This document summarizes and compares different types of academic writing. It discusses academic journals, peer-reviewed journals, white papers, newspapers, empirical studies, literature reviews, book reviews, and annotated bibliographies. For each type, it provides a definition, purpose, and examples of their unique aspects and uses. It recommends peer-reviewed journals and book reviews as preferred sources for students due to their rigorous quality standards and ability to save time during research. The document was created by a team consisting of Terence Haynes, Hermon Mike, Chan Nichols, and Ian Williams, with contributions in specific areas.

1. Writing Types
A TEAM PROJECT
By
Hermon Mike Ian Williams
Terence Haynes Chan Nichols

3. Academic Journal
Peer-Review Journal
White Paper
Newspaper
Empirical Study
Literature Review
Book Review
Annotated Bibliography
Writing Types

4. What is it?
An Academic journal is a journal that publishes scholarly
peer–review article written by experts.
Its main purpose is to inform, report and make available
original research and new findings.
Often devoted to a single discipline or sub discipline.
Mainly held in libraries or on subscription based
database—few are freely available on www.
Writing Types

5. What is it?
Peer-Review Journal contains articles that have been
reviewed by a body of peers who are in the same field
with the writer.
• They are call scholarly or academic journal.
• Peer review is a well accepted indicator of quality
scholarship.
• This means that articles are accepted for publication
through a peer review process implicitly meet the
discipline standard of expertise.

6. What is it?
According to Sakamuro and Stolley (2010): ―A white
paper is a certain type of report that is distinctive in terms
of purpose, audience, and organization.‖
Purpose: Mathias et al. (2001) says it serves one of the
following:
• To state an organization's policy, position, or philosophy
about a subject;
• To present a not-too-detailed technical explanation of
an architecture, framework, or product technology; or
• To pose a technology-oriented problem or question
and then answer that question with information or a
proposed solution.
Writing Types

7. What is it?
A newspaper is a regularly scheduled publication that
communicates a variety of information that includes
local and international news, editorial opinions,
announcements, advertisements, among others.
Purpose: To consistently inform its reading audience in a
factual and non-bias manner about current events,
issues, services, activities, and opportunities directly or
indirectly impacting the local and/or global society.
The news include ―general news, political news, business
news, regional news, entrainment news, niche-oriented
news (health, science, technology), crime reporting, and
sensationalism.‖ (Answers.com 2012)

8. What is it?
Empirical research is research done using observed and
measured data to prove or disprove a working
hypothesis (Hani 2009). This may be quantitative or
qualitative in nature using two or more variables (Norfolk
State University 2010).
Accurate analysis of data using standard statistical
methods remains critical in order to determine legitimacy
of empirical research. Also statistical formulas don‘t
produce proof of the validity of the hypothesis and can
only support a hypothesis, reject it, or do neither. (Hani
2009)
Writing Types

9. What makes it Unique?
In empirical research the structure of the writing type
consists of the following: literature reviewed, research
design, methodology; procedure executed; results
(statistically reviewed); discussion of the results and finally
recommendations (Woken n. d.)
Use:
It may clarify or deepen (expand) the current
understanding of the topic under investigation or
provides recommendations for further research.
Writing Types

10. What is it?
A literature review is a summary of professional literature
read that focuses on a specific topic of interest to the
researcher and includes a critical analysis of the
relationship among different works, and relating this
research to the researcher‘s work. (Mongan-Rallis 2006)
‗Literature‘ covers everything relevant that is written on a
topic: books, journal articles, newspaper articles,
historical records, government reports, theses and
dissertations, etc. The important word is 'relevant' (UC n.
d.)

11. What makes it unique? In a literature review, the literature
itself is the subject of discussion and not supporting
material. (UC n. d.)
Strength: When done by an expert in the field, insightful,
valid syntheses of the research literature can be
developed and sometimes unique insight is generated.
Weakness: Authors bias can influence the selection,
interpretation and organization of content. (Neill n. d.)
Use: It may be written as a stand-alone paper or provide
a theoretical framework and rationale for a research
study (such as a thesis or dissertation). (MR 2006)

12. What is it?
• A book review is a descriptive, critical analysis and an
evaluation on the quality, meaning and significance
of a book.
• It focuses on the book‘s purpose, content, and
authority. Los Angeles Valley College Library (2011)
• It makes an argument. It is a commentary that allows
you to enter into dialogue and discussion with the
work‘s creator and with other audiences. The Writing
Center (2011)
Writing Types

13. What makes it unique:
• A review gives the reader a concise summary of the
content. A relevant description of the topic...its gives
overall perspective, argument, or purpose.
• It offers a critical assessment of the content and gives
a reaction to the work.
Use:
• It suggests whether or not the audience would
appreciate it. The Writing Center (2011)
• It assist researcher in quickly assessing published books
during their literature review.
Writing Types

14. What is it:
An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books,
articles, and documents. Each citation is followed by a
brief (usually about 150 words) descriptive and
evaluative paragraph.(Cornell university library n. d.)
Therefore, an annotated bibliography includes a
summary and/or evaluation of each of the sources cited
in one‘s work. (Bisignani, & Brizee,2011)
Use:
The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader of
the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the sources
cited.

