Academic Writing

And
Application of Knowledge
Dr. Trevor Mendis (Ph.D)
Business Writing and

Academic writing
Differences between Business writing and
Academic writing

• Format/s
• Formality (academic writing is formal and
business writing is informal)
• Rational (business writing does not need a
rational in most of the instances)
 • Interpretation
Business Academic
Examples
workers, supervisors, subordinates Professors, journal readers

reports, procedures, proposals: explain “thought pieces”: Built in Literature

how something happened, how to theoretical underpinning,
do, understanding something,
propose a project.

• imparting info is end result

imparting info is also end result, but must
place in the relevant context
• Memoranda, Reports Journals, Conference papers, thesis..

• No references References required

Sri Jayawardanepura University incorrect

Sri Jayewardenepura University correct

“Failing to plan is planning to fail”
Pay attention to detail….
Exercise
Student stimulation

MI
Simple exercise to assess General Knowledge

• 2022 FIFA world cup will be held in ………………….

• Israel spy service is known as …………………

• Sri Devi’s last husband is …………………..

• No of MPs in Sri Lankan Parliament: ………………

• Great car racing champion who is now in a coma ………………………

• Recently assassinated Iranian Commander’s name ……………………………

• CNN stands for ……………………………………….

• Who hacked Jeff Bezo’s phone? …………………………………….

• Richest woman in the world………………………………

• “Ira Sanda Wandala” song was originally sung by…………………….

• Osama Bin Laden was born in ………………

• Write anything in the given space
• New British PM’s name is ……………………..

• Harry Potter’s name is ……………….

• Two probable reasons to impose sanctions on Iran’s……………….

• Four countries that have moved barriers to Qatar…………. …………….. ………….

……………….

• Name of the Israel PM? ……………

Few important aspects…

• Application of knowledge
• Time management
• 4Ds’
• Perception
Write myself in 03 different ways…
Tables / Figures:

Table 1.1: Export trend from 2010-2017 in Sri Lanka

Source: CBSL. Annual Report. (2008, p. xxx)

References ;
• Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Annual Report-2008.
Colombo.
References & Bibliography
 Presentations
• Introduction
• Structure
• 3Bs
• Theory / models and application of theory/models
• Examples
• Analysis
• Conclusion
• Recommendations
• References
Chronology
• Cover page
Attributes- logo/ emblem , ………..
Individual Assignment:
See page 23

Group Assignment
See page 27
Table of Contents

Page no 55
Displaying figures in the body of the assignment

Figure 2.1: Ugandan Model in CG…

Source: Gavin & Geoffrey. Organizational Behaviour in Uganda. 2004, p. xx).

Displaying tables in the body of the assignment

Table 3.2: Exports of Sri Lanka from 2017-2018

Source: CBSL. Annual Report.(2019, p. xx)

Theoretical Underpinning

ABC theory
XYZ theory
PQR theory
 Models:

Porters Five Force Model….

Models are not theories….

Application of theory/ models ….to the given scenario
Sound Attributes in Academic Writing

• Intellectual requirements
• Supporting evidence
• Quantitative measures
• Qualitative measures
• Intellectual rigour
• Critical analysis
• Ethically prepared
• Consistency
• Intellectual integrity
Value Additions;
• Charts (pie, gnat, bar..)
• Tables
• Figures
• Arguments
• Quotes
• Flow and the sequence
• Graphs (dotted, single line, different colours…)
• Adding colour
• Adding a suitable theme/ picture Cumbersome, tiny, so
many figures/ numbers… etc should be stated as
attachments or annexure after referencing &
bibliography.
How to improve quality & content..
• Analyse
• Explain / narrate
• Argue
• Rationalize
• Use charts/ graphs… to support your arguments/ points
• Demonstrate the summary in the body of the
assignment and trivial aspects under annexure.
• Avoid plagiarism by duly acknowledging the source in
the body and giving a detail one under references.
Writing skills
• Grammar
• Presentation (way of presenting facts…)
• Avoiding punctuation errors (margins, spacing, bold
letters, no unnecessary space, font size, ..)
• Making reader friendly
Examination Answers
Thank you