2.2writing Skills

4/29/2021 2.
2WRITING SKILLS
PTAFE01: Student Learning Support (2021)
2.2WRITING SKILLS
 2.2.1 Types of Writing

 2.2.2 Everyday Writing Skills
 2.2.3 TEXC Paragraph Writing
 2.2.4 Academic Essay Writing
 2.2.5 Sample Academic Essay and Plan
 2.2.6 Report Writing
 2.2.7 Sample Report
 2.2.8 Summary Writing
 2.2.9 Transition Words and Phrases
Printed by: Gigini William
Date: Thursday, 29 April 2021, 5:23 AM
Site: elearn.usp.ac.fj
https://elearn.usp.ac.fj/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=16538 1/24
4/29/2021 2.2WRITING SKILLS
2.2.1 Types of Writing
See Formal and Informal Writing Styles
Read more at: https://www.skillsyouneed.com/write/formal-or-informal.html ;
2.2.2 Everyday Writing Skills
Refer to Grammar: Sentence Structure and Types of Sentences
https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/sentencestructure ;
PARTS OF SPEECH
Every word performs a function or plays a particular part or

role in a sentence or speech. These are called parts of
speech or word classes .
Example: The cat jumped over the moon.
The word ‘jumped’ tells us what the cat was doing. It

belongs to the word class ‘verbs’. Other verbs could be used
to replace the word ‘jumped’ and yet the sentence will still
be grammatically correct.
Example: The cat jumped over the moon. crawled fell

sang
There are 8 parts of speech or word classes.
CONFUSED WORDS
There are some words in English that can be easily confused in

spelling, pronunciations and usage. Pay careful attention to
these words in your writing and ensure that you know
when they should be used. Some of these are shown in the
table below.
SPELLING
Use the Grammar and Spellchecker on Microsoft to check for the

spelling of words. Remember that British English is the official
language of instruction used at USP. Note some differences
shown in the table below.
2.2.3 TEXC Paragraph Writing
How to Write a Good Paragraph
2.2.4 Academic Essay Writing
DEFINITION
A structured piece of writing comprising of many

paragraphs about one topic.
A coherent piece of writing from its beginning to its end,

i.e. appropriately joined from paragraph to paragraph
using cohesive links and signposting language. See
Transition Words and Phrases.
Step 5: WHERE TO INSERT AN IN-TEXT REFERENCE In-text referencing

can be inserted in the Explanation (E) and/or Example(X) sentences of
the TEXC paragraph as shown in the TEXC paragraphs in Step 4 above.
This can either be a direct quote or a paraphrase. See Different Styles of

Referencing
2.2.5 Sample Academic Essay and Plan
2.2.6 Report Writing
What is a Report?
A report is a document that contains:
Facts
A record of findings
Results of a survey, investigation or study
TY
Types of Reports
Types Progress Reports Research Reports
Contents Deal with familiar content and are quite straight forward Require the writer to investigate a situation, a
problem or issue.
Why?
So that the findings
can be used to make a decision or to take action.
Examples Memorandums, case histories, records of meetings, a The land pollution in Suva
student school report and
The number of road accidents in Samoa,
financial requirements The failure rate
of students at USP in 2017
The urbanization problem in Kiribati.
Language Formal, simple and precise Formal, simple and precise
Why is report writing an important skill?
At university a common form of assessment is a report. Often there are some overlap between reports and essays, and the two
words are sometimes used interchangeably, but reports are more likely to be needed for business, scientific and technical
subjects, and in the workplace.
It is important to learn the principles of good report writing because it will help you to communicate well in whatever career
you may choose to take. Reports are formally structured and can differ in different disciplines.
A report differs from an essay in writing style, content and structure. While the writer of the essay is generally involved in the
writing, the writer of the report does not express too many personal views but simply analyses the information in front of them.
However in a report, the conventions of essay writing like planning, gathering information, drafting and editing are followed.
Differences between report writing and argumentative essay writing:
Reports Essays
Function Convey specific information Presents an argument
Presents factual information Used to demonstrate knowledge,

understanding and critical
Used to help make decisions or analysis
account for actions
Structure Description of events/results of Continuous flow of text using

research minimal subheadings
Specified sections using Rarely uses graphics

numbered headings and sub-
headings Rarely has appendices or
recommendations
May use graphs and diagrams
Clear and logical
May be followed by
recommendations
Clear and logical
Tone Neutral but tries to convince Tries to persuade

