Writing introductions
Writing introductions
Introduction is to show your reader what you are doing in your writing. It is also helpful to explain why you are doing it and how you are doing it.For that reason, there are usually three main parts in the introduction(Swales 1990, pp. 137-165). Identify the moves in the following introduction:
Use of a Writing Web-Site by Pre-Masters Students on n English for Academic Purposes
Course.
A. J. Gillett, University of Hertfordshire
Introduction
1During the past 10 years, the availability of computers in educational institutions has increased dramatically (James, 1999). 2Progress in computer development has been made to the point that powerful, inexpensive computers with large capacities are available in many classrooms and libraries for student use. 3Many students also have purchased and are purchasing computers for their own use at home. 4Most studies seem to agree that the microcomputer will continue to hold an important role in education in the future. 5For example, James (1999) and Smith (2000) suggest large increases in the numbers of computers both in educational institutions and the home in the near future. 6As far as education is concerned, Shaw (2001) identified three main uses of computers: the object of a course, an administrative tool, and a means of providing instruction. 7Fish and Cheam (2002) cite four uses of computers as a means of providing instruction: exercise, tutorial, simulation and problem solving. 8A wide range of computer programmes are now therefore available in all these areas for individual and classroom use.
9However, even though many studies have reported an increased use of computers in education, there has been very little research reported on the effectiveness of such use. 10The purpose of the present study is therefore to ascertain the effectiveness of using computer-assisted instruction as compared to traditional classroom instruction in an EAP writing class.
INFORMATION ELEMENTS:importance, literture review, gap, purpose Sentence 1
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介绍;指南;手册的英文
介绍;指南;手册的英文In the world of communication, introductions, guides, and manuals play a pivotal role in conveying information and ensuring clarity. They are the first points of contact for readers, whether they are new to a subject or seeking clarification on a specific aspect. When it comes to the English language, mastering the art of writing these types of documents is crucial for effective communication.**Introductions**An introduction is often the first impression you make on your reader. It should be concise, informative, and engaging. The goal is to capture the reader's interest and provide a clear overview of what the document will cover. When writing an introduction in English, it's important to use active voice, avoid jargon or technical language, and keep the tone friendly and inviting.Here's an example of a well-constructed English introduction:"Welcome to this comprehensive guide on the basics of cooking Italian cuisine. In this document, we will explorethe essential ingredients, techniques, and recipes that form the backbone of Italian cooking. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced chef, you'll find useful tips and insights that will enhance your cooking skills. Let's dive in and discover the delicious world of Italian cuisine together!"**Guides**Guides are similar to introductions but tend to be more detailed and focused on specific topics or tasks. They aim to provide step-by-step instructions or explanations to help readers achieve a particular goal or understand a complex concept. When writing a guide in English, it's essential to use clear and concise language, avoid assumptions, and provide ample examples and illustrations. Here's an example of an English guide on how to make coffee:"Making coffee at home can be a rewarding experience, but it's important to follow the right steps to ensure a delicious cup. In this guide, we'll walk you through the basics of making coffee using an espresso machine. First, we'll discuss the different types of coffee beans and theirunique flavors. Then, we'll provide step-by-step instructions on how to grind the beans, tamp them into the portafilter, and extract the espresso. Finally, we'll offer tips on how to steam milk and create delicious coffee drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. Let's get started on your journey to becoming a coffee expert!"**Manuals**Manuals are typically thicker and more comprehensive documents that provide detailed instructions and information on how to use a product or perform a task. They are often used for technical products or processes and require a high level of accuracy and detail. When writing a manual in English, it's crucial to use a consistent style and tone, include detailed illustrations and screenshots, and provide clear, step-by-step instructions.Here's an example of an English manual for setting up a home wireless network:"Setting up a home wireless network can be a challenging task, but with this manual, you'll have the tools and knowledge to get the job done. In this guide,we'll cover everything from choosing the right equipment toconfiguring your router and connecting devices. We'll provide detailed instructions on how to set up a secure network, troubleshoot common issues, and optimize your network for the best performance. Whether you're a tech-savvy individual or a beginner, this manual will provide you with the information you need to set up and maintain a reliable home wireless network."Writing introductions, guides, and manuals in English requires a balance of clarity, detail, and engagement. By using active voice, avoiding jargon, and providing ample examples and illustrations, you can create documents that are both informative and enjoyable to read. With practice and attention to detail, you can master the art of writing these types of documents and effectively communicate your ideas and information to a wide audience.。
EssayWriting：Writing：Theintroductionoftheessay
Essay Question:Italy on the eve of 1860 has often been described as an unlikely nation. Why?
