Academic Style Research Articles

Language in Academic Writing: Features and Topical Issues

The quality of language of a scholarly paper determines its acceptability for academic publication. Books, editorials and journals have distinguished styles of expressions, sentence construction, lexicon and mode of writing or reporting, in addition to reference and citation styles within the academic domain. Given that authors are expected to communicate their organized thoughts and research findings with accuracy and sensitivity, challenges abound in conformity to house style or grammar. Sometimes, the authors encounter the interference of structural construction or the interference of the mother tongue for a non-native speaker writing in a second language. There is need to interrogate the specific features of academic writing that would guide intending authors and qualify their manuscript for publication. Through a conceptual and critical analysis of the literature and guidelines laid down by some academic house styles like APA 6th Edition, this paper examines the specific features of language that an author writing in any language for publication needs to consider for acceptability. It also considers some topical issues attendant to writing in scholarly language. The findings reveal that scholarly research is a specialty, thus the language is within the unique set of rules governing academic writing. The nature of some scholarly research disposes them to an exclusive audience which might demand language conceptualized within the boundaries of a specific discipline. In addition, the language barrier between thoughts and written words constitutes a hindrance for non-native speakers. The study concludes that the language of academic report communicates and authenticates the findings, thus editors give priority to manuscripts that demonstrate clarity, objective and analytical skills. It also posits that academic writers need special tutoring in the language, both for native and non-native speakers. Linguistic variance in textual and rhetorical structure lends itself to socio-linguistic, ethnographic translation, logical and pedagogic orientation. Academic brokerage should be encouraged. Minimizing rejection might call for academic communities not represented in high impact factor journals to grow journals with high impact factor within national or cultural boundaries.

TEACHING NOUN-PHRASE COMPOSITION IN EAP/ESP CONTEXT: A CORPUS-ASSISTED APPROACH TO OVERCOME A DIDACTIC GAP

Attributive noun phrases, namely noun + noun constructions (NNCs), is an essential typological characteristic of academic style. However, errors in their production and use are not uncommon even in the writing of advanced Russian users of academic English. As such errors slow down reading and, in some cases, lead to misinterpretations, they may be a hindrance to the publication of research results in international journals. Aiming at facilitating NNC instruction, the study focuses on linguistic and didactic aspects of this construction. It highlights NNC complexity and a lack of consensus among researchers as to their linguistic status and semantic nature. The research demonstrates that NNCs do not find proper interpretation in EAP/ESP teaching literature, which results in their misuse by non-native English contributors to international scientific journals. Based on some published practice and personal experience in teaching academic skills, the research lays down a corpus-assisted approach to teaching students to master the grammar and use of NNCs in their own discipline texts. The principal advantage of this approach is that it provides students with patterns of NNP expert use and aids EAP/ESP instructors to develop discipline-specific didactic materials based on reliable and up-to-date facts on generating NNCs.

“Umm you know…” Speaking or Writing?: Examining EFL Students’ Writing Style in Argumentative Essays

Writing in English has always been a difficult skill to be mastered by Indonesian students. In the English Department of Universitas Dian Nuswantoro, students often face challenges in writing concerning grammatical rules and using suitable style in various text types. This research is aimed at investigating whether the students have applied formal academic style in their academic argumentative essays. The method used to analyse the data was descriptive qualitative. The findings demonstrate that there are still some significant errors made by students in their writing. Of the nine types of academic writing style errors proposed by Yakhontova (2003), there are eight types found in the data. These include contraction, addressing the reader directly, direct question, adverb in initial or final position, interjection and hesitation filler, short form of the word or slang, inappropriate negative form, and figures at the beginning of the sentence. Furthermore, the data also reveal a novel finding that there are two other kinds of error that cannot be categorised under Yakhontova’s framework, namely the use of spoken form and emoticon. This research suggests that students’ need to be specifically taught the differences between formal and informal styles of language in speaking and writing classes. They also need to be exposed to English academic texts more so as to be accustomed to formal or academic style.

Infantasies: An EPAT collective project

This is a collective writing project that is part of the larger design of Infantologies, Infanticides and Infantilizations; a quartet that explores the philosophy of infants from thematic perspectives, that puts infants at the centre of our reflections, and that encourages a different academic style of thinking.

