Module 2

Module 2

Essentials for Academic Writing

In this module, you will learn

Academic language: general aspects

The purpose of an essay

Different types of essays

Reaction paper: its structure

What’s the purpose of an essay?

STOP AND THINK

What's the purpose of an essay?

Essays are a common form of assessment, for example in disciplines such as Business, International Relations, Law, Elistory, Geography, Theology, Communication Studies, Education and Economics.There are many reasons why essays are still the most popular type of assignment. One of them is that they ask students to demonstrate more than just knowledge.

What's the purpose of an essay?

Essays are a common form of assessment, for example in disciplines such as Business, International Relations, Law, Elistory, Geography, Theology, Communication Studies, Education and Economics.There are many reasons why essays are still the most popular type of assignment. One of them is that they ask students to demonstrate more than just knowledge.

VIDEO

Watch this video on the purpose of an academic essay.

What's the purpose of an essay?

A finished essay demonstrates more than just the knowledge researchers have about a topic. The writers will have:- found out much more than what they were taught in lectures and seminars - weighed up the evidence about different points of view - developed they own point of view - increased their knowledge and their depth of understanding - trained their memory to remember the important facts - By writing the information down in essay form, they will have: * organized their thoughts * practised and improved their ability to communicate in writing * shown awareness of the reader, of academic conventions and the way others write in their discipline.

What are the different types of essays?

Types of essays

Essays are organised differently according to their purpose. Essays can be divided into the following main types.

Analytical

Persuasive

Critical

Descriptive

What is a reaction paper?

Reaction Paper

In a reaction essay, the writer is usually given a "prompt" -a visual or written stimulus-to think about and then respond to. Common prompts or stimuli for this type of writing are quotes, pieces of literature, photos, paintings, multimedia presentations, and news events. A reaction focuses on the writer's feelings, opinions, and personal observations about the particular prompt. Your task in writing a reaction essay is twofold: to briefly summarize the prompt (stimulus) and to give your personal reaction to it.

reaction paper: structure

Introduction

The Introduction: A description or summary of the thing being reacted to.It is very important to start with a description or summary so that the rest of your writing will make sense. In a reaction essay, your first job is to ensure that the reader has a solid understanding of what you are responding to. If you are responding to a work, such as a reading, photo, or film, make sure to mention the title and author of the work in the introduction. This paragraph also contains the thesis statement (usually the last sentence in this paragraph).

Body part (1)

Body (Part I): The first reaction or response to the promptThis includes a topic sentence and supporting details. The details can either come from the original prompt (quotes, ideas, visuals, and so on) or be original ideas and opinions.

Body part (2)

Body (Part 2): The second reaction or response to the promptAfter the topic sentence, write supporting details that help to get your second point across.

Conclusion

The Conclusion: Your overall reaction to the prompt mentioned in the introduction. You may choose to evaluate whether the prompt had an overall effect or impact on you personally.

SUMMARY

Reaction paper

Introduction

Body

Conclusion

Summary of prompt and thesis statement

Your first and second reaction or response to the prompt.

Evaluation of the prompt.

Academic language: general aspects

Subject- verb agreement

The basic subject-verb agreement rule in English is very simple. It states that a singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb. However, there are a few problems with this formulation of the rule that need to be mentioned. Check the following links and video to learn more about this.

Subject -Verb Agreement rules

Subject -Verb Agreement handout

Subject -Verb Agreement video

Active and Passive Voice

Active voice and passive voice are grammatical constructions that communicate certain information about an action. Specifically, APA explains that voice shows relationships between the verb and the subject and/or object (see APA 7, Section 4.13). Writers need to be intentional about voice in order to ensure clarity. Using active voice often improves clarity, while passive voice can help avoid unnecessary repetition. Check the following links to know more about this.

Active-pasive voice rules

Active - passive voice handout

COMPREHENSION CHECK

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

REFERENCES

Geyte, E. V. (2013). Writing: learn to write better academic essays. Keith S. Folse, April Muchmore-Vokoun, Elena, Vestri Solomon. (2014). Great Writing 4: Great Essays. Fourth Edition. National Geographic Learning. https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/writing/types-of-academic-writing.html https://www.hunter.cuny.edu/rwc/repository/files/the-writing-process/invention/writing-a-response-or-reaction-paper.pdf https://twp.duke.edu/sites/twp.duke.edu/files/file-attachments/response-paper.original.pdf https://www.awelu.lu.se/language/common-problems-and-how-to-avoid-them/subject-verb-agreement/ https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/subjectverbagreement https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/scholarlyvoice/activepassive .