IDENTIFYING TEXT STRUCTURE AND LANGUAGE Argumentative Paper

Defining Academic Text - Thesis Statement

- Background
 An academic text is a product of communication - Pro-Arguments
or piece of language used for academic - Counterarguments
purposes or in relation to academic courses - Conclusion
(subjects) (Menoy, 2016). II. Structure within Sections of Text
 It is discipline-specific rather than a general set Work with subheadings
of writing practices (Academic Writing in
English: Lund University, 2014). Depending on instructions from supervisors or
publishers, subheadings may have to be removed in the
 Academic texts use formal language, are finished text. If this is the case, they can be transformed
written with precision and accuracy, and follow into suitable topic sentences or transitional phrases in
a particular pattern of organization. order to help the reader make the desired transition
According to Hyland (2006), academic writing is from one section to another.
characterized by: Division into paragraphs
▪ High lexical density- a high proportion of - Ideally one idea per paragraph
content words in relation to grammar words - Avoid 1-whole page paragraph
such as prepositions, articles and pronouns - Ways of indicating the start of a new paragraph:
which makes academic writing more tightly (1) leave a blank between paragraphs or
packed with information (2)indent the first line of a new paragraph
▪ High nominal style- actions and events are
presented as nouns rather than verbs to III. Structure within Paragraphs
package complex phenomena as a single
element of clause - Topic Sentence (introductory sentence)
- Supporting Sentences
▪ Impersonal constructions- avoiding first-person - Concluding Sentence (transition sentence)
pronouns by using passive structure as well as
expression of feelings IV. Signposting the Structure
Academic Text Structure a. Subheadings (usually observed in
Title analytical papers such as theses and
dissertations)
- Avoid long and convoluted title.
- Include keywords of the text in the title in order b. Transitional words (Recall Reading and
to inform readers Writing lessons)
- Nouns as such as ‘investigation’, exploration’,
THE THESIS AND THE OUTLINE
‘discussion’, or ‘comparison’ could be used.
- Avoid false marketing. THESIS STATEMENT
Reference List The statement that gives the focus of a paper.
- This is to establish credibility and reliability of It provides direction on which ideas to include in a
the work. paper, or which ideas to expect from a written text.
- This may also help ease the search for more
information on the same topic. Qualities of a Good Thesis Statement (Winkler
- The institution decides what particular and McCuen, 1999)
reference style to follow.
A good thesis statement should:
I. Structure of the Whole Text ◆ Commit you to a SINGLE line of argument.
Three-Part Essay Structure ◆ Not be worded in figurative language.
- Introduction ◆ Not be worded vaguely.
- Body
◆ Not be worded as a question.
- Conclusion

Analytical Paper (IMRD) ◆ Should be concise as possible.

- Introduction Functions of a Good Thesis Statement

- Methodology The thesis statement:
- Results
- Discussion ◆ Is an answer to a research question.
◆ Predicts, controls, and obligates.
◆ Is an indicator of position of belief about a • Paragraph Outline- summarizes each
particular idea. paragraph and groups them under different
◆ Is different from a topic sentence. main ideas.

Tips for Writing the Thesis Statement Levels of Outline

1. Determine what kind of paper you - First-level Outline

- Second-level Outline
are writing or reading
- Third-level Outline
a. Analytical: breaks down an idea into
parts and evaluates it. Paraphrasing and Summarizing
b. Expository: explains the idea to the A paraphrase is... (Driscoll & Brizee, 2016)
audience. a) your own rendition of essential information and
ideas expressed by someone else, presented in a new
c. Argumentative: makes a claim and form.
justifies it with evidence. b) one legitimate way (when accompanied by
accurate documentation) to borrow from a source.
2. The thesis statement should be c) a more detailed restatement than a summary,
which focuses concisely on a single main idea.
specific. Reasons for Paraphrasing (Plata et al., 2002)
◆ Cover only what needs to be discussed. The Theoretically,
a) to give readers an accurate and comprehensive
evidence must be specific as well.
account of ideas taken from a source (Spatt, 1987, p.94)
3. Where to put your thesis statement? b) to reword information in complex style into more
simple and direct language (Sternglass, 1991, p.298)
◆ It is usually found at the end of the first Practically,
paragraph or at the end of the introduction. a) a research paper or any academic text cannot be
made up of pure direct quotations
b) such wholeness of the paper is dependent, for
OUTLINING one, on the consistency of style and tone of the writer

4 Main Components for Effective 6 Steps to Effective Paraphrasing (Driscoll

Outlining & Brizee, 2016)
1. PARALLELISM
The heading and the subheading should 1. Reread the original passage until you understand
its full meaning.
have a parallel structure.
2. Set the original aside, and write your paraphrase
on a note card.
If the heading is a verb, the second 3. Jot down a few words below your paraphrase to
heading should also be a verb. remind you later how you envision
2. COORDINATION using this material. At the top of the note card,
write a key word or phrase to indicate
Information in Heading 1 and Heading 2 the subject of your paraphrase.
should have the same significance. 4. Check your rendition with the original to make
sure that your version accurately
Only the subheadings should be less expresses all the essential information in a new
significant than the headings. form.
5. Use quotation marks to identify any unique term
or phraseology you have borrowed
3. SUBORDINATION exactly from the source.
6. Record the source (including the page) on your
Headings should be more general, while note card so that you can credit it
subheading should be more specific. easily if you decide to incorporate the material into
your paper.
4. DIVISION
Each heading should be divided into two or
Tips for effective paraphrasing
more parts. - Change one part of speech to another
- Use synonyms
Types of Outline - Change the word order (e.g. change from
active to passive and vice versa, move modifiers to
• Topic Outline- uses words or phrases different positions.
- Change the sentence structure, and use
• Sentence Outline- uses complete sentences different connecting words.
A summary is…
a) the condensed version of the original text (Plata
et al., 2002).

b) a synthesis of the key ideas of a piece of writing,

restated in your own words – i.e., paraphrased.
(Academic Integrity at MIT: A Handbook for Students,
n.d.).

7 Steps to Summarizing (University of New

England, n.d.)

1. If you are reading longer texts (e.g. a chapter, a

journal article), skim read the
information. Note sub-headings, the first and last
paragraphs and topic sentences.
2. Read the text carefully using a dictionary.
3. Reread a difficult text several times.
4. Write notes in point form using key words and
ideas.
5. Put your text away and write your summary from
your notes.
6. Refer back to the original to make sure that your
summary truly reflects the writer's
ideas and strength of opinion (degree of certainty
on this topic).
7. Do not forget to use an in-text reference at the
start or end of your summary.

Reminder: Do not forget to indicate the source of the

paraphrased/ summarized text, either as an
introductory tag [e.g. According to Jacks (2000) or Jacks
(2000) states that] or as a parenthetical citation at the
end of the paraphrase/summary [e.g. (Jacks, 2000)].
Use APA in-text citation format.