Unit 7 Analysis and Evaluative Writing

Overview

In this unit, you will learn about four distinct academic writing genres that you are likely to encounter during your academic career. All of these genres share certain similarities, such as requiring an academic tone and register, but each one works at developing various academic writing skills. This unit will focus on how to write an article review, a book review, a business analysis report, and a case study.

Topics

This unit is divided into the following topics:

1. Article Review
   
2. Book Review
   
3. Business Analysis Reports
   
4. Case Study

Learning Outcomes

When you have completed this unit, you should be able to:

• Describe the structure of an article review, a book review, a business analysis report, and a case study.
• Analyze an article with a critical lens to identify information needed for an article review.
• Evaluate a book review based on specific criteria.
• Identify key information in a case study, using strategies such as a reverse outline.
• Create a simplified business analysis report that utilizes tables/charts.

Activity Checklist

The learning activities in this course are ungraded, unless specified. They are designed to help you succeed in your assessments in this course, so you are strongly encouraged to complete them.*

Unit 7 Learning Activities

Click here for a checklist of learning activities you will benefit from in completing this unit. You may find it useful for planning your work.

Activity 7.1: 🎦 Watch a video on how to critique a journal article and answer related questions. Activity 7.2: ✏️ Write a discussion post describing the difference between a book report and a book review. Activity 7.3: 🎦 Watch a video on academic book reviews and answer related questions. Activity 7.4: ✏️ Complete a sorting activity by identifying something as either a major or minor point of critique. Activity 7.5: ✏️ Complete a true or false quiz on what a business analysis report is. Activity 7.6: ✏️ Place the parts of a business analysis report in the correct order. Activity 7.7: ✏️ Select the best sentence starters for your purpose. Activity 7.8: 🎦 Watch a video on the advantages of writing a case study and discuss the questions. Activity 7.9: ✏️ Place the parts of a case study in the correct order. Activity 7.10: 🎦 Watch a video on using pronouns in academic writing and complete a true or false quiz. Activity 7.11: ✏️Practice converting sentences from first and second person to third person. Activity 7.12: 🎦 Watch a video on using linking words to express cause and effect and discuss the questions. Activity 7.13: ✏️ Practice identifying cause and effect through completing a quiz.

Assessments

📔 Unit 7 Learning Log

✏️Assignment 4: Genre Specific Analysis/Summary
*Note that for Units 6-8 your instructor will give specific instructions on which parts of the assignment to complete. For this unit, here are some options:
✏️ Assignment 4.1: Analyze and Evaluate a chosen article (using graphic organizer).
✏️ Assignment 4.2: Write a book review (using graphic organizer).
✏️ Assignment 4.3: Implement aspects of a Business Analysis Report.
✏️ Assignment 4.4: Watch a recording of a case study and complete a reverse outline.

Resources

Online resources will be provided in the unit.

7.1 Article Review

Often times in your courses, you will be asked to demonstrate your critical thinking and understanding of various materials. One assignment that allows you to display these skills is an article review. These assignments provide you with an opportunity to explore current information available in your field of study while also practicing your ability to evaluate and express yourself in an academic tone. For more on academic tone and register, please visit unit 5.

Aside from developing your critical thinking and academic writing skills, an article review allows you to practice your summarizing skills, ability to examine strengths and weaknesses of material in your field, and ability to evaluate articles in relationship to your knowledge about the topic.

7.1.1 Steps in Writing an Article Review

Step 1: Critically Read Your Article

As you read, make sure you engage critically with the material, this will help identify what you want to focus on in your critique. For a refresher on critical reading, please refer to unit 6 summary response papers.

Step 2: Review Assignment Instructions

After you have read and understood your article, consider what should be included in your article review. As with any other assignment, it is important to review assignment instructions carefully and get any clarification from the instructor prior to writing. Make sure you are aware of the following criteria:

• The format required (MLA, APA, Chicago/Turabian).
• The length your assignment should be.
• Are you required to provide background information?
  
• Are you required to focus on a particular theme or idea within the article?
  
• Are you required to conduct additional research?

Step 3: Structure Your Article Review

The structure presented in this unit is a general structure for an article review, but it is not the only way to structure it. In general, your article review should include a reference, an introduction, a summary of the article, your critique, and the conclusion.

