Unit 1 – Achieving an Academic Writing Style (IEEE / Vancouver)
Unit 1 Achieving an Academic Writing Style
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit, you should be able to: • • use appropriate language to demonstrate academic style in writing express ideas and views in tentative rather than assertive language where appropriate
Introduction
This unit is divided into three sections providing reference and practice material on various aspects of academic writing style. Section 1 Features of academic writing style Section 2 Improving the style of your writing Section 3 Hedging in academic writing
Referencing note: This unit uses IEEE referencing style for all in-text referencing.
Pre-Unit 1 IndiWork Activities Go to eLearn (http://elearn.elc.polyu.edu.hk/) and complete the Pre-Unit 1 IndiWork Activities.
IndiWork 1 Academic Style Go to eLearn and complete the What is Academic Style? Activity.
Section 1
The features of academic writing style
What do you think are the differences between the essays that you wrote at secondary school and the essays that you will need to write at university? Make sure you think about style* when considering these differences.
*Style often refers to level of formality. For example when writing to a friend you would use an informal style.
© English Language Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
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ELC1013 English for University Studies
Unit 1 – Achieving an Academic Writing Style (IEEE / Vancouver)
Activity 1
Reading
How do the language choices in this first essay draft below create a non-academic / inappropriate style? Read the passage and identify (highlight / circle) the style problems. Note down your ideas at the end of the passage. Be prepared to share your observations with the rest of the class.
How often do PolyU students use English outside the classroom? Because many people think PolyU students don’t use English much outside of class,