Graduate studies-VNUCFL

Academic writing

Prepared by Do Thanh Ha

Guidelines on in-text citing Quotations:

1. When to quote material? - Quote passage when the author has said something in a distinctive or especially insightful or interesting way. - Quote material that supports the assertions you make in your paper. - Quote authorities who disagree with a position you are advocating or who offer alternative explanations or contradictory data. 2. When not to quote material? - Do not quote passage merely to fill in space - Do not quote passages as a substitute for thinking. - Do not quote passages because you do not understand the authors ideas well enough to paraphrase them.

Integrating quotations into your writing

1. 2. Block quotations: Use with longer quotations. Follow APA guidelines Integrated quotations: Introduce the quotation with appropriate verb: + Precede with a coma + Employ a verb of saying that fits the overall tone of your essay, such as: says, states, asserts, claims, holds, maintains, contends, explains - Introduce a quotation without a verb. + A more formal way of quoting + Precede with a colon - Run your sentence and the quotation together - Pick out only certain words to quote.

How to write a paraphrase?

1. 2. 3. 4. Read, reread, and annotate the material. Look up in a dictionary the meaning of any words you do not know. Form your own opinion about the meaning of the passage. Change words in the passage. Substitute synonyms for key terms in the passage. Substitute pronouns for nouns when appropriate. Change the verbs Change the sentence structure in the passage. Rearrange the order of ideas presented in the source text. Combine sentences found in the source text. Combine into single sentences ideas presented in two or more sentences in the source text. 5. Unpack sentences found in the source text. - Convey in two or more sentences ideas presented in one sentence in the source text.

Qualities of a good paraphrase

1. Thorough: It attempts to include all of the authors primary ideas or findings. 2. Accurate: It attempts to reflect what the author actually wrote.

Graduate studies-VNUCFL

Academic writing

Prepared by Do Thanh Ha

3. Fair: It attempts to employ even-handed language and content. 4. Objective: It attempts to avoid voicing the writers opinion on the topic or the quality of the source text.

How to write a summary?

1. Read, reread, and annotate the material. Carefully read the material, paying particular attention to the content and structure of the piece. Reread and annotate the material, being sure to note: - The thesis. - The primary assertions, arguments, or findings and, - The primary means of support for each point. 2. Write one-sentence summaries of each section of the text. 3. Write the first draft of your summary 4. Check the rough draft of your summary against the source text 5. Rewrite the summary.

Qualities of a good summary

1. Comprehensive: it conveys all the important information in the reading. 2. Brief: It conveys this information concisely 3. Accurate: It correctly conveys the authors ideas, findings, or arguments 4. Neutral: It avoids judgments concerning the readings topic or style. 5. Independent: It makes sense to someone who has not read the source text. ( Adapted from Wilhoit, 2000)