7 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WRITING FORMAL ESSAYS & RESEARCH PAPERS

1. Academic Writing
7 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WRITING
FORMAL ESSAYS & RESEARCH PAPERS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
PART 1: INTRODUCTION
Jaime Alfredo Cabrera
Albukhary International University
Alor Setar, Malaysia
22 July 2013

2. 7 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
START: THE 2 WAYS TO START
WRITE: THE 7 STEPS OF WRITING
PLAN: THE 3 STEPS OF PREPARATION
SUBMIT: THE 4 DEADLINES
ASSESSMENT: THE 15 ITEMS FOR GRADING
FINAL: THE 9 PARTS IN ORDER
REVIEW: QUICKLY, 1 MORE TIME
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7

3. IMPORTANT NOTE:
1 2 3 4 5 6

4. IMPORTANT NOTE:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

5. IMPORTANT NOTE:
2 5 6 7

6. IMPORTANT NOTE:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

7. TIP FOR HIGHER GRADES
•Your grade depends on the level of
thinking that a teacher can see in your
formal essay or in your research
paper.
•The teacher must be able to see it.
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8. These are the
levels of thinking
that students use
when they write.
TIP: HOW TO WRITE FOR HIGHER GRADES (1)
Low-level
thinking is at
the bottom of
the triangle. 1
2
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9. TIP: HOW TO WRITE FOR HIGHER GRADES (1)
Top-level thinking
is at the top.
1
2
Mid-level thinking
is in the middle. 3
4
5
6
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10. TIP:
If the paper has perfect grammar, punctuation, spelling, & vocabulary
Low-level thinking =
low grades.
E
D
Average thinking =
average grades.
C
B
High-level thinking
= high grades. A
A*
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11. TIP:
If you use perfect grammar, punctuation, spelling, & vocabulary and then you
Explain, define, or rephrase
ideas in your own words
Show causes and/or effects
Show how parts work together
Use ideas other situations
Repeat or quote ideas
Choose ideas based on standards
Judge ideas based on evidence
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12. TIP FOR HIGHER GRADES
•It is your responsibility to clearly
show your level of thinking.
•It is not the teacher’s duty to look for
it if it is not clear.
•Remember: you are not present
when the teacher grades your paper.
•So, your paper must be very clear.
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13. THE TWO WAYS TO START
STARTING
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

14. 1. SOURCED IDEAS 2. OWN IDEAS
Perhaps you don’t know the topic, or
You may not know what to say, or
You may not be sure what to say, or
You use ideas from other sources. You use your own ideas.
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You may not know how to say it.
Because:
But:
You arrange the ideas in your own way.
You show the connections of the ideas.
You develop the ideas in your own way.
You state the ideas in your own words.
You start by borrowing ideas from other sources.
You develop these ideas in your own way.
Arrange
Connect
Develop
Paraphrase

15. 1. SOURCED IDEAS 2. OWN IDEAS
Use sources with author(s) names,
publication year, city, and publisher.
Document*** all sources of all
sourced ideas, texts, or images.
At least 50% of your paper must be
in your own words: paraphrase.**
*** Documentation = citation and list of references
** Paraphrase = change all words and all arrangements of words
The arrangement of borrowed
ideas must be original,* not copied.
* Original = cannot be found in any other source
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16. 1. SOURCED IDEAS 2. OWN IDEAS
You use ideas from other sources. You use your own ideas.
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Other sources support your ideas.
Other sources add details to your ideas.
You question ideas in other sources.
You disprove ideas in other sources.
You know the topic, or
You know what you want to say, or
You are sure what you want to say, and
You know how you will say it.
Because:
But:
You start with your own ideas.
You use ideas from other sources to make your ideas stronger.
Support
Detail
Analyze
Rationalize

17. 1. SOURCED IDEAS 2. OWN IDEAS
Documentation** is not necessary for
original ideas. BE SURE: CHECK ALL SOURCES
Document** all ideas that are not
original, even if these are your own.
Use sourced ideas to support your
ideas. Document* all sources.
*** Documentation = citation and list of references
** Paraphrase = change all words and all arrangements of words
Your ideas are original if these are not
found in another source(s).
* Original = cannot be found in any other source
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18. THE SEVEN STEPS
WRITING
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

