LNG 501 Week 6 Lecture

Topic 4 cont.:
Academic Essay, Referencing & Using
Turnitin Positively

LNG501 Semester 1 2019 - Fiji National University

Lecture Outline

• Academic Essay structure – recap

• Referencing – Harvard and APA Style Guides
• Research and writing – paragraphs & your
voice: Using Turnitin positively
• Assignment 2 – Plan & draft
• Reminders
LNG501 Semester 1 2019 - Fiji National University
5 paragraph essay structure
Hook
Background
Introduction Thesis Statement

T – topic sentence
Main Point 1 E – explanations
X – examples
C – conclude point

Main Point 2 T – topic sentence

E – explanations
X – examples
C – conclude point
Main Point 3 T – topic sentence
E – explanations
X – examples
C – conclude point
Conclusion Re-state thesis
Sum up main points
LNG501 Semester 1 2019 - Fiji National University
Recommendation (if relevant). Final statement
What does a good essay need?
• An academic essay aims to persuade readers of
an idea based on evidence.
• An academic essay should answer a question or
task.
• It should have a thesis statement (answer to
the question) which states your argument.

• An academic essay should include relevant

examples, supporting evidence and information
from academic texts or credible sources.
LNG501 Semester 1 2019 - Fiji National University
Structure recap - TEXC paragraphs
What is a paragraph?
• a related group of sentences that develops one main idea.

Paragraphs in body of essay = TEXC

• a Topic sentence that states the main or controlling idea

• Supporting sentences to explain and develop the point you’re

making
• Evidence and analysis (with in-text citations for sources)
• Examples (with in-text citations for sources)

• a concluding sentence that restates your point and analyses

the evidence
LNG501 Semester 1 2019 - Fiji National University
TEXC paragraphs - tips
• T sentence – state main point straightaway. Write
main point in a full sentence

• E.g. essay topic = what are the effects of the 2003

Pacific Games on Fiji?
• Main point 1 = economic
So…..
• T sentence = Firstly, the 2003 Pacific Games had
economic effects on Fiji.
• E sentences = explain what you said

LNG501 Semester 1 2019 - Fiji National University

TEXC paragraphs - tips
• T sentence = Firstly, the 2003 Pacific Games had economic
effects on Fiji.
• E sentences =
• explain: HOW? WHAT? WHY?
• Usually Plural
• Limit generalizations – use words like “most of”, “can”,
“could”, “may”, “might”, “many”  not “all”
• Example: People in the Pacific suffer from poverty.
• Example: Many people in the Pacific suffer from poverty.

• Example: Drug use is caused by peer pressure.

• Example: Drug use can be caused by peer pressure.
LNG501 Semester 1 2019 - Fiji National University
How TEXC paragraphs work: Use linking words

T • Firstly, many of the roads in the upper Suva City area are in need of
maintenance. In a recent interview, the current CEO of the Fiji Roads
E
Authority explained that many of these roads were built using methods
which are now considered outdated (Fiji Times, 2019, p. 3). Moreover,
the roads are in an area which features constant and heavy traffic, and
thus are more prone to wear and tear. For example, the Toorak Road
X leading from Dudley High School to MIOT Hospital sees constant traffic
from school students, hospital visitors as well as those working in the
nearby facilities, and the need of maintenance is clear with the road
having a very uneven surface despite being so close to the city area.
Therefore, it is clear that the roads in this area need attention form the
C relevant authorities.
LNG501 Semester 1 2019 - Fiji National University
Linking words
• Adding similar ideas:
• moreover, furthermore, in addition, similarly, likewise, to
add on, another, etc.
• Adding opposing ideas:
• However, in contrast, nevertheless, etc.
• To add examples:
• For instance, for example, to illustrate, etc.
• To end paragraphs:
• Thus, therefore, the implication is that, as such, etc.
• To conclude essay:
• To sum up, in conclusion, to conclude, etc.

