"y 5nglis! at university$

 4earning  is alost ne!er use" for a specific tie or place( an" in"icates an acti!ity that is finishe" or is in soe way 7beginning to be: coplete.  4earning  can be concrete only with a !ery specific thee or acti!ity.  4earn is alost ne!eruse" in the present siple tense.

We)ve been learning to ice skate$ .!e learne" to play guitar !en s!e as a little girl$

  The i"ea of a regular acti!ity can be counicate" in English by using the noun lessons.,onig!t & !ave a guitar lesson. .!e !as Brenc! lessons on ,ues"ays an" ,!urs"ays$

CX: ,!is !s. it  7+ "ifficult rule:  &t is use" basically for concrete ob*ects or specific concepts.0e use t!e Hea"way te/tbook$ It  is Cuite in(ormative$

%our !ealt! is very important$ %ou s!oul" take care o( it $=ur love ill never "ie$ %ou can alays count on it $ 7our lo!e:.!e move" to >ussia$  It  as very e/citing$ 7Russia was:  ,!is is usually use" with abstract facts.=ur teac!er is very patient$ This makes us com(ortable$

 *razil is a lea"ing pro"ucer o( co((ee$ This is goo" (or t!e economy$ 7not coffee( but pro"ucing:=ur love ill never "ie$ %ou can alays count on this$ 7on the fact that our lo!e will ne!er "ie:.!e move" to >ussia$ This as very e/citing . 7o!ing to Russia:  It  is very e/citing$ 7Russia is.:  ,!is vs$ t!at 7+ siple rule.: ,!is is =nearby>; t!at  is =far away.> If you ha!e *ust entione"

soething( use ,!is( e.g.  >ea" a te/t' put it aay' t!en rite a summary$ This is a goo" ay to improve your riting$

CD: 5in" places to brea$6up your te%t into clear( logical paragraphs. One( long bloc$ of te%t is "ifficultto concentrate on. Rea"ers nee" a pause to catch their breath( an" a new paragraph helps. +lso( a$e sure the beginning of a paragraph is absolutely clear by indenting the first sentence  or lea'ing a blan& line bet"een paragraphs#

C: 1ut ) ,on#t use one6sentence paragraphs unless absolutely necessary. They shoul" be use" forephasis( for an iportant i"ea or a $ey part of your story. Then when you finally use a one6sentence paragraph or a !ery short paragraph( it will be a powerful "e!ice to call attention to a significant point. +LSOQ it ust be a"e absolutelyclear when new paragraph begins either by in"enting the first sentence or placing an e%tra space between paragraphs.

C: B a s i c a d *ecti!es li$e goo"( ba"( big( sall( nice( an" beautiful are for basic school( not uni!ersity.These wor"s are not use" as often in English as their e2u i!alents are use" in 0-ech ) learn the "ifference between the languages. ,on&t use these boring a"*ecti!es( use ore specific synonys. E!en better ) use 0ON0RETE EENTS an",ET+ILS 7NO<NS: instea". The rea"er can "eci"e if what you are "escribing is goo"( ba" or beautiful( etc. Writing is nothing without specific "etails. <se the fi!e sensesQ can we see it( sell it( hear it( feel it or taste it <n"efine"( abstractconcepts li$e love( peace( poer ( (ree"om( etc. can ean any "ifferent things for "ifferent people. These wor"s can ha!e so any !ague associations that they are in fact eaningless. ,escribe specific e!ents an" concrete ob*ects an"coparisons an" your writing will coe ali!e.+lso all wor"s in any part of speech connecte" to national( ethnic or reg ional cultures shoul" be capitali-e".

5or e%apleQ 1zec! beer (  @e is #erman. 7a"*:(  @e is a #erman. 7noun:( a Victorian mansion( &n"ian cuisine( .!e speaks .panis!.( an =rellian novel' a .can"inavian-style !ouse 

/: The English language is strange for any reasons. +n iportant one is its use of prepositions at the

en" of sentences 7especially in 2uestions:Q & "on)t remember !at e ere talking about $ &t as a "i((icult situation to be in$

.!e !as no one to speak to$ 0e spent t!e !ole "ay just looking around $0!o are you aiting for  0!at is t!e orl" coming to

J: singular 6 once ; tice ; t!ree times a "ay ; eek ; mont! ; year   plural: 6 once ; tice ; t!ree times every to "ays ; eeks ; mont!s ; years 7not in:

: !appy _ insi"e yourself. lucky _ soething happens outsi"e yourself. Either can be peranent orteporary. 4ou can be happy without being luc$y( or !ice !ersa.

