Health Sciences

China Health Program

Essay writing

WRITING AN ACADEMIC ESSAY 学术文章写作

The preparation and presentation of written work is vital not only to your progress through the course, but will give you skills which you will take to the workplace. Assignments are assessment tools which give you the opportunity to expand your knowledge and explore your understanding in a time frame which gives you room to plan and extend yourself. In an essay you are required to develop your own ideas about the topic and to justify them by referring to the ideas of “experts” . The following section will give you some guidelines to make the most of your essay writing.

作报告和写作学术文章不但对于学习课程很重要，对你将来的工作都有很大指导意义。作业作为一种评估工具不但会给你机会让你扩大知识，增加对问题的理解能力，而且让你能够加深自己的观点，依据专家的观点作出调整。以下的内容会帮你理解论文写作。

• Planning
• Writing
• General Hints
• Referencing
• Presentation
• Powerpoint presentation about writing and referencing

The planning stage 计划阶段

The Task 任务

It sounds obvious, but make sure you understand the task given. Find out the objectives of the assignment and how it might fit in with the subject aims, ensure you really know what is being asked of you, how the assignment should be presented (right down to the number of words), and what you should be getting out of this educational experience. You will need to adopt a “critical” and analytical approach to the essay (express your own ideas), rather than simply regurgitate facts.

首先要确认自己已经明白写作的目的是什么。找出作业的任务所在，思考如何围绕其着手。确定任务中的要求，比如字数，以及你可以从以往学习经验中找到的借鉴，你需要批判的接收和分析，而不是仅仅罗列事实。

Set the Scene 开始动笔

What and where is the literature? Is this a classical question which has been addressed by many other authors (“experts”), and you are required to critically analyse their work, or is this a chance for you to break new ground for yourself?

什么是文章？是不是就是罗列那些经典的问题，还有那些被著者和专家引用多次的 文献，你该考虑自己是不是被要求去做这些分析来批判他人的作品，还是创造一个为自己著述立作的机会？

If your assignment topic includes a reference or reading list, make sure you follow up this valuable trail. Readings are suggested to help guide your thinking, rather than to supply definitive answers. If readings are not given, then use your wits, your collaboration with colleagues, and the skills and resources of the library and librarians to get the information required.

如果你的作业的题目里有注释和一连串的推荐阅读，你一定要按照这个要求去做。

阅读帮助你思考，而不是去提供绝对的答案。如果阅读材料没有提供的前提下，利用你自己的，你身边的同学，图书馆，以及一切你所及的信息。

Create a Structure 结构

Create an overall plan for your assignment. Think about how you wish to organise your information, and how it is best presented (words, pictures, graphs, charts, illustrations, or three dimensional models. Can it be submitted electronically, or as a video, slide show or role play?Be creative, but stick to the boundaries set by the assessment.

要有一个蓝图在你心中。想象如何去组织你的各种信息，这些信息又如何通过文字，图片，图表，三维等各种模型来表达。或者可以选择用电子材质，影视，幻灯片等各种形式去展现。没有任何限制和障碍，你可以无拘无束的充分去创作。

Build and Finish 组合和完成

Now you are into the construction phase. Address the main components of the topic, consider what point of view you will adopt, develop a sequence of ideas, select material to support your ideas.

现在你进入整合文章的阶段，标注出重要的结构，考虑为支持你的观点你需要取舍的材料。

The writing stage 写作阶段

In order to turn your plans into a reality, the next stage involves writing. For some this may be a process of drafting and redrafting, for others it is a one shot effort. Your use of the language will be determined by the nature of the assignment, using either a narrative style (such as in a personal journal or diary), or a more formal style (such as in the heavy scientific and humanities journals). Find out the writing style that is expected by assessing the task and consulting your lecturer.
Writing assignments can be daunting, especially if they are very large, so break the task into manageable chunks.

写作是将你以上的种种想法成为现实。经常是反复斟酌草稿和继续修改的过程。你应该根据作业的要求选择恰当的语言表达方式。你可以选择叙述的口吻，或者是一个更正式的口吻，例如在科学和自然杂志上发表文章的，或是更进一层，是更为规格高的科学和自然杂志上发表的表达。写作有时会给你一种挫败感，特别是在需要掌握一个很大的结构和内容，你需要把他们分解完成。

The Introduction 介绍

Here you briefly outline what you are going to say, and the direction the essay will take. This is the time to engage your reader, let them know that reading your assignment is going to be a really worthwhile experience for them; it is a window onto the main body of your paper.