On the eve of 1860 the word Italy described not a nation, but a geographical area.The peninsula was split into eight separate states, all independent of one another. Economically, while the whole of Europe seemed to be surging ahead, Italy was lagging behind.At this time, Italy was seen as an unlikely nation because of the many obstacles that lay in the way of unification.The main obstacles were the dislike and distrust between the states and the "slowness of the great bulk of Italians to accept or even comprehend the idea of Italy" (Mack Smith,1968: 2). There was also a lack of planning and common goals amongst the minority of the population that supported and were prepared to fight for a unified country. This was exacerbated by the disagreement and dislike between the leaders of IlRisorgimento, the Italian independence movement.
Writing Introductions
Writing IntroductionsThe introduction is the first sentence of your essay and it plays the dual role of setting the theme of your essay and engaging the reader. The introduction should not be overly formal. You do not want an admissions officer to start reading your essay and think, "here we go again." Although admissions officers will try to give the entire essay a fair reading, they are only human -- if you lose them after the first sentence, the rest of your essay will not get the attention it deserves.General TipsDon’t Say Too Much. Just tell the story! Your introduction should not be so complex and so lengthy that it loses the reader before they even start. You have the rest of the essay to say what you want. There’s no need to pack it all into the first sentence. This leads to the next tip…温馨提示：专业的事情，交给专业的机构来完成。
writing_introductions_thesis_sentence
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Name: ___________________________
Writing Introductions: Thesis Sentence
A thesis sentence is the main topic sentence of an essay or other written piece. It states the main opinion and often forecasts the principle sections of the piece. It is usually placed at the end of the introduction.
Example: Topic: Should students be allowed to eat during class? Possible thesis sentence: Students should not eat during class as students would not be paying attention while they eat, they may leave trash in the classroom, and other students might be distracted while their neighbor eats. Write a thesis sentence for each topic below. Answers: Student’s choice. 1. Discuss who was the greater president of the United States: George Washington or Abraham Lincoln.
writing introduction
Content
*Teacher –led discussion about “Writing” *Lecture: language learning and teaching theories and practice * Need analysis survey *Preliminary plan of the term
1. On
writing
character like the ripping of fruit or the mellowing of good wine, and the gradual acquiring of a more tolerant, more cynical and at the same time ,more kindlier view of life; then, in the sunset of our life, it is for us the age of peace and security and leisure and contentment; finally, life flickers out and one goes into eternal sleep, never to wake up again. One should be able to sense the beauty of this rhythm of life, to appreciate its main theme, its strains of conflict and the final resolution. The movement of these cycles are very much the same in a normal life, but the music must be provided by the individual himself.
春和景明用在作文开头
春和景明用在作文开头英文回答：Spring Blossoms and Sunshine: Invoking the Beauty of Nature in Writing Introductions.In literary composition, the opening paragraph holds immense significance, as it sets the tone for the entire narrative. Employing evocative language and picturesque imagery in the introduction can captivate the reader's attention and immerse them in the story's ambiance. One classic Chinese idiom that writers often use to initiate their introductions is "Chun He Jing Ming," which translates literally to "spring breeze and beautiful sunshine." This idiom encapsulates the essence of the awakening season, evoking a vivid tableau of nature's renewal.The "Chun He" (spring breeze) symbolizes the gentle touch of springtime, a balmy breeze that carries thepromise of new beginnings. It whispers through the branches of trees, stirring the buds to unfurl their delicate petals. The "Jing Ming" (beautiful sunshine) represents the golden rays of the sun, which bathe the earth in warmth and light, encouraging life to flourish.When used in an introduction, "Chun He Jing Ming" conjures a sensory experience for the reader, inviting them to imagine the sights, sounds, and scents of spring. Itsets the stage for a narrative that is both idyllic and hopeful, suggesting a time of growth, renewal, and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.Furthermore, the use of this idiom demonstrates the writer's familiarity with classical Chinese literature and their ability to draw upon its rich imagery to enhancetheir writing. It adds a touch of elegance and refinementto the introduction, creating a sense of continuity withthe literary traditions of the past.中文回答：春和景明。
学术英语writingintroduction
What belongs in the introductory section(s) of your paper?
A statement of the goal of the paper: why the study was undertaken, or why the paper was written. Do not repeat the abstract.
Structural Layout of Introduction
The first layer 1.1 Introducing the general research area including its background,
Frequently asked questions
What is an introduction for? Is it a summary?
