2-Report on Advice on Academic Writing

INTRODUCTION

In the website http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/, the University of Toronto has published a guide on Academic Writing as a response to the doubts and difficulties that students encounter when making college-level writing assignments. The following report attempts to outline the general themes of the website publication.

HIGH SCHOOL VS. UNIVERSITY

       When students graduate from high school and start university, one of the most important considerations to take into account when writing academic essays is to forget about the structured rules learnt in secondary school. Although these writing structures serve as good starting point, they are not suitable for college level assignments since there is a radical change to critical thinking. An academic essay’s length varies depending on the writer’s needs. There is no limit of words to write provided that the paragraphs are clear and coherent to its main point and the argument is supported by evidence from different sources. It is also fundamental not to be repetitive. The main idea is to go beyond a simple and unique model of writing applicable to all your courses. Instead, college tries students to freely set their ideas on a paper in an organized way.

WRITING CONSIDERATIONS

       It is fundamental to have in mind good pieces of advice to write successfully. The University of Toronto web page suggests how to deal with writing troubles. Firstly, it is relevant to understand what to do, in case of confusion it is necessary to ask the instructor for clarification, or search for key words. The topic of importance must be specific instead of broad. After having chosen the main topic, it is important to do a vast research taking notes on the main ideas, these ideas will lead the writer into further writing. Secondly, it is easier to write without distractions, this implies being on your own, in silence, using no internet and turning off mobile phones. Finally, an exhausted mind will not be as productive as a relaxed one, this means that sometimes it is better to stop working for a while in order to generate new ideas and to spot mistakes.

FOSTER SUCCESSFUL WRITING.

       Apart from the free information provided in the website, there is a lot more information and resources recommended for learners of English as a second language and for former students and language teachers of the university. The School of Graduate Studies now has a centralized Office of English Language and Writing Support (ELWS) to meet the needs of graduate students for instruction in writing and oral communications. In the webpage, several workshops, short non-credit courses and free lectures among others are offered as support for the graduated students. Learners of English as a second language, and also teachers, can take advantage in the online centers and resources to use and improve their development on the language or their teaching correspondingly. Online games, activities, instructor-student communication via e-mail and handouts on reading, listening, and writing skills can be accessed from the webpage.

CONCLUSION

       Having in mind the development and fundamentals of this report, it can be said that The University of Toronto’s web site provides a clear, complete and well organized frame for writing and improving in the English language. No matter if you are a teacher, a university student or a second language learner, you can definitely profit from the information provided.

Works Cited

“Advice on Academic Writing” Writing. utoronto.ca, © University of Toronto, n.p. Web. 26 April. 2015.