Academic Writing and Advocacy Techniques

Research, Campaigns, and Advocacy

• Research: A methodical approach to finding solutions to problems.
• Campaign: A structured framework for advocacy.
• Advocacy: Promoting a cause, policy, or idea, or supporting interests.

Academic Writing Features

• Complexity: Academic writing is more complex than spoken language.
• Formality: Avoid colloquialisms and abbreviations.
• Precision: Use exact and specific information.
• Objectivity: Focus on the topic, not personal feelings.
• Explicitness: Use signal words (e.g., however, furthermore) for organization.
• Accuracy: Use appropriate words to avoid misunderstandings.
• Organization: Follow a structured format (introduction, body, conclusion).

Argumentative Text Structure and Language

• Argumentative text: Presents one side of an argument to persuade readers.
• Elements:
  • Statement of position (introduction).
  • Arguments (supporting details).
  • Reinforcements (solutions/consequences).
• Oxford-Oregon Debate Sides:
  • Affirmative: Supports the motion.
  • Negative: Opposes the motion.
• Language features:
  • Modal verbs (can, could, should, might): Show writer's attitude.
  • Emotive words (agony, blessed): Evoke emotional responses.
  • Evaluative language (important, best): Judges the weight of ideas.
  • Conjunctions (because, firstly, and): Connect ideas.
  • Declarative statements: Facts and opinions, ending with periods.
  • Rhetorical questions: Encourage reader thought.
  • Passive voice: Subject receives the action.

Critical Reading and Assertion

• Assertion: A declaration or strong belief, made after reading.
• Assertion Types:
  • Basic assertion: Directly expresses feelings, beliefs, and opinions.
  • Emphatic assertion: Acknowledges the author's emotions and the reader's reaction.
  • I-language assertion: Expresses writer's feelings, structured as: Information, feeling, recommendation.

Public Speaking

• Public speaking: Large-group communication (speaker and audience).
• Preparation:
  • Know the audience.
  • Choose a topic.
  • Define the purpose.
  • Gather supporting ideas.
  • Outline the speech.
  • Write the speech.
• Modes of delivery:
  • Extemporaneous: Prepared, but spoken in real-time.
  • Impromptu: Spoke without prior preparation.
  • Memorized: Prepared and memorized, potentially from a manuscript.
• Communication components:
  • Posture, body movement, facial expression, eye contact.
  • Intonation, pitch, stress, tone.

Multimodal Texts

• Multimodal texts: Use multiple communication methods.
• Modes:
  • Written
  • Spoken
  • Visual
  • Audio
  • Spatial
  • Gestural
• Mediums: tools for communication.
• Types:
  • Paper-based
  • Live presentations
  • Digital