Lecture 5 research

• Communicatie
• HBO
• Studiejaar 2

Final research lecture!

Lesson goal:

Improve writing style of the report

Signal words

Transitions

Transitions

Signal/linking word examples

Enumeration: moreover, in addition, also, also, firstly...

Opposition: but, although, still, though...

Comparison: so, just so, just like, as...

Example: as, so, for example, to illustrate

Cause-effect: by, through, as a result of,

Means to an end: by which, with which, through which...

Argumentation: because, therefore, because of, for that reason....

Condition: if, when, unless, in the event that...

Time sequence: first, before, after, at the same time, then...

Conclusion: therefore, in short, it follows

Transitional phrases

Introductory transitional phrase announces what follows:

 This chapter discusses ...

Connecting transitory Sentence explains connection between preceding and following paragraphs:

After this exploration of...we will look more closely at...

Concluding transitional sentence summarises the previous paragraphs:

 The preceding paragraph demonstrates that...

When is a sentence comprehensible/understandable?

clear, concise - not vague; structured, logical, systematic, grammatically correct

When is a sentence attractive?

Interesting, uses imagery, not dull.

When is a sentence appropriate?

Academic, uses sources, style/register, context

When is the sentence correct?

Grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation.

Comprehensible:

• Avoid redundant and 'empty' words
• Don't make it difficult when it can be done easily (word choice, sentence structure)
• Use signal words to make relationships between sentences and paragraphs clear.
• Pay attention to references.

Attractiveness

• Provide variety in sentence structure, sentence length and word usage.
• Use active phrasing (passive form only when necessary)
• Information in verbs instead of nouns.
• Try to use 'visual’ (evocative) language (now and then).

Appropriateness

• Use businesslike, academic language (and avoid informal and colloquial language)
• Write neutrally
• Take the reader's prior knowledge into account
• Use stylelise

Correctness

Grammatically correct

(use Grammarly)

Which sentence is more appropriate?

1. The political situation in most African democracies is not yet stable.

2. As far as the political situation in African countries is concerned, one can say that most democracies are not yet stable.

Which sentence is more appropriate for a research paper?

1

2

1. The political situation in most African democracies is not yet stable.
2. As far as the political situation in African countries is concerned, one can say that most democracies are not yet stable.

Style exercise on Padlet

Upload a paragraph from your paper in the lecture 6 column on Padlet (link on Moodle). Then go to a classmate's and check their sentences for comprehensibility, attractiveness, appropriateness and correctness. Furthermore, check how the writer has transitioned or linked different ideas together.

Happy writing!