C: +"!erbs "escribing how soething is "one generally coe "irectly before or after the !erb ora"*ecti!e they o"ify. <se your "ictionary if you aren&t J// sure.

7e%ceptionQ  &t as *uite a big !ouse$  Cuite a  U a"*ecti!e U singular( countable noun:: make an" "oQ makeQ soething you create 7a toy( a ca$e( clothes( etc.:  "oQ an acti!ity 7aths( the shopping( the "ishes:

  7e%ceptionsQ "o your !omeork ( make your be" ( other phrases:^: sportsQ "oQ an acti!ity 7aerobics( athletics( yoga: "o sport  _ 1ritish usage

 playQ with a ball or puc$ 7hoc$ey( football( tennis( golf:  play sports _ +erican usage goQ always with 6ing 7s$ating( s$iing( *ogging( bowling:X:  suc! 7a: with nounsQ  &t !a" been such a nice !oli"ay be(ore t!e ba" eat!er$ 7countable:  1zec!s are such nice people$ 7countable plural:  0e "on)t nee" such useless in(ormation$ 7uncountable:

  so with a"*ecti!es 7without nouns:Q Lon"on is so pleasant in the spring.  ,!is lesson is so boring$ 6on)t be so stubborn$

D: without !oQ a goo" opportunity to "o st' an e/cellent c!ance to :'  t!e rig!t ; rong ay to :without !yQ a reason to "o st 7!y shoul" be use" o nly for ephasis( otherwise it is *ust an unnecessary wor":; without !ereQ t!e place t!ey live

: The phrase accor"ing to me is ]inglish( an" ay ne'er be use". &n my opinion or in my vie shoul" be use" in foral situations 7i.e.aca"eic essays:. &( you ask me' 7with a coa: or & t!ink  7without a coa: is use" inforally. If you are using accor"ing to with a personal pronoun( a$e sure your rea"er $nows who the pronoun refers to.

7see WN /:: intro"uce sb to sbQ  4et me intro"uce you to my girl(rien"$

^/: &n my t!irteent! year  is ]inglish. 0orrectQ +hen I was 1, & playe" tennis every eek$OrQ &)ve knon !er since I was thirteen$ 5oralQ At the age of 1, & met !er$

^J: 4ou can&t look (orar" to sb( only to st . 0orrectQ & am looking (orar" to seeing  you$

  OrQ .!e as really looking (orar" to being with !er boy(rien"$

^: ,on&t use sentence fragents. +ll sentences 7e%cept coan"s F iperati!esQ #o aay$ *e CuietO:shoul" ha!e a sub*ect an" a !erb. + gerun" for 76ing  !erb use" as a noun: cannot act as a !erb in a sentenceQ  >unning aay$ an" @aving a goo" time$ are not coplete sentences an" are not graatically correct alone.

^: When put into wor"s( copoun" car"inal nubers until II are written with a !yp!en. 7see WN JX:+n" soe nubers fro 2-I are written "ifferently when in 2Ks( e.g. (orty-t!ree 7not (ourty:( to !un"re" (i(ty-seven 7not (ivety:. In foral te%ts in English( nubers are usually written as wor"s( not as "igits. 7tenty-to ( not :Gut "hen "riting numbers in digits! longer numbers "ith ; digits or more ha'e a comma "ith no space in bet"een before each group of hundreds. E%aplesQ <K'KKK  U'UW  'KKK'KKK. When sai" or written in wor" for( noticethat !un"re" ( t!ousan" ( etc. is NOT followe" by an Vs#.3a$ing basic ista$es li$e these is an easy to "eonstrate your lac$ of e%perience in English.Or"inal nubers 7Jst( Cr"( J^Dth: ust ha!e the correct en"ings an" no perio". The naes of royalty are written it!out en"ings 7but still no perio":. E%aplesQ 1!arles &V  not &Vt!$ 1a" e%apleQ @enry X&&&  # In any foral writing in English( a nuerical sybol 7nuber: cannot be the first e%pression of a sentence. 1a" e%apleQ = countries in the European <nion are ha!ing serious econoic "ifficulties.

