English Academic Writing

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Researching the Topic
Chapter 3 Data Collection and Evaluation
Chapter 4 Writing Style
Chapter 5 Paper Writing
Chapter 6 Abstract
Chapter 7 International Conference
Chapter 8 Letters for Different Academic
Purposes

Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Definition of Academic Writing
--- to summarize or synthesize information
and ideas gathered from research
--- to explain, compare and contrast,
evaluate, or analyze concepts, events,
and phenomenon
--- to argue for or against a position in an
ongoing debate

1.2 Characteristics of Good Academic Writing

For all writings:
--- Unity: a harmonious whole
--- Coherence: well connected, logical relations
--- Emphasis: stress to important ideas
--- Development: elaboration and expansion
--- Clarity: precise, concise, lucid

For Academic Writing:

--- It is based on extensive research of proved
facts and authoritative testimony.
first-hand experiments
field research
library research
--- The authors voice tends to be objective and
neutral.
unemotional
--- The style tends to be formal.
academic periodicals, accurate information

--- Appropriate diction.

colloquialisms and slang expressions be
avoided,
technical terms, abbreviation
--- Syntactical level.
long complex sentence, simple-present
tense, passive voice, non-finite verbs
(participles, infinitives, gerunds)
--- Neat appearance and format.

1.3 Differences between the papers published

inside and outside China
1.3.1 Papers published in China
Chinese and English titles,
Chinese and English abstract,
Chinese and English keywords,
The body,
References,
Appendix,
Information about the author

1.3.2 Papers published outside China

Title,
Abstract,
Introduction,
The body,
Conclusions and recommendations,
Acknowledgement,
References,
Appendix

1.4 Procedures of Academic Writing

Step 1: Choice of Topic
Choose a general topic
Write a rough proposal
Limit the topic to a plausible one

Step 2: Collection and Evaluation of Data

Collect books, journals and research
articles
Evaluate data collected
Photocopy data
Prepare note and bibliography cards

Step 3: Development of Outline

Decide on organization of paper
Arrange notes by subheadings
Develop paper outline

Step 4: Writing
Study and follow outline for first draft
Make adjustments as needed

Step 5: Revision, Editing and References

Revise content and organization
Adjust style and tone

Correct diction, spelling, grammar,

punctuation as necessary
Document all the sources quoted

Step 6: Preparation of Abstract

Observe abstract word limit
Ensure accuracy, brevity and clarity

Step 7: Preparation of Final Details

Assemble all parts
Make final revision
Prepare References section
Write acknowledgements

Chapter 2 Researching the Topic

2.1 Principles of Title Selection
--- Value Principle
--- Scientific Principle
--- Innovative Principle
--- Feasibility Principle
2.2 Methods for Choosing a Title
--- Consult your professor or an expert
---Participate in academic conferences and
academic lectures

--- Select from puzzling problems

--- Read books and newspapers
--- Choose from your own interests
--- Literature review
2.3 Ways to Narrow Down Titles
Example:
Literature
Literary Criticism
Literary Criticism at Cambridge
The Tradition and Development of Literary
Criticism at Cambridge

Exercise:
Humanities

2.4 Formats for Title

Examples:
1) OSCILLATIONS IN GRANULAR DYNAMICS

2) Structural Analyses Based on a Point Charge

Model
3) Fast atom bombardment mass spectra of
nebramycin
within 15 words
4) Coronary Artery Disease: Diet and patient Health

2.5 Tables and Figures

2.5.1 Tables
--- A table should be self-contained.
--- A table is usually placed in a position near
its relevant description.
--- Provide each table with a number (eg:
Table1, Table2, etc.) and a title.
--- The title should be clear, concise, complete
and accurate.
--- Sometimes a note is added at the bottom of
the table.

Example:
Table 2-6 Correlation between variables
1

Gender

Age

Urgency

Sensation

Commissions .

PI index

*Note: ..

.
.

.
.
.

