Contents
Preface xi
Sources of extracts used in the text xv
1 Introduction 1
1 The main elements in academic writing 2
2 You and your writing task 4
3 You and your subject matter 7
4 You and your reader 12
5 Your language: form and structure 15
Part I Reflection and Research 19
2 Reflection: asking questions and proposing answers 21
1 Speculative thinking and writing 22
2 Choosing a topic 24
3 Kinds of question 27
4 Coming to terms with an essay topic 35
5 Summary 51
3 Interpretation: reading and taking notes 53
1 The ‘problem’ of reading 54
2 Evidence, interpretation and fact 57
3 What an author does 65
4 An author’s major motives 69
5 Modes of analysis 77
6 An author’s structural intentions 79
7 Interpreting a difficult text 82
Preface xi
Sources of extracts used in the text xv
1 Introduction 1
1 The main elements in academic writing 2
2 You and your writing task 4
3 You and your subject matter 7
4 You and your reader 12
5 Your language: form and structure 15
Part I Reflection and Research 19
2 Reflection: asking questions and proposing answers 21
1 Speculative thinking and writing 22
2 Choosing a topic 24
3 Kinds of question 27
4 Coming to terms with an essay topic 35
5 Summary 51
3 Interpretation: reading and taking notes 53
1 The ‘problem’ of reading 54
2 Evidence, interpretation and fact 57
3 What an author does 65
4 An author’s major motives 69
5 Modes of analysis 77
6 An author’s structural intentions 79
7 Interpreting a difficult text 82