Chapter 1 Academic Writing 1
1.1 What Is Academic Writing 2
1.2 Different Categories of Academic Writing 2
1.2.1 Academic Articles 2
1.2.2 Academic Books 2
1.2.3 Conference Papers 3
1.2.4 Poster Papers 3
1.3 Different Categories of Academic Articles 4
1.3.1 Letters 4
1.3.2 Research Notes 4
1.3.3 Articles 4
1.3.4 Supplemental Articles 4
1.3.5 Review Articles 4
1.3.6 Data Papers 5
1.3.7 Video Papers 5
1.4 Purposes of Academic Writing 5
Chapter 2 The Process of Academic Writing 7
2.1 Academic Writing as a Process 8
2.2 Different Stages in the Process of Academic Writing 9
2.2.1 Preparation for Writing 9
2.2.2 Academic Writing Per Se 11
2.2.3 Sending Papers to Conferences and Seminars 12
2.2.4 Targeting a Journal 13
2.2.5 Preparing Your Paper for Submission 13
2.2.6 Reviewing Process 13
2.2.7 Technicalities of Proofs and Copyright 14
Chapter 3 Academic Reading and Academic Resources 17
3.1 Significance of Academic Reading to Academic Writing 18
3.2 Habits and Skills for Academic Reading 18
3.2.1 Forming the Habit of Reading 18
3.2.2 Reading Actively，Not Passively 19
3.2.3 Developing a Critical Eye for Writing Style 20
3.2.4 Taking Notes 20
3.3 How to Find Academic Resources Online 20
3.3.1 Skimming the Internet 21
3.3.2 Looking Through Library Database of Your University 21
Chapter 4 Structure and Style 23
4.1 Typical Essay Structure 24
4.1.1 Introduction 25
4.1.2 Argument Paragraphs 26
4.1.3 Conclusion 27
4.2 Structure of Academic Writing 28
4.3 Tips for Academic Writing 28
4.3.1 Writing Objectively 28
4.3.2 Writing Concisely 29
4.3.3 First Person vsThird Person 29
4.3.4 Inclusive Language 32
Chapter 5 Title 37
5.1 Functions of Titles 38
5.1.1 Generalizing the Text 38
5.1.2 Attracting the Reader 38
5.1.3 Facilitating the Retrieval 39
5.2 Types of Titles 39
5.3 Linguistic Features of Titles 41
5.3.1 Using an Incomplete Sentence 41
5.3.2 Using More Nouns，Noun Phrases，and Gerunds 41
5.4 Requirements of Writing Titles 42
5.4.1 To Be Brief and Concise 42
5.4.2 To Be Specific 43
5.4.3 To Avoid Question Titles 43
5.4.4 To Be Unified 43
5.4.5 To Be Standard 43
Chapter 6 Authors and Affiliations 47
6.1 Functions of Authors and Affiliations 48
6.1.1 Bearing Authors’ Responsibilities 48
6.1.2 Facilitating Retrieval and Correspondence 48
6.1.3 Heightening Celebrity 48
6.2 Implications of Authorship 48
6.2.1 Authorship in Social Sciences 49
6.2.2 Authorship in Medical Sciences 50
6.2.3 Authorship in Natural Sciences 51
6.3 Requirements of Writing Authors and Affiliations 51
6.3.1 Unifying Printing Format 51
6.3.2 Omitting Profession Titles 52
6.3.3 Paying Attention to Orders of Chinese and English Names 52
6.3.4 Paying Attention to Affiliation 52
6.3.5 Clearly Indicating Correspondent Author 52
6.3.6 Indicating Authors’ Responsibilities if Necessary 53
Chapter 7 Abstract 55
7.1 Types of Abstracts 56
7.2 Format of Abstracts 56
7.3 Components of Abstracts 57
7.3.1 Topic Sentences 57
7.3.2 Supporting Sentences 58
7.3.3 Concluding Sentences 59
7.4 Structured Abstracts 59
7.5 Sample Analysis 63
Chapter 8 Key Words 67
8.1 Functions of Key Words 68
8.2 Disciplinary Differences of Key Words 68
8.3 Who Supplies Key Words 69
8.4 Features of Key Words 70
8.4.1 Nominalization 70
8.4.2 Limited Number 70
8.4.3 Designated Choice 70
8.5 How to Select Key Words 70
8.6 How to Arrange Key Words 72
8.6.1 Using Required Terms 72
8.6.2 Placing in the Right Location 72
8.6.3 Spacing the Key Words 72
Chapter 9 Introduction 75
9.1 Functional Elements of the Introduction Section 76
9.1.1 Introducing the Subject 76
9.1.2 Limiting the Research Scope 77
9.1.3 Stating the General Purpose 77
9.1.4 Explaining the Writing Arrangement 77
9.2 Components of the Introduction Section 77
9.3 Usual Process of Writing the Introduction Section 78