2.5.2 Figures
2.5.2.1 Graphs
--- can be used to compare two variables
2.5.2.2 Drawings and Photographs
--- to illustrate organisms, experimental
apparatus, models of structures, etc.
2.5.2.3 Types of figures
1) Line charts
2) Bar charts
3) Pie charts

2.6 Cause and Effect

2.6.1 Cause-Effect Paragraph
Development Pattern:
Effect 1
Cause

Effect 2
Effect 3

2.6.2 Effect-Cause Paragraph

Development Pattern:
Cause 1
Effect

Cause 2
Cause 3

Exercise1: Analyze the structure of this paragraph and try

to determine the effect and its causes. Then find the linking
words in the paragraph.

The role of women in todays society is

changing. One reason is that women have begun to
assert themselves as independent people through
the womens movement. Also, women are aware of
the alternatives to staying at home. Another reason
is that increasing numbers of women who enter new
fields and interests serve as role models for other
women. Moreover, men are becoming more
conscious of the abilities of women and have begun
to view their independence positively.

Exercise 2: Combine the following two sentences

expressing the cause-and-effect relationship.

1) He escaped from his orphanage. He was

distressed by the brutal conditions there.
2) He had a rough life in Moscow. He had
no family to turn to.
3) He was not easily to be captured. He had
learned not to trust adults.

Chapter 3 Data Collection and Evaluation

3.1 Principles of Data Collection and
selection
3.1.1 Centered around the theme
3.1.2 True and verifiable )
3.1.3 Typical
3.1.4 Novel

3.2 Developing an Outline

3.2.1 Two Main Components for Effective
Outlines
3.2.1.1 Parallelism
Example:
I. Choose Desired Colleges
II.Prepare Application
III.Compile Resume
3.2.1.2 Subordination

Example:
I. Describe an influential person in your life
A. Favorite high school teacher
B. Grandparent

3.3 Types of Outlines

3.3.1 Alphanumeric
Outlines
-- Roman Numerals
-- Capitalized Letters
-- Arabic Numerals
-- Small Letters
-- Arabic Numerals within Brackets
-- Small Letters within Brackets

Example:

The College Application Process

I. Choose Desired Colleges
A. Visit and evaluate college campuses
B. Visit and evaluate college websites
1. look for interesting classes
2. Note important statistics
a. Student/faculty ratio
b. Retention rate
II. Prepare Application
A. Write Personal Statement
1. Choose interesting topic

a. Describe an influential person in your life

(1) Favorite high school teacher
(2) Grandparent
2. Include important personal details
a. Volunteer work
b. Participation in varsity sports
B. Revise personal statement
III. Compile resume
A. List relevant coursework
B. List work experience
C. list volunteer experience
1. tutor at foreign language summer camp
2. counselor for suicide prevention hotline

3.3.2 Full Sentence Outlines

Example:
I. Man-made pollution is the primary cause of global
warming.
A. Greenhouse gas emissions are widely identified
as harmful by the scientific community.
1. The burning of coal and fossil fuels are the
primary releasers of hazardous greenhouse
gases.

3.3.3 Decimal Outlines

Example:
1. Choose Desired College
1.1 Visit and evaluate college campuses
1.2 Visit and evaluate college websites
1.2.1 Look for interesting classes
1.2.2 Note important statistics

Exercise:
Suppose you have chosen a topic and
found enough data to write your paper,
now write an outline for your paper.

3.4 Comparison and Contrast

Two Ways for Organizing Comparison and
Contrast
-- Subject-by-subject
-- Point-by-point

Example:

Subjects
1. Prof. Simmons

2. Prof. Wu

Points of C&C
a. classroom instruction
b. homework
c. exam
d. grading
a. classroom instruction
b. homework
c. exam
d. grading

Points of C&C
a. classroom instruction
b. homework
c. exam
d. grading

Subjects
1. Prof. Simmons
2. Prof. Wu
1. Prof. Simmons
2. Prof. Wu
1. Prof. Simmons
2. Prof. Wu
1. Prof. Simmons
2. Prof. Wu

Exercise:
- Pros and cons of globalization
- Positive and negative aspects of living in a
large city

Chapter 4 Writing Style

4.1 Citation
4.1.1 In-Text Citation
4.1.1.1 One author
(1)Enzymes are inhibited by cyanide (Grubb, 1977).
Because enzymes are inhibited by cyanide
(Grubb 1977), I expect to find
(2) Grubb (1977) found that cyanide inhibits
enzymes.
Because Grubb (1977) found that cyanide inhibits
enzymes

(3) As early as 1977, Grubb observed the

inhibitory effect of cyanide on enzyme action.