Reference

When writing an article review, you may be asked to provide a full reference for your chosen article in the appropriate format at the top of your document underneath the heading.

Example in APA:

Armitage, H. M., Webb, A. & Glynn, J. (2015, May 25). The use of management accounting techniques by small and medium-sized enterprises: A field study of Canadian and Australian practice. Accounting Perspectives, 15(1), 31-69. doi:10.1111/1911-3838.12089

Introduction

Your introduction plays an important role in introducing your article along with the genre, article review. Your introduction carries a lot of key information and one of the first sentences should mention the title of the article, the author, and the year of publication. Once your chosen article has been introduced, it is important to mention the main points brought up in the article. Depending on your assignment requirements, you could also highlight the positive aspects of the research and mention gaps, contradictions, disparities, and unanswered questions that you identified in the text. Finally, your introduction should conclude with a thesis. Your thesis should clearly identify the points that you will be critiquing.

Summarize the Article

The body should begin with a summary of the main ideas introduced and discussed in your selected article. This section should include a good amount of paraphrasing, summarizing, and even citations where appropriate. To review how to appropriately use all three styles, please refer to unit 2. Be mindful of your language so that you demonstrate understanding of the author’s ideas, you should not be speaking for or interpreting what the author meant to say. In your summary, you should be focused on providing the most accurate representation of the relevant ideas that you will be focusing on in your critique. In this section, you should include the conclusion that the author draws.

Critique

Your critique will follow your summary and at this point in the paper, you will begin developing your response to the article. Your critique should present an analysis that consists of the strengths and weaknesses of the article while also highlighting any knowledge that the author contributed to the field, if relevant. If you have identified any gaps or contradictions in the article, this would be the section to discuss those. Once you have completed your analysis, you will need to provide your evaluation of the article, your standpoint. Based on assignment instructions, you may need to discuss how this article fits into the larger literature available on the subject and you may be asked to support your claims with other resources. Your arguments will need to be supported with academic sources which utilize facts and relevant theories that pertain to the field.

Conclusion

Your conclusion is meant to bring your entire paper together. At this point in your article review, you want to summarize the points that you critiqued in the previous sections, provide your final critical assessment of the article, and, possibly, recommend further research to be done in the field.

Works Cited / References

If your article review utilized sources other than the article chosen, you will need to include a list of resources quoted, paraphrased, or summarized in your assignment. This section should include textbooks, articles, websites, or videos used for the purpose of this assignment.

7.1.2 Activity: Watch and Answer

Watch the following video and answer the questions below.

Questions

Copy and paste these questions into your notes and record your answers.

1. What are the five things that being critical requires?
   
2. Add information to the following concepts. Being critical involves:
   • Questioning –
     
   • Exploring –
     
   • Evaluating –
     
   • Developing your critical argument -
     
3. What are the five tips to consider when you review literature?
   
4. What are the four parts of the introduction?
   
5. What are the three parts of the main body?
   
6. What are the two principal parts of the conclusion?

7.2 Book Review

Before we begin looking at what a book review is and how to write one, it is important to consider what a book review is not. Many students may make the mistake that a book review is the same as a book report, but it is not. Although both of these genres contain a summary of the book, which will be discussed later in this section, the book report focuses on making connections between the contents of the book and the course readings. Additionally, a book review is not just a summary of each chapter in the book, nor is it a sales pitch to convince others to read the book.

A book review is a thoughtful analysis of a book and the underlying ideas presented within. It is a carefully curated overview of the main points and presents a personal evaluation of the book through strengths, weaknesses, interpretation, and analysis. The review can be positive or negative in nature based on how you were able to assess and respond to the material in a book.

7.2.1 Activity: Discussion Post

In your own words, briefly write a discussion post describing the differences between a book report and a book review.

Activity: Watch and Answer

Watch the following video. As you do, consider the following questions:

1. What should a book review start with?
   
2. What three things should your introduction include?
   
3. Who are book reviews written for?

Answers

1. citation;
   
2. context, author’s thesis, your opinion;
   
3. general audience and specialized readers

Before Writing a Book Review

Prior to sitting down and writing your book review, it’s important to make sure that you have engaged with the book critically. For more on reading critically refer back to Unit 6, Topic 3.

