Academic Writing in English: Guiding the reader through title, abstract and introduction 2019
1. Guiding the reader: Title, Abstract
and Introduction
Prof. Dr. Ron Martinez
PRPPG7000 - Academic Writing in English
2. Syllabus outline
• 28/08 - Introduction
• 04/09 - IMRaD, Most common errors,
electronic tools
• 11/09 - Strategic planning for your article:
CARS and other approaches
• 18/09 - Title, Abstract e Introduction
• 25/09 - Writing your Introduction
• 02/10 - Coherence, cohesion and clarity, and
use of authorial voice
• 09/10 - (Introduction due) The Method and
Results sections
• 16/10- The Discussion section
• 23/10 - Discussing and Concluding
• 30/10 - Writing (no class)
• 06/11 - Students exchange articles (no class)
• 13/11 - (peer feedback due) Special guest
speaker
• 20/11 - Plagiarism, the submission process
3. Today:
1. Review key concepts from last week
2. Explore the importance of titles and the structure of abstracts
3. Concept of “Problem-Solution”
4. Look ahead to starting your Introduction section
4. "They Say, I Say"
• "(A) writer needs to indicate not only
what his or her thesis is, but also what
larger conversation that thesis is
responding to." (p. 20)
• "(W)hen is comes to constructing an
argument […], remember that you are
entering a conversation and therefore
need to start with 'what others are
saying'…" (p. 20)
5. A good example (from "Josephine")
"Epilepsy affects cognition and many studies show that one of its most
affected functions is memory. However, little is said about the executive
functions, which are essential for carrying out activities of daily living
and problem solving. The present study aims to describe executive
functions in adults with refractory epilepsy, comprehending the
components of inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive
flexibility. "
6. A good example (from "Josephine")
"Epilepsy affects cognition and many studies show that one of its most
affected functions is memory. However, little is said about the executive
functions, which are essential for carrying out activities of daily living
and problem solving. The present study aims to describe executive
functions in adults with refractory epilepsy, comprehending the
components of inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive
flexibility. "
7. A good example (from "Josephine")
"Epilepsy affects cognition and many studies show that one of its most
affected functions is memory. However, little is said about the executive
functions, which are essential for carrying out activities of daily living
and problem solving. The present study aims to describe executive
functions in adults with refractory epilepsy, comprehending the
components of inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive
flexibility. "
8. A good example (from "Josephine")
"Epilepsy affects cognition and many studies show that one of its most
affected functions is memory. However, little is said about the executive
functions, which are essential for carrying out activities of daily living
and problem solving. The present study aims to describe executive
functions in adults with refractory epilepsy, comprehending the
components of inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive
flexibility. "
1
9. A good example (from "Josephine")
"Epilepsy affects cognition and many studies show that one of its most
affected functions is memory. However, little is said about the executive
functions, which are essential for carrying out activities of daily living
and problem solving. The present study aims to describe executive
functions in adults with refractory epilepsy, comprehending the
components of inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive
flexibility. "
1
2
10. A good example (from "Karen")
"Heparin is the main anticoagulant agent used to treat thrombosis or to
prevent abnormal clot formation, however, it has adverse effects in
patients. For this reason, many studies seek alternatives to this
medicine, among them, the study of sulfated polysaccharides has
gained notoriety in the literature, especially the use of citrus pectin.
However, up to now there are no reports in the literature on the
structural modification of citrus pectin and its sulfation optimization with
SO3-pyridine and its implications in anticoagulant activity, which may
lead to the improvement of its sulfation process and the enhancement
11. A good example (from "Karen")
"Heparin is the main anticoagulant agent used to treat thrombosis or to
prevent abnormal clot formation, however, it has adverse effects in
patients. For this reason, many studies seek alternatives to this
medicine, among them, the study of sulfated polysaccharides has
gained notoriety in the literature, especially the use of citrus pectin.
However, up to now there are no reports in the literature on the
structural modification of citrus pectin and its sulfation optimization with
SO3-pyridine and its implications in anticoagulant activity, which may
lead to the improvement of its sulfation process and the enhancement
12. A good example (from "Karen")
"Heparin is the main anticoagulant agent used to treat thrombosis or to
prevent abnormal clot formation, however, it has adverse effects in
patients. For this reason, many studies seek alternatives to this
medicine, among them, the study of sulfated polysaccharides has
gained notoriety in the literature, especially the use of citrus pectin.
