English writing

Conventions (Formal <-> Informal)

1. in conclusion/ at the end of the paper    <->    at last

2. section        <->        part

3. Never use the word "mention"

4. "offer"        <->       "come up with"

5. review, maintain, develop, cause, eliminate, reach, determine, investigate, decrease, constitute

6. nearly <-> just

7. considerable <-> a lot of

8. obtain <-> get

9. Generally avoid contractions

10. Use the more appropriate formal negative forms: no <-> not...any; little <-> not...much; few <-> not...many.

11. Limit the use of "run-on" expressions, such as "and so forth" and "etc.".

12. Avoid address the reader as you.

13. Be careful about using direct questions.

14. Place adverbs within the verb: midposition <-> initial or final position.

15. Consider whether you should split infinitives: place adverbs between "to" and the verb.

16. Aim for an efficient use of words.

17. Use different words with same meaning.

18. Linking words and phrases

  Subordinators ( introduces a dependent clause that must be joined to a complete sentence) Sentence connectors ( Introduce a complete sentence) Phrase Linkers ( Introduce a noun phrase) Addition   furthermore
in addition
moreover in addition to Adversative although
even though however
nevertheless despite
in spite of Cause and Effect because
since therefore
as a result
consequently
hence
thus because of
due to
as a result of Clarification   in other words
that is   Contrast while
whereas in contrast
however
on the other hand
conversely unlike Illustration   for example
for instance   Intensification   on the contrary
as a matter of fact
in fact  

19. Use semicolon before "however, thus, for example".

20. this/these + summary word

21. Definition phrases: denote, known as, define as, refer as.

22. In a formal sentence definition, "the" is not used.

23. Whereby is commonly used in formal writing instead of by which, by means of which, and through which.

For example: Collective bargaining is a process whereby employers agree to discuss work-related issues with employee representatives.

24. Avoid using when and where in a definition.

25. Every sentence must count!

26. As an alternative to using sentence connectors such as therefore and as a result, causal relationships can also be expressed by -ing clauses of result.

(thus/thereby) -ing clause

27. Structure of Data Commentary: (1) Location elements and/or summary statements; (2) Highlighting statements; (3) Discussions of implications, problems, exceptions, recommendations, etc.

28. Metadiscourse - sentences or phrases that help readers make their way through a text by revealing such things as organization, referring readers to relevant parts of a text, or establishing logical connections.

29. Indicative & Informative summary: show can be both, provide can only be indicative, not form like "provide+that". present + sth.  no "present + that".

30. Words: show, present, illustrate, summarizes, demonstrates, contains, provides, depicts, lists, reports. shown in, illustrated in, presented in, given in, listed in, seen in, provided in, summarized in, seen from.

 

Organization

1. Problem-Solution: (1) Description of a situation; (2) Identification of a problem; (3) Description of a solution; (4) Evaluation of the solution.

2. Comparison-Contrast

3. Cause-Effect

4. Classification

5. General-Specific: (1) General statement; (2) Detail in support of the general statement; (3) More detailed; (4) Broader statement.

The beginning of GS texts is usually like one of the following: (1) a short or extended definition; (2) a contrastive or comparative definition; (3) a generalization or purpose statement; (4) a statement of fact.

6. IMRD - Introduction, Method, Result, Discussion

 

Summary

1. At most one direct quote.

2. Use past or present tense.

3. Steps: (1) Skim the text; (2) Why to write, what type the text is; (3) Highlight important information; (4) Write down main points of each section; (5) Main points; (6) Making necessary changes.

4. Guidelines: (1) Always try to use your own words, except for technical terms; (2) Include enough support and detail so that the presentation is clear; (3) Do not try to paraphrase specialized vocabulary or technical terms; (4) Focus on the content of the original; (5) Make sure the summary reads smoothly. Use enough transition devices and supporting detail.

5. Source sentence: (1) According to Boskin(2004)... (2) Boskin's 2004 paper on fluoridation discuss ... (3) Bernstein (2004) states/claims/argues/maintains that ... (4) In Tyson's article "...", ... .

6. Reporting verbs: propose, use, describe, show, publish, develop; describe, show, report, discuss, give, develop; study, find, expand, observe.

7. sentence connectors: additionally, in addition to, also, furthermore, further, moreover.

8. To show similarity: Similarly, ... ; Likewise, ... ; In the same fashion, ... ; As in X, in Y ... ; Like X, Y ... ; the same ... .

9. To show contrast: In contrast, ... ; Unlike X, Y ... ; In contrast to ... ; On the other hand, ... ; ...; however, ... ; ..., but ... ; Whereas ... , ... ; ..., whereas, ... ; While ... , ... ; ... , while ... .

10. Phrases: to be similar to; to resemble; to be comparable to; to correspond to; to different from; to contrast with; to be different from.

 

Critique

1. Use present tense.

2. Don't use much direct questions.

3. Structure should be like:(1) Cite the article source; (2) A brief summery; (3) Positive evaluation; (4) Critique, usually is negative; (5) A summery of the critique.

4. For specific critique point, the structure is usually like: (1) what the author said/did originally; (2) what you say about that; (3) why you say so; (4) suggestions to improve.

5. Evaluative language: useful, important, interesting, clarity, accessibility, detailed, up-to-date.

6. Unreal conditionals: would/might have + verb + comparison+ if + noun phrase + had verb.

7. should have is a criticism, could have is more a suggestion, and might have is a weak suggestion.

8. unusual, ambitious, modest, competent, impressive, elegant, useful, careful, significant, innovative, interesting, simple, traditional, complex, small scale, exploratory, preliminary.

9. Inversions.

10. Scare quotes.