Sections of a Book Review

Citation

A book review generally begins with a full citation done in either MLA, APA, or Chicago/Turabian, it is up to you to check your assignment requirements to confirm which citation style is needed for your book review. Along with a standardized citation, many book reviews also include the ISBN, number of pages in the book, format (hard cover, online, etc.) and the price (you can check the cover or the publisher’s website for cost information).

Introduction

The introduction of your book review should contain three main parts: context, author’s thesis, your thesis/opinion. The context will provide you with an opportunity to provide any relevant information related to the author or the book that will not be covered in the summary. This may include conditions of when this book was published along with how the book currently fits with scholarship in the field and its importance. Then, you will include the author’s thesis or purpose of the book along with your formed opinion. As with most other papers, your opinion should be stated a well-formed thesis.

Body

The body of the book review is broken down into two main parts, the book summary and the critique. For most assignments, you will spend two-thirds of the body providing a summary and only one-third on your critique of the book.

The summary section will focus on providing your reader with relevant information that you will base your critique on. Based on your assignment instructions, your focus, and the length of the book, you may want to provide either a chapter-by-chapter summary or a topic-based summary. The second allows you to focus only on the part relevant to your book review. As you provide your analysis, keep in mind as to whether or not the author was able to support their thesis, this will help you in your critique.

The critique is your opportunity to present an original argument in which you can provide your evaluation of the book based on your analysis. In your critique, you can focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the literature: how well did the book accomplish its purpose? It is important to make sure that your writing remains respectful and academic in tone. Additionally, as you consider what to evaluate, make sure to keep in mind what is considered a major point of critique and what is considered minor.

Conclusion

Your conclusion should focus on wrapping up your book review by providing your final thoughts on the book. It is recommended that you identify the author’s thesis along with your opinion at the end of the book review. This section is your last chance to touch upon what you have learned, your overall assessment, who might benefit from reading it, or how the book contributes to research.

Advice

Before you write your book review, here is some key advice compiled from previous students:

1. If you want to look at more examples of book reviews in your field, search the TWU database or JSTOR for examples of real book reviews. Oftentimes, we can get a better sense of what our work should look by looking at multiple examples.
2. As you think of writing your book review, think of an outline and how many words or pages you will dedicate to each section. Professors often have very strict rules regarding word count and page limits. It is your job to make sure you stay within those limits.
3. Always prioritize information that is relevant to your evaluation. Major ideas or arguments presented in the book are more important than minor details. Additionally, depending on the topic, you may only need to review the parts of the book that are relevant to your topic.
4. Make sure to use a good balance of summary, paraphrasing, and quotations. Although quotations can help you make your point, make sure not to overdo them. For more information about effectively integrating information, refer back to Unit 2.
5. Always double check the instructions for information on the format and citation style. Every professor may have slightly different requirements for their book review, and it is important that you make sure that your assignment caters to the guidelines.
6. The final piece of advice is to reach out to your professors if you have questions or concerns regarding your assignment. Your professors will be the best source of information for you whenever you are struggling with assignment instructions or would like to discuss the direction of your paper.

7.3 Business Analysis Reports

A business analysis report helps you evaluate your business decisions based on insights from data. What makes an analytical report different is that it gives you recommendations instead of just plain numbers. Analytical reports are based on historical data and statistics, and they provide predictive analysis for a specific issue. In organizations, the analysis report can be termed under different names and can take different forms:

• Business analysis report
  
• Organizational analysis report
  
• Market analysis report
  
• Department analysis report

7.3.1 Purpose

Business Analytical reports contain a mix of useful information to facilitate the decision-making process through a mix of qualitative and quantitative data as well as real-time and historical data.

This report type aims to provide background information, current information, and recommendations about the next steps and help with problem-solving. With this information in hand, businesses/organizations can build strategies based on analytical evidence and not simple intuition.

7.3.2 Writing Style

Use a formal writing style:

• The style of reports should be concise, giving precise detail.
• Flowery language should not be used.
• Data may be presented as charts, graphs, or tables along with an explanation.
• Ensure to use APA citations/ footnotes.

Using 1st person such as “I/We suggest…” Or 3rd Person “It is recommended…” depends on the instructions provided for the assignment.

Analysis reports are usually recommended to be written as Consultant Reports, so passive voice is recommended; however, active voice does add a humanizing factor to the reporting.