9.3.1 Starting with the Research Background 78
9.3.2 Moving Towards the Existing Problem 78
9.3.3 Focusing on the Present Research 78
9.3.4 Illustrating the Writing Structure 79
9.4 Literature Reviews 81
9.4.1 Purposes of Literature Reviews 81
9.4.2 Strategies for Presenting Literature Reviews 81
9.4.3 Problems Concerning Writing Literature Reviews 84
9.4.4 False Assumptions Concerning Writing Literature Reviews 84
Chapter 10 Textual Developments 93
10.1 Types of Research Papers 94
10.1.1 Papers of Theoretical Nature 94
10.1.2 Papers of Experimental Nature 96
10.1.3 Papers of Combined Natures 96
10.2 Avoiding Logical Problems 98
10.2.1 Avoiding Logical Fallacies 98
10.2.2 Avoiding Logical Flaws 100
10.2.3 Avoiding Conspiracy Theories 100
Chapter 11 Methods and Materials 103
11.1 Functions of the Methods and Materials Section 104
11.2 Structure of the Methods and Materials Section 104
11.3 Ingredients of the Methods and Materials Section 106
11.3.1 Subjects （Participants） 106
11.3.2 Materials 107
11.3.3 Design and Procedure 108
11.4 How to Write the Methods and Materials Section 108
11.4.1 Principles to Follow 108
11.4.2 Supplementary Points to Notice 111
Chapter 12 Results 121
12.1 Importance of the Results Section 122
12.2 Requirements of Writing the Results Section 122
12.3 Two Moves Analysis of the Results Section 123
12.4 Twelve Steps for Writing the Results Section 123
12.5 Tables and Graphs 124
12.5.1 Constructing Tables 125
12.5.2 Presenting Tables 125
12.5.3 Presenting Graphs 126
12.5.4 Sample Analysis 126
Chapter 13 Discussion 135
13.1 Functions and Objectives of the Discussion Section 136
13.2 Elements to Include in the Discussion Section 137
13.2.1 Stating Major Findings of the Study 137
13.2.2 Explaining Why Findings Are Important 137
13.2.3 Relating Findings to Those of Similar Studies 138
13.2.4 Considering Alternative Explanations of Findings 138
13.2.5 Acknowledging the Study’s Limitations 138
13.2.6 Making Suggestions for Further Research 139
13.2.7 Giving “Take-Home Messages” in the Form of a Conclusion 139
13.3 Things to Avoid in the Discussion Section 139
13.3.1 Over Interpretation of the Results 139
13.3.2 Unwarranted Speculation 140
13.3.3 Inflating the Importance of Findings 140
13.3.4 Tangential Issues 140
13.3.5 Too Much Criticism 140
13.4 How to Write the Discussion Section 140
Chapter 14 Conclusion 147
14.1 Typical Contents of the Conclusion Section 148
14.1.1 Summing Up 148
14.1.2 Statement of the Conclusion 148
14.1.3 Statement of Recommendations 148
14.1.4 Graceful Termination 149
14.2 Common Problems in Writing the Conclusion Section 149
14.2.1 Being Too Long 149
14.2.2 Having Too Many Details 149
14.2.3 Failure to Comment on Larger，More Significant Issues 149
14.2.4 Failure to Reveal the Complexities of a Conclusion or Situation 150
14.3 Warnings and Suggestions for Writing the Conclusion Section 150
14.3.1 Warnings 150
14.3.2 Suggestions 151
14.4 Sample Analysis 151
Chapter 15 Supplementary Parts to Academic Writing 157
15.1 Acknowledgement 158
15.2 References 159
15.2.1 Styles of References 159
15.2.2 Reasons for Citing References 161
15.2.3 Citing Page Numbers for Quotations in the Text 162
15.2.4 Using Appropriate Styles and References 162
15.3 Footnotes 163
15.4 Correspondence Among Authors，Editors，and Referees 163
15.5 Proofs 165
15.6 Sample Letters 166
Chapter 16 Academic Publishing 173
16.1 Targeting Academic Journals 174
16.1.1 Impact Factors 174
16.1.2 Useful Tips 175
16.2 Delays in the Publishing Process 175
16.3 The Process of Refereeing 176
16.4 Key Elements to the Success of Academic Publishing 178
16.4.1 Procrastination and Writer’s Block 178
16.4.2 To Advocate Collaboration 179
16.4.3 To Be Productive 180
Bibliography 183