Paper
Content
What does my lecturer expect of me when I write a paper? ................................................................ 1
How should I structure my paper? ....................................................................................................... 1
What writing style should I use in my paper? ...................................................................................... 2
How can I create an attractive and professional layout for my paper? ................................................ 4
What particularly annoys lecturers when reading students’ papers? ................................................... 5
How can I prevent plagiarism? What is the correct way of referencing sources used? ....................... 6
Where can I find more information? .................................................................................................... 7
Sources ................................................................................................................................................. 7
What does my lecturer expect of me when I write a paper?
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A paper is a piece of writing that can be produced in so many different ways. A paper can
sometimes be referred to as course work, an essay, a report, etc. For example, the term
paper is used for written assignments in which you:
o Demonstrate that you have mastered the learning content of the field of study.
o Discuss a case from practical professional experience.
o Express your own opinion by using arguments and facts.
o Write a scientific text with a set word count.
o Or in which you issue a written report on how you have tackled a problem in your
professional field.
Read the instructions thoroughly and ask the lecturer what exactly is expected of you.
Sometimes the paper has to meet a set scientific design:
o The statement of the problem or research question;
o The theoretical section: a summary of existing literature and items on your subject;
o The empirical section: your own research;
o The clear final message: an answer to the statement of the problem or the research
question.
Ensure that you are fully aware of what your lecturer is expecting of you and that you know
the assessment criteria. Possible assessment criteria are: having mastered the learning
content, well-argued opinion, clear standpoint, logical design, critical attitude, etc.
How should I structure my paper?
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Ensure that your paper has a logical design. For example, when discussing a problem, you
first have to explain the problem and only then you can elaborate upon the cause. In order to
achieve a logically designed paper, the best way to approach it, is to draw up a diagram in
order to structure your thoughts.
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Create paragraphs. Paragraphs should not be too long or too short. On average, a paragraph
should be 6 sentences or 10 lines long. Divide your paragraphs by leaving some lines blank,
so as to separate the sections.
The paper must have an introduction or abstract. This explains the subject matter. Your
paper must not tackle the subject straight away, but instead it must ‘introduce’ it first. The
introduction is usually written last because it also describes the process. This is certainly true
for ‘voluminous’ works.
The summary or conclusion is included at the end of the paper. This should not contain any
new information. The final paragraph emphasises the main points in the text or leaves the
reader to reflect upon the subject.
Create a table of contents.
Be mindful of the fact that your first version will never be your final version.
The paragraphs and sentences are linked by copulatives, i.e. connecting words, such as
firstly, besides, moreover, etc.
Example:
Text without copulatives:
Text with copulatives:
Identical or monozygotic twins are
Identical or monozygotic twins are
born with the same genes. One twin
born with the same genes. However,
may have a hereditary disorder. The
one twin may have a hereditary
other may not. Chemical changes in
disorder and the other may not.
the DNA may play a part. A man was Furthermore, chemical changes in
discovered suffering from diabetes.
the DNA may play a part. For
The gene involved had been
example, a man was discovered
activated. His brother had not been
suffering from diabetes, and the
affected by this condition.
latter’s relevant gene had been
activated whereas the other brother
had not been affected by this
condition.
What writing style should I use in my paper?
The writing style will depend on the type of paper you are expected to write. For example, a
scientific paper will require a completely different style compared to an argumentation in which you
have to argue your own standpoint, or in which you try to convince the reader of a specific
standpoint. Just ask whether you can have a look at some past papers in order to get some idea.
There are some general tips:
Do not write too informally or
using colloquial language. Even
though a paper does not have to
sound too formal or distant, the
document must be well written
and remain sufficiently
businesslike.
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Less appropriate writing style
The results would have been
even more favourable if the
teachers had understood the
briefing better.* An
understandable assumption.
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More appropriate writing style
The results would have been
even more favourable if the
teachers had understood the
briefing better. This is an
understandable assumption.
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Write in a fluent style, using
contemporary Dutch whilst
avoiding excessively formal or
archaic words.
Long sentences are usually
more difficult to read than short
sentences. Separate your
sentences into two using a full
stop.
I *only have two questions
*concerning the test group.
I only have two questions
about the test group.
