Academic Writing Manual

GLOBAL ASSESSMENT CERTIFICATE

ACADEMIC WRITING MANUAL

Date of Issue: June 2010
Version:
One

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... I
About the Academic Writing Manual .............................................................................................................I
UnitDescription ............................................................................................................................................II
Icons........... .................................................................................................................................................III

UNIT 1: ACADEMIC WRITINGOVERVIEW................................................................................................1
Learning Outcomes ............................................................................................................................1
Part A
Informational writing structure ............................................................................................2
Part B
Narrowing the topic............................................................................................................4
Part C
Analysing a topic ................................................................................................................7
Part D
Drafting a plan ....................................................................................................................9
Part E
Writingintroductions.........................................................................................................12
Part F
Constructing a thesis statement.......................................................................................13
Part G
Composing topic sentences .............................................................................................15
Part H
Developing supporting details..........................................................................................17
Part I
Using transitions ...............................................................................................................19
Part J
Writing conclusions ..........................................................................................................21

UNIT 2: ACADEMIC ESSAYTYPES...........................................................................................................23
Learning Outcomes ..........................................................................................................................23
Part A
Cause and effect essays ..................................................................................................25
Part B
Compareand contrast essays .........................................................................................30
Part C
Process essays ................................................................................................................36
Part D
Argumentative/persuasive essays ...................................................................................40
Part E
Descriptive...