Akademisity’ of Russian Research Medical Papers: Means of Realization and Specific Aspects of Manifestation

The article discusses specific aspects of scientific papers on medical research. The author supposes that in the Russian scientific discourse on medicine its specificity is manifested in the combination of lexical, grammatical and stylistic means, their coordination in the text is considered as one basic property of research paper genre in medical discourse, named 'akademisity'. Having analyzed the medical corpus (full-text medical articles published in the peer-reviewed scientific and practical journal "Bulletin of Siberian Medicine"), the researcher determined the coefficient of lexical diversity, lexical, grammatical and stylistic means of 'akademisity'. Quantitative analysis of these parameters shows that Russian-language texts demonstrate a higher coefficient of lexical diversity and contain more unique lexemes compared to texts of the English-language corpus. Scientific papers are characterized by a relatively low level of the use of first-person pronouns, which indicates that the researchers' position is not actively expressed in the papers. Other aspects that are considered to be manifestations of the academic style in the texts of the Russian-speaking authors are as follows: the use of a significant number of adjectives and international character of the texts due to the presence of a large number of cognate words. In general, it is noted that academic style is manifested at all levels of text organization. The research results have certain practical application, since the knowledge of the properties of the academic style will help healthcare professionals to create high-quality articles for presentation of the results of their research.

Practice of New Academic Style

Practice of New Academic Style

Między Akademią a awangardą. Studium amerykańskiego pola sztuki przełomu XIX i XX wieku

Artykuł poświęcony jest rekonstrukcji charakteru amerykańskiego pola sztuki na przełomie XIX i XX wieku w perspektywie teorii Pierre’a Bourdieu. Dokonując interpretacji zgromadzonych w Stanach Zjednoczonych materiałów, przeprowadzono analizę pola sztuki przełomu wieków w USA. Wydarzenia tamtego okresu – emancypacja części artystów spod wpływu Akademii, założenie samodzielnych szkół artystycznych, powstanie niezależnych galerii, powołanie krytyki artystycznej, organizacja kolejnych wystaw amerykańskiej sztuki współczesnej, otwarcie Armory Show (1913), wreszcie zerwanie ze stylem akademickim – stanowiły pierwszą fazę autonomizacji pola sztuki w Stanach Zjednoczonych. W artykule omówiono proces konstytucji i pierwotnej emancypacji amerykańskiego pola sztuki, a równocześnie wskazano uczestników gry w świecie artystycznym; określono ich rolę i znaczenie; opisano ich wzajemne relacje i zależności; wyjaśniono, o jakiego typu profity toczyła się gra statusowa w polu. Z drugiej strony określono dynamikę zmienności charakteru tych elementów w sytuacji zmiany społecznej zachodzącej w USA. Ze względu na wielowymiarowy charakter transformacji w polu rozpatrzono ją także w kategoriach rewolucji symbolicznej.

The authentic and folk academic styles of song performance. The specification and the ways of professionalisation

The authentic and folk academic styles of song performance. The specification and the ways of professionalisation

Doing Academia Differently: Loosening the Boundaries of Our Disciplining Writing Practices

In this article, I explore questions of pedagogy and knowledge-writing practices in their relation to knowledge production. Starting from the observation that different styles of writing are present in our work, but many of them are systematically pushed back and mis-read as non-academic, the article brings to the fore a discussion on the direct relationship between practices of knowledge-writing and those modes of knowing that escape the linear and propositional academic style while still being part of how knowledge comes into being. Following a tradition of intersectional feminist epistemologies, I engage with questions of epistemologies and critical pedagogies, speaking to and with several generations of scholars who address and work with questions of diversity and knowledge production that are seminal within International Relations (IR), yet underexplored from the perspective of knowledge-writing practices.

略论吴乔的宋诗学思想

Wu Qiao was an enough important poet and commentator in the poetry circle of the early Qing Dynasty. He is aloof and arrogant, when he commented on ancient and modern literati's articles, his writing style was unscrupulous. But this is also his unique academic style and worth studying. Wu Qiao’s poetic thoughts of the Song Dynasty are vividly reflected in “Wei Lu Shi Hua”, and his poetic view is based on the respect of Tang poetry. In order to praise Tang poetry, he criticized the poetry of Song Ming and criticized the poetry school of Song Dynasty and Ming Dynasty. Tang, Song, Yuan and Ming Dynasty poems are all compared to clarify the development trajectory of Chinese poetry. Therefore, Wu Qiao’s Song poetry thought has high research value.

«Четыре пьесы на темы лютневой музыки XVI и XVII вв.» С.Н. Василенко: в контексте творчества

The relevance of the article is related to the process of studying ensemble disciplines, because students due to this process need to create a three-dimensional representation of the work of the studied composer. The purpose of the article is an acquaintance with a number of compositions to create a convincing artistic interpretation of the work. Methods – description, observation, representation. The article presents an overview of the heritage of one of the prominent figures of Russian musical art in the first half of the XX century – Sergey Nikiforovich Vasilenko, who had a well-deserved respect among admirers of the academic style and traditions of the Moscow school of composition. The focus is on the review of chamber and ensemble music by S.N. Vasilenko, which reflects the specifics of the composer's creative thinking: a colorful sound palette, an appeal to the folklore heritage of Eastern peoples, original instrumental compositions, and ancient music of Western European composers. Results: substantiation of the author's idea in creating an exquisite program suite "Four pieces on themes of lute music of the XVI–XVII centuries" for cello (or viola) and piano (1918). This is one of the first works for viola written by S.V. Vasilenko in the post-October period of art, rarely performed and practically not found in educational practice. Conclusion: this cycle is the basis for further study of chamber literature for viola in historical dynamics and perspective.

