Writing Advanced: Challenges & Strategies

Using your reading in your writing Advanced The ACE Team A look at some more difficult aspects of using sources in writing. The session will start at 12.30 pm. If you are having difficulties seeing the screen or hearing, try leaving and coming back in again. If you are waiting: What makes a good piece of academic writing?

The ACE Team The story so far Effective academic writers have something to say and Select ideas and/or details from their reading for different purposes Represent their source material appropriately Organise their points and supporting evidence into coherent stories or arguments Apply theory / models / frameworks to a particular case or situation Include comment and evaluation To provide background information To support a point To introduce theories or studies illustrating different viewpoints or current debates in the literature To lead to a comparison Through selective summary and paraphrase Without distortion of meaning 2

The ACE Team What s difficult about using reading in writing? Shaping your own text Upholding scholarly standards of integrity Variety Transitions In types of source and writer to source Economy Being selective in use of source points / words Originality and creativity Making connections - Between theory and case - Between theories - Between ideas from different disciplines Seeing gaps Source to writer In types of contribution required of the sources In stance towards the source material Description to comment Including only enough description Flow and sequence Incorporating Seeing possibilities comment into description 3

Todays topics: Some aspects a writer needs to consider The ACE Team 1) Organising and integrating the source material to create a well-structured text with a sense of direction 2) Making it clear for the reader who is speaking at any time 3) Using the source material for different purposes and with varying stance 4) From source to text: Upholding scholarly standards 5) Making every word count 4

1st aspect: Creating a well-structured text with a sense of direction The ACE Team How is the argument presented in each of these mini-texts? What comes from the writer? Which of these do you like best as writing? Why? A. Thomas (2021) identifies a number of very positive aspects resulting from the largescale shift to online learning prompted by the pandemic. These include X, Y and Z. However, there also seem to be significant disadvantages. Some of the most serious of these can be identified as U, V and W (Rowlands, 2021). B. One important advantage of more widespread use of online learning has been (Ali, 2021). Benson (2022) also points to . Another benefit is (Charles, 2022). On the other hand, Delaney (2023) identifies an issue with , while doubts have also been raised about . (Edwards, 2022). C. While the widespread use of online learning has both benefits and drawbacks, it seems that the benefits may be greater for the individual and the drawbacks greater for the development of collaborative working. Thus for example Thomas (2021) identifies . while Rowlands (2021) warns of ... 5

The ACE Team Creating a well-structured text with a sense of direction Key: 1stsource or view. 2ndsource or point of view. No highlighting = from the writer. A. Thomas (2021) identifies a number of very positive aspects resulting from the largescale shift to online learning prompted by the pandemic. These include X, Y and Z. However, there also seem to be significant disadvantages. Some of the most serious of these can be identified as U, V and W (Rowlands, 2021). B. One important advantage of more widespread use of online learning has been (Ali, 2021). Benson (2022) also points to . Another benefit is (Charles, 2022). On the other hand, Delaney (2023) identifies an issue with , while doubts have also been raised about . (Edwards, 2022). C. While the widespread use of online learning has both benefits and drawbacks, it seems that the benefits may be greater for the individual and the drawbacks greater for the development of collaborative working. Thus for example Thomas (2021) identifies . while Rowlands (2021) warns of ... Is this relevant to your own writing? 6

The ACE Team 2nd aspect: Making it clear who is speaking at any time Where does the writer stop drawing on T? Where does the writer start drawing on R? T (2021) identifies a number of very positive aspects resulting from the largescale shift to online learning prompted by the pandemic. These include prospects for far greater flexibility in content, pace and time of studying, as well as savings in time and money. However, there also seem to be significant disadvantages. Some of the most serious of these can be identified as barriers to effective collaboration, reduced sense of belonging to a community and potential eye strain (R, 2021). 7