reader of correctness of data
presented
Structure of a Research Report

A research report must be easily recognized. It should have a distinct structure or format, organized content and a clear
direction. Readers often read in a hurry and scan for specific information. They will therefore look for the standard features or
elements of the report-such as the title, contents, introduction and conclusion –to guide them in scanning. A formal report
should have the following arrangement:
Title Page This page must include:
the title of the report
who the report is for
the author of the report and
the date of submission
Abstract Usually 100 to 150 words and should include the following:
• why the report has been written (i.e. what question or

problem is it
addressing)
• how the study was undertaken
• what the main findings were
• what the significance of the findings is.
Table of Contents -list the major and minor sections of the report and the page
on which each begins
Introduction This has three main components.
1. The Background which describes events leading up to the

existing situation, what projects have been done previously,
and why the project or study is necessary.
2. The Purpose
which defines what the project or study is to achieve, who

authorised it and the specific terms of reference or aims
3. The Scope which outlines any limitations imposed on the

project such as cost, time etc.
Body The Body varies according to the type of report.
Basically, it answers the questions: Who? Why? Where?

When? What? How? In an investigative report, it would
consist of all the information required to convince the reader
that the conclusions and recommendations are valid/reliable.
This information must be presented in a systematic way.
Conclusion This should be as brief as possible. They should be presented

in descending order of importance and should not suggest
action. Conclusions should be free from speculation (i.e. ideas
for which you have presented no evidence), have no new
thoughts or references introduced and contain no further
discussion of points raised.
Recommendations This comes after the conclusion and should be listed in order
of importance (in point form)
Bibliography The list of References is an accurate listing, in strict

alphabetical order, of all the sources referred to. (use
referencing style that lecturer recommends)
Appendices The Appendix/Appendices contain important data, explanatory

and illustrative material not included in the text.
Glossary This is a list of technical words or jargon used in the report

and the definitions (in alphabetical order)
In order to write a good report, consider the following:
Its purpose
Its specific topic
The exact message
Your audience
Other reports/documents that already exist or will follow
The appropriate structure
The right language – vocabulary, style and tone
The amount and kind of supporting evidence
Its presentation
The most suitable length.
(Source: adapted from: http://www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/13570/WE_Writing-a-formal-report.pdf
2.2.7 Sample Report
2.2.8 Summary Writing
How to Write a Summary
2.2.9 Transition Words and Phrases

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4/29/2021 2.

PTAFE01: Student Learning Support (2021)

 2.2.1 Types of Writing

Printed by: Gigini William

Date: Thursday, 29 April 2021, 5:23 AM

2.2.1 Types of Writing

See Formal and Informal Writing Styles

Read more at: https://www.skillsyouneed.com/write/formal-or-informal.html ;

2.2.2 Everyday Writing Skills

Refer to Grammar: Sentence Structure and Types of Sentences

Every word performs a function or plays a particular part or

Example: The cat jumped over the moon.

The word ‘jumped’ tells us what the cat was doing. It

Example: The cat jumped over the moon. crawled fell

There are 8 parts of speech or word classes.

There are some words in English that can be easily confused in

Use the Grammar and Spellchecker on Microsoft to check for the

2.2.3 TEXC Paragraph Writing

How to Write a Good Paragraph

2.2.4 Academic Essay Writing

A structured piece of writing comprising of many

A coherent piece of writing from its beginning to its end,

Step 5: WHERE TO INSERT AN IN-TEXT REFERENCE In-text referencing

This can either be a direct quote or a paraphrase. See Different Styles of

2.2.5 Sample Academic Essay and Plan

2.2.6 Report Writing

Types Progress Reports Research Reports

So that the findings

can be used to make a decision or to take action.

of students at USP in 2017

The urbanization problem in Kiribati.

Language Formal, simple and precise Formal, simple and precise

Why is report writing an important skill?

Differences between report writing and argumentative essay writing:

Function Convey specific information Presents an argument

Presents factual information Used to demonstrate knowledge,

Structure Description of events/results of Continuous flow of text using

Specified sections using Rarely uses graphics

Clear and logical

Tone Neutral but tries to convince Tries to persuade

Structure of a Research Report

Title Page This page must include:

the title of the report

who the report is for

the author of the report and

the date of submission

• why the report has been written (i.e. what question or

• how the study was undertaken

• what the main findings were

• what the significance of the findings is.

Introduction This has three main components.

1. The Background which describes events leading up to the

which defines what the project or study is to achieve, who

3. The Scope which outlines any limitations imposed on the

Body The Body varies according to the type of report.

Basically, it answers the questions: Who? Why? Where?

Conclusion This should be as brief as possible. They should be presented

Bibliography The list of References is an accurate listing, in strict

Appendices The Appendix/Appendices contain important data, explanatory

Glossary This is a list of technical words or jargon used in the report

In order to write a good report, consider the following:

(Source: adapted from: http://www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/13570/WE_Writing-a-formal-report.pdf