4.1.1.2 More than one study

(1) Cyanide has been found to inhibit enzyme
action (Grubb, 1977; Smith, 1980; Taylor, 1983)

4.1.1.3 More than three authors

(1) Cyanide has been found to inhibit enzyme
action ( Grubb et al., 1985).

4.4.1.4 Some journals just cite the sequence

of the references in the text in order to save
space.

(1) Vibration is used to prepare uniform granular

mixtures or to segregate granular composites
[3,7,12,16,19]. Alongside mixing and segregation of
granular materials

4.2 References
4.2.1 APA (American Psychological Association)
style: social sciences
Print Sources:
--- Book by one author:
#Sheril, R.D.(1956). The terrifying future: contemplating
color television. San Diego: Halstead.

--- Book by two authors or more:

#Rubin, J., & Thompson, I. (1994). How to be a more
successful language teacher. 2nd ed. Boston: Heinle &
Heinle.
--- Article in a journal:
#Crackton, P. (1987). The Loonie: Gods long-awaited gift to
colorful pocket change? Canadian Change, 64(7), 34-37.
Electronic sources:
--- Article in an online journal:
#Blofeld, E.S. (1994, March1). Expressing oneself through
Persian cats and modern architecture. Felines & Felons, 4,
Article 0046g. Retrieved October 3, 1999, from
http://journals.f+f.org/spectre/vblofeld-0046g.html
--- Book on CD:
#Nix, G.(2002). Lirael, Daughter of the Clayr CD . New
York: Random House/Listening library.

--- Movie:
#Gilby, A. (Producer), & Schlesinger, J. (Director). (1995).
Cold comfort farm Motion picture . Universal city, CA:
MCA Universal Home Video.
4.2.2 MLA (Modern Language Association) style: liberal arts
and humanities

Print Sources:
--- Book by one author:
#Bambrough, Renford. The Philosophy of Aristotle. New
York: The New American Library, 1963.

--- Book by two or three authors:

#Atwan, Robert, donald Mcquade, and John Wright. Edsels,
Luckies, and Frifidaires: Advertising the American Way.
New York: Dell, 1979.
--- Book by four or more authors:
#Belenky, Mary Field, et al. Womens Ways of Knowing: the
Development of Self, Voice, and Mind. New York: Basic,
1986.
--- Article in a journal:
#Maguire, James H. The Canon and the Diminished
Thing. American Literature 60 (1988): 645-52.

Electronic sources:
--- Article in an online journal:
#Rogers, Michael. The Practical Futurist: The Secret of
Online Romance. Newsweek Newsweek Web Exclusive
(October, 2002). 28 Dec., 2002 http://nl. Newsbank.
Com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=list&p_topdoc=11
---CD-ROM:
#Communion. The Oxford English Dictionary. 2nd ed. CDROM. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1992.

4.2.3 ACS (American Chemical Society) style; CBE (Council of

Biology Editors) style, etc:
natural sciences
ACS style:
--- Book:
#Anastas, P.T.; Warner, J.C. Green Chemistry: Theory and
practice; Oxford University Press: Oxford, 1998.
--- Online Journal:
#Borman, S. Sucrose Synthesis Sets A Record. Chem. Eng.
News Online 1990, 78,52.

However, not all journals are in strict compliance with the

style guides. Eg: Nature, Science
#British journal Nature:
1.Nagy, L. & Schwabe, J.W. Mechanism of the nuclear receptor
molecular switch. Trends Biochem. Sci. 29, 317
324(2004).
2.Sonoda, J., Pei, L. & Evans, R.M. Nuclear receptors:
decoding metabolic disease. FEBS lett. 582, 2 9 (2008).
3.Raghuram, S. et al. Identification of heme as the ligand for
the orphan nuclear receptors REV-ERBa and REV-ERBb.
Nature Struct. Mol. Biol. 14, 1207 1213(2007).
4.Yin, L. et al. Rev-erba, a heme sensor that coordinates
metabolic and circadian pathways. Science 318, 1786
1789(2007).

