Writing proficiency is an obstacle which most students, especially those who should start writing in academic style, can face. However, more difficulties are likely to be faced by international students in the UK, who have to succeed in achieving two main aims; the first one concerns the ability to understand what might be the requirements that they should fulfil. Secondly, how they manage to express their ideas through the UK academic procedure. In fact, the cultural factor plays a pivotal role in a student’s progress as regards academic writing, while the UK readers often struggle to understand what non-native speakers try to say in their papers, which probably lead to unsatisfactory assessment. More recently, many studies have carried out to consider what possible justifications of this problem. This paper seeks to discuss whether the overseas students should change their attitude in academic writing using the UK pattern through evaluating Linn (2009).
Linn (2009) suggests that the differences between cultures are an essential aspect to consider why non native English speakers have a limited ability to reach the acceptable level of the UK academic reader. Linn (2009) uses Kaplan’s categorization which includes four patterns of writing and they have been classified according to culture: Anglo Saxon, Semitic, Romance and Oriental. Those cultural groups may help us to understand this contradiction between a non-UK writer, who expresses their ideas influencing by their own attitude, and the UK readers. Consequently, international students probably struggle when they attempt to modify their patterns to be acceptable by the UK reader.
However, there are five fundamental features could be as a beacon which guides foreign students to...
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...ak as an English student because of the limitations in their use of language.
In conclusion, it would be complicated if we suggested that students, who have to study in the UK, must entirely change their attitude when they write academically because, in all likelihood, they will leave the UK returning to their countries and they have to make another modification in order to write again in their own languages. Meanwhile, they should assemble the necessary features of English academic style to be able to complete their studies successfully. However, the only solution to redress this problem is for the academic institutions to train foreign students how to successfully write an academic essay in English which is actually in progress at most the UK academic institutions, and for students to be flexible by learning the English style without forgetting their own style.
My English 1310 course was taught by Professor Daniel Stuart. He taught us the concept of academic writing and why it is important. Academic writing is the process of down ideas, using a formal tone, deductive reasoning and third person. Writing done to carry out the requirements of a college or university on a research based level. It requires a starting point or introduction, followed by a thesis on the preferred topic, then comes proving and disproving of the evidence based arguments. Learning academic writing is important because it is a way to communicate our thoughts clearly and originality. It helps us think and see what evidence we can come up to contribute to that thinking. This course approached this idea of academic writing by
‘Helping students meet the challenges of academic writing’ by Fernsten and Reda is an interesting study how reflective writing practices can be useful for marginalized students, who are struggling with “negative writer self-identity. The possible causes according to Fernsten & Reda are, “issues such as race, class and gender that are marginalized factors for many basic writers”, in addition to the expectations of the dominant academic culture. However, even though Fernsten & Reda illuminated the ‘potential conflicts’ within the academic world, they have failed to provide conclusive evidence that supports their argument regarding their solution. Their reliance on dated research that provides a one sided historical perspective, may no longer accurately reflect current socio/economic issues. In addition, education has been evolving to an inclusive curriculum approach, as immigrated children enter the school system in record numbers. “Persons obtaining legal permanent status in the U.S from the year 2000-2010 are roughly eleven million” (Homeland Security,pg.10/2010). Fernsten & Reda’s confidence of their own limited teaching practices without legitimate comparables from an empirical study leads to their underlying assumptions about the true effectiveness of reflective writing strategies and the causes they believe are associated to a student’s socio/economic background.
In Downs and Wardle’s article, they argue and identify the flaws in teaching writing in college. Demonstrating the misconceptions that academic writing is universal, but rather specialized in each case. Citing studies and opinions from esteemed professionals, Downs & Wardle state their points and illuminate the problem in today’s many colleges.
In Patricia Limerick’s article “Dancing with Professors”, she argues the problems that college students must face in the present regarding writing. Essays are daunting to most college students, and given the typical lengths of college papers, students are not motivated to write the assigned essays. One of the major arguments in Limerick’s article is how “It is, in truth, difficult to persuade students to write well when they find so few good examples in their assigned reading.” To college students, this argument is true with most of their ...
