ACADEMIC ENGLISH WRITING SKILLS Mdm Siti Aisyah binti Akiah Faculty of Science, Technology & Human...

ACADEMIC ENGLISHWRITING SKILLSMdm Siti Aisyah binti AkiahFaculty of Science, Technology & Human Development

Introduction

WRITINGTYPE 1

Interpreting Information Based on a Set of Non-

linear SourcesWrite a linear text

(150-200 words)

TYPE 2Extended WritingWrite an essay, report, article

or letter(at least 350

words)

2 UWB10102- Academic English

Question 1

You are expected to write a short linear text of 150 to 200 words based on: a headline from a local newspaper a bar chart a table a line graph a pie chart a pictograph a flow chart

UWB10102 – Academic English3

Question 1

Study the following examples of non-linear texts and see how these can be analysed to extract only the relevant

information.


Question 1:: Examples of Non-Linear Texts ::

Line Graph



Bar Chart



Pictograph



Pie Chart



Table



Flow Chart


Question 1:: How to analyse and interpret non-linear texts? :: ‘to analyse’ is to examine the data provided to

discover the relevant/essential information presented to be put in the linear texts

1. Skim the text read through the texts quickly to get a general idea

of the information given read the titles, labels and any notes provided take note of the units of measurements usedNote: • If possible, highlight the keywords in the

question.


2. Extract relevant information using the following questions

Question InformationWhat is the data about? OverviewWhat is the general trend indicated?

Controlling idea

What is the most relevant / important information?

Analysis & Synthesis(should only be based on the

given texts)What can be concluded from the information?

ConclusionUWB10102 – Academic English12

Question 1:: How to analyse and interpret non-linear texts? ::

3. Write the Draft Since the essay is 150 to 200 words only, it will be helpful to follow the general plan given below:

(a) Introduction begin with a very general statement to describe what the non- linear sources are about. Then write a sentence to describe the general trend.

(b) Body analyse and synthesise only the relevant data, significant trends or significant features.

(c) Conclusion write a concluding sentence to summarise the data/information



Things to Remember: The report must be concise but accurate. You have to make use of the existing data given in the

visuals only. While developing the outline into a linear text,

use a variety of sentences and a wide range of words / vocabulary

use linkers or transition words to give your linear text coherence

use words of phrases that describe information in a non-linear source

‘to synthesise’ is to combine separate sets of relevant information presented in the non-linear texts to form a coherent linear text



Question 1:: Vocabulary :: To denote a rise:

Verbs Adverbs Adjectives

increaseincrease steadily

(move up gradually at regular intervals)

a steep increase

go upgo up sharply

(a sudden rise)a gradual increase

riseincrease rapidly

(rise at a fast rate)

a record high (the highest point in the

graph)escalate

(the increased amount is much higher) UWB10102 – Academic English15

Question 1:: Vocabulary :: To denote a drop:

Verbs Adverbs Adjectivesdecrease decrease steadily

(drop gradually at regular intervals)

a steep drop

decline fall sharply/steeply (a sudden drop)

a gradual decrease (drop at a slow rate)

fall decline rapidly (drop at a fast rate)

a record low (the lowest point in the

graph)go down a downward trend

dip (a small drop before a

rise)UWB10102 – Academic English16

Question 1:: Language :: To describe a trend that shows a rapid change

in an irregular manner (quick, short up-and-down movements): fluctuate (verb)

To describe a trend where there is little change: Verb: stabilize Adjective: stable growth, prices are stable,

prices remain constant, unchanged

To show comparison:more than, less than, higher than, lower than, least, most, highest, lowest


Question 1:: Language ::

Think about the time period presented in the non-linear sources and the tenses should be used. E.g. If the period mentioned is between 2005-2008, the verb

tenses used to describe the information is in past form For flow charts, use the simple present form in the active and

passive voice if you are describing a process that is routine.


ACADEMIC ENGLISH WRITING SKILLS Mdm Siti Aisyah binti Akiah Faculty of Science, Technology & Human...

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