1. WRITING IN ACADEMIA
Mathias Klang
klang@ituniv.se

2. WHAT IS AN ESSAY?
Excercise in the clear presentation of evidence, reasons and
arguments to arrive at a conlcusion.

3. Every essay should have:
• Plan & Structure
• Definitions of key concepts
• ARGUMENT, critical thinking
• Readable English & Accurate spelling
• References
• No unnecessary points

4. “I CAN’T WRITE…”
Writing is a process
Not an automatic skill
Learning by doing and practicing
Laziness
Write and re-write
Work with your text
Spelling and grammar

5. Structure
• Title page
• Introduction
• Purpose/Question
• Background
• Theory
• Related Work
• Method
• Result
• Discussion
• Conclusion
• References
Objective
Analysis and conclusions drawn from material

6. TIME
Simple math
When is it due?
Length?
”simple” mathematics
Advanced math
weekends
Boredom
I never thought it would happen…

7. WRITING
Do NOT begin at the beginning
Borrow/steal ideas & text for inspiration (beware plagiarism)
Write down ideas straight away!

8. GETTING STARTED
Pictures
Brainstorming
Mindmaps
Notebooks
Read similar stuff
Write down every ”aha”

9. Why does anyone read
essays?
• One of the primary hurdles in getting people
to read your paper is getting them to read the
content of the paper. If the title is misleading,
and if the abstract and introduction do not
manage to establish the setting in an
interesting way, chances are that the reader
will not go any further, unless they are very
devoted to the topic, appointed reviewers (in
which case you are in trouble anyway), or a
close friend. (Sørensen)

10. WHO READS IT?
Compulsory
Family
Grades
Opponent
Interest
Supervisor
Future employers

11. Catch the reader
• Know what your question is
• Know why your question is important
• Tell us quickly
• Avoid poetry

12. BORROWING, COPYING AND
PLAGIARISM

13. What’s wrong with Copy Paste

14. Attempt to deceive
• By using non-permitted aids or in other
ways attempt to deceive in connection
with examinations or other occasions
when student work is assessed.

15. TACK!

16. Information
• All images from/alla bilder från www.flickr.com (unless specifically
stated), (om ej annat anges)
• Image & licensing info in the notes section of slides/bild &
licensinfo finns i anteckningsdelen för varje slide
• Presentation licensed/Presentation licensierad under: Creative
Commons BY-NC-SA
• The presentation can be downloaded from/Presentationen kan
laddas ner från: www.slideshare.net/klang
• More information about me/för mer information om mig:
www.techrisk.se & www.digital-rights.net