COMMUNICATION FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES ACADEMIC REFERENCE SKILLS

● Reference skills encompass a variety of sub-skills

GENRES - Are categories of texts which follow specific
related to different types of reference materials.
(1) rules which simply mean the things that can and
● Sub-divisions include language reference skills
cannot be done and (2) convention which refers to the
(efficient use of dictionaries, books) and academic
traditional or expected ways of doing things.
reference skills (library use, citing sources).
ACADEMIC GENRES - Are those genres of written and ● "Research skills" may be used interchangeably with
oral communication privileged in places of higher "academic reference skills."
learning, like genres are those genres of written and ● Efficient use of dictionaries and libraries.
oral professional and comprehensive universities.
EXAMPLES OF RELIABLE SOURCE
GENRES OF ACADEMIC WRITING ● Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com/)
ABSTRACT ● Education Resources Information Center
● Concise summary of a research article, thesis, or (https://eric.ed.gov/ )
analysis. ● Taylor & Francis (https://taylorandfrancis.com/)
● Helps the readers understand the purpose of the ● Academia (https://www.academia.edu/)
paper. ● EBSCO (https://www.ebsco.com/)
● Appears at the beginning of a manuscript ● DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals)
● In science, an abstract can stand alone, providing key ● ResearchGate (https://www.researchgate.net/)
insights without requiring the full paper.
AUDIENCE, TONE, AND CONTENT
BOOK REVIEW ● Audience, tone, and content must align for effective
● Evaluates recently written works, offering a brief communication. The audience shapes the tone, while
description of key points and assessing strengths and the tone influences how the content is delivered. When
weaknesses. balanced, they ensure clarity, engagement, and impact.
● They are often solicited and range from 500 to 750 ● One paragraph focuses on only one main idea and
words but can vary in length and depth depending on presents coherent sentences to support that one point.
the journal.
THINKING ABOUT ACADEMIC PURPOSE
LABORATORY REPORT PURPOSE = REASON FOR WRITING
● Laboratory reports, or "lab reports," outline the In academic settings, the reasons for writing fulfill four
results of experimental research projects and main purposes:
emphasize professional conduct and source ● to summarize
acknowledgment. ● to analyze
● to synthesize
RESEARCH ARTICLE ● and to evaluate
● A research article represents the final culmination of Summarize - presenting the key points.
an involved process involving research, critical thinking, Analyze - breaking down ideas.
and source evaluation. Synthesize - combine information from different
● It evolves and changes as the student explores, sources.
interprets, and evaluates sources related to the topic. Evaluate - assess the quality or credibility
CONFERENCE PRESENTATION THINKING ABOUT THE AUDIENCE
● Conferences serve as significant platforms for ● Audiences can be categorized as known, multiple, or
presenting cutting-edge research, especially in science unknown. Known audiences include people you are
and engineering. familiar with or those whose needs you understand,
● Researchers present papers and receive audience even if you don't know them personally. When writing
feedback at conferences. for these audiences, you are aware of their expectations
● Papers presented at conferences are typically and needs, which helps you communicate more
published in a volume known as conference effectively.
proceedings.
WRITING A SYNTHESIS PROPERLY CITING THE WORKS OF OTHERS IS
● A synthesis combines ideas from multiple sources to IMPORTANT BECAUSE:
create a new, unique point. It blends information from 1. Proper citation allows readers to locate the materials
individual pieces of writing without repeating them, you used.
forming a fresh thesis or concept. 2. Citing other people's words and ideas indicates that
you have conducted a thorough review of the literature
WRITING AN EVALUATION PARAGRAPH
on your topic; therefore, you are operating from an
● Evaluation judges the value of something and
informed perspective.
determines its worth.
3. Other researcher's ideas can be used to reinforce
● Often influenced by opinion and prior knowledge.
your arguments or, if you disagree with them, can act as
WRITING AN ANALYSIS PAPER positions from which to argue an alternative viewpoint.
An analysis paper requires you to: 4. Just as other researcher's ideas can bolster your
● Formulate a thesis, gather sources, and evaluate arguments and act as evidence for your ideas, they can
them. also detract from your credibility if they are found to be
● Support original ideas and document everything. mistaken or fabricated.
● Use techniques like brainstorming, clustering, and 5. Outside academe, ideas are considered intellectual
free writing. property and there can be serious repercussions if you
● It examines and interprets things such as books, plays, fail to cite the reference where you got an idea.
events, or works of art.
STRUCTURE AND WRITING STYLE
KEY FEATURES OF TEXTUAL ANALYSIS STRUCTURE - Overall plan of your paper.
A SUMMARY OF THE TEXT WRITING STYLE - It is how you use language in your
● Provide background information about the text. ideas to communicate your paper.

