Course Overview
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Course Synopsis
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This course is designed to equip students and researchers with essential skills for producing highquality academic research papers theses and publications. It emphasizes the structured approach to writing covering everything from idea conceptualization to finalizing a manuscript. The course aims to develop critical thinking enhance clarity in scientific communication and ensure compliance with academic standards such as citation referencing and avoiding plagiarism.
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Course Learning Outcomes
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By the end of the course participants will be able to
- Understand the structure and components of academic writing e.g. abstract literature review methodology results discussion.
- Develop research questions objectives and hypotheses effectively.
- Write coherent and concise research papers with clear arguments.
- Learn to format citations and references following academic styles e.g. APA
- Use tools and software for literature management e.g. Endnote.
- Avoid plagiarism through proper paraphrasing and citation techniques.
- Understand the peerreview process and how to respond to reviewer comments.
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Course Calendar
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1
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Purpose of the Thesis (Topic 1)
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2
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Writing Style and Audience (Topic 2)
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3
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Order and Component of Thesis (Topic 3)
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5
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Statement of Originality; Dedication and Acknowledgement (Topic 5)
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6
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Table of Contents and Appendices (Topic 6)
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7
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Footnotes and Endnotes (Topic 7)
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9
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Abstract: Functions (Topic 9
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10
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Abstract: Content and Structure (Topic 10)
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11
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Analysis of a Sample Abstract: Pattern (Topic 11)
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12
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Key Linguistic Feature of an Abstract: Tense (Topic 12)
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13
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Questions Related to Abstract Writing (Topic 13)
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14
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Introduction Chapter in a Thesis (Topic 14)
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15
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Functions of the Introduction Chapter (Topic 15)
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16
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Introduction: Content and Structure (Topic 16)
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17
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Introduction: Establishing a Research Territory (Topic 17)
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18
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Indicating a Gap/ Niche (Topic 18)
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19
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Occupy the Niche/ Gap (Topic 19)
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20
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Statement of the Problem and the Context (Topic 20)
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21
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Aims of the Study (Topic 21)
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22
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Clarification of Key Constructs (Topic 22)
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23
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Organization of the Thesis (Topic 23)
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24
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Key Linguistic Features in Establishing Significance of the Study (Topic 24)
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25
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Key Linguistic Features in Indicating the Gap (Topic 25)
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26
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Key Linguistic Features in Occupying the Gap in the Introduction (Topic 26)
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27
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Active vs. Passive Voice Use (Topic 27)
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28
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Key Linguistic Features: Adjectives and Pronouns (Topic 28)
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29
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Language Use in Making Comparisons (Topic 29)
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30
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Introduction: Questions Answered (Topic 30)
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31
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Literature Review (Topic 31)
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32
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Literature Review: Functions (Topic 32)
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33
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Content and Structure: Organization Options (Topic 33)
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34
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Body of the Literature Review (Topic 34)
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35
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Body of the Literature Review: Structure (Topic 35)
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36
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Organizing a Literature Review (Topic 36)
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Assignment 1
Quiz 1
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37
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Reporting Research (Topic 37)
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38
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Summarizing Key Elements of Literature Review (Topic 38)
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39
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Conclusion of the Literature Review (Topic 39)
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40
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Introduction to the Literature Review Chapter (Topic 40)
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41
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Paraphrasing and Coherence (Topic 41)
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42
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Synthesizing: Cohesion in Literature Review (Topic 42)
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43
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Language Focus: Tense and Citation (Topic 43)
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45
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Reporting Literature: Approaches (Topic 45)
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46
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Choice of Verb and Tense (Topic 46)
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47
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Evaluating and Critiquing Published Research (Topic 47)
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48
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Stance towards Published Research (Topic 48)
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49
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Reviewing the Literature: Organizing (Topic 49)
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50
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Important Questions Answered (Topic 50)
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51
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Methodology (Topic 51)
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52
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Methodology of a Thesis: Functions (Topic 52)
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53
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Methodology: Content and Structure (Topic 53)
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54
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Introduction in a Methodology Chapter (Topic 54)
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55
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Methodology: Main Body (Topic 55)
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56
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Conclusion of a Methodology Chapter (Topic 56)
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57
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Triangulation (Topic 57)
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58
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Key Structural Points in Methodology Chapter (Topic 58)
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59
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Data Collection Procedures (Topic 59)
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60
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Instruments (Topic 60)
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61
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Data Collection (Topic 61)
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62
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Data Analysis (Topic 62)
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63
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Data Reliability (Topic 63)
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64
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Issues of Data validity (Topic 64)
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65
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Ethical Concerns (Topic 65)
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66
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Summarizing (Topic 66)
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Quiz 2
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67
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Methodology: Language Use (Topic 67)
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68
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Important Questions Answer ( Topic 68 )
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69
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Result Chapter Functions (Topic 69)
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70
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Result Chapter Functions (Topic 70)
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71
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Result, Content and Structure (Topic 71)
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72
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Quantitative Results (Topic 72)
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73
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Qualitative Research (Topic 73)
