Essay Conventions

Should a piece of evidence be used as the point (topic sentence) of a paragraph?

• Yes, it should.

• No, it shouldn't.

• Not sure

Choose the correct format for an integral reference (where the author is part of the sentence).

• David Crystal (2013) states that ...

• (David Crystal, 2013) states that ...

• Crystal (2013) states that ...

Choose the correct format for a non-integral reference (where the author is NOT part of the sentence).

• (David Crystal, 2013)

• Crystal 2013

• (Crystal, 2013)

• (Crystal 2013)

It is acceptable to include personal pronouns and phrases such as 'I think' and 'In my opinion' in academic writing.

• Yes, as this is showing my opinion and that's how I've done in the past.

• No, because it is not considered as an appropriate style in academia.

• No, but it can be reworded easily in an impersonal way to show that it's a more objective view point.

Rewrite the sentence: 'In my opinion I believe that English will remain as the global language until there is a change in political influence.'

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Why do you think the 'conclusion' is commonly the paragraph that is most under-developed in an essay?

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Select which pieces of evidence should be cited in an essay?

• All statistcal data

• Opinions of researchers and experts in the field.

• Your own opinions

• Evidence that may not be common knowledge e.g. dates, evidence from other parts of the world that may not be widely known.

Your position (aka 'stance') is important in any academic essay you write at university, so where do you make this known?

• In the introduction

• The conclusion

• All through the essay.

Can you explain the meaning of 'hedging/cautious language' in academic writing and why it is used?

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Which 3 elements make up the introduction?

• Thesis statement (writer's position on the topic)

• Topic sentence

• Evidence from sources

• General topic statements/ Background

• Scope (tells/informs the reader which aspects are being covered in the essay)