Lecture 2 The assignment

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Lecture 2 The assignment Academic writing

• INFO1010Library Information Networks
• Celia Munro
• Faculty Librarian, Science IT
• celia.munro_at_newcastle.edu.au

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The Assignment
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A bibliographic reference
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Whats a bibliographic detail?

• The details you need to create a reference or
  citation.

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It must include

• Author or editors
• Year published/created/updated/broadcast
• Title and any additional titles eg journal name,
  book name etc
• AND..

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• Additional information depending on the type of
  item it is.
• This additional information would help someone to
  find the item.
• See http//www.newcastle.edu.au/service/library/in
  fo1010/apabib.html for examples

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Whats a citation?
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• The bibliographic information (or details) is the
  information you need to create a citation or
  reference.
• The citation or intext reference is the
  bibliographic details in context and presented in
  a referencing style eg APA.

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An example a book

• bibliographic details or reference details
• The citation in a bibliography (APA style)

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An example an article

• Bibliographic details or reference details
• The citation in a bibliography (APA style)

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Scientific Writing
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Writing assignments

• There are 2 documents on the web to assist you
  with this section
• How to plan an essay
• And
• Scientific writing
• http//www.newcastle.edu.au/services/library/info1
  010/wlinks.html

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Scientific Writing

• Why write well?
• Writing is about communicating
• Ideas
• Data
• Information
• Knowledge

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Priorities

• Communication
• Content
• and
• Audience/Purpose this will determine how you
  present your content.

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Scientific Writing

• If you can write clearly and logically your
  reader will
• Read it
• Understand it
• Mark it

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Punctuation

• Punctuation helps to get your meaning across.
• Full stops end a sentence
• Commas break up sentences and lists
• Colons mark the division between bits of
  information or can tell the reader an example is
  coming.

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Layout Format

• Presentation
• Use paragraphs to divide up your ideas
• Use correct sentences this helps the reader
  understand
• Dont use clever language
• Essay format
• Use introduction, body and conclusion
• May also need an abstract
• Special rules apply to reports

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clever talk

• Dont use phrases you dont understand
• You might use them incorrectly
• The object of the exercise is to communicate
• Explain technical or difficult terms
• it also shows you know what they mean
• Try not to be too wordy

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clever talk

• Replace these
• A considerable number of
• are of the same opinion
• due to the fact that
• I will endeavour
• at no time
• the flask is completely full

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Page layout

• Use a nice, readable font
• serif is good on the page for the body of the
  essay
• Sans serif is good for headings
• Check the hierarchy in your headings
• Use a spell checker and also think about your
  spelling
• Use white space to help your reader

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Good work

• Is clear about what it is saying
• Knows who the audience is
• Uses clear, simple language
• Follows a known format
• Because the writer
• Wants to communicate
• Uses tools like the dictionary and thesaurus
• Follows the conventions (rules) of the format

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Good web page design

• To access information on designing good web pages
  see http//www.newcastle.edu.au/services/library/i
  nfo1010/wlinks.html
• You will find
• A powerpoint session and
• A web page with links.
• For more information on writing see
  http//www.newcastle.edu.au/services/library/info1
  010/wlinks.html