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Unit 8. Incorporating data and illustrations.

In this unit you will:

- learn how data are incorporated into academic texts

- learn how to analyze data

- practise using the language of data commentary

Another aspect of academic writing is data commentary. Data are statistical information that is presented graphically in the form of tables or figures; they are used to support the information and ideas of the academic researcher. Illustrations include a range of images such as photographs, screenshots and diagrams. In academic writing, illustrations should only be used to help clarify ideas or information; in other words, they should enhance an explanation. you should always provide the sîurñå of your data.

In this unit, you will look at data connected with digital media, visits to Âritàin and perceptions of Britain as a holiday destination.

Task 1. The purpose of data

1.1 Brainstorm the following questions in groups. Use your own knowledge ànd the information above.

1. What àrå data?

2. Why àrå data sometimes included in academic texts?

Study tip Graphs ànd ñhàrts, (known as figures) and tables ñàn summarize key information in à very concise way.

 

Task 2. The language for incorporating data

2.1 Look at the examples of data (1-4) on pages37-38. Identify whether each piece of data is à figure or a table and label it appropriately.

lf it is à table, write Table [1] above. lf it is à figure, write Figure [1] below.

Note: The data includes two graphs, à bar chart and à table.

 

2.2 The two captions below match two of the pieces of data. Identify which pieces they belong to and write them in the appropriate position above or below the data.

1. Household take-up of digital television by type of service.

2. Selected media activities that would be missed the most àññîrding to age, 2008

 

1.3 Now think of captions for the other two pieces of data and write them in the appropriate places.

1.4 Read the text below and add a reference to each place at a suitable place in the text.

In 2008 the ‘digital switchoer’ began. Data from ofcom (figure 2) shows that nearly 87 per cent of homes in the UK had a digital television service at the end of the first quarter of 2008, a rise of 71 percentage points since 2000. A digital television set can also transmit digital radio stations. According to Radio Joint Audience Research limited, the average time spent listening to the radio by people in the UK in the first quarter of 2007 was 19 hours and 24 minutes per week; average listening time increases with age. Between 2001-2002 and 2006-2007, radio listening fell among most age groups. The proportion of people reading a daily newspaper has also been declining for a number of years. The national readership survey shows that, on an average day, less than 44 per cent of people aged 15 and over in Great Britain read a national daily newspaper in the 12 months to June 2008, compared with 72 per cent in the 12 months to June 1978. In 2007, Ofcom asked which media activity respondents would miss the most if they were all taken away. Watching television would be the most missed activity for all age groups except those aged 16 to 19, who would miss the mobile phone the most.



 

Source: Adapted from Self, A. (Ed.). (2008). Social trends 38 and hughes, M. (Ed.). (2009). Social trends 39. Retrieved April 21, 2009, from National Statistics Online: www.statistics.gov.uk

 

Self work task:

Make a short summary of the topic “Newspaper article summary”.

 

Unit 9. Paraphrasing, summarizing and writing introductions {part 1)

In this unit you will:

- look at paraphrasing i.e. writing another person’s idea in your own words

- look at summarizing, i.e. identifying the main ideas of the writer and putting them in your own words

 

Task 1: Paraphrasing

1.1 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. Look at this example, the original written by Andy Gillett.

 

Source

It has long been known that Cairo is the most populous place on earth, but no-one knew exactly how populous it was until last month.

Paraphrase

Although Cairo has been the world’s most heavily populated city for many years, the precise population was not known until four weeks ago. (Gillett, 2008).

 

What has the writer done to put this paragraph “into their own words”?

a)

b)

c)

 

 

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.

Adapted from Gillet, A. (2008) Information on paraphrasing retrieved from http://www.uefap.com/writing/writfram.htm

Task 2: Practice in paraphrasing

2.1 you are now going to practice paraphrasing single sentences. Choose one sentence from the text below on tourism in Goa and use the following steps to paraphrase:

· 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

Variously known as “Pearl of the Orient” and a “Tourist Paradise”, the state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan. The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendours of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favourite with travellers around the world. But then, Goa is much more than just beaches and sea. It has soul which goes deep into a unique history, rich culture and some of the prettiest natural scenery that India has to offer.

 

From: Goa Department of Tourism (2005). Retrieved January 12, 2005, from http://www.gotourism.org/About_Goa/goa_intro.htm

 

Paraphrase

 


Task 3: What is summary?

3.1Complete the definition of a summary below with suitable words for the gaps 1-6.

A summary is a (1) __________ version of a text. It contains the (2) __________points in the text and is written in your(3)__________words. It is a mixture of reducing a (4)________text to a shorter text and selecting relevant information. A good summary shows that you have (5)______ the text. When you summarize someone’s work, you (6)________acknowledge it.


You will often summarize ideas in academic writing, but summaries can also be useful when you are looking for information. It is an essential reading skill to preview certain parts of and article or book which provide summaries. These can help you decide how useful the material is for your purposes. The table below lists these parts

3.2What is meant by the following terms?

(i) ‘table of contents’

(ii) ‘blurb’

(iii) ‘preface’

 

Academic article Title Abstract Introduction Conclusion Headings Topic sentences Diagrams
Book Title Table of Contents Blurb Introduction Preface Conclusion Headings Topic sentences Diagrams
Chapter Title Introduction (1st 2/3 parag’s) Conclusion (last 2/3 parag’s) Headings Topic sentences Diagrams
Essay/report/dissertation Title Table of Contents (if appropriate) Abstract (if appropriate) Introduction Conclusion Section headings Sub-headings Topic sentences Diagrams

 

Task 4: Practice in summarizing.

4.1 Look at the short sample summary below and discuss with a partner the changes and omissions which have been made in order to produce the summary.

Source: The amphibia, which is the animal class to which our frogs and toads belong, were the first animals to crawl from the sea and inhabit the earth.
Summary: The first animals to leave the sea and live on dry land were the amphibia. (Gillet, 2008)

Source: Gillet, A. (2008) Information on summarizing adapted from http://www.uefap.com/writing/writfram.htm

Self work task:

Make a short summary of the topic “The main provisions of the "Strategy 2050" Republic of Kazakhstan”.


Date: 2016-01-05; view: 4676


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