Academic Writing

4
Using library catalogues
Title 1 is up to date and appears to be a general introduction. The other titles are more specialised,
but title 2 is also recent and might contain some relevant sections, while title 7 could be worth
considering.
1.3 Reading: Developing Critical Approaches
1
Reading methods
Choosing suitable texts
Read title and sub-
title carefully
Survey text features (e.g. abstract,
contents, index)
Skim text for gist – is it relevant?
Scan text for information you need
(e.g. names)
Read extensively when
useful sections are found
Read intensively to make notes
on key points
244
ANSWERS
Other reading skills – possible answers:
•
Text genre recognition
•
Dealing with new vocabulary

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3
Reading abstracts
(a) Background position – A growing chorus of scholars . . . American democracy.
(b) Aim and thesis of paper – This article questions . . . engaged citizenship.
(c) Method of research – Using data from . . . political participation.
(d) Results of research – Rather than the erosion . . . in America.
4
Fact and opinion
(a) fact (not true)
(b) opinion
(c) fact (not true)
(d) opinion
(e) fact (true)
(f) fact (true) + opinion
6
Further practice
(a) 1
Probably unreliable. The adjectives used (easily, quickly) and the lack of concrete
information suggest that this text is not to be trusted. In addition, common sense should
suggest that you cannot legally earn hundreds of pounds in a few hours.
2
Probably reliable. The advice the writer is giving appears to be common sense, although
not everyone might agree with all of it (e.g. cooking is fun).
3
Probably reliable. The facts given can be confirmed by students’ own experience.
(b) Educating the poorest
Positive aspects: Contains some relevant ideas. The studies mentioned could be followed up
using a search engine.
Negative aspects: Rather superficial and informal in style. No citations.