Writing conclusions

Thе conclusion at the end оf уоur essay sеrvеs а numbеr of functions:

- It is thе finаl раrt оf уоur text and so needs to рull together all the mаin ideas.

- It should rеfеr back tо what you outlined in уоur introduction and to уоur thesis statement.

- It is аn opportunity to show thе extent to which уоu hаvе been to deal with thе

issues involved in уоur thesis statement.

Just like intrоdцсtiоns, conclusions саn hаvе а numbеr of features:

1. а logical conclusion that is evident frоm thе development of the ideas in уоur essay, as well as а briеf summаrу of the main ideas in the essay

2. comments оп these ideas

3. pгedictions fоr futurе developments in the topic аrеа оr statement of furthеr rеsеаrсh thаt might bе rеquiгеd

4. а statement of thе limitations оf thе wоrk соvеrеd bу уоur essay

5. а rеfеrеnсе back to thе thesis statement first mentioned in the intrоduсtiоn

13. What makes a good summary?

Reporting verbs are widely used in academic writing, and can make a considerable contribution in demonstrating your stance and your analytical skills. You can choose to use some information from a text, and show clearly what you think about it from your choice of reporting verb.

Reporting verbs are also an important element of academic style, as you will be using them throughout your word, whether in summarizing, paraphrasing, or synthesizing ideas and in developing an argument. You have done some work on these in Unit 4, but will need to continue to develop your range of reporting verbs throughout your academic career. This stage will introduce you to more of the most common reporting verbs + that and show how you can use them to communicate your opinion about the sources more accurately.

14. The process of paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is writing the ideas of another person in your own words. You need to change the words and the structure but keep the meaning the same. Remember that even when you paraphrase someone’s work, you must acknowledge it.

The process of paraphrasing involves the following stages:

1. Read and understand the text.

2. Make a list of the main ideas.

a. Find the important ideas – the important words/phrases. In some way mark them - write them down, underline or highlight them.

b. Find alternative words/synonyms for these words/phrases – do not change specialized vocabulary and common words.

3. Change the structure of the text.

a. Identify the meaning relationships between the words/ideas – e.g. cause/effect, generalization, contrast. Express these relationships in different way.

b. Change the grammar of the text: change nouns to verbs, adjectives to adverbs, etc., break up long sentences, combine short sentences.

4. Rewrite the main ideas in complete sentences. Combine your notes into a piece of continuous writing.

5. Check your work.

a. Make sure the meaning is the same.

b. Try to be concise and keep a similar length (not easy!)

c. Make sure the style is your own.

d. Remember to acknowledge other people’s work.

Steps to paraphrasing:

· Ensure you understand the text

· Underline or highlight the key points

· Use synonyms(similar vocabulary) for the main content words

· Change the structure ofthe sentence i.e. grammar and word order (active-passive; adjectives to adverbs), rewriting in your own words

15. Strategies and techniques of presenting your project

General skills: Strategy and Techniques

1. Think: What’s my subject?

2. Why am I giving this presentation? What’s my purpose?

3.Who is my audience? Find out as much as you can about them: for example, how many people will attend, what they do, who they represent and why they’re interested in the subject.

Outline and organization: Strategy and Techniques

I. Introduction

II. Body

III. Conclusion

Presentation Skills: Language Worksheet

Effective openings

Communication experts are agreed that the first three minutes of a presentation are the most important. They talk about ‘hooks’ – simple techniques for getting the immediate attention of the audience. A good start makes you feel more confident.

Problem Technique

· Suppose ……… How would you ……

· Have you ever wondered why it is that …….. ?

· How many people here this morning/afternoon/ evening ….. well, imagine … Do you think that’s possible?

Date: 2016-01-03; view: 3105