15. Why Peer-Review Journal/Article and Book Review (BR)
are preferred:
• More reliable quality of research and academic writing.
• Limits the author‘s bias and pre set ideas.
• Ensures high quality material form credible researchers.
• The student gets the best and often current research
and information available on the subject.
• BR saves time for the student when doing a literature
review.
• BR comes with the reviewer‘s recommendations of the
relevance of the book to other readers.
• BR provides a critical assessment of the content.
Writing Types

16. Bisignani, D. Brizee, A. (2011) Retrieved March 7, 2011 from
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/614/01
Cain, J. (1999) Science and Engineering Ethics. Retrieved
September 9, 2011 from
http://ccnmtl.columbia.edu/projects/rcr/rcr_authorship/foun
dation/index.html
Cornell University Library (2011). Distinguishing Scholarly Journals
from Other Periodicals. Retrieved September 04 2011 from
http://olinuris.library.cornell.edu/ref/research/skill20.html
Cornell University Library. (n. d.) What is an annotated
bibliography? Retrieved from:
http://olinuris.library.cornell.edu/ref/research/skill28.htm
Writing Types

17. Hani (2009). Empirical Research. Retrieved 07 Mar. 2012 from
Experiment Resources: http://www.experiment-
resources.com/empirical-research.html
Larson, E. What Other Options Might There Be? Retrieved
September 9, 2011 from
http://library.uvic.ca/instruction/research/peerreview.html
Law, M.C. and MacDermid, J. (2008). Evidence-based
rehabilitation: A guide to practice. New Jersey, USA: SLACK
Incorporated
Mathias, B., Deitz, A., Crosby, J. & Borup, A. (2001). White paper
guidelines. Retrieved from http://www.nwcg.gov/pmu/pmo-
archive/products/documents/White_Paper_Guidelines.pdf.
Writing Types

18. Mongan-Rallis, H. 2006. Guidelines for writing a literature review.
―How To‖ Guideline Series. Education Department at the
University of Minnesota Duluth. Last modified November 17,
2006. Retrieved from:
http://www.d.umn.edu/~hrallis/guides/researching/litreview.h
tml
Neill, J. (n. d.). How to Write a Literature Review - Advice for
graduate students: Last Modified Aug 08, 2003. Retrieved
from
http://wilderdom.com/OEcourses/PROFLIT/Class3LiteratureRe
view.htm
Norfolk State University (2010). Empirical research. Retrieved from
http://www.nsu.edu/library/pdf/EmpiricalResearch.pdf
Writing Types

19. Sakamuro S. & Stolley K., (2010). White Paper: Purpose and
Audience, Retrieved September 18, 2011, from
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/546/1/
The Writing Center. (2011). Book reviews. University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved from
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb , March 7, 2012
University of Canberra. (n. d.) Writing a Literature Review:
Academic Skills Centre: Retrieved from
http://www.canberra.edu.au/studyskills/writing/literature
William, K. (2007). Class 2. Michigan State University. Retrieved
from https://www.msu.edu/course/pls/201/class2spring07.pdf
Writing Types

20. Woken, M. D. (n. d.). Empirical vs. Library Studies: Planning
Research Papers 2. University of Illinois State. Retrieved from
http://www.uis.edu/ctl/writing/documents/ctlths2.pdf
What are the different types of newspaper? (2012). In The Q&A
wiki. Retrieved March 11, 2012, from Answers Corporation
website:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_different_types_of_
newspaper
Writing Types

21. Terence Haynes
• Introduction, Empirical Study &Literature Review
• Preferred Writing Types
Hermon Mike
• Book Review & Annotated Bibliography
• Preferred Writing Types
Chan Nichols
• White Paper & Newspaper
• Graphic Design, Formatting & Compiling
Ian Williams
• Academic Journal & Peer-Review Journal/Article
• Preferred Writing Types

22. The End
Merged & Designed by PSCN
Copyright 2012