The document provides guidance on academic writing structure and content. It recommends that academic writing should include critical thinking, with points supported by references. Key components are an introduction describing the topic and points to be discussed, a discussion section analyzing and evaluating each point, and a conclusion summarizing the evaluations without new information. Academic writing must be structured, use in-text citations and a reference list, and follow guidelines for describing, analyzing and evaluating.

1. Deconstructing academic writing

2. In your writing,
every POINT you make needs…
• Critical thinking: the foundation of academic writing
(Supported with references)
Description
• What?
• Who?
• When?
• Where?
Analysis
• Why?
• How?
• What if?
Evaluation
• So
what?
• What
next?

3. Title: A typical example of academic writing
Introduction
• First sentence relates to title and has a
‘hook’ to keep reader interested.
• Say what points will be discussed.
• Predominantly future tense. E.g. ‘The
following will be discussed…’
Discussion
• Discuss those points in the same order…
• Point 1 – Describe, analyse & evaluate.
• Point 2 – Describe, analyse & evaluate.
• Cont. – Describe, analyse & evaluate
• Ensure logical flow of ideas
Conclusions
• Are a summary of the evaluations!
• Don’t add anything new.
• Write in past tense. E.g. ‘It was found’.

4. Critical thinking
Introduction
Conclusions
Point 1 Point 2 Point 3
Discussion
Point 4
Critical thinking
• Describe
• Analyse
• Evaluate

5. Describe, Analyse and Evaluate
Looking at the individual stages for any business project, …it is particularly
important… (Peters, 2016). According to Matthew (2015) this should always…
Certainly Peters (2016) demonstrates how certain approaches may help…
However, to gain a better understanding of where certain approaches can
lead to project failure, we must examine… …certainly managers need to
communicate clearly what it is they… as also suggest by Adams
(2006). Although, one major drawback of this approach is that… (Peters,
2016). In order to insure that any project outcome is favourable…, a new
approach is required to overcome those issues… Brian (2016) provides a
solution that would lead to better…
Having considered all the important issues associated with business projects,
there is clear evidence that more needs to be done…, particularly… Making
these changes would not only improve the impact of those businesses, but it
would also lead to...resulting in more customers willing… Finally there is…
PLEASE NOTE: if you use any acronyms, make sure they are explained within the text!

6. Writing with critical language
• www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk
• Manchester Phrase Bank
– Note the left navigation
menu:
• Being Critical
• Being Cautious
• Classifying and Listing
• Compare and Contrast
• Defining Terms
Etc…

8. Differences between
reports and essays
Reports are: Essays are:
• Formally structured
• Informative and fact-based
• Written with a specific purpose and
reader in mind
• Written in a style appropriate to
each section
• Always include section headings
• Sometimes use bullet points
• Often include tables or graphs
• Offer recommendations for action
• Semi-structured
• Argumentative and idea-based
• Not written with a specific reader in
mind
• Written in single narrative style
throughout
• Usually do not include sub-headings
• Usually do not include bullet points
• Rarely include tables or graphs
• Offer conclusions about a question
Learnhigher (2012) What’s The Different Between Reports And Essays?
http://www.learnhigher.ac.uk/writing-for-university/report-writing/whats-
the-different-between-reports-and-essays/ (Accessed: 14/10/2016

9. How to reference
• Important – Business School uses Harvard format!
• Always check with your tutor or assignment brief
• ‘Cite Them Right’ (available as a book and also online)
• See slides from Amanda Southam (at the end)

10. Report writing (numbered)
• Tend to be a numbered format:
1.0 Introduction
1.1 …
2.0 Literature review
2.1 …
3.0 Discussion
3.1 …
3.1.1 …
4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations
4.1 Conclusions
4.2 Recommendations
References
Appendices
This is a simplified example – check with tutor or assignment brief!

11. How to reference a book (example)
• Be consistent with references and in text citations (Harvard):
In text citations:
(Johns, 2013, p. 25) or Johns (2013, p. 25)
Reference:
Johns, J.B. (2013) A guide to good management, London: A publisher.

12. Reference list (alphabetical order)
References
Adams, B. (2013) Management today, London: A publisher.
Jacobson, R.J., Harrison, T., Ford, H., and Jones, P. (2014) ‘Adapting to
change', Example Journal of management, 33(3), pp. 323–326.
Johns, J.B. (2013) A guide to good business practice, London: A publisher.
Vivoni, E.R. and Camilli, R. (2003) ‘Making money out of nothing’, Business
Philosophy, 13(4), pp. 457-468.

13. Summing up
• Maintain focus
• Avoid writing too many points
• Use the brief to help you focus
• Employ critical thinking
• Describe, analyse, evaluate
• Reference to support your arguments
• Opinion alone appears less trustworthy

14. Writing tips
• Write regularly, 15-30 mins a day, to maintain momentum
• Avoid over elaborate writing, be concise and to the point; being
aware of linking phrases and flow
• Proofread aloud and carefully to ensure proper language use and
readability
• Talk about your ideas and writing as much as you can with others
• Read academic texts to see how they ‘sound’, follow the principles of
their good practice