Contents 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 Books2 1.2.3 Conference Papers.3 1.2.4 Poster Papers.3 1.3 Different Categories of Academic Articles4 1.3.1 Letters4 1.3.2 Research Notes4 1.3.3 Articles.4 1.3.4 Supplemental Articles.4 1.3.5 Review Articles.4 1.3.6 Data Papers5 1.3.7 Video Papers5 1.4 Purposes of Academic Writing5 Chapter 2 The Process of Academic Writing7 2.1 Academic Writing as a Process8 2.2 Different Stages in the Process of Academic Writing9 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 Journal13 2.2.5 Preparing Your Paper for Submission.13 2.2.6 Reviewing Process.13 2.2.7 Technicalities of Proofs and Copyright14 Chapter 3 Academic Reading and Academic Resources.17 3.1 Significance of Academic Reading to Academic Writing18 3.2 Habits and Skills for Academic Reading18 3.2.1 Forming the Habit of Reading18 3.2.2 Reading Actively, Not Passively.19 3.2.3 Developing a Critical Eye for Writing Style.20 3.2.4 Taking Notes20 3.3 How to Find Academic Resources Online20 3.3.1 Skimming the Internet.21 3.3.2 Looking Through Library Database of Your University21 Chapter 4 Structure and Style.23 4.1 Typical Essay Structure.24 4.1.1 Introduction25 4.1.2 Argument Paragraphs26 4.1.3 Conclusion27 4.2 Structure of Academic Writing28 4.3 Tips for Academic Writing.28 4.3.1 Writing Objectively.28 4.3.2 Writing Concisely.29 4.3.3 First Person vs Third Person.29 4.3.4 Inclusive Language.32 Chapter 5 Title.37 5.1 Functions of Titles38

vii 5.1.1 Generalizing the Text38 5.1.2 Attracting the Reader.38 5.1.3 Facilitating the Retrieval39 5.2 Types of Titles39 5.3 Linguistic Features of Titles41 5.3.1 Using an Incomplete Sentence.41 5.3.2 Using More Nouns, Noun Phrases, and Gerunds41 5.4 Requirements of Writing Titles42 5.4.1 To Be Brief and Concise42 5.4.2 To Be Specific43 5.4.3 To Avoid Question Titles43 5.4.4 To Be Unified43 5.4.5 To Be Standard43 Chapter 6 Authors and Affiliations47 6.1 Functions of Authors and Affiliations48 6.1.1 Bearing Authors’ Responsibilities.48 6.1.2 Facilitating Retrieval and Correspondence48 6.1.3 Heightening Celebrity.48 6.2 Implications of Authorship48 6.2.1 Authorship in Social Sciences.49 6.2.2 Authorship in Medical Sciences.50 6.2.3 Authorship in Natural Sciences51 6.3 Requirements of Writing Authors and Affiliations51 6.3.1 Unifying Printing Format51 6.3.2 Omitting Profession Titles52 6.3.3 Paying Attention to Orders of Chinese and English Names.52 6.3.4 Paying Attention to Affiliation52 6.3.5 Clearly Indicating Correspondent Author52 6.3.6 Indicating Authors’ Responsibilities if Necessary.53 Chapter 7 Abstract.55 7.1 Types of Abstracts.56 7.2 Format of Abstracts56 7.3 Components of Abstracts.57 7.3.1 Topic Sentences57 7.3.2 Supporting Sentences.58 7.3.3 Concluding Sentences.59 7.4 Structured Abstracts.59 7.5 Sample Analysis63 Chapter 8 Key Words.67 8.1 Functions of Key Words68 8.2 Disciplinary Differences of Key Words68 8.3 Who Supplies Key Words.69 8.4 Features of Key Words70 8.4.1 Nominalization70 8.4.2 Limited Number.70 8.4.3 Designated Choice70 8.5 How to Select Key Words.70 8.6 How to Arrange Key Words.72 8.6.1 Using Required Terms72 8.6.2 Placing in the Right Location72 8.6.3 Spacing the Key Words72 Chapter 9 Introduction75 9.1 Functional Elements of the Introduction Section.76

9.1.1 Introducing the Subject76 9.1.2 Limiting the Research Scope.77 9.1.3 Stating the General Purpose77 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 Background78 9.3.2 Moving Towards the Existing Problem78 9.3.3 Focusing on the Present Research78 9.3.4 Illustrating the Writing Structure79 9.4 Literature Reviews.81 9.4.1 Purposes of Literature Reviews81 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 Papers94 10.1.1 Papers of Theoretical Nature94 10.1.2 Papers of Experimental Nature.96 10.1.3 Papers of Combined Natures.96 10.2 Avoiding Logical Problems98 10.2.1 Avoiding Logical Fallacies.98 10.2.2 Avoiding Logical Flaws100 10.2.3 Avoiding Conspiracy Theories100 Chapter 11 Methods and Materials.103 11.1 Functions of the Methods and Materials Section.104 11.2 Structure of the Methods and Materials Section104 11.3 Ingredients of the Methods and Materials Section.106 11.3.1 Subjects (Participants).106 11.3.2 Materials107 11.3.3 Design and Procedure.108 11.4 How to Write the Methods and Materials Section108 11.4.1 Principles to Follow108 11.4.2 Supplementary Points to Notice.111 Chapter 12 Results121 12.1 Importance of the Results Section122 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 Graphs124 12.5.1 Constructing Tables125 12.5.2 Presenting Tables125 12.5.3 Presenting Graphs126 12.5.4 Sample Analysis.126 Chapter 13 Discussion135 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 Study137 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 Findings138 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 Section139 13.3.1 Over Interpretation of the Results139 13.3.2 Unwarranted Speculation140 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 Conclusion148 14.1.3 Statement of Recommendations148 14.1.4 Graceful Termination.149 14.2 Common Problems in Writing the Conclusion Section149 14.2.1 Being Too Long149 14.2.2 Having Too Many Details149 14.2.3 Failure to Comment on Larger, More Significant Issues149 14.2.4 Failure to Reveal the Complexities of a Conclusion or Situation.150 14.3 Warnings and Suggestions for Writing the Conclusion Section150 14.3.1 Warnings.150 14.3.2 Suggestions151 14.4 Sample Analysis.151 Chapter 15 Supplementary Parts to Academic Writing.157 15.1 Acknowledgement158 15.2 References159 15.2.1 Styles of References.159 15.2.2 Reasons for Citing References161 15.2.3 Citing Page Numbers for Quotations in the Text.162 15.2.4 Using Appropriate Styles and References162 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 Publishing173 16.1 Targeting Academic Journals174 16.1.1 Impact Factors174 16.1.2 Useful Tips175 16.2 Delays in the Publishing Process.175 16.3 The Process of Refereeing176 16.4 Key Elements to the Success of Academic Publishing.178 16.4.1 Procrastination and Writer’s Block178 16.4.2 To Advocate Collaboration179 16.4.3 To Be Productive180 Bibliography183