LNG501 Semester 1 2019 - Fiji National University

Referencing – Harvard and APA Guides

• School of Education – use APA Style

• Other Schools – use Harvard Style

• Use Referencing Guides provided on Moodle

• Lecturer will now display where Guides are located

on Moodle and how to find examples in Guide (re-
cap week 3)

• Anytime you use Anything from Anywhere,

reference it straightaway!
LNG501 Semester 1 2019 - Fiji National University
Use of more than one source as evidence
• Using more than one reference to support the
information you are presenting can add academic
credibility to your work.
• In such cases, cite all sources in one bracket in
alphabetical order, separating each source with a
semi-colon:
Recent studies (Brown, 2008; Jones et al., 2009;
Smith, 2007) show that …..
• If there are two or more citations by the same
author, name the author once then list the years in
date order:
………… (Brown, 2008, 2010).
LNG501 Semester 1 2019 - Fiji National University
REFERENCING – get all BIBLIOGRAPHIC information

• Author
• Year.
• Title of book/ article
• Title of Journal - Volume number (Issue / Part number),Page numbers.
• Title of Newspaper - Day and month
• Edition. (only include this if not the first edition)
• Place of publication (must be a town or city, not a country)
• Publisher
• Available at: web address (quote the exact URL for the article)
• Accessed date.

Acronym: AYTEPPAA
LNG501 Semester 1 2019 - Fiji National University
Using Turnitin positively
• Turnitin – not a plagiarism detector
• Turnitin – matches texts

• Similarity percentage = how much of the text is not your own

words
(see pages 6 – 10 of Turnitin Student Guide on Moodle)

Our goal =
reduce
percentage as
we grow as
writers
LNG501 Semester 1 2019 - Fiji National University
Don’t be scared of the percentage
If highlighted as similar – no
problem
BUT
If highlighted and NO
REFERENCING?? = BIG PROBLEM

• Our goal = reduce highlighted parts/ similarity percentage

• HOW?
• Paraphrase more + insert more of our OWN thoughts (with
support and referencing)
LNG501 Semester 1 2019 - Fiji National University
LNG501 Assignment 2

• Reduce your similarity percentage: 49% or less

• How?

• Paraphrase sources – don’t just copy and paste –

remember you still have to reference though!

• Use more of own thoughts, ideas – but support

what you are saying with other sources (evidence)

• 2 Re-submissions on Moodle are allowed – re-name

file when you upload 2nd/3rd time please!
LNG501 Semester 1 2019 - Fiji National University
 Sample TEXC paragraph with own voice
Firstly, the 2003 Pacific Games has economic effects on Fiji.
Own When a major sporting event is held in a nation, it is likely
explanation, that a lot of people will visit the country and spend in the
later country, leading to economic growth. This is supported by
supported
by research official reports from the FASANOC (2004, p.3) which stated
that the combination of hosting the 2003 Pacific Games
No direct and sports tourism for that year led to a $1.1FJD million
quote – boost for the Fijian economy. For example, participating
paraphrase
source
athletes were given accommodation at the USP and other
nearby centers, which gave those places income (Moon,
After 2003, p. 1). Moreover, the events also led to many people
quoting, visiting Fiji and spending in Fijian shops and buying Fijian
gave own
products, which would have been a boost to the economy.
analysis
Therefore, while it would have required investment in the
End paragraphbeginning, it can be said that overall, the 2003 Pacific
yourself –
own
Games had a positive effect on the Fiji economy.
interpretation LNG501 Semester 1 2019 - Fiji National University
Tutorial this week
• Make plan for assignment 2 – see lecture resources for plan structure

• Present plan (no full sentences, points only) and then paragraphs to tutor
• Assignment 2 due date?

• Any problems uploading non Moodle for Assignment 1?

• Anybody not registered in a tutorial group (Nasinu)?

• Tutors will check names against enrolment list – name not on list = cannot
attend class (ALL CAMPUSES)

• Tutors will check entry requirement for those who haven’t shown proof to
tutor (ALL CAMPUSES)

• Lectures and tutorials important: don’t miss, please

LNG501 Semester 1 2019 - Fiji National University

CONCLUSION
An Academic Essay is essentially
 a piece of writing that answers a question,
presents a point of view in a clear and logical way
and is supported by evidence from academic sources.

Reference
Anglia Ruskin University, 2018. University Library Guide to the Harvard
Style of Referencing September 2017.[pdf] Available at:
<https://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/files/Harvard_referencing_2
01718.pdf >[Accessed 1 January 2018].

LNG501 Semester 1 2019 - Fiji National University