^^: ,ates in inforal te%ts 7li$e personal essays: ay be presente" li$e thisQ June 3  or June 3' KK  )coa after the "ay( one space before the year. In foral te%ts 7for e%aple aca"eic writing: "ates ay be shown this wayQ 3 June KK  7no punctuation ar$s:. This "ate is sai" or rea" li$e thisQ =7on: une si%th two6thousan" se!en>7inforal: or =7on: the si%th of une( two6thousan" se!en> 7foral:. ,eca"es ust ha!e the "efinite article an" are written with no apostropheQ t!e 2I3Ks( the IKs. ,!e UKs o( t!e tentiet! century _ ]inglish; t!e 2IUKs is sipler an" clearer 

^X: ,ecials are written with "ecial points 7the sae ar$ as a perio" ̀ +erican English an" a fullstop ̀ 1ritish English:( not coas. 1a" e%aplesQ Y'II' JCC ///. Goo" e%apleQ UU$U ( 2K'KKK

BronunciationQ Y$U ) eight point fi!e2<$IY ) one hun"re" thirty6se!en point nine eight two 7not nine hun"re" eighty6two:K$KK< ) LzeroE point o! o! t!ree ( LzeroE point zero zero t!ree  7<S:

7noug!t : point zero zero t!ree 7<':5ractionsQ Rea" the top nu ber as a car"inal nuber( followe" by the or"inal nuber U Vs# 7if plural:<;Y _ three eighths( ;23  _ se!en si%teenths( 22;< _ ele!en thirty6secon"s

2;< _ one thir"( ;< _ two thir"sE%ceptionsQ Z _ one half( [ _ one 2uarter 7or one fourth:( <;W _ three 2uarters 7or three fourths:^D: When entioning a person#s nae as a source for the first tie in a foral essay( for e%aple in a

seinar paper or aca"eic article( both first nae an" surnae shoul" be use". In 0-ech soeties only the surnae or aybe the first initial 7 iniciála: is use"( but( please( write in English. Václav @avel ( not V$ @avel 

^: Write closer to spo$en o"e in inforal essays. <se contractions( for e%aple &)m( can)t ( t!ey)re( s!e)s( "on)t . ,on&t use e$g . in inforal essays 6 use phrases li$e (or e/ample( suc! as an" (or instance. +lso( ne'er use more than three ad*ecti'es in a list# If you ha!e to write a list of a" *ecti!es 7which I "o not recoen" at all ) this is wea$writing:( choose the three ost iportant an" ost specific. Long lists of a"*ecti!es are chil"ish an" cause sentences to lose all eaning whatsoe!er. Instea" of these silly lists( use specific e!ents an" other concrete e%aples instea". 1a" e%apleQ=3y other is sociable( reliable( $in"( generous( honest( tolerant an" har"6wor$ing.> These abstract concepts mean absolutel nothing "ithout specific e0amples of HA?TF "hat she has done#

8/19/2019 Updated Academic Writing Notes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/updated-academic-writing-notes 6/7

^: 5ailiari-e yourself with the special specific circustances only un"er which state 'erbs are used "ith continuous and perfect tenses . In continuous fors a specific unfinishe" tie perio" is being ephasi-e" an" in perfect tenses or oretie perio"s in a sentence copare". 7See PGTR below.: State !erbs "escribeQ

a: thoughts an" opinions 7ylen$y a n8-ory:Q t!ink' believe' remember' kno' (orget' L"isEagree' un"erstan" 

 b: eotions 7city:Q like' love' !ate' ant' a"ore' "etest 

c: the fi!e senses 7pMt sysl9:Q  see' !ear' taste' (eel' smell 

".: others 7ostatn@:Q be( !ave 7with concrete nouns:( belong to

1a" e%aplesQ =nly to"ay t!e classroom is use" (or 5nglis!$ 7teporarily 6 continuous nee"e": *y t!e time & am <U & ill !ave !a" t!ree ki"s$ 7the state of =ha!ing st > is in"icate"(

not the acti'it of giving birt!( a phrase which is not coonly use" in inforal English( another e%aple of how translating "irectly fro one language to another causes inaccuracy. The "ifference between the "ifferent eanings of =to ha!e chil"ren> are perfect e%aples of a state 7siilar to possess  st : an" an acti!ity 7 give birt!:.

X/: =The car of y brother> is a "irect translation of =auto Aho bratra(> which is the n" case in 0-ech7geniti!e ) ko!o - če!o:. 1ut in English =The car of y brother> is uch too foral an" literary for noral situations. In English the possessi'e is coonly use"Q =y brother#s car(> 1e careful( howe!er( to "istinguish between when naes or other nouns are use" as ad*ecti'es( not as possessi!es( for e%aple often in place naes or historical lan"ar$sQ ?asaryk .Cuare 7not ?asarykGs:( Bree"om *ri"ge 7 ?ost svobo"y ) =The 1ri"ge of 5ree"o> is usually too foral for a place nae( although,!e .tatue o( 4iberty is correct.: Why guess when you can fin" the correct for in ̂ secon"s on GoogleThis eans that the inforation in the Puic$ General Tense Re!iew on following page "oes not apply to state !erbs li$e these( only to action !erbs. +n easy way of establishing e%actly what are an" aren&t state !erbs is to reeber the  

abstractness of state !erbs as copare" to action !erbs. 0an you see it happening If not( it is a state !erb. 4ou can&t see belonging to someone( liking somet!ing ( un"erstan"ing someone or !aving a car  7state: in the way you can see going some!ere( "oing somet!ing ( raining  or as!ing a car  7action:.