7.3.3 Activity: True or False Quiz

Test your knowledge using the following ungraded quiz.

True or False

1. A business analytical report differs from other reports since it gives you recommendations instead of just plain numbers.
2. A business analytical report does not help in building strategies based on analytical evidence.
3. A business analytical report is informal in its writing style.

Answer

1. True
   
2. False
   
3. False
   

7.3.4 Content

Your analytical report should include the following:

• A title page – including the main topic or purpose of the report.
• Table of contents – in a logical or chronological order.
• Executive summary- is a short section used to give the reader a quick overview of important information about the report being presented (here is a link for details on writing one!).
• The main discussion – is broken down into organized sections, including the heading, the sub-heading, and the discussion’s body (This varies based on the kind of analysis reports).
• The conclusions – according to the results and information gathered in the report.
• The recommendations – given by the consultant/ team.
• Sections for references/ bibliography and appendices – as applicable.

7.3.5 Strategy Frameworks

Strategy frameworks are tools that help structure business thinking and are used to analyze business issues and develop strategies. Strategy consultants often use them to communicate their solutions to their clients. Some commonly used frameworks for writing analysis and used in different business scenarios based on the objective of the analysis reports are

• Porter’s Five Forces
  
• BCG Matrix
  
• GE-McKinsey Nine-Box Matrix
  
• Ansoff Matrix
  
• Value Chain Analysis
  
• SWOT

7.3.6 Tables and Figures

Analysis reports contain data summaries that may take the form of text, tables and/or figures.

Use data in the form of numbers, words, and images that will help construct and support the recommendations made in the analysis report.

Tables

Use tables to:

• to present lists of numbers or text in columns
  
• to synthesize existing literature
  
• to explain variables
  
• to present the wording of survey questions.

Tables should be:

• Centered on the page.
• Numbered in the order they appear in the text.
• Referenced in the order they appear in the text.
• Labeled with the table number and descriptive title above the table.
• Labeled with column and/or row labels that describe the data, including units of measurement.
• Set apart from the text itself; the text does not flow around the table.

For more information, see the Purdue OWL Guide to Table and Figures

Figures

Use figures:

• for visual presentations of results
  
• in the form of graphs, charts, drawings, photos, or maps.
• to provide visual impact and can effectively communicate your primary finding.

Figures should be:

• Centered on the page.
• Labeled (under the figure) with the figure number and appropriate descriptive title.
• Numbered in the order they appear in the text.
• Referenced in the order they appear in the text (i.e. Figure 1 is referenced in the text before Figure 2 and so forth).
• Set apart from the text; text should not flow around figures.

7.3.7 Activity: Choose the Correct Order

Place the following components of a business analysis report into the correct order that they would generally appear in. (Copy and paste the table into your notes.)

Correct Order	Content
1	A. Table of content
2	B. Recommendations
3	C. Executive summary
4	D. References
5	E. Main discussion
6	F. Title page
7	G. Conclusion

Answer

1. F
   
2. A
   
3. C
   
4. E
   
5. G
   
6. B
   
7. D
   

7.3.8 Sentence Starters

Read the following sentence starters and refer to them when writing your analysis report.

Executive summary

• This report was requested by …
  
• The main objective of this report is to …
  
• The findings show that …
• Further investigation revealed that …
  
• The research indicates that there is a need for …

Introduction

• The purpose of this report is to evaluate/outline/compare …
  
• This reports aims to address/describe/determine …
  
• This report will examine/investigate/identify…
  
• This report will focus on …
  
• The following report presents the results of …

Findings

• In order to identify/analyse/compare …, interviews with … were conducted over a 3-week period.
• The research was carried out over a 2-month period.
• Following an analysis of the data, it is clear that …
  
• The statistics indicate that …
  
• According to the results of the survey, it was found that …
  
• The most significant finding was …

Conclusion

• Based on this initial research and feedback, it is clear that …
  
• These findings indicate that …
  
• Action should/needs to be taken to …
  
• As a result of …, several issues need to be resolved.