Discussions about the
restructuring plans will take
place next month, these have
been developed by two
consultancy agencies, who have
entered into a collaboration
agreement for this purpose.
Discussions about the
restructuring plans will take
place next month. These have
been developed by two
consultancy agencies, who have
entered into a collaboration
agreement for this purpose.
Avoid excessively lengthy lists.
Suitable lists consist of three
mentions, organised from short
to long.
Speech therapists treat
articulation, speech, swallow,
learning, language and autism
spectrum disorders.
Use an active writing style. Too
many passive constructions will
make your paper indirect, too
businesslike and distant.
Avoid too many instances of
‘one’: ‘one’ is a vague word,
because it can have different
meanings in different contexts.
Try to avoid repeatedly using
the same word in a sentence or
paragraph. The document will
be more interesting to read if
you vary your vocabulary.
Possibly look up synonyms on
The error *was noted by the
placement supervisor.
Extra attention *is being paid
to the design.
One cannot be too careful.
*One understands that he has
abdicated.
Speech therapists treat
language, learning and swallow
disorders. Patients suffering
from speech and articulation
problems can also be treated by
them, and so can patients with
autism spectrum disorder.
The placement supervisor
noted the error.
The design is receiving extra
attention.
You cannot be too careful.
Politicians say that he has
abdicated.
the internet.
Do not mix the present and past
tense.
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The rest home is a
multidisciplinary operation.
This means that there is a
degree of collaboration with
the nursing staff. A
rehabilitation centre is a
multidisciplinary operation.
*This means that the teaching
staff and therapists work
together.
The research measures
students’ well-being by asking
them a number of questions. In
the first phase, students *were
asked about teacher training
courses.
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The rest home is a
multidisciplinary operation.
This means that there is a
degree of collaboration with
the nursing staff. A
rehabilitation centre is a
multidisciplinary operation,
with tutors and therapists
working together.
The research measures
students’ well-being by asking
them a number of questions. In
the first phase, students are
asked about teacher training
courses.
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How can I create an attractive and professional layout for my paper?
Firstly, follow the relevant guidelines which you have received from the chief lecturer. A smart
layout is important, but do not exaggerate. Too much focus on ‘colour and glitter’ will move the
focus away from the content.
To achieve a good layout, pay attention to the following (examples from the 2 columns attached):
Select a font that is
businesslike, sufficiently large
and clearly legible. An example
is the Calibri font, size 11.
Do not write too many words
on one page. Provide sufficient
blank space. This creates a
feeling of quietness. A page
that is too busy will scare off
the reader.
It is best if paragraphs are not
too long or too short. On
average, a paragraph is 6
sentences or 10 lines long.
The text area looks clean and
provides a good overview. If
you want to emphasise a word,
then print it in bold or in italics
but not in capital letters. Use
underlining sparingly.
Be careful with the spacing.
You will find the formal rules
for spacing text in the Belgian
BIN standards brochure.
The first chapter of my degree
dissertation is a study of literature.
The first chapter of my degree
dissertation is a study of
literature.
In my opinion, this is empirical
research that goes back to the
HIRSCHI social control theory.
In my opinion, this is empirical
research that goes back to the
Hirschi social control theory.
Can the discovery of pregnancy
diabetes be useful in later life ?
This topic is discussed in the
conclusion.
Can the discovery of pregnancy
diabetes be useful in later life?
This topic is discussed in the
conclusion.
If you use chapters, then
number them 1.1, 1.2, 1.3. Do
not go further than 3 levels. Do
not put a full stop after the last
number.
In Dutch, write numbers below
twenty out in full, just like
multiples of ten up to one
hundred, and multiples of one
hundred up to one thousand,
5.4.1.1 Causes of schizophrenia
5.4.1 Schizophrenia
 Causes
I have consulted 2 articles. The
1st article says that the
prevalence of dyslexia is
approximately 5%.
The average age in the test
I have consulted two articles.
The first article says that the
prevalence of dyslexia is
approximately 5%.
The average age in the test
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etc. Do not apply this to precise
information such as
percentages and also avoid
mixing both words and figures.
group varies between eighteen
and 22 years.
group varies between 18 and
22 years.
What particularly annoys lecturers when reading students’ papers?
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Wrong content and design.