此处你需要简单扼要的介绍你要说什么观点，论文的主旨是什么，这是吸引你的读者的最好的时机。告诉他们你的文章很值得一读，介绍也就是一扇窗，读者一推开就能知道你文章所要表达的。

The Body 内容

Here is where you develop the main points of your argument, logically, sequentially and with appropriate evidence from your sources. You may do this using subheadings, or chapters (depending on the size of your work). Each should be complete in itself, but logically build upon each other. To ensure this, go back to the planning stage, and make sure you are following your carefully laid out blueprints.

这就是你要去展开你的主要观点地方，有逻辑，有条理的运用事实来展开你的章节。每个章节相对独立，但作为文章的整体，它们密切联系。这个时候你需要经常回顾你的文章主旨，确保你没有跑题。

The Conclusion 结论

This is not just restating the obvious; this is where you tie it all together. Briefly summarising the points of your argument refer back to the initial task (or question) to prove that you have done what you set out to do.

这不仅仅是一种重复观点。在此处你应该总结你的各处观点来证明在刚开始你的文章主旨。

General hints for writing essays . 关于写作的几点提示

• Make sure your essay is easily "readable".
• Each paragraph should contain one main idea, contributing to the heading and the topic. Avoid one sentence paragraphs. Each paragraph should follow from the last and lead to the next. Clear links should be made.
• Generally professional literature uses third person, however, use of the first person is now acceptable.
• Make sure the essay is not too jargon laden.
• Use short quotes if necessary; only use long quotes for a good reason.
• Always acknowledge other authors' words and ideas to avoid plagiarism. Information on plagiarism is included elsewhere in this booklet.

• 你的文章具有阅读性
• 每段有一个中心，来支持文章的题目。避免一句话一段。必须段落鲜明。
• 最好使用第三人称来陈述。
• 使用专业术语不要过滥。
• 引述不必要过长。
• 引用别人的语言和理论要注明。

Referencing 参考文献

Information on referencing.

请参考抄袭的章节的叙述。

Presentation 发言

It is usual that your lecturer or school will issue explicit guidelines on how written material is to be presented. Follow this carefully, as this may significantly contribute to your mark. In general, the following guidelines will be of use:

老师会经常要求你的文章被用来作报告，必须认真对待，这对你得到理想的成绩很重要，以下是几点注意的：

• The Cover page should state the Subject Code and Subject Title, Assignment Title, Lecturer's name, your Name and Student ID, and the date of submission.
• 第一页应该包括课程的代码，作业的题目，老师的姓名，你的姓名，学生号，递交时间。
• For large works, a numbered contents page can be a valuable asset.
• 如果是很长的作业，最好有内容提示。
• Ensure your pages are numbered, and (it sounds obvious!) check for missing pages.
• 如果页数很多，标注页码。
• Presentations are usually typewritten (computer printed), on one side of the page only, with enerous margins, and either double spaced or space-and-a half.
• 打印汇报应该在页面的一侧，如果很多，可以两面。
• Don't just "spell-check" your work, as the computer will not pick up all the mistakes. Proof read it carefully yourself and, if possible, get a friend or relative to double check for spelling, fluency and general expression.
• 请别人多帮你找找作业的语法错误，不是仅仅用检查的工具，要仔细检查拼写，流畅和表达的是否存在问题。
• Make sure the pages of the assignment are firmly fastened together. Generally, it is preferred that you submit your work WITHOUT a folder or plastic envelope.
• 请使用合适的牢固的装订方式。
• Keep a copy of the submitted assignment, and hold on to your rough notes and drafts until the assignment has been assessed and returned.
• 请保留作业副本，直到作业判完或是返还给你。
• Your school may issue a receipt on submission of your assignment.
• 你会从学院收到作业已收的收条。 Resources 资源
• Always clarify issues concerning the content of your assignment with the appropriate lecturer or tutor.
• 经常性的与老师讨论你的作业内容
• See a study skills adviser for general information and help with assignment writing.
• 找帮助写作的顾问去得到相关的信息。
• Fellow students are good sounding boards to bounce ideas off, and forming a writing club can give you valuable inspiration and support.
• 参加写作小组的集体讨论，是一个不错的办法。
• The library is there to be used, and the resources in there, human, and electronic, are invaluable.
• 图书馆拥有最多的最齐备的各种资源。

Click here to view the powerpoint presentation that discusses writing and referencing.

请点击此处观看关于讨论写作和注释引用的幻灯片