In this article written by David Bartholomae, the author discusses problems basic writers make and about how they must use the discourse (communication style) of the academic community they are writing to, to be an effective writer. Bartholomae believes that “Inventing the University," is being able to assemble and mimic the universities language(5). Which means, if a student wants to be an efficient writer, he or she must be able to speak the language of his or her audience. Bartholomae writes that a common mistake of basic writers is that they don’t use an authoritative voice, and tend to switch into a more passive voice. This could be due to the fact that students have difficulty establishing their mindset or attitude for an audience
This article is written by Lenin Irvin, who presents the challenges that students have to face when they are required to write academic writing tasks in college and introduces to students to what Academic writing is like. To start off the article introduces "Myths about writing". These myths are misconceptions that students tend to use as rules for a perfect writing. However these don’t just not help, but also lead them to failure. The author also states a crucial step which is developing the “writer sense” .This “writer sense” refers to the awareness of the writing situation in general. In a writing piece a student should see the difference between speaking and writing the article and use the correct punctuation and choice the appropriated
A Critical Review of "Helping Students Meet the Challenges of Academic Writing", by Fernsten, Linda A.; Reda, Mary
Proper skills for writing an essay is an important aspect a student, and even employees of the work force should be aware of. An essay is required for receiving grades in class, but they are also required for many other purposes. If an applicant is seeking for effective writing in their academic courses and for future aspirations, then The First Year Writing Program is perfect for effectively teaching the required material. The First Year Writing Program will give confidence to all successors passing the required English courses. Candidates can be aware of proper English and become well educated, by giving The First Year Writing Program the opportunity to turn them into successful English writers.
As I look back into my high school years, I thought I wrote papers well. But then coming into a college environment, my papers were mediocre. By overlooking at my past papers, I found that they were unorganized, sloppy and had bad use of diction. From now on, I will use the tools I learned in English 1100-40 as a foundation for the future papers I intend on writing in college. Following the criteria of organizing ideas so that they flow, impacting the reader with diction and also by being creative, will help become an ideal writer. Following the criteria of staying motivated in short and long term goals, taking responsibility for actions and finally the ability to study well will help me develop into a supreme student.
As a second language learner I have never expected myself to be a perfect writer throughout the semester. Even If English was my first language still, I would not be a perfect writer. It is not about first or second language, it is about how well I understand the learning objectives. Then organizing and writing with my own ideas and putting them in my paper. I am going to be honest, I am not good at English subject and English subject is my strongest weakness than the other subjects. In this paper I will discuss and analyze my own writing, reflecting on the ways that my writing has improved throughout the semester.
As a result I believe that the progress I have made in my writing during the course of English 1B has changed my negative views of writing. As silly as it may sound to say that my fears about writing papers have been defeated, they have. Whether they are short reviews or extensive research papers, I have become more comfortable in writing. I have not only learned how to write and express myself more effectively, by organizing my critical thoughts, but most importantly I have learned that review and revision is an essential part of the writing process. This process how allowed me to grow to become a better writer. The skills I have acquired can be used for future coursework and beyond.
...), 2012. Principles and Practices of Teaching English as an International language. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.
The purpose of writing goes hand in hand with the development of the writing. A student must understand about what he is being asked to write. He must be able to ...
Crème, P., & Lea, M. R. (2008). Writing at university: A guide for students. Buckingham, GBR:
Academic writing skill is very essential for the college students. Through academic writing, the students can express their thoughts, feelings and point of view on a certain issue or topic. In presenting ideas about variety of issues, students need to follow certain rules in writing academic essays. Academic writing is a specific type of writing that is needed in writing formal essays in a certain course. To create a well-constructed essay, it is very important for the students to use academic writing style. It has specific features which include academic tone in the essays. To achieve formality of tone, students must maintain the objectivity of their written texts. Unfortunately, some of the students tend to use personal pronouns