Academic Literacy II

• Academic literacy II
• Prereading topic


  • Purpose of reading
  • Activate background knowledge
• KWL


  • K - Know
  • W - Want to know
  • L - Learn
• Benefits of KWL


  • Activates prior knowledge
  • Shows how much you know about the topic
• NSFAF - Namibia Student Assist Fund
• Abstract


  Short research paper overview in a paragraph
• Abstract paragraph structure


  1. Topic sentence

  2. 3-4 supporting sentences

  3. One closing sentence
• Inferring


  • Looking backwards to link new info with previous info
  • Anaphoric - link using noun pronoun
  • Cataphoric - look forwards to see how words and phrases are related
• Be assertive, don't take no for an answer
• Semantic cohesion


  Linking words and phrases to connect sentences together
• Types of linking words

  • Additive - adds info
  • Temporal - shows sequence
  • Causal - shows reason
  • Adversitive - shows opposing views
  • Concession - shows compromise
• Locating unstated main ideas


  1. Infer based on previous info

  2. Support main ideas with facts, examples, explanations
• Summarizing


  • Condensing info into a shorter version in your own words
  • Identifies key ideas
  • Helps understand and remember the gist
• How to summarize


  1. Identify the main idea

  2. Reformulate the main idea without distorting

  3. Use quotation marks for phrases not changed

  4. Edit to ensure simple, clear message
• APA referencing


  • Introduction - name of author, date of publication
  • Middle - state argument, summarize article
  • Conclusion - sum up
• Critical reading steps


  1. Skim to identify key words

  2. Reread relevant parts

  3. Note page and paragraph references
• Things to question in critical reading

  • Discipline and field of study
  • Quantitative vs qualitative approach
  • Logic gaps
  • Writer's attitude and tone
  • Purpose and bias
• Facts vs Opinions


  • Facts - observed, proven, verified
  • Opinions - cannot be proven, based on feelings/beliefs
• Academic misconduct - any act that improperly affects student evaluation
• Types of academic misconduct

  • Cheating during exams
  • Improper collaboration
  • Submitting same assignment for different classes
  • Forgery and alteration of documents
  • Helping others improperly
  • Attempting to interfere with others
• Sarcasm


  Acting opposite of what is meant
• Opinion


  Expressing explicit views, can be biased
• Purpose


  Why something is written, to show bias
• Diction


  Word choice, can be explicit or implicit
• Identify writing bias
• Facts are observed, proven, verified, credible, concrete
• Opinions are not provable, based on feelings or beliefs
• Academic misconduct includes cheating, improper collaboration, submitting same work, forgery, alteration, destruction, hacking, intimidation, disruption, spreading misinformation
• Reasons for plagiarism include not knowing the material well, poor time management, thinking it's easier, not used to researching
• Types of plagiarism include complete, near-complete, patchwork, lazy
• In-text citation


  Surname of author, year, page number if direct quote
• Reference list


  APA style, alphabetical order, all cited sources
• Reporting verbs


  Observes, describes, discusses, reports, outlines, conveys, recognises, clarifies, concedes, refutes, disagrees, agrees, speculates
• Using male pronouns to refer to people of unknown gender is considered disrespectful
• DOI


  Digital object identifier