Features of
Critical writing
The emphasis
in critical writing is on texts and interpretation of the texts.
These should be presented in a logical way using an
objective, formal writing
style.
Some
objective Writing Tips
-
Use straightforward language.
Take care with grammar and sentence construction. Avoid using a
note-style of writing.
-
Try not to use pompous
language.
For example: use "find out" rather than "endeavour to
ascertain". Try not to use jargon or clichés
-
Provide definitions.
Include explanations of technical or unusual terms, unless you
can reasonably expect your reader to know them.
-
Use impersonal language.
Essays and reports should be written in the third person
singular. Avoid personal terms such as 'I' or 'We'; the word
'It' should be used instead:
For example:
"I think that
this quotation is effective because ..." should read
"... the quotation is effective because …"
-
Be precise.
Avoid using terms such as 'nice', 'good' or 'excellent' that
lack a precise meaning One person's idea of what is meant by
'good' is not necessarily another's.
-
Be concise and to the point.
For example: Use
'now' or ‘currently' instead of phrases like 'at the time of
writing' or 'at this point in time'.
Use appropriate
verb tenses.
Use the present tense when discussing texts:
‘Romeo is
devastated at the news of Juliet’s death…’
Other writing
pitfalls to avoid
-
Do not start sentences with
linking words.
Such as: but,
and, or yet.
-
Avoid using contractions.
For example:
'they're' for 'they are'.
'etc' and 'ie' should also be avoided.
-
Try to avoid making sentences
overlong and complicated.
Wordiness and
padding can hide meaning.
Minor
conventions: major impact
Small
omissions and inconsistencies will not lose you marks but added
together they can distract the tutor from your argument and affect
their opinion of your argument.
It is often
difficult to know the correct use of, for example, abbreviations or
capitals.
Professional
bodies and publishers have conventions – known as ‘house styles'.
The guidance below refers only to some minor conventions and is not
binding. Check your module handbooks for guidance too. You can also
look at the ‘guidance for authors’ sections of journals in your
subject. Once you have chosen a style, use it consistently.
Quotations
-
Verbatim (exact) quotations within the text are placed within
single quotation marks. See quotation sheet.
Capitalisation
- Use
capitalisation as seldom as possible.
- Use
capitals only for names and proper nouns.
- Don't
capitalise names of subjects.
UK English
and USA English
Use UK
English.
ize
is the usual USA spelling
ise
is the usual UK spelling
So generally
use 's' not ‘z’, for example:
-
minimise
-
organisation
-
capitalisation
Numbers
In sentences,
generally spell out numbers less than 10.
‘The review was sent to four referees’.
This also
applies to ordered events:
- ninth
(correct)
- 9th
(incorrect)
- 112th
(correct)
Exceptions
are
-
measurements with a unit (8mmol/l) or age (6 weeks old)
- when in
a list with other numbers (14 dogs, 12 cats, 9 gerbils)
- at the
beginning of a sentence, for example, e.g. Nine boys not 9 boys
Express
decades as, for example, 1960s (not 1960’s or ‘60s).
Reporting
verbs
When
introducing
references
into the text (citing) you should choose suitable
'reporting' verbs
as these can:
-
strengthen the arguments you are presenting
- help
the reader understand why the source is relevant.
Some verbs
are neutral:
describes...
states...
defines...
Some verbs
draw attention to the author's viewpoint:
argues...
disputed...
conceded...
Some verbs
give information about the author's work:
investigated...
evaluated...
estimated...
Some verbs
highlight the author's viewpoint:
believes...
recognised...
predicted...
Other useful
reporting verbs (use present or past tense as appropriate)
analyse/analysed
compares/compared
comments/commented
concludes/concluded
criticises/criticised
demonstrates/demonstrated
discusses/discussed
illustrates/illustrated
indicates/indicated
notes/noted
observes/observed
points out/pointed out
reports/reported
shows/showed
suggests/suggested
validates/validated
verifies/verified |