Recommendations

• It is advisable to introduce/implement/organise …
• It is essential that we increase/improve/find …
  
• It is recommended to …
  
• It is strongly recommended that …

The word should is often used in recommendations:

• Consideration should be given to …
  
• The company should hire/review/change …
  
• The number of … should be increased by 10%.
• A workshop should be held to train staff on how to deal with/identify/provide …

7.3.9 Activity: Check for Understanding

1. Which sentence starter best fits the Findings section?
   1. It is strongly recommended that …
      
   2. Following an analysis of the data, it is clear that …
      
   3. The main objective of this report is to …
2. Which Sentence starters can be included in the Executive Summary (choose all that can be included)
   1. This report was requested by …
      
   2. The main objective of this report is to …
      
   3. The findings show that …
      
   4. Further investigation revealed that …
      
   5. The research indicates that there is a need for …

Answer

1. B; 2. All

7.4 Case Study

A case study analysis is a typical assignment in business and leadership courses. The task aims to show students’ ability to analyze a situation, determine what problems exist, and develop the best possible strategy to achieve the desired outcome.

7.4.1 What is a case study?

A case study is a type of writing that requires the writer to analyze a specific situation that could range from a real-life to a hypothetical event, or from an organization, a group of people, to an individual. Writers should provide the reader with relevant and clear context when the issues are rooted and make a connection to theories in order to provide a solid and thorough analysis. Most of the case study assignments will ask you to analyze the problems and provide solutions and/or recommendations for future action. When you are writing a case study report, you should use the APA level headings because they help you clarify your logic and organization for the reader by establishing a hierarchy of sections in the paper.

7.4.2 Activity: Watch and Reflect

Watch this video on the advantages of writing case studies and discuss the questions. 

1. Why are case studies popular in business and leadership education?
   
2. What can you expect as learner completing a case study report?

There are different approaches to case studies, so always check with your instructor, TA, or course syllabus for specific instructions and requirements. This lesson is focused on problem-solving case studies.  

What are problem-solving case studies?

Problem-solving case studies ask you to critically examine an issue related to a specific individual or group, and then recommend and justify solutions to the issue, integrating theory and practice. For example, you could be asked to describe a critical incident in the workplace. Your role as the manager is to apply your knowledge and skills of key intercultural communication concepts and theories in management to determine the causes of the conflict and propose relevant communication strategies to avoid and/or resolve it.

Tips for undertaking a problem-based case study

1. Choose a case scenario that best addresses the specific assessment criteria.
   
2. Consider your audience. Who will read your case study and why? Who are your stakeholders? What are their needs, preferences, expectations and goals? How will your case study be used by the stakeholders?
   
3. Identify and research theories and approaches that may apply to your case.
   
4. Analyze the scenario, and identify the main problems. Consider how they relate to key concepts and theories that you have studied.
   
5. Provide best solutions and recommendations and explain how they can be appropriately implemented. Your recommendations should realistic, practical, and achievable. You should justify them by tying to relevant theories and scholarly resources such as peer-reviewed journal articles and published government politics.
   
6. Proofread and edit your case study. Your case study should be clear, concise, and informative.

Consider your audience before writing 

It is important to consider who is your audience before you start writing. Typically, you are writing a case study for your stakeholders who are not only those who will read your writing, but also those who will be impacted by the decisions or recommendations you choose to include. Understanding your audience will help you to determine the appropriate tone and style to meet the expectations of your stakeholders and to choose and edit how you express your information. For example, if your case study is written for the Minister of Education or the Minister of Health, your tone should be formal, and any technical terms are clearly and concisely explained with concreate examples.

Parts of a problem-solving case study 

If your case study is in the form of a report, you can divide it into 8 main sections, as outlined below. However, these vary depending on discipline-specific requirements and assessment criteria.    ##### Executive Summary/Synopsis {-}

• Introduce the topic area of the report.
  
• Outline the purpose of the case study.
  
• Outline the key issue(s) and finding(s) without the specific details.
  
• Identify the theory used.
  
• Summarise recommendations.

Introduction

• Summarise your task
  
• Briefly outline the case to identify its significance.
  
• State the report’s aim(s). See Tips for writing a strong thesis statement below.
  
• Provide the organisation of the main ideas in the report.
  
• Briefly describe the key problem and its significance (You usually do not need to provide details of findings or recommendations. However, it is best to first check your assessment task instructions.)

Analysis (problems)

• Identify the key problems you have identified by:
  • presenting the central issue(s) under analysis,
    
  • providing your reasoning for your choices such as supporting your findings with facts given in the case, the relevant theory and course concepts
    
  • highlighting any underlying problems.
    