The ACE Team 2nd aspect: Making it clear who is speaking at any time Where does the writer stop drawing on T? Where does the writer start drawing on R? T (2021) identifies a number of very positive aspects resulting from the largescale shift to online learning prompted by the pandemic. These include prospects for far greater flexibility in content, pace and time of studying, as well as savings in time and money. However, there also seem to be significant disadvantages. Some of the most serious of these can be identified as barriers to effective collaboration, reduced sense of belonging to a community and potential eye strain (R, 2021). Do you agree with this analysis? Could the transitions be made more clear? Should they? Is this relevant to your own writing? 8

The ACE Team Aspect 3a: Using the source material for different purposes What roles does the source material fulfil in this paragraph ? (eg 1 Provides supporting evidence; 2 Provides background information; 3 An object for analysis and/or critique; 4 Theory / model suggested as a useful tool; 5 Other ) A number of studies have investigated the effects of the largescale shift to online learning prompted by the pandemic, with differing conclusions. T (2021), for example, identifies a number of very positive aspects. These include Savings in travelling time and cost should also be remembered (J, 2022). R (2021), however, highlights some significant disadvantages, such as P (2023) notes further issues affecting This latter study, although recent, was based solely on self-report and its findings would be significantly strengthened if supported by an analysis based on N s (2001) framework for evaluating educational developments. 9

The ACE Team Aspect 3a: Using the source material for different purposes Roles fulfilled by the source material: Do you agree? (Background information; supporting evidence; an object for analysis and/or critique; a theory / model useful as a tool to be applie ) A number of studies have investigated the effects of the largescale shift to online learning during the pandemic, with differing conclusions. T (2021), for example, identifies a number of very positive aspects. These include Savings in travelling time and cost should also be remembered (J, 2022). R (2021), however, highlights some significant disadvantages, such as P (2023) notes further issues affecting This latter study, although recent, was based solely on self-report and its findings would be significantly strengthened if supported by an analysis based on N s (2001) framework for evaluating educational developments. Is this relevant to your own writing? 10

The ACE Team Aspect 3b: Writer s stance What stance (attitude) towards the sources does the writer convey in each of these examples? (eg Accepts as fact, neutral, regards positively or negatively) How is the stance conveyed? 1 K (2023) identifies a number of very positive developments resulting from the largescale shift to online learning. 2 K (2023) demonstrates that the largescale shift to online learning has brought significant benefits to many students. 3 In a very comprehensive study of secondary schools in England, K (2023) identifies a number of very positive developments resulting from the largescale shift to online learning. 4 K s (2023) findings differ from those of L (2023), who claims that the benefits of online learning have been overestimated. 5 The trend in business confidence in the UK is uncertain (Financial Times, 2023). 11

The ACE Team Aspect 3b: writer s stance Key: Presents as fact; neutral; regards positively; regards negatively Do you agree? 1 K (2023) identifies a number of very positive developments resulting from the largescale shift to online learning. 2 K (2023) demonstrates that the largescale shift to online learning has brought significant benefits to many students. 3 In a very comprehensive study of secondary schools in England, K (2023) identifies a number of very positive developments resulting from the largescale shift to online learning. 4 K s (2023) findings differ from those of L (2023), who claims that the benefits of online learning have been overestimated. 5 The trend in business confidence in the UK is uncertain (Financial Times, 2023). Is this relevant to your own writing? 12

The ACE Team Aspect 4: From source to text Upholding scholarly standards. My text According to the World Bank (2023), food price inflation continues to be elevated across the globe. Data from February to May 2023, the most up-to-date available, demonstrates inflation higher than 5% and in many cases 10% or above in the majority of low-income countries (66.7%), lower-middle-income countries (81.4%), upper-middle-income countries (77%), as well as high-income countries (80.4%). In 84.5% of 161 countries with data available, food price inflation was higher than overall inflation. Africa, North America, Latin America, South and Central Asia and Europe all have some of the worst- impacted nations. Original Domestic food price inflation remains high around the world. Information from the latest month between February 2023 and May 2023 for which food price inflation data are available shows high inflation in most low- and middle-income countries, with inflation higher than 5% in in 66.7% of low-income countries, 81.4% of lower-middle- income countries, and 77% of upper-middle- income countries, with many experiencing double-digit inflation. In addition, 80.4% of high- income countries are experiencing high food price inflation. The most-affected countries are in Africa, North America, Latin America, South Asia, Europe, and Central Asia. In real terms, food price inflation exceeded overall inflation in 84.5% from 161 countries where data is available. (World Bank, 2023). 13