Errors of form, spelling errors and grammatical errors. Take the time to proofread your
paper. Then also ask 2 other people to proofread your work.
An excessively long bibliography just to impress. Only include sources on the list which you
have actually read and used.
Too many ‘frills’ in the layout: hardly legible font types, too glossy and coloured paper, etc.
Vital information that is missing (e.g.: year group, name, student number, page numbering,
etc.).
Ensure that your spelling is
correct.
We were sub-divided into
various *level’s.
We were sub-divided into
various levels.
I referred to two *english
sources.
I referred to two English
sources.
*The placement was
informative in a nutshell.
The article *what I am
discussing below is not quite so
recent.
*In a nutshell, it was an
informative placement.
The article which I am
discussing below is not quite so
recent.
De reportage is verboden
omdat *hij kwetsend zou zijn.
She shares her knowledge *to
organisations.
De reportage is verboden
omdat ze kwetsend zou zijn.
She shares her knowledge with
organisations.
Together with the team of
educators, she *reply to their
questions and * refer patients.
De patiënt *noemt Jean-Pierre.
Together with the team of
educators, she replies to their
questions refers patients.
De patiënt heet Jean-Pierre.
Your paper must not contain
any grammatical errors or
linguistic errors.
The sentence construction must
be correct.
Relative pronouns must be used
correctly.
De verwijzingen zijn correct.
Prepositions must be used
correctly.
There must be agreement
between the subject and the
finite form.
The Dutch language used in the
paper must be Standard Dutch,
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not dialect. Please find below
two websites providing reliable
language advice for Flanders:
www.taaladvies.net and
www.vrttaal.net/taalkwesties.
De patiënt kreeg een *baxter.
De patiënt kreeg een infuus.
How can I prevent plagiarism? What is the correct way of referencing
sources used?
When writing, use books, professional/trade magazines, internet sources, and work written by
other students on the subject. If in your dissertation you use the words or ideas of other
people, then it is indeed important to mention this in order to avoid plagiarism. You can use
quotations, you can paraphrase and include references:
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Quotations: You can quote somebody‟s words literally and refer to the author. If you
include a literal quotation, you must use quotation marks (“...”).
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Paraphrasing: In this case you use your own words to express the ideas or words of
others, you express your own idea on the matter and state the source.
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Referencing: You state the ideas, methods or findings of others, whilst making reference to
the original source.
The tips below are important for ensuring correct use of sources:
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Carefully read the instructions, tips and explanations on correctly referencing sources and
how to avoid plagiarism.
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In the instructions, check which referencing system you are required to use, for
example APA, Chicago, MLA style, etc.
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In Microsoft Office Word 2007, you can automatically generate a bibliography based on the
source information which you have included by using the Word functionality „references‟ –
„quotes and bibliography‟. This allows you to select the style (APA, Chicago, etc.). Keep a
systematic record from the very start as this will save you a great deal of work upon
completion of the dissertation.
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Finding something on the internet does not mean that this is „public property‟. So, be
aware of ‘cutting and pasting’ items found on the internet. In this case too, the rules
for correct referencing apply.
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Nowadays, there are powerful programs available to detect plagiarism. If plagiarism is
detected in your work, sanctions will follow. These will be laid down by your course. Read
the course and examination rules and regulations to find out the consequences in the
case of plagiarism. These may vary from marks being amended, the total loss of marks or
the loss of the right to take any further exams during that academic year or the loss of the
right to enrol for the next academic year.
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Where can I find more information?
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http://www.kuleuven.be/plagiaat/vermijden.html
http://www.studiecoach.ou.nl/schrijven/index.php: Watch the Open University short movies
for tips on the following topics:
o The introductory words…
o Can you learn argumentation?
o Plagiarism
o Strategy for producing a good piece of writing
o …
www.synoniemen.net: An on-line dictionary of synonyms.
Sources
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De Wachter, L. (2010) Taal@hogeronderwijs. Leuven: Acco.
De Wachter, L. & Van Soom, C. (2008). Academisch schrijven. Een praktische gids. Leuven:
Acco.
Hermans, M. (2006) Schrijven met effect. Stijlcursus doeltreffend formuleren. Bussum:
Coutinho.
http://www.studiecoach.ou.nl/schrijven/index.php
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