• Identify and justify your methodology and analytical tools. This might not be applicable to your assessment, so you will need to check your assessment instructions.
  • This section is often divided into sub-sections. Your headings and subheadings need to be informative and concise as they act as a guide for the reader to the contents of that section.
    

Analysis (solutions)

• Summarise the major problem(s).
  
• Identify alternative solutions to these major problem(s).
  
• Briefly outline each alternative solution where necessary and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages.
  
• Depending on your assessment criteria, you might need to refer to theory or professional practice here.
  • Note that as a case study is based on a specific situation, it is difficult to generalise your findings to other situations. Make sure that your discussion focuses on your case and what can be learnt from your specific case analysis for your stakeholders.

Conclusion

• Restate the purpose of the report.
  
• Sum up the main points from the findings, discussion, and recommendations.
  
• Restate the limitations if required.

Recommendations 

• Choose which of the alternative solutions should be adopted.
  
• Briefly justify your choice, explaining how it will solve the major problem/s.
  
• Remember to integrate theory and practice as discussed in your unit with respect to the case.
  
• If needed, suggest an action plan, including who should take action, when and what steps, and how to assess the action taken.
  
• If appropriate include a rough estimate of costs (both financial and time).

This section is sometimes divided into Recommendations and Implementation with details of the action plan placed in the Implementation section.

Recommendations should be written in a persuasive, audience-centred style that communicates your suggestions clearly, concisely, and precisely.

References

• List in alphabetical order all the references cited in the report.
  
• Make sure to accurately format your references according to the specified referencing style for your unit.

Appendices (if any) 

• Attach any original data that relates to your analysis and the case but which would have interrupted the flow of the main body.

Thesis Statement

Tips for writing a strong thesis statement:

1. Determine what kind of paper you are writing:  Is it analytical or explanatory?
   • An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.
     
   • An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.
     
2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.
   
3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.
   
4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.

Example analytic thesis statement

An analysis of the college admission process reveals one challenge facing counselors: accepting students with high test scores or students with strong extracurricular backgrounds.

The paper that follows should:

1. Explain the analysis of the college admission process.
   
2. Explain the challenge facing admissions counselors.

7.4.2.1 Activity: Order the Sections

Check your understanding about the key components of a case study by putting them in the right order

Match the following in the order they generally appear in a case study

Order	Content
1	A. References
2	B. Appendices
3	C. Executive summary
4	D. Conclusion
5	E. Recommendations
6	F. Analysis (solutions)
7.	G. Analysis (problems)
8.	H. Introduction

Answer

C, H, G, F, D, E, A, B

Writing Tip 1: Choosing the proper point of view

First-person Point of View

Pronouns:

• I, me, my, mine
  
• We, us, our, ours
• You, your, yours

First-person point of view is used to write stories/narratives or examples about personal experiences from your own life. Personal writing, such as for a reflective essay, or a “personal response” discussion posting, can be written in the first person, and may use personal opinions and anecdotes as evidence for the point you are trying to make.

Second-person point of view 

Pronouns:

• You, your, yours
• She, her, hers
  
• He, him, his

Second-person point of view, which directly addresses the reader, works well for giving advice or explaining how to do something. Academic writing generally avoids second-person point of view in favor of third-person point of view. Second person can be too casual for formal writing, and it can also alienate the reader if the reader does not identify with the idea.

Third-person point of view 

Pronouns:

• It, its  
• One, one’s
  
• They, them, their, theirs

A case study should generally be written in third-person point of view, referring to other authors and researchers from credible and academic sources to support your argument rather than stating your own personal opinions or experiences.

7.4.3 Activity: Watch and Practice  

Watch the video on using pronouns in academic writing and complete the True/False questions.

1. Writers are encouraged to use “I think” or “I believe” to express their own opinions.
   
2. APA recommends avoiding the editorial “we” when you are talking about groups of people you are discussing.
   
3. Singular “they” should be used to be inclusive of all gender identities.

Answer

1. False 2. True 3. True

Converting to Third Person Point of View  

First and second person are the voices used during everyday life, so it is easy to use them while writing. To convert a paper into the formal third person voice of academic writing, follow these steps:

1. Read through the paper watching for first or second person words. Also watch for personal stories that might require the use of first person. Highlight these words.

