Writing in Academia Mathias Klang [email_address]

The purpose of university To challenge ideas and minds by thinking freely within research and education BUT…within an international traditional regulatory system University and academy lacks a sense of humor when dealing with academic honesty

To challenge ideas and minds by thinking freely within research and education

BUT…within an international traditional regulatory system

University and academy lacks a sense of humor when dealing with academic honesty

What is an essay? Excercise in the clear presentation of evidence, reasons and arguments to arrive at a conlcusion.

Excercise in the clear presentation of evidence, reasons and arguments to arrive at a conlcusion.

Every essay should have: Plan & Structure Definitions of key concepts ARGUMENT, critical thinking Readable English & Accurate spelling References No unnecessary points

Plan & Structure

Definitions of key concepts

ARGUMENT, critical thinking

Readable English & Accurate spelling

References

No unnecessary points

“ I can’t write … ” Writing is a process Not an automatic skill Learning by doing and practicing Laziness Write and re-write Work with your text Spelling and grammar

Writing is a process

Not an automatic skill

Learning by doing and practicing

Laziness

Write and re-write

Work with your text

Spelling and grammar

Structure Title page Introduction Purpose/Question Background Theory Related Work Method Result Discussion Conclusion References Objective Analysis and conclusions drawn from material

Title page

Introduction

Purpose/Question

Background

Theory

Related Work

Method

Result

Discussion

Conclusion

References

Time When is it due? Length? ” simple” mathematics Advanced math weekends Boredom I never thought it would happen… Marat, murdered by Charlotte Corday, painted by David 1793

When is it due?

Length?

” simple” mathematics

Advanced math

weekends

Boredom

I never thought it would happen…

Technical & Social Problems Upgrades Virus & spam Games Friends Family Seated Scribe, Egyptian (ca 1350 BCE)

Upgrades

Virus & spam

Games

Friends

Family

Writing Do NOT begin at the beginning Borrow/steal ideas & text for inspiration (beware plagiarism) Write down ideas straight away!

Do NOT begin at the beginning

Borrow/steal ideas & text for inspiration (beware plagiarism)

Write down ideas straight away!

Getting started Pictures Brainstorming Mindmaps Notebooks Read similar stuff Write down every ”aha”

Pictures

Brainstorming

Mindmaps

Notebooks

Read similar stuff

Write down every ”aha”

Why does anyone read essays? One of the primary hurdles in getting people to read your paper is getting them to read the content of the paper. If the title is misleading, and if the abstract and introduction do not manage to establish the setting in an interesting way, chances are that the reader will not go any further, unless they are very devoted to the topic, appointed reviewers (in which case you are in trouble anyway), or a close friend. (Sørensen)

One of the primary hurdles in getting people to read your paper is getting them to read the content of the paper. If the title is misleading, and if the abstract and introduction do not manage to establish the setting in an interesting way, chances are that the reader will not go any further, unless they are very devoted to the topic, appointed reviewers (in which case you are in trouble anyway), or a close friend. (Sørensen)

Who reads it? Compulsory Family Grades Opponent Interest Supervisor Future employers

Compulsory

Family

Grades

Opponent

Interest

Supervisor

Future employers

Catch the reader Know what your question is Know why your question is important Tell us quickly Avoid poetry

Know what your question is

Know why your question is important

Tell us quickly

Avoid poetry

The End Has the questioned been answered

Has the questioned been answered

Borrowing, Copying and Plagiarism

Illegal file sharing

University Plagiarism

Form Ideas Plagiarism Copyright

What is a copy?

Plagiarism Priscilla was my age and lived two blocks away. For the first fifteen years of my life, those were the only qualifications I needed in a best friend. Bridget is my age and lives across the street. For the first twelve years in my life, these qualifications were all I needed in a best friend. Viswanathan: How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild and Got a Life ( 2006) McCafferty: Sloppy Firsts (2001)

Priscilla was my age and lived two blocks away. For the first fifteen years of my life, those were the only qualifications I needed in a best friend.

Bridget is my age and lives across the street. For the first twelve years in my life, these qualifications were all I needed in a best friend.

Copyright protects form but not the idea “ Copying non-generic details of a plot may be copyright infringement” (Posner 1987)

Problem 2 Dan Browne “Da Vinci Code” sued for copyright violation by Baigent & Leigh authors of “The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail” (1982) Claimed that Browne stole the idea that Jesus married Maria Magdalena and had children.

Dan Browne “Da Vinci Code” sued for copyright violation by Baigent & Leigh authors of “The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail” (1982)

Claimed that Browne stole the idea that Jesus married Maria Magdalena and had children.

Disciplinary Measures Disciplinary measures may be taken if (Chapter 10 Higher Education Ordinance, SFS 1993:100): Use of non-permitted material or tools Attempts to deceive examiners Disrupts or prevents teaching, examination or other activities at university Harassment of students or staff.

Disciplinary measures may be taken if (Chapter 10 Higher Education Ordinance, SFS 1993:100):

Use of non-permitted material or tools

Attempts to deceive examiners

Disrupts or prevents teaching, examination or other activities at university

Harassment of students or staff.

Attempt to deceive By using non-permitted aids or in other ways attempt to deceive in connection with examinations or other occasions when student work is assessed.

By using non-permitted aids or in other ways attempt to deceive in connection with examinations or other occasions when student work is assessed.

Cheating To use non-permitted methods to attempt to gain an advantage. Helping others to cheat is also seen as cheating

To use non-permitted methods to attempt to gain an advantage.

Helping others to cheat is also seen as cheating

Non-permitted cooperation When students collaborate in work that is intended to be conducted individually

When students collaborate in work that is intended to be conducted individually

Plagiarism Plagiarism is included in the concept of attempting to deceive the examiner. Plagiarism may be described as: any attempt by a student to use the ideas or words of others in an attempt to deceive the examiner into believing they are students own.

Plagiarism is included in the concept of attempting to deceive the examiner.

Plagiarism may be described as: any attempt by a student to use the ideas or words of others in an attempt to deceive the examiner into believing they are students own.

What happens The department is required to notify the Vice Chancellor The Vice Chancellor may decide to: Not proceed further Hand out a formal warning Defer to the university disciplinary committee

The department is required to notify the Vice Chancellor

The Vice Chancellor may decide to:

Not proceed further

Hand out a formal warning

Defer to the university disciplinary committee

The Disciplinary Committee May decide to Not proceed further Hand out a formal warning Suspend the student for a period of up to six months Suspension entails that the student may not participate in teaching, examination or other university activity

May decide to

Not proceed further

Hand out a formal warning

Suspend the student for a period of up to six months

Suspension entails that the student may not participate in teaching, examination or other university activity

Uncertain? Ask! Lecturers Course manager Examiner Student guidance office Ignorance is not a defence

Ask!

Lecturers

Course manager

Examiner

Student guidance office

Ignorance is not a defence