To repeat the most important idea of these lists: ON3T 5$ at CO?AG$ARF "hen "riting# If ou guess! ou learn nothing ou are onl repeating mista&es# oo& up MANIN5! PIN5 and

PRON$N?IATION! so ou can use our ne" language chun&s co rrectl "hen spea&ing and "riting# A first-rate dictionar can be a 'aluable tool to help "ith all of these# (hen "e ha'e time to "rite something! "e

should ta&e ad'antage of all the tools "e ha'e#

 Ne%t page Puic$ General Tense Re!iew

8/19/2019 Updated Academic Writing Notes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/updated-academic-writing-notes 7/7

Puic$ General Tense Re!iew

1elie!e it or not( to"ay we will stu"y all tenses in the English language. 5or action 7"ynaic: !erbs( there are a total of J. We ha!e types ) siple( continuous( perfect an" perfect continuous. These types can be e%presse" in C times )  past( present an" future. types ultiplie" by C ties gi!es us J acti!e 7an"( theoretically( J passi!e: tenses. The goo" news is that soe of these are not use" !ery often( an" then generally in writing( not spea$ing.

We alrea"y un"erstan" the "ifference between past( present an" future( "on&t we Let&s forget about tie for now. If we loo$ at tenses instea" by type( we will see that each shares a coon i"ea which ay be represente" by $eywor"sQ

Siple _ completion 7"o$onKen@:0ontinuous _ "uration 7tr!8n@:Berfect _ seCuence of ties 7sousle"nost Kas9:Berfect 0ontinuous _ both "uration an" seCuence

+ll imple tenses refer to actions that are repeate"ly coplete"( were coplete" 7at least once:( or will be coplete" in the future. It is not iportant how long( what happene" before nor what will happen after the action. Is it finishe"( onetie or repeate"ly Then use a siple tense.  .!e plays tennis every .atur"ay morning$  & "i"nGt sleep ell last eek$

  .!e onGt like t!at$ ; 0eGre going to leave at 2K pm$

 

?ontinuous tenses refer to e%ten"e" acti!ities or "uration. The length of tie is iportant. The present continuous usually e%presses soething that is happening now or in the near future. Bast an" future continuous fors are often use" to"escribe 7or ore: things that happene" or will be happening at t!e same time. The longer  action ust be e%presse" with the continuous. Not finishe" Two things at the sae tie Then use a continuous tense.  &tGs raining$ ; ,omorro s!e)s orking all a(ternoon$

 @e as playing (ootball yester"ay !en you calle" !im$ 7play football( call:  4unar (armers ill be groing potatoes on t!e moon in KU$ 7grow potatoes( /^:

 Perfect tenses in"icate se2uences of at least oents in tie. These fors "escribe things that happene" or will happen at  "i((erent  times. Whate!er happene" F will happen (irst  ust be e%presse" with the perfect. +t least two things at"ifferent ties <se a perfect tense.   7aul)s been to 5nglan" t!ree times$ 73aybe he#ll go again ne%t year.:

.!e !a" (inis!e" !er !omeork$ 7before she went to the pub:  0e !ope !e ill !ave gra"uate" university by t!e year K2U$ 75irst gra"uation( then /J^.:

 Perfect continuous tenses cobine both the i"ea of an e%ten"e" acti!ity 7continuous aspect: with the i"ea of a se2uence of 7or ore: specific oents in tie 7perfect aspect:. <sually 7not always: the action "escribe" isn&t F wasn&t F won&t

 be coplete( unli$e siple actions( which are finishe". Long tie plus tie se2uence <se a perfect continuous tense.  &Gve been stu"ying 5nglis! (or U years$ 7Istarte" stu "ying at a specific tie an" I continue to stu"y.:

  .!e !a" been orking in 7eru (or U years !en s!e met !er !usban"$,!e nespaper sai" in K23 t!e Americans ill !ave been occupying A(g!anistan (or 2U years$