An introduction is not a summary. A summary repeats the main ideas of an essay. An introduction introduces the reader to the topic of the
What is Introduction?
Introduction is the first section of a scientific paper, including the background information of the research, the nature and scope of the problem investigated.
An essay introduction does not need to do more than tell the reader the topic of the essay, describe how the body of the essay is organized, and explain the thesis that you argue for in the essay.
九年级英语作文万能开头结尾
九年级英语作文万能开头结尾Typically, there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to writing introductions and conclusions for English essays,as various prompts and subjects have individual needs. However, here are some subtle but effective tips that could be applied to a wide range of topics.When starting an essay, it’s often useful to begin with an engaging hook or attention-grabber. This could be athought-provoking question, an interesting fact orstatistic related to the topic, or even a brief anecdote. The purpose of this is to captivate the reader from thevery beginning and draw them into reading further.Alternatively, rather than diving directly into the topic, some writers find it effective to start with a general statement that gradually leads into the main subject matter. This can provide a smooth transition while capturing the reader's interest at the same time.Conclusively, when concluding an essay at this level ofEnglish proficiency, it's beneficial to brieflyrecapitulate key points discussed in the body of the essay without simply restating them verbatim. It provides clarity and reinforces ideas in the reader's mind – something essential in facilitating comprehension.To conclude effectively, consider looking ahead: pose questions for further consideration or suggest implications regarding future developments relating to your chosen topic. This can stimulate critical thinking amongst your readers and leave a lasting impression.Remember these basics as you develop your skill in crafting captivating and impactful introductions and conclusions suitable for any given prompt or subject matter. Good luck!。
031_Writing Introductions
C o l l e g e E n g l i s h f o r A c a d e m i c W r i t i n gWriting IntroductionsIntroduction•Lead-in: importance of your introduction •Tasks of your introduction•How to write an effective introduction •ConclusionLead-in •Importance of introductionsTasks of an Introduction•Grab attention•Narrow focus•Present thesis (main idea)How to Write an Effective Introduction? • A common way to construct an introduction is to use a funnelapproach.•At the beginning, you grab the readers’ attention to create the excitement about the topic.•Second, the introduction should narrow the focus and provide the connection to the last and the most important part of theintroduction: your thesis.•At last, put forward your thesis.How to: Funnel strategy•Grab attention•Narrow subject•State thesisMouth of funnelGrab attention Strategies Surprising statistic Strong quote Interesting anecdoteMiddle of funnel•Narrow subject•Background info •Organization of the body part •Connect opening to thesisTip of funnel•Thesis statement–Fulfills assignment requirement–Point of view–Main ideaSample introHere is how someone new to academic essays may write the introduction (the topic-sentence is in red, essay structure in blue, thesis in yellow):This essay is about the issue of body-checking in junior ice-hockey.First, arguments for a ban on body-checking are examined. Second, arguments against a ban are discussed. It is shown that pro-ban arguments are stronger than anti-ban arguments. Therefore, the thesis of this essay is that body-checking in junior ice-hockey should be banned.Body-checking has always been a controversial issue.However, the recent decision of Hockey Canada to allow some hockey associations to permit body-checking among players as young as nine years of age,on an experimental basis,has aggravated the controversy quite considerably in recent months.Perspectives fall into three main categories:viewpoints of fans,the official standpoint of Hockey Canada,and positions held by the scientific community.Evaluation of the main arguments shows quite clearly that Hockey Canada’s decision to allow body-checking in some junior games,even on an experimental basis,is a serious mistake.•This second introduction gives the reader the impression that you are knowledgeable on the topic, and that doing the research has led you to an intelligent, informed thesis.Writing practice•Tips to remember1.Be specific and confident in tone2.Avoid first person (“I am going to argue…”)3.Eliminate announcement style (“the topic ofthis essay is…”)Frequently Asked Questions•If you have any further questions about how to write an introduction, you can refer to the frequently asked questions session here.• 1. How long should my introduction be?•One common mistake is to write an introduction that is too long; the introduction is so detailed that it is indistinguishable from the body of the essay! As a rule, an introduction should not be longer than about 8% of the length of the essay. For example, the introduction of a ten, fifteen, and twenty-page essay should be a maximum of about a page, a page and a quarter, and one and a half pages respectively.• 2. How detailed should the introduction be?•Another common mistake is that the introduction is so detailed that it fails to indicate the topic of the essay in a clear way! The introduction only needs to state the topic, general structure, and thesis of the essay. The longer the essay is supposed to be, the more detailed your topic, structure and thesis-sentences can be.• 3. Why am I finding it hard to write the introduction?