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74
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Qualitative Responses (Topic 74)
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75
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Key Linguist Features: Tenses (Topic 75)
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76
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Caution in Presenting Results (Topic 76)
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77
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Topic 77: Key Linguist Features in Qualitative Research
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78
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Topic 78: Presenting Results visually
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79
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Topic 79: Presenting Qualitative Results
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80
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Topic 80: Data Display
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81
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Topic 81. Data Display: Formatting and Numbering
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82
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Topic 82: Discussion of Tables
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83
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Topic 83: Principles of Figures Use
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84
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Topic 84: Types of Figures
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85
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Topic 85: Standard for figures
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86
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Topic 86: Important Questions Answered
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87
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Topic 87: Discussion of Results
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88
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Topic 88: Discussion of Results: Functions
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89
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Topic 89: Discussion Chapter
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90
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Topic 90: Discussion: Content and Structure
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91
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Topic 91: Sample Analysis of Discussion Chapter
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92
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Topic 92: Conclusion of Discussion
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93
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Topic 93: Discussion Key Linguistic Feature
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94
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Topic 94: Limitation in Discussion
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95
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Topic 95: Important Questions Answered
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97
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Topic 97: Conclusion of a Thesis Functions
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98
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Topic 98: Conclusion: Content and Structure
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GDB
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99
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Topic 99: Introduction in the conclusion chapter
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100
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Topic 100: Summarizing key Findings
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101
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Topic 101: Implications
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102
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Topic 102: Implications for Future Research
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103
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Topic 103: Limitations
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104
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Topic 104: Concluded Paragraph
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105
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Topic 105: Conclusion: Key Linguistic Features
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106
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Topic 106: Important Questions Answered
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107
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Topic 107: Confidentiality
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108
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Topic 108: Writing Clearly and Concisely
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111
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Topic 111: Writing Style
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112
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Topic 112: Writing Style: Continuity
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113
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Topic 113: Smoothness of Expression
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115
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Topic 115: Economy of Expression
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116
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Topic 116: Precision and Clarity
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117
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Topic 117: Linguistic Devices
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118
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Topic 118: Strategies to Improve Writing Style
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119
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Topic 119: Appropriate level of specificity
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120
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Topic 120: Reducing Bias in Language
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121
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Topic 121: Acknowledge Participation
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122
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Topic 122: Reducing Bias: Gender
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123
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Topic 123: Reducing Bias: Ethnicity
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124
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Topic 124: Reducing Bias: Disabilities and Age
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125
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Topic 125: Grammar and Usage
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126
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Topic 126: Subject Verb Agreement
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127
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Topic 127: Crediting Sources: Direct Quotations
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128
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Topic 128: Paraphrasing and Quoting
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129
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Topic 129: Citations in the Text
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130
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Topic 130: References
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Quiz 3
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131
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Topic 131: Mechanics of Style: Punctuation-Period
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132
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Topic 132: Capitalization
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134
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Topic 134: Punctuation: Quotation Marks
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135
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Topic 135: Latin Abbreviations
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136
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Topic 136: Academic Writing: Some Other Considerations
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137
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Topic 137: Academic Style: Formal Language
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138
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Topic 138: Writing Process
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139
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Topic 139: Principles of Academic Writing
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140
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Topic 140: Analyzing a Thesis
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141
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Topic 141: Goal Setting
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142
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Topic 142: Defining the Writing Task
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143
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Topic 143: Writing Purpose
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144
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Topic 144: How will my thesis be assessed?
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145
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Topic 145: Assessment of Thesis Design
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146
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Topic 146: Tackling Issues
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147
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Topic 147: Defining Originality
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148
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Topic 148: Keeping Back-ups
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149
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Topic 149: Reasons for Not Writing: Peer Support
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150
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Topic 150: Discussing Feedback
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151
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Topic 151: Free Writing
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152
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Topic 152: Benefits of Free Writing
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153
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Topic 153: Generative Writing
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154
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Topic 154: Writing to Prompts
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155
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Topic 155: Other Problems in Writing
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156
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Topic 156: Writers Block
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157
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Topic 157: Resolving Issues
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158
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Topic 158: Scaffolding an Argument
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159
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Topic 159: Positioning of Self
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160
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Topic 160: Writing a Case Study
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