Prepare an Academic

Write-up
Prepared by:
Ms. Marryam Tahir
--Writing is a process that can be divided into three stages: Pre-writing, drafting
and the final revising stage which includes editing and proofreading.
--In the first stage you research your topic and make preparatory work before you
enter the drafting stage. After you have written your text it is important that you
take time to revise and correct it before submitting the final result.
Writing is often described as a linear process, moving from the first stage to the last
stage in an orderly fashion. However, the writing process often requires moving
back and forth between steps and is often more complex than the linear model
represents. If you are working on a larger project you may have to break down the
work into smaller parts to make it manageable; therefore you can be at different
stages of the writing process in different parts of your project.
Steps of the Writing Process
Step 1: Pre-Writing
Think and Decide

--Make sure you understand your assignment.

--Decide on a topic to write about.
--Consider who will read your work.
--Brainstorm ideas about the subject.

Step 2: Research (if Needed)

Search

List places where you can find information.

Do your research.
Make an Outline to help organize your research.
Step 3: Drafting
Write

--Put the information you researched into your own words.

--Write sentences and paragraphs even if they are not perfect.
--Read what you have written and judge if it says what you mean.
--Write some more.
--Read it again.
--Write some more.
--Read it again.
--Write until you have said everything you want to say about the topic.
Step 4: Revising
Make it Better

--Read what you have written again.

--Rearrange words, sentences or paragraphs.
--Take out or add parts.
--Do more research if you think you should.
--Replace overused or unclear words.

Step 5: Editing and Proofreading

Make it Correct

--Be sure all sentences are complete.

--Correct spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.
--Change words that are not used correctly or are unclear.
--Make sure you are using the appropriate Style formatting.
APA Formatting
Chicago Style Formatting
MLA Formatting
1. Pre-writing
In the pre-writing stage you plan and prepare your writing. This is also the stage
where you research your topic and look for relevant sources.
Early in the pre-writing stage you should give thought to the subject and purpose of
your assignment. If you are assigned a broad subject by your instructor you will
need to narrow it down and focus on a smaller subject area, preferably something
that interests you. In order to write effectively you also need to know the purpose
of why you are writing.
2. Drafting
Once you have created an outline it is time to start writing. Remember that you do
not have to write a perfect first draft. Instead of focusing on producing a flawless
text at this stage, try to concentrate on writing down your main ideas. You do not
need to edit or proofread yet. Instead, try to let your thinking and writing flow as
freely as possible. Furthermore, you do not have to write the text from start to
finish. It is okay to begin with the sections that you feel the most confident with.

You will probably have to rework your draft several times before you have a
complete text. Preferably you should allow time between drafts (1 to 2 days, if you
have the time) as it will give you a new perspective on your text.
3. Revising, editing and proofreading
This is the stage in the writing process where you make sure that your text is
coherent and written accurately. Your final product should be a text that has been
thoroughly worked through and that meets the academic standards of writing.
Make sure that you allow enough time to revise, edit and proofread your
assignment before submission.
PREPARING THE WRITE-UP PLAN
Preparing of the write-up plan is important in that it allows the writer to arrange
the ideas in a logical manner and for the writer to stay on track during the writing
process. Write-up plan must state how the writer will present the argument and
how the evidence from the other authors will be used in the paper. The write-up
plan is supposed to cover the following three critical areas:
1. Stating the topic argument in one sentence
The introduction of the write-up is an extension of the main question argument.
Thus, by expanding the ‘one sentence question argument’ the writer is effectively
preparing the introduction of the academic paper.