•The introduction must indicate the topic, structure and thesis of the essay. If you are not completely sure about any of these things, you will find it hard or even impossible to write an introduction. Writer’s block can happen when you try to write the introduction before you have done sufficient reading and research on the topic.有缘学习更多＋谓•4. What is an introduction for? Is it a summary?•An introduction is not a summary. A summary repeats the main ideas of an essay. An introduction introduces the reader to the topic of the essay, describes the organizational structure of the essay, and explains the point of the essay (the thesis argued for).• 5. What should I put in my introduction?•Do not try to pack everything into the introduction. It would then not be an introduction at all! An essay introduction does not need to do more than tell the reader the topic of the essay, describe how the body of the essay is organized, and explain the thesis that you argue for in the essay.• 6. How many paragraphs should I use for the introduction?•The introduction needs to indicate the topic, structure, and thesis of the essay for the reader. In a short ten page essay, all of these things should be easy to include in one or twoparagraphs. In longer essays, your topic, structure, and thesis-sentences will be more detailed, and so more paragraphs may be required to complete the introduction.Thank you for your attention!。
写论文要用到的英语Academic Phase Bank
Academic Phase BankWriting IntroductionsThere are many ways to introduce an academic essay or assignment. Most academic writers, however, appear to do one or more of the following in their introductions:∙establish the context, background and/or importance of the topic∙indicate a problem, controversy or a gap in the field of study∙define the topic or key terms∙state of the purpose of the essay/writing∙provide an overview of the coverage and/or structure of the writingExamples of phrases which are commonly employed to realise these functions are listed below. Note that there may be a certain amount of overlap between some of the categories under which the phrases are listed.Introductory sections for research dissertations, are normally much more complex than this and, as well as the elements above, may include the following: a synopsis of key literature/current state of knowledge, synopsis of methods, lists of research questions or hypotheses to be tested, significance of the study, recognition of the limitations of the study, reasons for personal interest in the topic.Establishing the importance of the topic:One of the most significant current discussions in legal and moral philosophy is ......It is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the .....X is the leading cause of death in western industrialised countries.X is a common disorder characterised by ......X is an important component in the climate system, and plays a key role in Y.In the new global economy, X has become a central issue for ......In the history of development economics, X has been thought of as a key factor in .......Xs are one of the most widely used groups of antibacterial agents and ......Xs are the most potent anti-inflammatory agents known.X is a major public health problem, and the cause of about 4% of the global burden of disease. X is an increasingly important area in applied linguistics.Central to the entire discipline of X is the concept of .......X is at the heart of our understanding of ......Establishing the importance of the topic (time frame given):Recent developments in X have heightened the need for ......In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in ......Recent developments in the field of X have led to a renewed interest in ......Recently, researchers have shown an increased interest in ......The past decade has seen the rapid development of X in many .......The past thirty years have seen increasingly rapid advances in the field of......Over the past century there has been a dramatic increase in ......One of the most important events of the 1970s was ......Traditionally, X s have subscribed to the belief that ......X proved an important literary genre in the early Y community.The changes experienced by X s over the past decade remain unprecedented.Xs are one of the most widely used groups of antibacterial agents and have been extensivel y used for decades to .......Highlighting a problem in the field of study:However, these rapid changes are having a serious effect ......However, a major problem with this kind of application is ......Lack of X has existed as a health problem for many years.Despite its safety and efficacy, X suffers from several major drawbacks:However, research has consistently shown that first year students have not attained an adequate understanding of ......There is increasing concern that some X s are being disadvantaged ......Despite its long clinical success, X has a number of problems in use.Questions have been raised about the safety of prolonged use of ......Highlighting a controversy in the field of study:To date there has been little agreement on what ......More recently, literature has emerged that offers contradictory findings about .....One observer has already drawn attention to the paradox in ......In many X s a debate is taking place between Ys and Zs concerning ......The controversy about scientific evidence for X has raged unabated for over a century. Debate continues about the best strategies for the management of ……This concept has recently been challenged by ……. studies demonstrating …….One of the most significant current discussions in legal and moral philosophy is ......One observer has already drawn attention to the paradox in ......In many X s a debate is taking place between Ys and Zs concerning ......The controversy about scientific evidence for X has raged unabated for over a century. Questions have been raised about the safety of prolonged use of ......The issue of X has been a controversial and much disputed