ATTENTION TO THE CONTENT GENERAL GUIDELINES IN REFERENCING

● Consider the conversations, debates, or controversies
ON REFERENCING OTHER PEOPLE'S WORK
surrounding the text.
- Referencing other people’s research is never an
A CLEAR INTERPRETATION OR JUDGMENT indication that your work is substandard or lacks
● Lead readers through analysis with a thesis originality if placed in the proper context.
statement. ON FINDING THAT YOUR IDEA HAS ALREADY BEEN
EXAMINED BY OTHER RESEARCHERS
REASONABLE SUPPORT FOR CONCLUSIONS - Do not ignore another author’s work because doing so
● Use textual evidence and external sources. will lead you readers to believe that you have either
CONVENTION AND REFERENCE STYLE borrowed the idea or information without properly
ACADEMIC WRITING referencing it.
● Academic writing refers to a style of expression that ON USING SOMEONE ELSE'S WORK
researchers use to define the intellectual boundaries of - You still must cite the original work. Citing the original
their disciplines and their specific areas of expertise. source helps your reader to locate where the
information was first presented.
CITATION ON CITING FOR SEVERAL AUTHORS WHO HAVE
● A citation is a reference to a published or unpublished PUBLISHED VERY SIMILAR INFORMATION AND IDEAS
source that you consulted and obtained information - You can indicate that the idea or information can be
from while writing your research paper. found in the work of others.
CITATION STYLE ON FINDING EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY IN
● APA (American Psychological Association) THE WRITING OF OTHER RESEARCHERS
● MLA (Modern Language Association - Sometimes, you encounter a passage in another
● Chicago researcher's work that perfectly captures your own
● Turabian thoughts or ideas.
ON CITING SOURCE OF LONG AGO
- Any source used in writing your paper
should be cited, regardless of when the study was PROPER NOTE TAKING PROCEDURE
completed. Here are some note-taking tips taken from Bullock and
Goggin (2013) that you may find useful:
CITATION STYLES
1. Create a comprehensive record by photocopying or
● APA (American Psychological Association):
printing relevant pages from sources.
● MLA (Modern Language Association):
2. If unable to photocopy, use index cards to copy
● Chicago/Turabian:
important passages.
● IEEE:
3. Engage in seemingly mechanical tasks while working
STEPS IN WRITING AN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH PLAN on your project.
THE RESEARCH PROCESS 4. In your notes, either summarize in your own words or
● Effective time management may be the most use quotation marks for exact quotes.
important factor in determining the success of your 5. Organize materials meticulously.
research project. 6. Maintain a working bibliography with all necessary
● A research project takes time-you simply cannot put it details for compiling the final bibliography.
off until a couple of days before the due date. 7. Save copies of all research materials.
● Three phases of the research project: (1) conducting
HOW TO WRITE A JOURNAL ARTICLE: TIPS AND TOOLS
research, (2) writing your rough draft, and (3) revising
Adapted from Dr. Sarah Boon (2006)
the draft.
1. Seek guidance from your instructor
THE RESEARCH PHASE 2. Writing as an independent researcher
● Factor this into your research plan. Merely collecting 3. Use available writing resources 4. Manage your time
materials is not research. Conversely, collecting wisely
materials from a variety of sources reading it carefully, 5. Writing is a key step in research
taking notes properly, and truly familiarizing yourself 6. Find additional resources
with the material – is research.
PREPARING TO WRITE
STEPS OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD ● It can be useful to save journal articles in a reference
1. Identify a problem or ask a question management system.
2. Conduct a literature review ● Ensure that the design of your research project
3. Form a hypothesis; give operational definitions to includes a well-defined research goal and series of
variables objectives.
4. Choose research design or method ● A good paper requires that you maintain an excellent
5. Collect data notes of the materials you used and the methods you
6. Analyze data applied to answer your research question.
7. Disseminate findings
RESEARCH PAPER STRUCTURE
WAYS OF ORGANIZING A PROPOSAL A typical research paper is divided into eight sections:
1. Title
2. Abstract
3. Introduction
4. Materials and Methods
5. Results and Discussion
6. Conclusion
7. Acknowledgement
THE WRITING PHASE AND THE REVISION PHASE 8. References
THE WRITING PHASE
● Avoid conducting your research and writing your draft TITLE AND ABSTRACT
simultaneously. ● Researchers often read the title and abstract first to
THE REVISION PHASE decide if they want to read the whole paper. It's best to
