Essentials of Academic Writing (D314)

Correct Answer

C. Taking careful notes

Explanation

Taking careful notes during the research process is crucial to avoiding plagiarism. Proper note-taking helps you accurately record the source of every piece of information you gather, ensuring that you can properly cite it when writing your paper. This also allows you to differentiate between your own thoughts and the ideas you've gathered from others, reducing the risk of unintentional plagiarism.

Why other options are wrong

A. Interviewing

While interviewing can be a valuable part of the research process, it is not directly related to avoiding plagiarism during note-taking. Interviewing participants provides primary data, but the key action to avoid plagiarism is accurately recording and citing sources, which is primarily done during note-taking, not during interviews.

B. Using library sources

Using library sources is an important part of conducting research, but it does not directly help prevent plagiarism during the note-taking process. The act of gathering sources from the library is separate from how you handle and record those sources to ensure proper citation.

Correct Answer

C. Review the book's bibliography for additional sources

Explanation

The bibliography of a book is an excellent resource for finding additional literature on the topic. It lists the sources that the author used to inform their work, and by examining these references, you can identify other relevant books, articles, and studies that may be valuable to your research. This method helps you find more specific works directly related to your topic.

Why other options are wrong

A. Examine the index of the book for related topics

While the index can help you locate specific terms and concepts within the book, it is not as effective for finding additional sources. The index is useful for navigating the content of the book itself, but it doesn't lead to other literature.

B. Look for citations within the book's text

While citations within the text can indicate key works referenced by the author, they are typically part of the in-text citations, which may not be as comprehensive as the book's bibliography. A bibliography is specifically designed to compile all the sources cited throughout the book.

D. Search for the author's other publications

Although searching for the author's other works might be helpful, it is more likely to lead to sources that are directly tied to the author's previous research rather than a comprehensive list of all relevant literature in the field. The bibliography provides a more targeted and efficient way to uncover additional sources.

Correct Answer

D. Appendix

Explanation

The appendix is not part of the citation sections of an academic paper. Instead, it includes supplementary material like charts, raw data, or additional information. Citation sections such as the bibliography, works cited, and reference list are where the sources used in the paper are formally listed and referenced.

Why other options are wrong

A. Bibliography

A bibliography lists all the sources consulted for the research, even if they are not directly cited in the paper. It is a standard section in some academic writing styles.

B. Works Cited

A works cited page is commonly used in MLA style and lists only the sources that are directly referenced in the paper.

C. Reference List

A reference list is commonly used in APA style and contains a detailed list of sources that are cited in the text. It follows specific formatting rules for each type of source.

Correct Answer

C. Having someone else read it aloud to you is a waste of time.

Explanation

Having someone else read your paper aloud is a valuable revision technique, as it can help identify awkward phrasing, unclear ideas, and other issues that may not be obvious when reading silently. It is a useful tool for improving the flow and clarity of your writing.

Why other options are wrong

A. Be sure to proofread and edit as needed.

Proofreading and editing are essential parts of the revision process to catch errors in grammar, punctuation, and style.

B. Read the paper from the last word to the first word.

Reading the paper backward is a useful strategy to focus on individual sentences and catch mistakes you might miss when reading in order.

D. After receiving some suggestions, create a new outline by noting points you want to hit.

Revising and creating a new outline based on feedback can help reorganize your paper to improve structure and coherence.

Correct Answer

B. A given heading level must be used at least twice within that section of a report.

Explanation

Headings are typically used to organize and break down sections of a report. It is common practice to use a given heading level at least twice within a section to maintain consistency and structure. This helps readers understand the flow of content and ensures that each subsection is properly labeled.

Why other options are wrong

A. All headings of various levels have much the same format.

Headings at different levels usually have different formats to indicate their hierarchy. For example, main headings may be bold and larger in font size, while subheadings may be smaller and/or italicized.

C. It is acceptable for a subheading to directly follow a heading with no text between them.

In most cases, subheadings should not immediately follow a main heading without content between them. This would make the report appear disorganized. A subheading should have relevant content or text that elaborates on the topic.

D. Headings should always be placed at the top of the page.

Headings are typically placed within the relevant section of the page, and not always at the top. They should be positioned to indicate where the section starts but are not restricted to the top.

E. Headings are most effective if they are centered.

Headings can be aligned to the left or centered depending on the formatting guidelines or style guide being followed. Centering is not universally required and may vary based on the formatting preference.

Correct Answer

C. Discussion

Explanation

The limitations of a study are typically addressed in the discussion section. This section reflects on the implications of the findings, including any limitations or constraints faced during the research process that could impact the results or their generalizability.

Why other options are wrong

A. Introduction

The introduction provides background information on the research topic, the research question, and objectives, but does not include limitations of the study.

B. Results

The results section focuses on presenting the data and findings of the study, not on discussing the study’s limitations.

D. Abstract

The abstract provides a brief overview of the entire research report, including the purpose, methodology, results, and conclusions. It does not typically include detailed discussions of the study’s limitations.

Correct Answer

A. Passive voice

Explanation

The sentence is written in the passive voice, where the subject (the researchers) is not performing the action but is the receiver of the action. In passive voice, the sentence construction emphasizes the action over who is performing it. A more direct and active version of the sentence would be: "The researchers analyzed the results of the experiment and drew conclusions based on the data collected."

Why other options are wrong

B. Run-on sentence

A run-on sentence occurs when two independent clauses are joined incorrectly without proper punctuation or a conjunction. This sentence has appropriate conjunctions ("and") and punctuation, so it is not a run-on.

C. Fragment

A fragment is an incomplete sentence that lacks a subject or a verb, but this sentence is complete with both subject and verb, making it a grammatically correct sentence, though written in the passive voice.

D. Incorrect punctuation

The punctuation in the sentence is correct. The sentence uses commas and conjunctions appropriately, and there is no issue with punctuation here.

Correct Answer

B. A list of your key findings from your research.

Explanation

The introduction of a research paper typically provides background information, explains the importance of the topic, outlines the research question, and presents the thesis statement. A list of key findings is usually included in the results or discussion sections of the paper, not the introduction.

Why other options are wrong

A. An explanation of why the topic is important, using a real-world example and showing what is missing from current approaches to the problem.

This belongs in the introduction, as it sets the context for the research and demonstrates the significance of the topic.

C. An overview of what is currently known about the topic, including any controversies in the field.

This is a typical part of the introduction, as it helps establish the current state of knowledge and provides background for the research question.

D. A thesis statement, explaining the problem you intend to solve with the research.

A thesis statement is a central element of the introduction, clearly outlining the main argument or research question of the paper.

Correct Answer

A. A poem about immigration

Explanation

Expository writing aims to inform, explain, or describe a subject clearly and objectively. A poem, however, is a form of creative writing that often uses artistic expression, emotions, and subjective interpretation, which sets it apart from expository writing.

Why other options are wrong

B. An essay arguing against illegal immigration

This is an argumentative piece, which aims to persuade the reader of a specific point of view. While it's not purely expository, it still falls within the category of persuasive writing, which is not the focus here. However, it does involve presenting information and arguments, which can overlap with expository writing techniques.

C. A book on the history of immigration

This is a factual, informative piece that explains the history of immigration, making it a form of expository writing.

D. An informative article on illegal immigration

This is also an example of expository writing, as it aims to inform the reader about illegal immigration with clear, objective facts.