On language and style of scientific work. Notes from practice

The paper presents basic information about the styles of written scientific speech. The basic requirements for the completeness and unambiguity of written speech are revealed, which turn out to be much stricter than oral speech. Varieties of scientific style are highlighted - academic style, popular scientific style, scientific and educational, scientific and business. The work is based on examples, the most frequent and typical speech errors and inaccuracies. These were collected by the authors during many years of work in the editorial boards of medical journals and cooperation with publishing houses. The emphasis is given on the typical shortcomings found in written scientific speech, stylistic errors and inaccuracies in wording. The article is intended to help authors with understand the features of the scientific style of speech and, ultimately, improve the quality and value of their own publications.

DIGITAL MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGICAL CHALLENGES FOR MEDIA EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN

This paper aims to record concerns of media education currently under debate in Pakistan. It indicates three main study trends. The first trend is concerned about Pakistani digital technology users, their skills in technologies especially digital media usage and the second about new media learning and teaching methods by using new media tools like mobile devices, tablets, social media networking, which needs new technical and technological framework. The last trend deals with literacy concerning digital education, related to both the skills required by digital media students have to progress and what educators especially faculty members have to be trained about these media technologies. In order to achieve objectives pertaining to these trends, semi-structured interviews of students and educators are conducted. Concerning the first trend, we observe a division of perspectives and understanding between those who believe that all we need is new media education for old academic solutions and those we think there is a need of changing academic styles, thus allowing it to grow into a new standard. For this purpose, they stress that digital devices should be made an integral part of today’s classrooms. Concerning the second trend, we observe a consensus on teaching and learning by using digital devices as the most useful, helpful tools. Mostly, the school educators have their own laptops, tablets, and mobile phones however, they stressed on a combination of ethics, education and utilization of digital media in a good manner. Finally, the notion of literacy concerning digital media which has received significant consideration be defined in various ways particularly in the south Asian context. Keywords: Digital Media, Digital Technology, Native Educators, Pakistan

Історико-героїчний епос українців на сучасній естраді в інтерпретації Тараса Житинського

Представлення історико-героїчного епосу українців на сучасній естраді є поодиноким явищем, тому метою нашого дослідження є висвітлення цієї проблематики у творчості рок-музиканта, автора-виконавця Тараса Житинського. На основі звукозаписів співака, особистого спілкування з ним, музичної критики та публіцистики, які є джерельною базою дослідження, зроблена спроба узагальнення творчого доробку митця в цьому напрямку.
 Методологія дослідження передбачала використання міждисциплінарного, конкретно-історичного, культурологічного та акмеологічного підходів, які допомагають розглянути представлення українського історико-героїчного епосу на сучасній естраді у творчості одного виконавця в динаміці та різновидах. Міждисциплінарний підхід зумовив звернення до історії України, музичної фольклористики, естрадознавства; конкретно-історичний підхід застосовано для дослідження історії створення пісень та історичних подій, відображених у них; культурологічний підхід допомагає з’ясувати місце і значення історико-героїчного епосу українців для розвитку сучасної естради, патріотичного та естетичного виховання слухачів; акмеологічний підхід спрямовує дослідження мистецької діяльності Т. Житинського в динаміці, виокремлення значення його самовдосконалення та самореалізації для творчого розвитку.
 У дослідженні подано історію створення і зміст творів історико-героїчного плану, які виконує Т. Житинський, здійснена їх класифікація, а також виокремлено різностильові виконавські манери, притаманні співакові (автентичний чоловічий гуртовий спів у народному стилі; академічна манера; стилі «кантрі», «фольк-рок», «рок-н-рол», «шансон», ліричний бардівський спів). Творчий процес виконавця триває вже 3 десятки років. Еволюція митця зумовлена самовдосконаленням, постійним пошуком нових (забутих) пісень, їх презентуванням широкій публіці. Багатогранність таланту Т. Житинського представлена використанням різних виконавських манер, володінням інструментом, композиторським хистом, дослідницьким пошуком, менеджерськими якостями.

Course Retention in Community Colleges: Demographics, Motivation, Learning Style, and Locus of Control

ABSTRACT Research on the community college student is lacking a full understanding on all the variables that may impact online course success. Researchers in this study examined the effects of student demographics, academic motivation, learning style, and locus of control on retention rates in community college online courses. A descriptive discriminant function analysis revealed one function that was primarily defined by age and ethnicity. Locus of control was not supported, but academic motivation and learning style preferences were retention predictors to a lesser degree. Online course completers tended to be slighter older, White, reported early course satisfaction, and had a sensing and sequential learning style preference.