4.2.4

---
# . M . :
,2001
# . M . :
,1995
--- :
# . J .
,2000(5): 67-74
--- :
# . :
N . ,1999/11/23(3)

Exercise: Document the following sources in the APA style

using the information below.

1.In 1982 an article called Hearers and Speech

Acts was written for volume 58 of the journal
named language. It was on pages 332-373 and
the authors were Herbert H. Clark and Thomas H.
Carlson.
2.Rachel Carson wrote a book called Silent Spring
in 1962. it was published in Boston by Houghton
Mifflin.

4.3 Language Style:

Features:
-Formal
-Objective
-Concise
-Varied
4.3.1 Formality
---Avoid slang and too casual language: eg. Cool,
pretty awful.
---Use full forms of words rather than abbreviations,
eg. does not, should have, it is rather than
doesnt, shouldve, its.

---Use single verbs rather than phrasal verbs, eg.

investigate rather than look into.
---Use powerful reporting words: eg. Support, claim,
suggest, recommend, etc.
---Use complex rather than simple sentences, and
long rather than short paragraphs.

Exercise: Rewrite the following sentences in more

formal academic English:
1.You can understand something better if it is
repeated.
2.Crime was increasing rapidly and the police were
becoming concerned.
3.Did you know that spoken and written language
are very different?

4.3.2 Objectivity
---Use impersonal expressions and the passive
voice, eg: It can be concluded that, It has
been claimed that
---Use third person pronouns, avoid the first
person I, we or second person you.
---Avoid words that have emotional or attitudinal
connotations.

Exercise: Rewrite the following sentences in more

objective, academic English.
1.I think that all guns should be banned.
2.I observed 43 students of a third-grade class at
Barksdale School for two weeks.
3.The doctor prepared his necessary surgical
equipment.

4.3.3 Conciseness
---Be precise and specific.
---Reduce unnecessary words.
Wordy (Redundant)

Concise

in recent years

recently

with a high degree of

certainty

certain

at this moment in time

Currently, now

few in number

few

4.3.4 Variety
---Use a variety of words and sentence structures.
Exercise: Correct the following sentences to make
them more academic.
1.The university is asking for more money.
2.Is it really true that the Great Wall of China is
visible from space?
3.Some commentators say that students lack
creativity. They also lack imagination.
4.According to Wong(2003, p.41), he says that the
information is inaccurate.

Exercise: Change the following spoken text into a

written text.
Spoken text
Nowadays companies are finding that they
have to change the way they do things and
theyre finding that human resources planning is
really helpful when they have to do this. One
reason why its helpful is because it can help the
companies work out what the issues are and
then, when youve done that, it can help you
make up your mind what youre going to do
about it. Basically, human resource planning is
what you do when youre going through

Written text
As companies experience the need for
change, they often apply human resource
planning to define the relevant issues and
develop responses to them. Broadly defined,
human resource planning is the process of
analyzing an organizations human resources
needs under changing conditions and
developing the activities necessary to satisfy
those needs.

Chapter 5 Paper Writing

-Introduction
-Methods
-Results and Discussion
-Conclusions and Recommendations
-Acknowledgement

5.1 Introduction
--- a description of the nature of the problem and
current state of knowledge or understanding at
the beginning of the investigation (background);
--- a statement of the purpose and scope;
--- hypothesis and prediction.
--- the past or present tense, never the future tense
Eg:
#This study investigates the relationship between
tree density and fruit size.
#The purpose of this study is to determine the effect
of

5.2 Research Methods

5.2.1
--- qualitative: in liberal arts and social sciences
observation, sound recordings, questionnaires,
interviews, etc.
--- quantitative: in science
pre-experimental research, experimental research.
--- descriptive: in liberal arts and social sciences
between the qualitative and quantitative research
methods.
case study, group study, survey, development
research, etc.

5.2.2
contains:
---research methods and their reasons
---subjects and sample selection
---instruments
---data collection methods and analysis methods
function: to describe all experimental procedures,
including controls.

Notice:
---Experimental procedures and results are
narrated in the past tense; conclusions from
results are given in the present tense.
---Experimental papers should address the
materials, laboratory equipments, experimental
processes.