19. STEP 1
SOURCED IDEAS OWN IDEAS
Add Support
RESEARCH NOTES
STEP 2
B B
Show Connections Add Details
IN-TEXT CITATIONS
STEP 3
O B
SUMMARY
STEP 4
O
CONCLUSION
STEP 5 O
STEP 6 O
BACKGROUND INTRODUCTIONSTEP 7 B O
FIRST DRAFT
LIST OF REFERENCES
O
Outline
Thesis Statement v2
O OWN or ORIGINAL IDEAS
B BORROWED or SOURCED IDEAS
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The next lessons will show examples of each step.

22. PREPARATION IN THREE STEPS
PLANNING
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

23. Gather Ideas
RESEARCH NOTES
Outline IdeasB O
STEP 2
STEP 1
B
STEP 3 O Thesis Statement v1 Arrange Ideas
O
O
Thesis Statement v1Rearrange
IN-TEXT CITATIONS
SOURCED IDEAS OWN IDEAS
O OWN IDEAS
B BORROWED IDEAS
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The next lessons will be about research notes & in-text citations.

26. Outline Ideas
STEP 1
B O
SOURCED IDEAS OWN IDEAS
STEP 2
O B
Show Connections Add Details
IN-TEXT CITATIONS
STEP 3
O B
SUMMARY
STEP 4
O
CONCLUSION
STEP 5 O
STEP 6 O
BACKGROUND INTRODUCTIONSTEP 7 O O
FIRST DRAFT
LIST OF REFERENCES
PREP 2
O
Outline
PREP 1
B
PREP 3 O
Thesis Statement v2
Thesis Statement v1 Arrange Ideas
O
O
Thesis Statement v1Rearrange
IN-TEXT CITATIONS
SOURCED IDEAS - research notes and in-text citations are
completed in the PREPARATION STAGE.
OWN IDEAS - research notes and in-text citations are
completed in the WRITING STAGE.
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Gather Ideas
RESEARCH NOTES
Add Support
RESEARCH NOTES

29. SOURCED IDEAS OWN IDEAS
TITLE PAGE
FINISH 1
O
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FINISH 3
O
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
FINISH 2
O
COVER LETTER
FINISH 4
O
LIST OF REFERENCESB
FINISH 5
O OWN IDEAS
B BORROWED IDEAS
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32. SOURCED IDEAS OWN IDEAS
TITLE PAGE
FINISH 1
O
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FINISH 3
O
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
FINISH 2
O
COVER LETTER
FINISH 4
O
LIST OF REFERENCESB
FINISH 5
Gather Ideas
RESEARCH NOTES
Outline IdeasB O
PREP 2
PREP 1
B
PREP 3 O Thesis Statement v1 Arrange Ideas
O
O
Thesis Statement v1Rearrange
IN-TEXT CITATIONS
STEP 1 Add Support
RESEARCH NOTES
STEP 2
O B
Show Connections Add Details
IN-TEXT CITATIONS
STEP 3
O B
SUMMARY
STEP 4
O
CONCLUSION
STEP 5 O
STEP 6 O
BACKGROUND INTRODUCTIONSTEP 7 O O
FIRST DRAFT
LIST OF REFERENCES
O
Outline
Thesis Statement v2
PREPWRITING&REWRITINGFINISHING
A
B
C
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NOTES

33. THE FOUR DEADLINES
SUBMITTING
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

42. Gather Ideas
RESEARCH NOTES
Outline Ideas
STEP 1
B O
SOURCED IDEAS OWN IDEAS
Add Support
RESEARCH NOTES
STEP 2
O B
Show Connections Add Details
IN-TEXT CITATIONS
STEP 3
O B
SUMMARY
STEP 4
O
CONCLUSION
STEP 5 O
STEP 6 O
BACKGROUND INTRODUCTIONSTEP 7 O O
TITLE PAGE
FINISH 1
O
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FINISH 3
O
FIRST DRAFT
LIST OF REFERENCES
PREP 2
O
Outline
PREP 1
B
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
FINISH 2
O
COVER LETTER
FINISH 4
O
LIST OF REFERENCESB
FINISH 5
PREP 3 O
Thesis Statement v2
WKS10-12WKS1-3WKS4-6WKS7-9
Thesis Statement v1 Arrange Ideas
O
O
Thesis Statement v1Rearrange
IN-TEXT CITATIONS
DEADLINES




