Unit 1
1. What is definition?
A definition is a statement which captures the meaning, the use, the properties, the function and the essence of a term, a thing or a concept.
2. Why is it important to define things or concepts in a clear way?
A clear definition helps to avoid misunderstandings or confusions.
3. Why should the abstract concepts be defined?
A clear definition is required for abstract concepts, such as ‘happiness’, because the definition may change from person to person.
4. How many parts does a formal definition consist of? What are they?
A formal definition contains three parts: the term, class and differentiating features.
5. What types of definition have you learned? In what way do they mainly differ?
One-sentence definition (a formal/naming definition) and an extended definition.
They mainly differ in length.
6. What are the narrative materials which can be used for an extended definition?
An extended definition uses narrative materials such as facts, examples, anecdotes, etc. to interpret a term.
7. Why should an extended definition be used?
Extended definitions will help you get a concept or theory cross to the audience. Making an extended definition requires you to think more carefully about your intended audience and what they need to know.
8. How will you write an extended definition?
Step 1. Specify the term being defined and its category or class.
Step 2. Present clear and basic information of the differentiating features.
Step 3. Expand by adding more specific information.
Step 4. Use such narrative materials as facts, examples, or anecdotes that readers can understand better.
9. In academic contexts, narrative materials cover a broad scope. What can be used as narrative materials?
Descriptions, book reports, proposals, presentation of data, explanation of ideas, illustration of evidence, examples, etc.
Unit 2
1. What is contextualization?
The process of introducing background information is called contextualization. In any kind of
writing, providing background information is essential to familiarizing the reader with the
topic and helping the audience get a fuller picture of the topic.
2. Could you list several types of context?
The cultural, economic, political, historical, social, philosophical, or technological context.
3. Where can you find the contextualization of a research problem in an academic
article?
In the introductory section.
4. What kind of plane figure does the structure of an introduction resemble?
An inverted triangle.
5. Where does contextualization fit within the inverted triangle introduction?
Defining
Briefly introducing and explaining the research topic
Contextualizing
Putting the research problem into context and pointing
out the gap in knowledge
6. What are the different types of introduction?
1) Inverted triangle introduction
2) Contrast introduction
3) Anecdote introduction
4) Question/quotation introduction
7. What kind of writing is mainly used in introducing background information?
Description.
Unit 3
1. What is classification?
Classification is the process of arranging items into categories based on shared characteristics. Classification is a convenient way to organize information to make things
clearer and to avoid confusion.
2. A common standard should be employed to rate and rank the categories, and to
ensure that the categories follow a single organizing principle.
3. What is the difference between comparison and contrast?
Comparison emphasizes the similarities between things, ideas, concepts, or points of view, while contrast emphasizes the differences.
4. What is the difference between comparison and mere description?
1)The similarities or differences between things are analyzed in comparison in order to
make connections and generate an interesting analysis.
2)Description is to present information, accepted knowledge, observations, process or
method objectively.
Unit 4
1. What are the possible relationships between two notions?
1)  a causal relationship
2)an inclusive relationship
3)an opposite relationship
4)  a parallel relationship
2. How do the different relationships function in explaining a notion?
Generally, these relationships will provide a clear outline for writers to present a notion and a clear structure for readers to obtain information from the explanation.
3. What is an analogy?
An analogy is a comparison between two things, usually for the purpose of explanation or clarification. It aims to explain one thing by comparing it to something that is familiar.
4. What are the features of an effective analogy?
1)On the basis of an exact or similar idea
2)Simplicity
3)Clear embodiment of the concept or relationship between things
5. What effective tools can be used to draw an analogy?
Metaphors and similes are tools used to draw an analogy. However, analogy is more extensive and elaborate than either a simile or a metaphor.
6. What should be taken into consideration when explanations are given?
Just like the targeted audience should be considered while you define new concepts or ideas, you sho
uld also consider contexts and situations.
reaction to a book or an article7. What are the suggested steps to achieve a logical structure of explanation?
1)Clarify your thinking by writing down all the necessary and important details.
2)Structure those details logically by deciding which should be explained first and
which later.
Unit 5
1. What is a summary?
A summary is a condensed version of the original text or lecture.
2. What is the purpose of a summary?
The purpose of a summary is to give the reader a clear, objective picture of the original text.
3. The summary of a research paper is found in its Abstract（摘要）
.
4. In general an abstract includes: objective/aim/purpose; design/methodology; results/findings; conclusions
5. When reading a book, one can situate and evaluate the book by reading its publishing details（出版信息）, and navigate the book by reading its table of contents（目录）
6. The three reading strategies helping readers to grasp the main idea of an academic text:
Skimming and scanning （跳读和略读/浏览）
Intensive reading （精读/细读）
Analysis of cohesion （分析衔接/信息之间的逻辑关系）
7. When you write summaries, you should follow some conventions. They are:
1)Quote selectively (selectively or extensively? )
2)When you quote, use quotation marks and document the quotation. Failure to do so
is plagiarism
3)Use present (present or past?) tense to summarize.
4)Use summarizing language, for example : the article claims (provide one example)
8. What criteria can be adopted to evaluate a summary?
1)Accurately and objectively represents the author’s central claim and key
supporting details.
2)The summary is not merely listing the main ideas, but show how the reasons support
the central claim.
9. What are the four steps to summarize an article?
1)Read the original text intensively to grasp its meaning.
2)Note down the main idea and the major supporting ideas.
3)Draft your summary, using a mix of paraphrased and quoted material from the text.
4)Revise the draft to meet the requirements (Length, grammar, format, documentation,
etc.)
Unit 6
1. What is synthesis?
It is the act of combining separate things into a coherent whole. It involves analysis related to classification and division, comparison and contrast. It makes use of the ideas of other people, combining sources into one's own words in order to further understanding or establish context.
2. What is key to a synthesis?
Searching for the flaws, weaknesses, or limitations, and any potential links between various sources, is key to a synthesis.
3. What is the difference between a summary and a synthesis?
Summary: A summary is a recap or restatement of the important information of the source. The ideas, i
nformation and arguments of each source are stated in a concise manner. Synthesis: A synthesis critically analyzes and evaluates the information, including a critical analysis of the relationship between different sources, relate the sources to the author’s own research.
Unit 7
1. What is a literature review?
A literature review is a critical survey of important articles, books and other primary sources related to a research topic.
2. What are the four ways of organizing a literature review?
Literature reviews are often organized in one of these ways: chronologically, thematically, methodologically, or in a combination of these ways.
3. What should an author do to make a chronological review?
In a chronological review, the author groups and discusses selected sources in order of their publication, highlighting the changes in research over time.
4.What should an author do to make a thematic review?
In a thematic review, you group and discuss your sources in terms of the themes, theoretical concepts, findings, and topics.
5. In what sequence should a thematic literature review proceed?
The sequence of the concepts or themes should proceed from the broad to the specific.
Unit 8
1. What is a report?
A report is a logical and well-structured piece of writing that describes and analyses a particular subject or problem, communicates information collected from research or the analysis of data.

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