This document discusses key functions in academic writing such as definition, description, and processes. It provides details on defining terms, including the purposes of defining terms, elements of a definition, and words associated with definitions. Descriptions can involve describing processes using imperative or passive voice, describing component parts, and describing sequences of events using time indicators. Definitions aim to demonstrate understanding of concepts, structure writing, and begin a piece of writing. Descriptions involve detailed explanations of processes, parts, or sequences of events using language and time frames.

1. Key Functions in
Academic Writing
Lemmuela Alvita Kurniawati
136332040

2. 1.1 Introduction
Defini-tion
Types
of
Writing
Descrip-tion
Classifi-cation
Cause-effect
Argumen-tation
Compari-son
and
contrast

3. Functions
To categorize
different sections of
writing
To establish a
particular function
DEFINITION
DESCRIPTION

4. 1.2 Defining Terms and Ideas
Defining
specialized,
controversial
or ambiguous
terminology
Defining
Terms
and
Ideas
Making the
meanings of
key terms
absolutely
clear
Using the
terminology
consistently

5. Purposes of defining terms
To demonstrate understanding
of the concepts to which they
refer
To begin the writing
To give structure to a piece of
writing

6. Definition
Length
• Short
• Long
Elements
• Category
• Characteristic
Detailed
information
• Origin
• History
• Function(s)
• Use(s)

7. Words and phrases associated with
definition
In the present study, ____ refers to ____
____ can be defined as ____
This term refers to ____
Although there have been various interpretations of
____, I am using it to mean ____
I am taking ____ to mean ____
The term as used here refers not to ____ but
instead/ rather to ____

8. 1.3 Describing
Finally/
Lastly
PROCESSES
Next
Simul-taneously
Following
Prior to
After this

9. Describing processes
Language
form
Imperative
form
First, heat the oil.
Next, pour the milk
into the hot pan.
Passive voice
form
First, ripe grapes
are harvested.
Then, they are
crushed by a
mechanical
crusher.

10. Describing component parts
Example:
Washing machines are operated by a motor, which
is connected to the agitator through a transmission. The
motor and transmission are near the bottom of the
machine, while the agitator is the middle of the machine.
The transmission is similar to the transmission in the
automobile which changes the speed and direction of the
agitator.

11. Describing a sequence of events
Time
sequence
Before
After
At the
same
time
Respec-tively
Next
Time frames/
time periods
From …
to …
During …
By the
time …
Between
… and …
Until …

12. Thank You