The ACE Team Aspect 4: From source to text - Upholding scholarly standards Which of these do you prefer? Why? 1 According to the World Bank (2023), food price inflation continues to be elevated across the globe. Data from February to May 2023, the most up-to-date available, demonstrates inflation higher than 5% and in many cases 10% or above in the majority of low-income countries (66.7%), lower-middle-income countries (81.4%), upper-middle- income countries (77%), as well as high-income countries (80.4%). In 84.5% of 161 countries with data available, food price inflation was higher than overall inflation. Africa, North America, Latin America, South and Central Asia and Europe all have some of the worst-impacted nations. 2 The World Bank (2023) highlights the global persistence of high food inflation, with countries across all income bands affected. N (2023) confirms this picture and predicts It therefore seems likely that national governments will need to continue working on security of supply chains and 3 Table 1 illustrates rates of overall and food price inflation for a sub-set of countries in different income categories (World Bank, 2023). From these figures, it appears that 14

The ACE Team Aspect 4: From source to text - Upholding scholarly standards 1 Why does a writer include paraphrase? 2 Generally, is a good paraphrase a) The same length as the original text? b) Shorter than the original text? c) Longer than the original text? Why? 3 Is it helpful to use any of these in constructing a paraphrase: a) A thesaurus or dictionary b) A tool like Google Translate c) A tool like Grammarly GO AI-powered writing assistant / MS Editor. Why / Why not? Is this relevant to your own writing? 15

The ACE Team Aspect 5: Making every word count How do these examples differ? Which do you prefer? Why? 1 X s (2018) theory argues that learning is almost entirely a process within the individual, involving cognitive processes and the creation of associations between what the person already knows and the new information or skill. This theory proposes highly personalised learning, based on constant assessment of the individual s current stage. It therefore sees online learning as a convenient tool and its continued use following the pandemic as potentially beneficial. 2 According to X s (2018) theory, the shift to online learning prompted by the pandemic would have been beneficial, provided that the learning programmes and resources used were highly personalised to the individual s current stage. 3 The strong focus on the individual in X s (2018) theory of learning does not take account of recent findings such as G and H (2023), confirming the value of collaboration for developing understanding. Is this relevant to your own writing? 16

The ACE Team Reflection Organising and integrating the source material to create a well-structured text with a sense of direction Making it clear for the reader who is speaking at any time Using the source material for different purposes and with varying stance Image of a person thinking (Cliparting.com, no date) From source to text: Upholding scholarly standards: Making every word count To what extent do you do these in your own writing? Is there any aspect you would like to work on? 17

The ACE Team What next? Anything else that needs to be picked up another time? A follow-up drop-in session or tutorial? ACE resources on Writing assignments Being a critical academic University of Manchester Academic Phrasebank (see ref list) Article on writer s voice Robbins, 2016 (see ref list) 18

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The ACE Team References Cliparting.com (no date) Person - Image 24568. Available at: https://cliparting.com/free-person-clipart-24568 (Accessed: 25 July 2020.) Robbins, S. (2016) Finding your voice as an academic writer (and writing clearly) , Journal of Social Work Education 52 (2): pp 133 135. Taylor and Francis. doi: 10.1080/10437797.2016.1151267 University of Manchester (no date) Academic Phrasebank. Available at: https://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk (Accessed: 4 July 2023). World Bank (2023) Food security update. Available at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture/brief/food-security- update?intcid=ecr_hp_BeltA_en_ext (Accessed: 3 July 2023.) 20