Berard Reviews "Camp Sites: Sex, Politics, and Academic Style in Postwar America"

Berard Reviews "Camp Sites: Sex, Politics, and Academic Style in Postwar America"

ОРГАНІЗАЦІЙНА КУЛЬТУРА В АДМІНІСТРАТИВНОМУ УПРАВЛІННІ ЗАКЛАДАМИ ВИЩОЇ ОСВІТИ КИТАЮ

The article discusses the issues of improving the modern university management system with Chinese characteristics. It is noted that in the administration of colleges and universities in China, the implementation of values plays an important role in the effectiveness of their management. It is noted that organizational culture is an immanent component of the higher education institution management system. It acts as a composite and at the same time integral characteristic of the organizational environment of scientific and pedagogical workers and students. An understanding of the concept of "organizational culture" and its role in the administration of universities in China is provided. It was found that the following definition is appropriate for the study: organizational culture is a set of the most important proposals directed at all members of the collective that express the values declared by the organization and give people guidance on their behavior and actions. The organizational culture of universities includes the concepts of values, which provide norms, standards and requirements. It has been established that a “mature” management system must strictly implement values in order to achieve the development of all levels of management in universities. The academic style, academic nature, educational environment is reflected both in many departments of the organization and in existing working relations at the university. The values for managing the university administration are described, which include: creating a dynamic, intelligent, standardized, effective administrative office; the presence of an effective management style, starting from the first level; continuous professional development of the organization’s employees; the creation of conditions that emphasize the orientation on a person, his physical and mental health, optimistic attitude to life and work, ensures the quality of professional activity. Key words: organizational culture, administrative management, management values, university.

Оркестр русских народных инструментов в контексте глинкинских традиций симфонизма

The aim of the study is to identify stylistic specificity of a musical ensemble - the Russian folk orchestra. This specificity is accounted for by the task to form a national academic style in music defining a general trend in the culture of the XIX century, which vividly manifested itself in M. I. Glinka’s creative work. The research is novel in that it uncovers new additional features of Glinka’s epic symphonic style, which influenced dramaturgical conception of the Russian folk orchestra’s style as well as the sphere of instrumental-timbre solutions. Having analysed Glinka’s symphonic overtures, the author has proved that principles of his symphonic style that had developed into a set standard of style by the end of the XIX century were further used in the Russian folk orchestra’s music helping to form an instrumental style of this ensemble.

AN ACADEMIC WRITING NEEDS ANALYSIS OF CZECH UNIVERSITY GRADUATE STUDENTS

The present paper presents the results of a needs analysis conducted among Czech students involved in a Master’s degree programme English Language Teacher Education. The aim was to identify their academic writing needs on the basis of a needs analysis questionnaire and a linguistic analysis of their written discourse in order to find out whether there are divergences between their ‘wants’ and ‘lacks’ (Hutchinson & Waters 1987). The results indicate that the students’ previous tuition at Bachelor’s level focused primarily on lexico-grammatical features of academic style such as text organizing devices, academic vocabulary, grammatical structures and citation styles. However, other areas essential to writing a successful Master’s thesis, such as evaluation and interpretation of results, conveying personal viewpoints and communicating with the reader or acknowledging research limitations, were ascribed a somewhat lower importance by the students, suggesting the existence of a divergence between the students’ ‘wants’ and ‘lacks’. The findings concerning the students’ perception of the writing process also concur with the finding of the authors’ previous research (Dontcheva et al. 2020) into the Theme zone in Czech students’ Master’s theses, which has indicated that Czech Master’s students tend tooveruse textual Themes expressed by linkers and underuse interpersonal Themes realised by stance devices.

Reading Comprehension, School Performance, and Intellectual Styles in Public High School

The present study aimed to analyze reading comprehension and its relationship with academic performance and intellectual styles, as well as possible differences due to the school year. Participants were 288 students enrolled in a public high school (Mage = 16.1 years, SD = 0.99). For the data collection, the Cloze Test, the Inventory of Intellectual Styles, and the overall means of Portuguese, Mathematics, Sociology, and Philosophy were used. The results showed that there were gaps in the formation of the young high school students regarding reading comprehension and that they preferred styles with characteristics such as creativity and greater cognitive complexity. A significant correlation was found between reading comprehension and intellectual styles and the grades of the disciplines assessed. The grade in Portuguese was a predictor of the performance in Mathematics. The findings reaffirm the relevance of reading comprehension for high school education and show that knowledge about students’ intellectual styles can help teachers in their educational practices.