2. Return to any highlighted words. Are they phrases like “I think” or “I believe” that could be eliminated completely?  

Ex: I think Dallas Baptist University is a great school.  

Revised ex: Dallas Baptist University is a great school.  

3. Could any words that cannot be eliminated become third person words? Can “I” become “one,” or “my” to “a person’s” or “you” to “a teacher”?  

Ex: You should make sure your students all have pencils before handing out tests.  

Revised ex: A teacher should make sure his or her students all have pencils before handing out tests.  

4. If there are still personal stories included that cannot be taken out or changed, can they be converted into hypothetical stories, or is there an author in the research that has a similar example?  

Ex: When I was little, I was bitten by a dog, and now I am afraid of them.  

Revised ex: Many children are bitten by dogs at a young age, leading to adults who fear these household pets.

Most uses of first and second person can be easily eliminated by reworking sentences or simply changing words. A third person paper creates a stronger, unbiased argument, so it is well worth the time to convert.

7.4.4 Activity: Converting to Third Person Point of View  

Follow steps and convert first and second person into third person.

For the first time in my life, I had to move out of my parents’ house and onto the college campus. I immediately had to decide whether I wanted to live in a dorm setting or an apartment setting. You can see benefits to both, but I think the dorms are better. In the dorms we have a better opportunity for social interaction while we are adjusting to college. We also have easy access to all-you-can-eat food. Also, a resident assistant acts as your mentor and guide throughout your first year of college. Although the apartments would give me more independence, dorms are a better fit for me because of the social opportunities, unlimited food, and mentorship.

Sample Answer

For many students, the first year of college is their first time living outside of their parents’ house. These students must decide whether to live in a dorm setting or an apartment setting. Both have benefits, but dorms are often the better option. In the dorms, students have a better opportunity for social interaction while they are adjusting to college. They also have easy access to many food choices. Also, resident assistants on the dorm halls provide guidance and mentorship for students. Although the apartments provide more independence to students, dorms are a better fit for first-year students because of the social opportunities, unlimited food, and mentorship.

Writing Tip 2: Expressing cause and effect

In order to help your reader understand a problem and/or a solution, you may need to use expressions to highlight causes and effects. Such a cause-and-effect relationship can take make forms. You can use verbs that directly indicate what is the cause and what is the effect. For example,

1. An increase in demand causes a rise in prices.
   
2. The tsunami was triggered by a very powerful earthquake.
   
3. Researchers worldwide are increasingly pressured to publish in English language journals, thus leading to a decline in publications written in languages other than English.

Another way to express cause and effect is using link words.

7.4.5 Activity: Watch and Discuss

Watch the video on using linking words to express cause and effect and discuss the questions.

1. What are the three types of linking words to express cause and effect?

2. What are the two most used conjunctions to express cause and effect?

3. What are the two most used prepositional phrases to express cause and effect?

4. How should you use punctuation when you use adverbial transition words to express cause and effect?

7.4.5.1 Using Thus to Connect

Besides using verbs and linking words, you can use thus + -ing clause of result, which can be particularly useful as alternatives to traditional logical connectors like therefore and as a result. Note that thus is optional in -ing clauses of result and that sometimes writers also use a preliminary subordinate clause to set the scene for the process. For example,

When the ABS controller senses that a wheel is about to lock up, it automatically changes the pressure in the car’s brake lines to prevent the lockup, (thus) resulting in maximum brake performance.  

• Main clause
  
• Optional subordinate clause
  
• (optional thus/thereby) -ing

This structure is particularly useful in problem-solution texts because it can be used to express the next step in the process, a resulting problem, or a resulting solution. Here is a simple example.  

• Process: Prices rise, thus leading to a drop in demand.
  
• Problem: Prices rise, thus increasing the chance of hyperinflation.
  
• Solution: Prices rise, thus increasing earnings that can then be reinvested in the enterprise.

7.4.6 Activity: Identify Cause and Effect

1. Avatars can use graphics capabilities to build new artifacts individually or collaboratively in real time. This leads to the creation of an effect referred to as “immediacy of artifacts.”

Answer

Cause: Avatars can use graphics capabilities to build new artifacts individually or collaboratively in real time. Effect: the creation of an effect referred to as “immediacy of artifacts.

