Name: Sebastián Vélez Bernal Code:20182265035

Effective writing workshop

1.2
1. What is the writer’s purpose for this essay?
A: To teach people (non-native English speakers) how to use the “western academic
writing” focused in English papers
2. What are three characteristics of English academic writing? Where are they stated?
A: Convincing content, clear organization and effective use of the English language.
They are stated in the first paragraph of “English academic writing the “A” paper”
3. Briefly define the following:
a. Thesis statement: A question that is designed to attract the reader’s attention
to an academic paper.
b. Topic sentence: A comment related to the theme or thematic in the academic
paper.
c. Relevant: It has relation and is important to the topic treated in the paper
d. Support: Material that serves as back up to a statement.
e. “By the way” statements: Remarks that seem more entertaining and are out
of tone.
f. Linear pattern: It’s the transitioning from general to specifics.
g. Deductive approach: The contents are explained and supported from
generalities to specificities.
h. Inductive approach: The contents are explained and supported from
specificities to generalities.
i. Classical rhetorical patterns: Narration, description, definition, process,
classification, comparison, cause/effect, and argumentation, being tools to
diversify the transmission of content in an English paper.
j. Sophomoric: Conceited and overconfident of knowledge but poorly
informed and immature. Taken from “Merrian-webster.com”.
4. Is the essay convincing? Did the writer succeed in persuading you to understand the
value of learning about English academic writing?
A: Yes, it’s straight forward with the information. Yes, he did, if I ever end up
studying abroad and I have to create an academic paper this information will turn
more than useful.
5. Has reading this essay changed your expectations about English academic writing?
A: Yes, I didn’t fully realize how impactful this can be, considering that my usual
writing feels shallow and made me realize that I need to improve my critical
thinking when developing an academic paper
6. What problems might you experience as you are getting used to the English
rhetorical system and professors’ expectations? Why?
Name: Sebastián Vélez Bernal Code:20182265035

A: I would probably experience the difficulty of not really adapting too well to the
rhetorical system and so I would need a lot of feedback so I can improve the ways
in which I express myself in an academic paper
1.3
1. You need to write a seminar report for colleagues of your major field (other
educators, other engineers, other sociologists.)
A: Technical
2. Your friend needs to write a letter to his father, who is fairly understanding and with
whom he is fairly close, explaining his poor grades.
A: Colloquial
3. You need to write a letter to your sponsor, explaining your poor grades and asking
for more funding
A: Formal
4. It is summer vacation, and you are writing a letter to your American roommate, who
has not traveled much, persuading him or her to come to visit you in your country.
A: Informal
5. You are writing about the history of log cabins in the U. S. for your history 101
class
A: Formal
6. Your roommate is completing a term paper (a lengthy paper which usually takes
several weeks and library research to complete for a lower-level economics class.
A: Formal
7. You are writing comments on a peer review form for a classmate
A: Informal
8. Your professor is writing an article on historical linguistics for the TESOL journal
A: Technical
9. You are writing about how to build a suspension bridge for an upper-level civil
engineering course.
A: Informal
10. Your best American friend writes you a letter in which she complains about her low
grades and mean professors
A: Colloquial

1.4
1. Which essay test answer sounds the most academic in tone? Why?
A: The “essay test answer #2”, since it answers the question in a more serious
tone, while shedding light in some concepts and their etymology
2. Which one has the most formal and sophisticated vocabulary? Why?
A: The “essay test answer #2” out of all the other essays this one has more
elaboration and more formal and sophisticated vocabulary for the first part
3. Which one has the best control of style and language? Why?
A: The “essay test answer #2” the narration is interesting, and the usage of
language is appropiate
Name: Sebastián Vélez Bernal Code:20182265035

4. Which one has the most effective content and organization? Why?
A: For me it would be the “essay test answer #3” since it is incredibly straight
forward and short with his opinion. For the average student it would be the most
appealing in my opinion