However, up to now there are no reports in the literature on the
structural modification of citrus pectin and its sulfation optimization with
SO3-pyridine and its implications in anticoagulant activity, which may
lead to the improvement of its sulfation process and the enhancement
13. A good example (from "Karen")
"Heparin is the main anticoagulant agent used to treat thrombosis or to
prevent abnormal clot formation, however, it has adverse effects in
patients. For this reason, many studies seek alternatives to this
medicine, among them, the study of sulfated polysaccharides has
gained notoriety in the literature, especially the use of citrus pectin.
However, up to now there are no reports in the literature on the
structural modification of citrus pectin and its sulfation optimization with
SO3-pyridine and its implications in anticoagulant activity, which may
lead to the improvement of its sulfation process and the enhancement
1
14. A good example (from "Karen")
"Heparin is the main anticoagulant agent used to treat thrombosis or to
prevent abnormal clot formation, however, it has adverse effects in
patients. For this reason, many studies seek alternatives to this
medicine, among them, the study of sulfated polysaccharides has
gained notoriety in the literature, especially the use of citrus pectin.
However, up to now there are no reports in the literature on the
structural modification of citrus pectin and its sulfation optimization with
SO3-pyridine and its implications in anticoagulant activity, which may
lead to the improvement of its sulfation process and the enhancement
1
2
18. A good example (from "Josephine")
"Epilepsy affects cognition and many studies show that one of its most
affected functions is memory. However, little is said about the executive
functions, which are essential for carrying out activities of daily living
and problem solving. The present study aims to describe executive
functions in adults with refractory epilepsy, comprehending the
components of inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive
flexibility. "
19. "They might question the instruments we used for the
neuropsychological evalutaion. As this reasearch is self-
funded, we had to choose from instruments that were free
of charge, acessible through the literature. However, one
may say other instruments were better suited for our
purpose."
20. Can you hear the Naysayer?
1. “There has been no research on this topic so far in the literature.”
2. “The importance of this subject has already been well established.”
3. “The results of this research conclusively prove that the
participants improved.”
21. Not aware of Naysayer
1. “There has been no research
on this topic so far in the
literature.”
22. Not aware of Naysayer
1. “There has been no research
on this topic so far in the
literature.”
Aware of Naysayer
To the best of our knowledge,
there is little or no research on
this topic...
23. Not aware of Naysayer
1. “There has been no research
on this topic so far in the
literature.”
2. “The importance has already
been well established.”
Aware of Naysayer
To the best of our knowledge,
there is little or no research on
this topic…
24. Not aware of Naysayer
1. “There has been no research
on this topic so far in the
literature.”
2. “The importance has already
been well established.”
Aware of Naysayer
To the best of our knowledge,
there is little or no research on
this topic…
The importance has already been
well established (2-11).
25. Not aware of Naysayer
1. “There has been no research
on this topic so far in the
literature.”
2. “The importance has already
been well established.”
3. “The results of this research
conclusively prove that the
participants improved.”
Aware of Naysayer
To the best of our knowledge,
there is little or no research on
this topic…
The importance has already been
well established (2-11).
26. Not aware of Naysayer
1. “There has been no research
on this topic so far in the
literature.”
2. “The importance has already
been well established.”
3. “The results of this research
conclusively prove that the
participants improved.”
Aware of Naysayer
To the best of our knowledge,
there is little or no research on
this topic…
The importance has already been
well established (2-11).
The results of this research
provide compelling evidence that
participants improved.
37. "C.A.R.S." framework
• Establish “territory”: Mention importance,
what the “conversation” is.
• Establish “niche”: Mention the “gap.”
• Occupy niche: Say how that gap will be (or
was) filled.
1
2
3
38. Example:
Abstract
There is a growing concern that people are not getting enough sleep.
Moreover, there is increasing evidence of an association between sleep
and adult health. However, there is still little research on how much
sleep older adults (>65) need. This retrospective cohort study
examined reported sleep duration and possible associations with health
concerns. Results show that older adults generally require less sleep
than younger adults.
39. Example:
Abstract
There is a growing concern that people are not getting enough sleep.
Moreover, there is increasing evidence of an association between sleep
and adult health. However, there is still little research on how much
sleep older adults (>65) need. This retrospective cohort study
examined reported sleep duration among the elderlyand possible
associations with health concerns. Results show that older adults
generally require less sleep than younger adults.
40. Example:
Abstract
There is a growing concern that people are not getting enough sleep.