2. Stating key points that support the argument

These key points become the key arguments of the paper. When the writer
expands on these key points, he/she is effectively presenting the body of the
academic paper and these points become the supporting evidence of the academic
paper.
3. Stating one key point to leave in the readers’ minds
The key point that the write would want to leave in the minds of the readers makes
the conclusion of the academic write-up. By expanding on this key point, the writer
is effectively making the conclusion of the whole academic paper.
WAYS TO ORGANIZE THE IDEAS
1. Chronological Order
What it is: This is a very common way to organize ideas as a writer or storyteller
that basically involves dishing out ideas or details in order of time, first to last.
When to use it: It is often used in expository writing (narrative that informs or
explains) – particularly when describing an event or series of events.
Transition words are important with every framework you use, to help your readers
navigate the process smoothly. In the chronological framework, some commonly
used transitional word and phrases are: first, then, next, last, finally, etc.
2. Logical Order
What it is: exactly what it sounds like. This framework is used to avoid confusion in
the reader.
When to use it: You should organize ideas in this framework if your reader needs to
understand one point before being capable of understanding the next.
Transition words and phrases: first you should understand, keep that in mind while
I explain, remember when I said.
3. Climactic Order
What it is: In this framework, you generally keep the most important or exciting
point until the last of the piece.
When to use it: Use this framework when you want to build excitement in a piece
or really emphasize one point as the pinnacle of the piece. It is often used in
persuasive essays (argument-winners, as my high school students would have said),
rankings or lists of things or illustration of a major problem or usable solution.
Transition Words: first of all, more importantly, just as importantly, finally.
4. Random Order
What it is: Just as it seems, this un-framework allows you to order your ideas based
on whim and whimsy more than any specific or logical progression.
When to use it: Organize ideas in this way when your points all have equal value or
importance and can sit independently of one another in understanding.
Transition Words: Use association of ideas between points to transition from one to
the next, rather than stock transition terms.
5. Spatial Order
What it is: Describing a scene as things are arranged in a physical space – either by
moving from one detail to the next, or as viewed from one stationary vantage
point.
When to use it: This one is so cool! You can use it whenever you want your readers
to visualize a space, or if you want to evoke a scene using the senses.
Transition words: just to the left/right, behind, between, across from, rising out of,
to the North/South etc., a little further, a few cm/inches/metres/feet (basically all
prepositions).
Four C’s for effective writing
1. Clear
--Be specific
--Provide transitions as signposts for readers: (to make another point, use “In
addition”; to show sequence, use first, second, third, etc.).
--Use examples to “show” instead of “tell” (give the formula for calculating infusion
rate, then give an example).
--For the most part, use active voice (“The nurse should slow the administration
rate” is better than “The administration rate should be slowed,” which doesn’t tell
you who should slow the rate.) Active voice isn’t always appropriate, but you’ll find
your writing will be more effective if you use it often.
--Use parallel structure when you format lists (for example, assess, plan,
implement, and evaluate not assessing, plan, implemented, evaluate).
2. Concise
--Focus on what readers need to know, not what’s nice to know.
--Make paragraphs shorter rather than longer.
--Cut unnecessary words (“in order to” can almost always be “to”) and avoid “ize”
(“use” not “utilize”).
--Consider graphics and tables instead of lengthy text.
--Correct
--Check all numbers. For example, be sure percentages in charts add up to 100%. If
they don’t, explain why (e.g., rounding of numbers).
--Check reference citations. Be sure they’re accurate and in the right reference
format.
--Check grammar and spelling. Don’t rely solely on your computer’s spell and
grammar check, although that’s a good place to start. For instance, spell check may
miss use of “there” when “their” is the correct choice.
4. Compelling
Don’t state the obvious (“Nurses face ethical dilemmas.”) or if you do, support it
with some eye-grabbing information (“Nurses experience an ethical dilemma once
a week, on average, according to a recent survey.”
--Take a stand. “Tend to” and “generally” may be appropriate if, for example, study
results aren’t strong, but avoid overusing terms such as “apparently.”
--Anticipate readers’ questions.
--Avoid bias by omitting unnecessary “labels” such as “nonadherent” or “failed to
follow the treatment plan.” Avoid gender bias by using plurals, such as “they”
instead of “she.”
--Tailor the article to the reader. Factors to consider include level of experience and
practice setting.
5 strategies for writing simply but authoritatively
1. Use simpler words and phrases

2. Minimize the number of negatives in a sentence

3. Write shorter sentences, but avoid choppiness

4. Use important key terms consistently

5. Balance the use of simple and sophisticated language

Five-elements-of-good-writing
• Purpose
• Audience
• Clarity
• Unity
• Coherence
Basics of Paragraphing
Paragraphs are a collection of sentences. They are used in writing to introduce new
sections of a story, characters or pieces of information. Paragraphs help readers to
enjoy what has been written because they break text up into easy-to-read sections.

Elements of a paragraph
To be as effective as possible, a paragraph should contain each of the following:
Unity,
Coherence,
A Topic Sentence,
Adequate Development.