Academic Writing

TKS 6102

Bahasa Inggris S2 #1

Dr. Eng. Yatnanta Padma Devia, ST, MT

 Capaian Pembelajaran Mata Kuliah
( Subject Learning Outcome)
• Menyusun struktur paragraf dengan baik dan
berurutan
• Memahami tentang prinsip penulisan
paragraf : unity and coherence serta detail
pendukungnya
• Memahami gaya penulisan akademis
• Menyusun struktur tulisan berdasarkan jenis
tulisan: proses, sebab akibat, perbandingan,
kontras serta argumentasi
• Menyusun tulisan ilmiah berbahasa inggris
dan mempresentasikannya
 Topics
• Introduction : learning outcome, topic, reference,
assesment
• Paragraph Structure
• Unity and coherence
• Supporting detail : facts, quotations, and statistic
• Writing an essay :
- from paragraph to essay
- process essays
- cause/effect essays
- comparison/contrast essays
- paraphrase and summary
- argumentative essays
RPS
 Assessment
• Quiz 1 : 20%
• Quiz 2 : 20%
• Final Exam : 30%
• Assignment : 30%
Paragraph Structures

Bahasa Inggris S2 #1
 Paragraph Structure
• The three parts of paragraph
• The topic sentence : position and the the
two parts of topic sentences
• Supporting sentences
• The concluding sentences
 Definition
• A paragraph is a group of related
sentences that discuss one (and usually
only one) main idea.
• One sentence or as long as ten sentences
 long enough to develop the main idea
clearly
• We mark a paragraph by indenting the
first word about a half inch (five spaces
from the left margin)
 Answer a test
Stand by itself
question

Paragraph
One part of a longer
piece ow writing :
essay or book
The three parts of a paragraph

1. Topic Controlling
sentence idea

Paragraph

3. 2.
Concluding Supporting
sentence sentences
 1. Topic sentence
• The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph
• Names the topic of the paragraph and limits the topic to one specific
area in single paragraph
• Good paragraph  has a topic sentence  most important
sentence in a paragraph
• A helpful guide to both the writer and the reader
• A topic sentence :
- a complete sentence (at least one subject and one verb)
- contains both a topic and a controlling idea
- the most general statement  give only the main idea, doesn’t
give any specific details
• The topic sentence is usually (not always) the first sentence in a
paragraph. Sometime at the end in a paragraph.
 Practice !
Read the sentences and decide which sentence is the best
topic sentence. Decide what is wrong with the other
sentences (too general, too specific, incomplete)
a. Hybrid automobiles more economical to operate than
gasoline-powered cars.
b. The new hybrid automobiles are very popular.
c. Hybrid cars have good fuel economy because a
computer under the hood decides to run the electric
motor, the small gasoline engine, or the two together.
d. The new hybrid automobiles are popular because of
their fuel economy
a. Hybrid automobiles more economical to operate
than gasoline-powered cars (best TS)
b. The new hybrid automobiles are very popular
(too general)
c. Hybrid cars have good fuel economy because a
computer under the hood decides to run the
electric motor, the small gasoline engine, or the
two together (too specific)
d. The new hybrid automobiles are popular
because of their fuel economy (incomplete)
 Two parts of a Topic Sentence
a. Topic sentence : subject
b. Controlling idea :limits/controls the topic to
specific area
Topic Controlling idea

Driving on freeway requires skill and alertness

Owning an automobile is a necessity for me

Topic
Controlling idea
 2. Supporting sentences
• Explain or prove the topic sentence
• One biggest problem in student writing :
fail to support their ideas adequately
• There are several kinds of specific
supporting details : examples, statistics,
and quotations
Example paragraph without support
(paragraph A)
Red-Light Running

Although some people think that red-light running is a

minor traffic violation that is no worse than jaywalking, it
can, in fact, become a deadly crime. Red-light runners
cause accidents all the time. Sometimes people are
seriously injured and even killed. It is especially a problem
in rush hour traffic. Everyone is in hurry to get home, so
drivers run red light everywhere. The police do not much
about it because they are too busy. The only time they pay
attention is when there is an accident, and then it is too
late. In conclusion, running a red light is a serious offense.
 Example paragraph with support
(paragraph B)
Red-Light Running

Although some people think that red-light running is a minor

traffic violation that is no worse than jaywalking, it can, in fact,
become a deadly crime. Red-light runners cause hundreds of
accidents, including deaths and injuries as well as millions of
dollars in damages. Each year more than 900 people die, and
nearly 200,00 are injured in crashes that involve red-light
running. Motorist run red lights all the time. For example, in
Fairfax, Virginia, a five-month-long survey at five busy
intersections revealed that a motorist ran a red light every 20
minutes. Red light runners are seldom caught. According to the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, “Communities don’t have
the resources to allow police to patrol intersections as often as
would be needed to tickets all motorist who run red
lights”(“Q&A”)
 Practice !
• Read paragraph A and B, notice the different specific
supporting detail that have been added to paragraph B
• Locate the topic sentence in paragraph B. Circle the topic
and controlling idea
• Which supporting sentences in paragraph B contain :
- an example
- a statistic
- a quotation
 3. Concluding sentence
A concluding sentence serves 2 purposes :
a. It signals the end of the paragraph
b. It leaves the reader with the most important ideas to
remember. It can do this in two ways:
- by summarizing the main points of the paragraph
- by repeating the topic sentence in different words
• A paragraph doesn’t always need a concluding
sentence
• A long single paragraph  concluding sentence is
reminder to the reader  the important point
 End-of-paragraph signals followed by
comma
• Finally, ….
• In brief, …
• In conclusion, …  overused
• Indeed, …..
• In short, ….
• Lastly, ….
• Therefore, …
• Thus, ….
• To sum up, ….
• In summary, …  overused
 End-of-paragraph signals not followed by a
comma
• The evidence suggest that ….
• There can be no doubt that …..
• These examples show that ….
• We can see that ….

Do not use phrase

• At last  means at the end of a long
periode of time