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43. THE 15 ITEMS FOR GRADING
GETTING THE GRADE
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

44. Gather Ideas
RESEARCH NOTES
Outline Ideas1 1
SOURCED IDEAS OWN IDEAS
PREP 2
PREP 1
2
PREP 3 3
WKS1-3
Thesis Statement v1 Arrange Ideas
2
3
Thesis Statement v1Rearrange
IN-TEXT CITATIONS
WRITE,
SUBMIT,
REWRITE, &
REWRITE
FOR 3
WEEKS
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FOR GRADING

45. Your paper needs to be checked many
times.
There are 10 levels of checking.
A tutor can only check the next level
after you have revised the preceding level.
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WHY REWRITE MANY TIMES?

46. Level 01: Grammar errors
Level 02: Errors in spelling & punctuation
Level 03: Vocabulary accuracy errors
Level 04: Errors in brevity & conciseness
Level 05: Errors in logical flow & development
Level 06: Use of higher-level cognitive skills
Level 07: Errors in content accuracy
Level 08: Percentage of original content
Level 09:Errors in source documentation
Level 10: Errors in formatting
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10 Levels of Checking
The next level can be checked only after the
preceding-level errors are corrected

47. A tutor checks only one or two types of errors
in one level of checking.
A tutor can only check the next level after you
have revised the preceding level.
If you do not wish to rewrite a document,
email your tutor and ask for a final grade; attach
the document in your email.
Your work will be assessed and given a final
grade. Warning: A final grade is final.
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Why Rewrite Many Times?

48. • To give your tutor time to
identify all your errors, submit
everything on the first week.
• Immediately resubmit each part
until every error is identified.
• This can help you get the
highest possible grade.
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49. • To give your tutor time to
identify all your errors, submit
everything on the first week.
• Immediately resubmit each
part until every error is
identified.
• This can help you get the
highest possible grade.
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50. STEP 1
SOURCED IDEAS OWN IDEAS
Add Support
RESEARCH NOTES
STEP 2
4 4
Show Connections Add Details
IN-TEXT CITATIONS
STEP 3
5 5
6
Outline
Thesis Statement v2
WKS4-6
WRITE,
SUBMIT,
REWRITE,
& REWRITE
FOR 3
WEEKS
If you rewrite and resubmit each part until
you have corrected every error that your
tutor identifies, then you can get the
highest possible grade.
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FOR GRADING

51. SOURCED IDEAS OWN IDEAS
SUMMARY
STEP 4
CONCLUSION
STEP 5 8
STEP 6 9
BACKGROUNDSTEP 7 10
FIRST DRAFT
LIST OF REFERENCES
7
WKS7-9
WRITE,
SUBMIT,
REWRITE,
AND
REWRITE
FOR 3
WEEKS
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FOR GRADING
• If you submit everything at the last
minute, then your tutor may have no
time to identify your errors.
• You may have no time to rewrite.
• Thus, you may not be able to get the
highest possible grade.

52. SOURCED IDEAS OWN IDEAS
TITLE PAGE
FINISH 1
12
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FINISH 3
14
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
FINISH 2
13
COVER LETTER
FINISH 4
15
LIST OF REFERENCES11
FINISH 5
WKS10-12
WRITE,
SUBMIT,
REWRITE,
AND
REWRITE
FOR 3
WEEKS
To get the highest possible grade, try and draft all parts of the paper in
the first three weeks even if the schedule for submission is later.
The drafts need not be perfect; getting everything written is the most
important thing.
Write everything at the start; adding and revising is much easier than
writing from zero.
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FOR GRADING

53. ARRANGING THE NINE PARTS
FINALIZING
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

55. in order

56. SOURCED IDEAS OWN IDEAS
Add Support
RESEARCH NOTES
Show Connections Add Details
IN-TEXT CITATIONS
SUMMARY SUMMARY
CONCLUSION CONCLUSION
06
07
04
BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION
TITLE PAGE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
02
FIRST DRAFT
Outline
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
08
COVER LETTER
09
LIST OF REFERENCES
05
03
01
Thesis Statement v2 Thesis Statement v2
FIRST DRAFT