subject within the field of ....... The issue has grown in importance in light of recent ......One major theoretical issue that has dominated the field for many years concerns ......One major issue in early X research concerned.......Highlighting a knowledge gap in the field of study (for research):So far, however, there has been little discussion about ......However, far too little attention has been paid to ......Most studies in X have only been carried out in a small number of areas.The research to date has tended to focus on X rather than Y.In addition, no research has been found that surveyed .......So far this method has only been applied to ......Several studies have produced estimates of X (Smith, 2002; Jones, 2003), but there is still insufficient data for .....However, there have been no controlled studies which compare differences in ......The experimental data are rather controversial, and there is no general agreement about ...... However, there is no reliable evidence that ......X's analysis does not take account of ..... nor does he examine ......Focus, aim, argument:This paper will focus on/examine/give an account of ......This essay seeks to remedy these problems by analyisng the literature of ......The objectives of this research are to determine whether ......This paper seeks to address the following questions:This essay critically examines/discusses/traces ......The purpose of this paper is to review recent research into the ......This paper will review the research conducted on ......This chapter reviews the literature concerning the usefulness of using ......The aim of this paper is to determine/examine ......The aim of this study was to evaluate and validate .....In this paper I argue that .....In the pages that follow, it will be argued that ……This paper attempts to show that ......In this essay, I attempt to defend the view that ......Outline of structure:The main questions/issues addressed in this paper are: a), b and c).This paper has been divided into four parts. The first part deals with ......The essay has been organised in the following way.This paper first gives a brief overview of the recent history of X.This paper reviews the evidence for .....This paper begins by ...... It will then go on to ......The first section of this paper will examine ......Finally, .......Chapter 2 begins by laying out the theoretical dimensions of the research, and looks athow ......Chapter 3 describes the design, synthesis, characterization and evaluation of ......The last chapter assesses the ......Explaining KeywordsWhile a variety of definitions of the term X have been suggested, this paper will use the definition first suggested by Smith (1968) who saw it as .......Throughout this paper the term X will refer to/will be used to refer to .......In this article the acronym/abbreviation XYZ will be used.Referring to LiteratureOne important characteristic of academic writing is that all the sources of information that the writer has used need to be indicated, not just as a bibliography or list of references, but also in or alongside the text. In some cases the source will be the main subject of the sentence, in others the sources may be mentioned parenthetically (in brackets) or via a notation system (eg. footnotes). The more common verbs and verb phrases used in academic writing for referring to sources are given below. Note that different referencing systems are used in different disciplines. In the examples, the Harvard in-text referencing system has been used. Also note that the "author as subject" style is less common in the sciences."Ideally, your review should be evaluative and critical of the studies which have a particular bearing on your own. For example, you may think a particular study did not investigate some necessary aspect of the area, or that the authors failed to notice some problem with their results."Taken from the Manchester Good Practice Guide:/goodpractice/General descriptions of the relevant literature:A considerable amount of literature has been published on X. These studies ...... There is a large volume of published studies describing the role of ……The first serious discussions and analyses of X emerged during the 1970s with ...... The generalisability of much published research on this issue is problematic.What we know about X is largely based upon empirical studies that investigatehow ......During the past 30 years much more information has become available on ......In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of literature on .......A large and growing body of literature has investigated ......General reference to previous research/scholarly activity (usually more than one author)Many historians have argued that ...... (eg. Jones, 1987; Johnson, 1990; Smith, 1994) Numerous studies have attempted to explain ..... (for example, Smith , 1996; Kelly, 1998; Johnson, 2002)Recent evidence suggests that ....... (Smith, 1996; Jones 1999; Johnson, 2001) Recently, in vitro studies have show n that T.thermophylus EFTu can ...... (Patel et al., 1997; Jones et al., 1998).Surveys such as that conducted by Smith (1988) have show n that ......Several attempts have been made to ....... (Smith, 1996; Jones 1999; Johnson, 2001) Several studies have revealed that it is not just X that acts on ...... (Smith, 1996; Jones .......Several biographies of Harris have been published. Smith presents an ........ account, whilst Jones .....Several studies investigating X have been carried out on ......Data from several sources have identified the increased morbidity and mortality associated with obesityPrevious studies have reported ...... (Smith, 1985; Jones, 1987; Johnson, 1992). Previous research findings into X have been inconsistent and contradictory (Smith, 1996; Jones 1999, ......A number of studies have found that ...... (Smith , 2003; Jones, 2004).Twenty cohort study analyses have examined the relationship between .......At least 152 case-control studies worldwide have examined the relationship between......Other studies have considered the relationship ......The relationship between X and Y has been widely investigated (Smith, 1985; Jones, 1987, .......The causes of X have been widely investigated (Jones, 1987; Johnson, 1990; Smith, 1994).The geology of X has been addressed in several smallscale investigations and .......Xs have been identified as major contributing factors for the decline of many species (1).X has also been shown to reverse the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids in murine-induced arthritis (11).I t has been suggested that levels of X are independent of the size of the Y (Smith et al., 1995)It has conclusively been show n that X and Y increase Z (Smith et al., 1999; Jones, 2001 ......It has been demonstrated that a high intake of X results in damage to ...... (Smith, 1998; ......Reference to current state of knowledgeA relationship exists between an individual's working memory and their ability to ...... (Jones et al.,1998).GM varieties of maize are able to cross-pollinate with non-GM varieties (Smith, 1998; Jones, 1999).There is an unambiguous relationship between spending on education and economic development (Rao, 1998).X is one of the most intense reactions following CHD (Lane, 2003).MIF has been found to oppose the anti-infammatory actions of X on Y (Alourfi, 2004).Reference to single investigations in the past: researcher(s) as sentence subjectWang et al. (2004) have recently developed a methodology for the selective introduction of ......Reference to single investigations or publications in the past: time frame prominentIn 1975, Smith et al. published a paper in which they described .....In 1990 Patel et al. demonstrated that replacement of H2O with heavy water led to ...... Thirty years later, Smith (1974) reported three cases of Candida Albicans which ....... In the 1950s Gunnar Myrdal pointed to some of the ways in which …………… (Myrdal, 1957)In 1981, Smith and co workers demonstrated that X induced in vitro resistance to ....... In 1990, El-Guerrouj et al. reported a new and convenient synthetic procedure to obtain ......In 1984 Jones et al. made several amino acid esters of X and evaluated them as water-soluble pro-drugs.Reference to single publication: no time frameSmith has written the most complete synthesis to date of ......Reference to single investigations in the past: investigation prominentPreliminary work on X was undertaken by AbdulKarim (1992).The first systematic study of X was reported by Patel et al. in 1986.The study of the structural behavior of X was first carried out by Rao et al. (1986)...... Analysis of the genes involved in X was first carried out by Smith et al (1983).A recent study by Smith and Jones (2001) involved ......A longitiudinal study of X by Smith (2002) reports that ......A small scale study by Smith (2002) reaches different conclusions, finding no increase in ......Smith's cross-country analysis (2002) show ed that ......Smith's comparative study (2002) found that ......Detailed examination of X by Smith and Patel (1961) showed that ......In another major study, Zhao (1974) found that just over half of the ......In a radomised controlled study of X, Smith (2004) reported that ......In a large longitudinal study, Boucahy et al. 2004) investigated the incidence of X in Y.Reference to single investigations in the past: research topic as subjectClassical conditioning was first demonstrated experimentally by Pavlov (Smith, 2002). In his seminal study ......The electronic spectroscopy of X was first studied by Smith and Douglas 1 in 1970 The acid-catalyzed condensation reaction between X and Y w as first reported by Baeyer in 1872X formed the central focus of a study by Smith (2002) in which the author found ...... X was originally isolated from Y in a soil sample from ...... (Wang et al., 1952).The way in which the X gene is regulated was studied extensively by Ho and colleagues (Ho et al. 1995 and 1998).To determine the effects of X, Zhao et al (2005) compared ......Reference to what other writers do in their text (author as subject)Smith (2003) identifies poor food, bad housing, inadequate hygiene and large families as the major causes of ......Rao (2003) lists three reasons why the English language has become so dominant. These are: ......Smith (2003) traces the development of Japanese history and philosophy during the 19th century.Jones(2003) provides in-depth analysis of the work of Aristotle showing its relevance to contemporary times.Smith (2003) draw s our attention to distinctive categories of motivational beliefs often observed in .......Smith (2003) defines evidence based medicine as the conscious, explicit and judicious use of .....Rao (2003) highlights the need to break the link between economic growth and transport growth ......Smith (2003) discusses the challenges and strategies for facilitating andpromoting ......Toh (2003) mentions the special situation of Singapore as an example of .....Smith (2003) questions whether mainstream schools are the best environment for ...... Smith (2003) considers whether countries work well on cross-border issues suchas ......Smith (2003) uses examples of these various techniques as evidence that ......Some analysts (eg Carnoy, 2002) have attempted to draw fine distinctionsbetween ........Other authors ( see Harbison, 2003; Kaplan, 2004) question the usefulness of such an approach.Reference to other writers' ideas (author as subject)According to Smith (2003), preventative medicine is far more cost effective, and therefore better adapted to the developing world.This view is supported by Jones (2000) who writes ......Smith argues that her data support O'Brien's (1988) view that ......As Smith reminds