5.3 Results and Discussion

5.3.1 Results
---The function is to summarize general trends in the
data without comment, bias, or interpretation;
---Data may be presented in figures and tables, but
this may not substitute for a verbal summary of the
findings.
5.3.2 Discussion
Contain:
---the relationship between the results and the
original hypothesis, i.e., whether they support the
hypothesis;

---an integration of your results with those of the

previous studies in order to arrive at explanations
for the observed phenomena;
---possible explanations for unexpected results and
observations;
---end the discussion with a summary of the
principle points you want the reader to remember.

5.4 Conclusions and Recommendations

---The conclusion is a highly condensed summary
of the paper, not a simple list of the research
results, but rather reasonable inferences. It tests
the authors comprehensive ability, theoretical
skills and logical thinking ability.
---Recommendations often discuss the subject of
further study, research programs, future
prospects and directions.
---Conclusions are useful insights drawn from the
study; recommendations are further research
projects based on the study.

Eg:
In conclusion, the result shows that
To sum up, we have revealed that
Finally, a summary is given of
In this paper, we have described/discussed/found
that

5.5 Acknowledgement
---an optional item in the paper
---If the author has received help from someone
else in the course of the study, he/she should
acknowledge this.
---should be short and sincere. Usually only a short
sentence, but there are also very long
acknowledgements.
---often located after the conclusion.
--- necessary to list the project number if it is funded
by a foundation or institution.

Eg:
We thank for
We are grateful to for
Special thanks are due to
We appreciate the support and efforts of
This study was partly funded by
This work was financially supported by grants
from

Exercise:
Suppose your research is supported by NSF of
Jiangsu Province and the project number is
BK205062. Write an acknowledgement to
acknowledge their support.

Chapter 6 Abstract
6.1 Definition
a highly condensed version of a longer piece of
writing that highlights the major points covered,
concisely describes the content and scope of the
writing, and reviews the writings contents in
abbreviated form.
6.2 Features
---avoid repetition;
---usually are limited to one paragraph of no more
than 250 words;
---can stand alone;

---use the third person;

---use the passive voice;
---are highly signposted.
6.3 Contents
---indicates the purpose of the paper;
---states the method used;
---states main findings or results;
---gives conclusions based on the findings;
---provides implications of the findings.

Chapter 7 International Conference

7.1 Useful Expressions
Secretariat

Organizing committee

Paper committee

Logistics committee
Accompanying persons committee
General chair
Session chair
Convener
Moderator

Meeting minutes
Plenary session
Keynote session
Panel session
Parallel session
Research-in-progress session
Question and answer session (Q&A)
Oral presentation
Poster presentation
Prize address
First-come, first-served
Panelist

7.2 Session Modes

1) Keynote sessions
2) Oral sessions
3) Poster sessions
4) Research-in- Progress sessions
5) Discussion/Question & answer sessions

7.3 Letter Writing

1) Heading
2) Inside address
3) Salutation
4) Body
5) Complimentary close
6) Signature

English Department
Beijing foreign Studies University
Beijing 100081, China
Sept.18, 2010
Editor
Newsweek International
444 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
U.S.A.
Dear Editor,
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
(Typed name)

Sample 1: Inquiry About General Information

I am a Ph. D candidate in the Mathematics Department of
Nanjing University, P. R. China. I have read the Proceedings
of the 2002 Conference on Reasoning About Knowledge and
those of the previous meetings. Since the conference is held
biennially, I assume the next one will be held in 2008. I am
therefore writing for general information about the
forthcoming Conference, such as the date and venue, the
topics, the keynote speakers and other details. I would be
very much obliged if you could include me in your mailing list
for the 2008 conference and for any further information
pertinent to each of the forthcoming conferences.
An early reply is greatly appreciated.

Sample 2: Applying for Travel Support

Thanks you for your letter dated Feb. 10, 2009. Im
writing to you about the application for my travel support.
I have discussed the problem of the financial fund for my
attendance of the meeting with the director of our Institute.
However, he told me that the Institute would cover only US
$800 which is estimated to be only enough for the
Conference fee and the accommodations. I therefore write to
you to ask the possibility of my travel support to and from
Denver.
Your kind consideration of this matter will be much
appreciated. I look forward to hearing your favorable reply.