● Remember that revision means "re-seeing.” write them last, after finishing the paper.
INTRODUCTION easier to follow and help readers find specific
● The introduction gives background information about information.
your topic and explains why it is important.
VISUALS
MATERIALS AND METHODS
● Visuals add color and aesthetics to what you present,
● This section outlines the steps of your study so others
but you need to be cautious in using photos, graphs,
can replicate it.
charts, tables, and diagrams effectively.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
SPOKEN TEXT
● This section presents your research findings.
● It refers to language produced orally, in its
CONCLUSION
spontaneous form, as opposed to written language.
● The conclusion of a research paper explains the
DELIVERING A SPOKEN TEXT
results and whether the hypotheses were accepted or
● The key to a successful presentation of a spoken text
rejected.
is very much dependent on delivery.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND REFERENCE
● Always be sure to recognize the contributions of 1. Speak clearly. The foremost aim of the spoken text is
others to your research. For references – this is where for the audience to understand what you have to say.
the reference management system we talked about 2. Pause for emphasis. As a speaker, you need to pause
previously comes in, as it should make it relatively easy by thought phrases to give listeners a moment to
to create the reference list. consider something you have said.
3. Avoid reading your presentation. Most speakers find
MEDIA/DESIGN it difficult to present without a manuscript; hence, they
● This section offers guidelines on how to design print need to write as if they were talking.
texts, spoken texts, and electronic texts. 4. Stand up straight and look at your audience. Try to
THE PRINT TEXT maintain some eye contact with your audience.
● For any printed material to be visually attractive, 5. Use gestures for emphasis. If you are not used to
photos, tables, charts, and other visuals should be speaking in front of a group, you may let your
provided. nervousness show by holding your manuscript.
6. Practice, practice, and practice some more. Pay
CONSIDERING THE RHETORICAL QUESTION
particular attention to how much time you have, do not
Example of rhetorical situation:
go over your time limit.
1. Purpose
2. Audience APA REFERENCING BASICS
3. Genre REFERENCE LIST
4. Stance ● A reference list is a complete list of references used in
a piece of writing including the author’s name, date of
ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
publication, title and more.
In making decisions as regards various designs, you
IN-TEXT CITATION
must consider the following:
● In-text references must be included following the use
1. What typeface(s) should you use?
of a quote or paraphrase taken from another piece of
2. How should you arrange your text on the page?
work. It is also known as in-text citations and are found
3. Should you include any headings?
within the main body of the text and refer to a direct
GUIDELINES IN CHOOSING ELEMENTS OF DESIGN quote or paraphrase.
1. Type - You can choose from among many typefaces, - Two authors
and the one you choose will affect your text. - Three, four, or five authors
2. Layout is the way a text is arranged on a page. - Six or more authors
3. Paragraphs - Dividing a text into paragraphs focuses - No author
information for readers and helps them process the - Citing authors with multiple works from one year
information by dividing it into manageable chunks. - Citing multiple works in one parenthesis
4. Lists - Put information into a list form that you want - Citing a group or organization
to set off and make easily accessible. - Citing a secondary source
5. Headings - Headings make the structure of a text
CITATION OF DIFFERENT SOURCE TYPES
● An in-text citation does not vary depending on source
type, unless the author is unknown. However, reference
list citations are highly variable depending on the
source.

CITATION OF AN EDITED BOOK IN APA FORMAT

● This reference format is very similar to the book
format apart from one extra inclusion: (Ed(s)).

CITATION OF A CHAPTER IN AN EDITED BOOK IN APA

FORMAT
● Edited books are collations of chapters written by
different authors.

CITATION OF AN E-BOOK IN APA FORMAT

● An e-book reference is the same as a book reference
except that the publisher is swapped for a URL.

CITATION OF AN E-BOOK CHAPTER IN APA FORMAT

● This follows the same structure as an edited book
chapter reference except that the publisher is
exchanged for a URL.

CITATION OF A JOURNAL ARTICLE IN PRINT OR ONLINE

IN APA FORMAT
● Articles differ from book citations in that the
publisher and its location are not included. For journal
articles, these are replaced with the journal title,
volume number, issue number and page number.