us, ..............Elsewhere, Smith has argued that ......Some ways of introducing quotationsIn the final part of the Theses, Marx writes: "Philosophers have hitherto only interpreted the world in various ways; the point ......."Sachs concludes: "The idea of development stands today like a ruin in the intellectual landscape…" (Sachs, 1992a: 156).As Smith argues: "In the past, the purpose of education was to ......" (Smith ,2000:150).As Carnoy (2004: 215) states: "there are many good reasons to be sceptical".Being CriticalAs an academic writer, you are expected to be critical of the sources that you use. This essentially means questioning what you read and not necessarily agreeing with it just because the information has been published. Being critical can also mean looking for reasons why we should not just accept something as being correct or true. This can require you to identify problems with a writer's arguments or methods, or perhaps to refer to other people's criticisms of these. Constructive criticism goes beyond this by suggesting ways in which a piece of research or writing could be improved....... being against is not enough. We also need to develop habits of constructive thinking. Edw ard de BonoIntroducing questions, problems and limitations (theory)One question that needs to be asked, however, is whether ......A serious weakness with this argument, however, is that ......One of the limitations with this explanation is that it does not explain why... .One criticism of much of the literature on X is that ......The key problem with this explanation is that ......The existing accounts fail to resolve the contradiction between X and Y.However, there is an inconsistency with this argument.Smith's argument relies too heavily on qualitative analysis of ......It seems that Jones' understanding of the X framework is questionable.Smith's interpretation overlooks much of the historical research ......One major criticism of Smith's work is that .....Many writers have challenged Jones' claim on the grounds that .......X's analysis does not take account of ..... nor does he examine ......Introducing questions, problems and limitations(method/practice)Another problem with this approach is that it fails to take X into account.Perhaps the most serious disadvantage of this method is that .....Difficulties arise, however, when an attempt is made to implement the policy. Nevertheless, the strategy has not escaped criticism from governments, agencies and academics.One major drawback of this approach is that ......The main limitation of biosynthetic incorporation, however, is ......However, this method of analysis has a number of limitations.However, approaches of this kind carry with them various well known limitations.All the studies reviewed so far, however, suffer from the fact that .......However, there are limits to how far the idea of/concept of X can be taken. However, such explanations tend to overlook the fact that......However, one of the problems with the instrument the researchers used to measure X was ......Identifying a study's weaknessOffering constructive suggestionsA better study would examine a large, randomly selected sample of societies with ......A much more systematic study would identify how X interacts with other variables that are believed to be linked to ......Highlighting inadequacies of previous studiesMost studies in the field of X have only focussed on ......Most studies in X have only been carried out in a small number of areas.The generalisability of much published research on this issue is problematic.The experimental data are rather controversial, and there is no general agreement about ......Such expositions are unsatisfactory because they .....However, few writers have been able to draw on any structured research into the opinions and attitudes of ......The research to date has tended to focus on X rather than Y.The existing accounts fail to resolve the contradiction between X and Y. Researchers have not treated X in much detail.Previous studies of X have not dealt with ......However, these studies used non-validated methods to measure .....Half of the studies evaluated failed to specify whether ......However, much of the research up to now has been descriptive in nature …. Although extensive research has been carried out on X, no single study exists which adequately covers ......However, these results were based upon data from over 30 years ago and it is unclear if these differences still persist.Introducing other people's criticismsHowever, Jones (2003) points out that .....Many analysts now argue that the strategy of X has not been successful. Jones (2003), for example, argues that .....Non-government agencies are also very critical of the new policies.The X theory has been / vigorously / strongly challenged in recent years by a number of writers.Smith's analysis has been criticised by a number of writers. Jones (1993), for example, points out that ……Smith's meta-analysis has been subjected to considerable criticism.The most important of these criticisms is that Smith failed to note that ......Jones (2003) is probably the best known critic of the X theory. He argues that .