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2. The payment processing division of the bank announced that its systems had been breached by unknown intruders. Because of this breach, the personal information belonging to about 1.5 million cardholders was compromised.

Answer

Cause: The payment processing division of the bank announced that its systems had been breached by unknown intruders. Effect: the personal information belonging to about 1.5 million cardholders was compromised.

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3. The plants extract nickel and zinc; hence, the soil is left uncontaminated.

Answer

Cause: The plants extract nickel and zinc. Effect: the soil is left uncontaminated.

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4. Rainfall levels plummeted. A slow, but steady, loss of grasses occurred. As a result, the region was transformed into a desert.

Answer

Cause: Decreasing levels of rainfall led to loss of grasses. Effect: The region was transformed into a desert.

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5. Countries sign treaties on the use of “free resources” such as air and ocean fish. Serious ownership questions arise, thereby making it difficult to enforce any agreement.

Answer

Cause: Countries sign treaties on the use of “free resources” such as air and ocean fish. Effect: Serious ownership questions arise, thereby making it difficult to enforce any agreement.

Assessments

Learning Log Entries

After you have completed this unit, you can draw on the lessons and learning activities to complete your Unit 7 Learning Log Entry. A reminder that your instructor be looking at the reflections and questions you share, which can help us see if you have worked through the module content and the learning activities.

Go to the Assessment section in this book for details, including the grading rubric. Your instructor will let you know if there are any other changes in what to submit.

Please submit assignments in the dropboxes located in the Assessment sections in Moodle.

Assignment 4: Genre Specific Analysis/Summary

For units 6-8 your instructor will provide instructions on which assignment(s) to submit. Assignment 4 will assess your understanding of writing for article reviews, book reviews, business analysis reports, and case studies. Go to the assessment section for details and be sure to check instructions from your instructor.

Unit 7 Summary

In this unit, you had the opportunity to learn about four distinct academic writing genres that you are likely to encounter during your academic career. All of these genres share certain similarities, such as requiring an academic tone and register, but each one works at developing various academic writing skills. This unit focused on how to write an article review, a book review, a business analysis report, and a case study.

Checking your Learning

Before you move on to the next unit, you may want to check to make sure that you are able to:

• Describe the structure of an article review, a book review, a business analysis report, and a case study.
  
• Analyze an article with a critical lens to identify information needed for an article review.
  
• Evaluate a book review based on information learned in the unit.
  
• Identify key information in a case study by completing a reverse outline.
  
• Create a simplified business analysis report that utilized tables/charts based on an assigned reading.
  
• Respond to learning logs in a reflective manner to demonstrate understanding of the content.

References

BoltonUniLibrary. (2021, August 6). Critiquing a journal article [Video]. YouTube.

Mahboob, A. & Humphrey, S. (2008). How to Write an Article Review. University of Sydney: Unpublished resource material developed for the SLATE Project.

DBU MA in Leadership. (2015, January 27). Guide to academic book reviews [Video]. YouTube.

McLaughlin Library. (2022, July 12). What is a book review? University of Guelph.

Nature of Writing. (n.d.). Academic book reviews.

Thacker, R. (2019, January 22). How to do an academic book review [Video]. YouTube.

Upstate University of South Carolina. (n.d.). Critical book reviews.

Ashton, R. (2007, April). Report writing for consultants. Emphasis.

Callan, D. (2020, October 30). 28 phrases for business reports [Video]. YouTube.

Lobo, K. (2021, September 16). What are the four types of analytics and how do you use them? Analytics8.

Malsam, W. (2018, November 21). How to write an executive summary: A quick guide. ProjectManager.

MBA Skool Team. (2021, August 14). Tim Hortons marketing strategy and marketing mix (4Ps). mba Skool.

Purdue Online Writing Lab. (n.d.). Tables and figures. Purdue University.

Writing & Speaking Center. (n.d.). How to write a business report. University of Nevada, Reno.

The Writing Center. (n.d.). Figures and charts. The University of North Caroline at Chapel Hill .

Converting first and second to third person. (n.d.). Dallas Baptist University.

Feak, C. & Swales, J. (2012). Academic writing for graduate students: Essential tasks and skills (3^rd ed.). University of Michigan Press ELT

Point of view in academic writing. (n.d.). St. Louis Community College.

Writing a case study. (n.d.). Monash University.