Moreover, there is increasing evidence of an association between sleep
and adult health. However, there is still little research on how much
sleep older adults (>65) need. This retrospective cohort study
examined reported sleep duration among the elderly and possible
associations with health concerns. Results show that older adults
generally require less sleep than younger adults.
43. Common problem: No “Space” created
• Establish “territory”: Mention importance,
what the “conversation” is.
• Establish “niche”: Mention the “gap.”
• Occupy niche: Say how that gap will be (or
was) filled.
1
2
3
44. Example:
Abstract
There is a growing concern that people are not getting enough sleep.
Moreover, there is increasing evidence of an association between sleep
and adult health. However, there is still little research on how much
sleep older adults (>65) need. This retrospective cohort study
examined reported sleep duration among the elderly and possible
associations with health concerns. Results show that older adults
generally require less sleep than younger adults.
45. Common problem: No “Space” created
• Establish “territory”: Mention importance,
what the “conversation” is.
• Establish “niche”: Mention the “gap.”
• Occupy niche: Say how that gap will be (or
was) filled.
1
2
3
46. Example:
Abstract
There is a growing concern that people are not getting enough sleep.
Moreover, there is increasing evidence of an association between sleep
and adult health. However, there is still little research on how much
sleep older adults (>65) need. This retrospective cohort study
examined reported sleep duration among the elderly and possible
associations with health concerns. Results show that older adults
generally require less sleep than younger adults.
54. “Zeum” press release:
"Although the name Zeum sounded fun, it didn't
provide parents with any clues about what they
and their children would experience.”
56. Abstract
There is a popular belief that alcohol consumption can help someone
speak a foreign language more fluently. However, there is no evidence
in the current literature to support this idea. This study aimed to
investigate the effect of drinking alcoholic beverages on how adult
learners of English perceive themselves (self-ratings), and how they are
perceived by others (peer-ratings). Results of show that consuming
alcohol drinks positively affected perception of fluency.
57. Which title do you like most?
A. Can drinking alcohol make you speak a foreign language more
fluently? Evidence from a quasi-experimental study
B. Ethyl alcohol (ethanol C2H5OH) consumption by human adults in
distilled form: effects on neuromuscular verbal articulation in a
foreign language
C. Drinking alcohol positively affects fluency in a foreign language
D. The effects of consuming alcoholic beverages on foreign language
fluency
65. Finding
Sair de casa sem guardachuva
aumenta probabilidade de chuvas
Resumo
Das últimas décadas, fala-se muito sobre a
necessidade de se sentir protegido da chuva.
94. Abstract
There is a popular belief that alcohol consumption can help someone
speak a foreign language more fluently. However, there is no evidence
in the current literature to support this idea. This study aimed to
investigate the effect of drinking alcoholic beverages on how adult
learners of English perceive themselves (self-ratings), and how they are
perceived by others (peer-ratings). Results of show that consuming
alcohol drinks positively affected perception of fluency.
158. But I have no data!
• Try to get some!
• Think of the article you produce for this class as a
“template.”
• Best option: use your partial data.
• Good option: use unused data (adviser, lab, classmate...).
• Another option: Build on what you did before (TCC,
dissertation, etc.)
• Worst case scenario: Consider a review (e.g. scoping review)
article.
• You have no topic yet? Create one! (Use your adviser.)
170. Syllabus outline
• 28/08 - Introduction
• 04/09 - IMRaD, Most common errors,
electronic tools
• 11/09 - Strategic planning for your article:
CARS and other approaches
• 18/09 - Title, Abstract e Introduction
• 25/09 - Writing your Introduction
• 02/10 - Coherence, cohesion and clarity, and
use of authorial voice
• 09/10 - (Introduction due) The Method and
Results sections
• 16/10- The Discussion section
• 23/10 - Discussing and Concluding
• 30/10 - Writing (no class)
• 06/11 - Students exchange articles (no class)
• 13/11 - (peer feedback due) Special guest
speaker
• 20/11 - Plagiarism, the submission process
173. Focus on what you know...
• You are familiar with the typical Introduction structure (e.g.
CARS).
• You are aware of the “They say”, “Naysayer”, and your
“Niche.”
• You know what you should and should not try to “copy.”
• You are aware of some typical grammar mistakes.
• You can be a "linguistic detective" using tools Google
Scholar, Google Translate, Grammarly, SKELL e AntConc, and
a mentor text.
175. What’s left (perhaps)...
•Create a title.
•Find "mentor articles" (perhaps with your
adviser) and analyze the Introduction,
"plagiarizing" useful linguistic features.
•Write your Introduction!