21/07/2016
Writing Centre Seminar
Writing Centre Seminar
Studying in English (when it's not your first language)
Rosie Gronthos
1
21/07/2016
Welcome
Strategies and online resources you can use to help improve your
English language skills and learn the academic conventions.
Why do I need to know the academic conventions?
Your undergraduate years are a period of research training.
University of Adelaide
3
Outline
STRATEGIES
• Use only an English dictionary
• Use an online dictionary/thesaurus
• Build a vocabulary list
• Link ideas and sentences
ONLINE RESOURCES
• Writing Centre
• English for Uni
• Using English for Academic Purposes
• Talking with Aussies
• Adelaide University Union
ARTHUR’S 7 TIPS
University of Adelaide
4
2
21/07/2016
Use only an English dictionary
• Not a bi-lingual dictionary
• British English not American English
• Collins Cobuild English Language Dictionary, and
Oxford Advanced Dictionary of Current English
Collins English Dictionary
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-cobuild-learners
University of Adelaide
5
Use an online dictionary/thesaurus
BUILD YOUR VOCABULARY
 Minimise repetition
 Find synonyms
 Use keywords
Synonyms: a word having the same or nearly the same
meaning as another in the language, as happy, joyful,
elated. A dictionary of synonyms and antonyms (or
opposites), such as Thesaurus.com, is called a thesaurus.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/synonym?s=t
University of Adelaide
6
3
21/07/2016
Build a vocabulary list
Build your subject vocabulary/glossary of terms
• Keep your own glossary (list) of subject words (key
terms) at the back of a book/folder
• Develop a list of ‘power’ words (concise words:
nocturnal is a more precise word for ‘is active at night’)
• Use a thesaurus and a subject-specific dictionary
University of Adelaide
7
Link ideas and sentences
HOW CAN I ORGANISE MY IDEAS TO EXPLAIN WHAT
I WANT TO SAY TO THE READER?
• What should I focus on and what should I skip?
• Every text has a structure
You need to be a persuasive writer:
• Answer the question
• Structure ideas logically
• Critical and analytical response
Informed opinion: what you think based on evidence
University of Adelaide
8
4
21/07/2016
Cohesion
• Writer’s responsibility
• Make it clear to the reader how various parts of the
paragraph are connected
• Show how the sentences are related to make these
relationships in the text clear
USE TRANSITION SIGNALS
Words that show the relationship between ideas
University of Adelaide
9
Transition signals: Connectors
Add some ideas
•Additionally
•In addition
•Furthermore
•Moreover
Contrast ideas
•Conversely
•In contrast
•However
•On the other hand
University of Adelaide
10
5
21/07/2016
Extra connectors…
Illustrate
 For example
 For instance
 In other words
 To be specific
Indicate a summary
 In conclusion
 Finally
 To sum up
Show cause and effect
 Hence
 Therefore
 Thus
University of Adelaide
11
Writing Centre
Avoiding Plagiarism: Achieving academic writing
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/articulate/avoidingPlagiarism/player.html
University of Adelaide
12
6
21/07/2016
Writing Centre…useful Learning Guides
Avoiding Plagiarism
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/learning_
guides/learningGuide_avoidingPlagiarism.pdf
Source Credibility
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/learning_
guides/learningGuide_sourceCredibility.pdf
Objective Language
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/learning_
guides/learningGuide_objectiveLanguage.pdf
University of Adelaide
13
English for Uni
English for Uni Glossary
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/english-for-uni/glossary/
Tenses in academic writing
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/english-for-uni/tenses/
University of Adelaide
14
7
21/07/2016
English for Uni…further resources
Time Management Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kVAOoVzsH0&list=PLvbFHEUVtsTI
0dEXkF9gA2NWjKasw7Bb0&index=6
Learning Lab at RMIT: Academic vocabulary
https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/sites/default/files/vocabulary.pdf
University of Adelaide
15
Using English for Academic Purposes
A Guide for Students in Higher Education
http://www.uefap.com/writing/writfram.htm
University of Adelaide
16
8
21/07/2016
Using English for Academic Purposes
Selecting vocabulary: Academic word list
http://www.uefap.com/vocab/select/awl.htm
University of Adelaide
17
Talking with Aussies
A program that helps students develop their English conversation
skills. Students and volunteers meet regularly one-to-one to chat
informally.
https://international.adelaide.edu.au/life/connecting/talkaussies/
University of Adelaide
18
9
21/07/2016
Adelaide University Union
Employment and Volunteering: Tips for International Students
https://www.auu.org.au/Common/ContentWM.aspx?CID=1216
University of Adelaide
19
To sum up
•
•
•
•
Use only an English dictionary
Use an online dictionary/thesaurus
Build a vocabulary list
Link ideas and sentences
University of Adelaide
20
10
21/07/2016
Arthur’s 7 tips
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Meet and try to arrange a meeting with your tutor if possible if you are
facing any issues. They are normally more than happy to help including
pointing out the expected academic writing style.
Do not hesitate to ask around, resources are everywhere but it is up to you
to find out more information about it.
Visit the Writing Centre, I know this is your seminar but just want to
reiterate. Personally I experienced the help received and they were excellent
in pointing out my citation mistakes and general grammar comments.
Speaking skills wise I would suggest joining clubs such as Toastmasters in
university.
Joining events on campus such as LCE to meet new people and improve
speaking skills.
Try not to jump immediately into reading whole journals (for science
students). Textbooks or simplified articles online are a good starting point
to avoid too many complex words or jargon.
New students could actually apply for the Experience Adelaide programme
that pairs them with a local student, with (hopefully) great command of
English.
University of Adelaide
21
Writing Centre Details
WEB:
FACEBOOK:
EMAIL:
PHONE:
VISIT:
www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre
www.facebook.com/WritingCentreUofA
[email protected]
8313 3021
Level 3 Hub Central, 10am-4pm Mon-Fri
11