Bailey.Academic_Writing

1.16 Rewriting and Proof-reading
When you have finished the conclusion it may be tempting to hand
in your work immediately. However, it is almost certain that it can
be improved by being revised. With longer assignments, it may be
worth asking a classmate to read your work and make criticisms.
Proof-reading is a vital final step, which can prevent confusion or
misunderstanding due to simple errors. Computer programs that
check spelling will not detect other common types of mistakes.
cross-reference
2.4 Comparison
4.5 Comparison Essay
Rewriting
1. After finishing the first draft of an essay you should, if you
have time, wait for a while and then re-read it, asking the
following questions.
a) How well does this answer the question in the title?
b) Have I forgotten any points which would strengthen the
development?
c) Is it clearly structured and well linked together?
2. Read this short essay written by a Japanese student on the title
‘Compare the university system in your country with the British
system’. Answer the questions above as you read.
It is said that there are large differences in the teaching
methods between British universities and Japanese ones.
Courses in British universities consist mainly of lectures,
discussions, presentations and tutorials and students
study specifically their major subject. On the other hand,
Japanese universities normally only have lectures in the
first two years and students have to study a wide range of
subjects in addition to their major. The aim of this essay is
to compare and analyse each system.
In British universities, students need a more active attitude
in their study than Japanese students. They need to
prepare for presentations and discussions. This is useful
for learning because they take much time for study
outside the classroom and as they become familiar with
their subjects they will become more interested in them.
In Japan, students’ attitude is amazingly passive and they
study only just before exams.
The other difference between British universities and
Japanese ones is, as mentioned above, British students
concentrate on their major subject and gain specific
knowledge about it. Japanese students, however, gain
wider knowledge by studying a few other subjects
in addition to their major. This system gives students
apparently much knowledge but they cannot study their
major deeply and their knowledge is wide-ranging but not
useful.