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57. AND ONE MORE TIME
REVIEW
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

58. Gather Ideas
RESEARCH NOTES
Outline Ideas
STEP 1
B O
SOURCED IDEAS OWN IDEAS
Add Support
RESEARCH NOTES
STEP 2
O B
Show Connections Add Details
IN-TEXT CITATIONS
STEP 3
O B
SUMMARY SUMMARY
STEP 4
O O
CONCLUSION CONCLUSION
STEP 5 O O
06
06
06
P4
STEP 6 O O
04
BACKGROUND INTRODUCTIONSTEP 7 O O
07
TITLE PAGE
FINISH 1
O
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FINISH 3
O
02
FIRST DRAFT
REFERENCES
PREP 2
O
P2
Outline / Contents
PREP 1
B
P1
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
FINISH 2
O
08
COVER LETTER
FINISH 4
O
09
LIST OF REFERENCESB
05
FINISH 5
PREP 3 O P3
03
01
Thesis Statement v2 Thesis Statement v2
WKS10-12WKS1-3WKS4-6WKS7-9
Thesis Statement v1 Arrange Ideas
O
O
Thesis Statement v1Rearrange
IN-TEXT CITATIONS
FIRST DRAFT
REFERENCES
O
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NOTES

59. 1. SOURCED IDEAS 2. OWN IDEAS
Maybe you don’t have a topic. You have a topic.
You may not know what to say. You know what you want to say.
You may not be sure what to say. You are sure what you want to say.
You use ideas from other sources. You use your own ideas.
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NOTES
You may not know how to say it. You know how you will say it.
You arrange the ideas in your own way.
You connect the ideas in your own way.
You develop the ideas in your own way.
You state the ideas in your own way.
Sources add support to your ideas.
Sources add details to your ideas.
You question ideas in other sources.
You disprove ideas in other sources.

60. 1. SOURCED IDEAS 2. OWN IDEAS
Use sources with author(s) names,
publication year, city, and publisher.
Documentation** is not necessary for
original ideas. BE SURE: CHECK SOURCES
Document*** all sources of all
sourced ideas, texts, or images.
Document** all ideas that are not
original, even if these are your own.
At least 50% of your paper must be
in your own words: paraphrase.**
Use sourced ideas to support your
ideas. Document* all sources.
*** Documentation = citation and list of references
** Paraphrase = change all words and all arrangements of words
The arrangement of borrowed
ideas must be original,* not copied.
Your ideas are original if these can’t
be found in any other source.
* Original = cannot be found in any other source
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61. Level 01: Grammar errors
Level 02: Errors in spelling & punctuation
Level 03: Vocabulary accuracy errors
Level 04: Errors in brevity & conciseness
Level 05: Errors in logical flow & development
Level 06: Use of higher-level cognitive skills
Level 07: Errors in content accuracy
Level 08: Percentage of original content
Level 09:Errors in source documentation
Level 10: Errors in formatting
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10 Levels of Checking
The next level can be checked only after the
preceding-level errors are corrected

62. TIP:
If you use perfect grammar, punctuation, spelling, & vocabulary and then you
Explain, define, or rephrase
ideas in your own words
Show causes and/or effects
Show how parts work together
Use ideas other situations
Repeat or quote ideas
Choose ideas based on standards
Judge ideas based on evidence
NEXT SLIDE IN
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TAKE NOTE

63. A tutor checks only one or two types of errors
in one level of checking.
A tutor can only check the next level after you
have revised the preceding level.
If you do not wish to rewrite a document,
email your tutor and ask for a final grade; attach
the document in your email.
Your work will be assessed and given a final
grade. Warning: A final grade is final.
NEXT SLIDE IN
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TAKE NOTE
Why Rewrite Many Times?

64. REMEMBER:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

65. DON’T MISS
Next: APA Documentation
• Step by Step
• With Examples
• Common Errors to Avoid
END SHOW
Next: How to Write Each Part
• Step by Step
• With Examples
• Common Errors to Avoid

67. To request for the animated slideshow, email mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com