….The latter point has been devastatingly critiqued by Jones (2003).Critics have also argued that not only do social surveys provide an inaccurate measure of X, but the......Critics question the ability of poststructuralist theory to provide ......More recent arguments against X have been summarised by Smith and Jones (1982): Jones (2003) is critical of the conclusions that Smith draws from his findings. Describing MethodsIn the Methods section of a dissertation or research article, writers give an account of how they carried out their research.The Materials and Methods section should be clear and detailed enough for another experienced person to repeat the research and reproduce the results. Typical features with examples of this language are listed below.Describing different methodsTo date various methods have been developed and introduced to measure X:In most recent studies, X is measured in four different ways.Radiographic techniques are the main non-invasive method used to determine .... Different authors have measured X in a variety of ways.Previous studies have based their criteria for selection on ......A variety of methods are used to assess X. Each has its advantages and drawbacks. Data were gathered from multiple sources at various time points during the2007–2008 academic year.Giving reasons why a particular method was adoptedThe semi-structured approach was chosen because ......Smith et al (1994) identify several advantages of the case study, .......It was decided that the best method to adopt for this investigation was to ......A case study approach was chosen to allow a ......The design of the questionnaires was based on ......The X method is one of the more practical ways of ......It was considered that quantitative measures would usefully supplement and extend the qualitative analysis.Many of the distributions were not normal so non-parametric signed rank tests were run.The X approach has a number of attractive features: ......Indicating a specific methodArticle references were searched further for additional relevant publications.Articles were searched from January 1965 until April 2008.Publications were only included if …….X was prepared according to the procedure used by Patel et al. (1957).The synthesis of X was done according to the procedure of Smith (1973).X was synthesised using the same method that was detailed for Y, using ......This compound was prepared by adapting the procedure used by Zhao et al. (1990). For this study the X was used to explore the subsurface ……An alternative method for making scales homogenous is by using …..Describing the characterisitics of the sampleThe initial sample consisted of 200 students of whom 13 did not complete all of the interviewsAll studies described as using some sort of X procedure w ere included in the analysis.A systematic literature review was conducted of studies that .....All of the participants were aged between 18 and 19 at the beginning of the study..... Two groups of subjects w ere interview ed, namely X and Y. The first group were ......A random sample of patients with ...... was recruited from .......Forty-seven students studying X were recruited for this study.The students were divided into two groups based on their performance on ......The project used a convenience sample of 32 first year modern languages students. Just over half the sample (53%) was female, of whom 69% were ......Participants were recruited from 15 clinics across ......, covering urban and rural areas ……Eligibility criteria required individuals to have received ….Five individuals were excluded form the study on the basis of ….Eligible women who matched the selection criteria were identified by ……Semi structured interviews were conducted with 17 male offenders with a mean age of 38 yearsA comparison group of 12 male subjects without any history of X was drawn from a pool of …….Indicating reasons for sample characteristicsA small sample was chosen because of the expected difficulty of obtaining ......The subjects were selected on the basis of a degree of homogeneity of their ....... Criteria for selecting the subjects were as follows:Describing the process: infinitive of purposeIn order to identify the T10 and T11 spinous processes, the subjects w ere askedto ......In order to understand how X regulates Y, a series of transfections was performed..To enable the subjects to see the computer screen clearly, the laptop was configured with ......To see if the two methods gave the same measurement, the data was plotted and ...... To control for bias, measurements were carried out by another person.To measure X, a question asking ...... was used.To determine w hether ......, KG-1 cells were incubated for ......To establish w hether ......,To increase the reliability of measures, each X was tested twice with a 4-min break between .......To compare the scores three weeks after initial screening, a global ANOVA F-test was usedThe vials were capped with ..... to prevent volatisation.In an attempt to make each interviewee feel as comfortable as possible, the interviewer ......Describing the process: other phrases expressing purposeFor the purpose of height measurement, subjects were asked to stand .....For the purpose of analysis, 2 segments were extracted from each ......For the estimation of protein concentration, 100 µL of protein sample was mixedwith ......Describing the process: typical verbs (note use of passive form)Data management and analysis w as performed using SPSS 8.0 (1999).Published studies w ere identified using a search startegy developed in .....The experiments w ere carried out over the course of the growing period from ....... Injection solutions w ere coded by a colleague to reduce experimenter bias.Drugs w ere administered by icv injection under brief CO2 narcosis;The mean score for the two trials w as subjected to multivariate analysis of variance to determine ......The subjects w ere asked to pay close attention to the characters whenever ...... Prompts w ere used as an aid to question two so that ......The pilot interviews w ere conducted informally by the trained interviewer ......Blood samples w ere obtained with consent, from 256 caucasian male patients ...... Independent tests were carried out on the x and y scores for the four years from ...... This experiment w as repeated under conditions in which the poor signal/noise ratio was improved.Significance levels were set at the 1% level using the student t-test.A total of 256 samples w ere taken from 52 boreholes (Figure 11).Describing the process: sequence words/phrases。