Sample 3: Cover Letter for Submitting a Paper

Enclosed herewith is the full text of the paper titled The
Rise of Primitive Taoism and Social Order in the Han
Dynasty by Li Tian, et al. We hope it can be accepted by the
Conference and presented as an oral presentation.
Please contact me at my address and numbers given
below for all correspondence relating to this submission, for
Im serving as the corresponding author, though Im not the
first author and the presenting author of this paper.
Thank you.

Exercise 1:
Write a letter to an international organization to
apply for possible financial assistance for your
attendance of a meeting.
Exercise 2:
Write a letter to submit your paper to a world
congress and say something about your
presentation preference.

Chapter 8 Letters for Different Academic Purposes

8.1 Letters for Publishing Papers in English Journals
8.1.1 Some related words and expressions
Guide to authors
Scope of interest
Editor-in-chief
Line editor
Prereviewer
Peer-review
Acknowledgement of receipt

Use anonymous reviewer

On-line Status Inquiry
Not considered elsewhere
Guest editor
Special issue
Reviewers/referees report/statement/evaluation/
criticism/suggestion/opinion
Quarterly
Weekly
Monthly
Bimonthly
Annual/year book

8.1.2 Some example letters

Sample 1: A common cover letter
I enclose two copies of my paper entitled
Model-Based Automatic Programming for Plant
Control. I should like to have it published in your
journal.
Thank you for your consideration.

Sample 2: Cover letter claiming no other editorial

consideration
Enclosed are two complete copies of a manuscript by
Liu Hengfei and Lin Yingjie titled which is being
submitted for possible publication in Journal of X.
This manuscript is new, is not being considered
elsewhere, and reports new findings that extend results we
reported earlier in published in Journal of X.
Correspondence regarding this manuscript should be
sent to me at the address of Nanjing University shown in the
above letterhead where I am now studying in a Ph. D.
program (not the address shown on the manuscript, from
which laboratory I have recently moved).

Sample 3: Acknowledgement of receipt

We acknowledge the receipt of your paper
entitled Modeling Rational Players by Wang Hui
and zhu Guangqiang.
The paper is undergoing the refereeing
process now. I will send you the referees
statements as soon as I hear from them.
Thank you for your consideration.

Sample 4: Authors letter about modifications made

according to the reviewers comments
Enclosed are two copies of the revised manuscript of
the above-referenced paper.
All of the reviewers comments are responded point by
point in the revised manuscript. The major modifications
include: A B C
An American visiting scholar at our University helped
us a lot in revising this manuscript. He assisted in correcting
many grammatical mistakes. I hope these modifications will
make the manuscript qualified to be published in the journal.
Thank you very much for your time and effort that goes
into the publication of this paper.

Sample 5: Acceptance letter with requirements of the

style
I am glad to inform you that your manuscript
has been accepted for publication in our Quarterly.
Please note that the publisher now requires a
manuscript which conforms strictly to the
requirements set out in the accompanying style
sheet. Failure to comply with this may mean youre
your paper will be returned for further correction.
With best regards,
XXX

Exercises:
1. Prepare a cover letter to submit a paper
supposed to be contributed to an English journal.
2. Write a letter about the revisions you made to a
manuscript according to the reviewers comments
and editors suggestions.

8.2 letters for academic visits and cooperation

8.2.1 Some related expressions:
Visiting scholar
Visiting professor
Teaching assistant (TA)
Researching assistant (RA)
Administrative assistant (AA)
China Scholarship Council (CSC)
Confidential reference
Language certificate
Certified translation
Publication dating from the past two years

8.2.2 Sample letters

Sample 1: Asking for a visiting researchers position in a
laboratory
I am writing to you to explore the possibility of spending
one to two years working in your laboratory. I enclose a
copy of my Curriculum Vita, which contains information on
my educational and research experience.
As you can see from my CV, I have quite a bit of work
experience in your research area. I am confident of my
ability to make a contribution to your ongoing research
projects. My institute has granted me an extended leave of
absence, which enables me to obtain research experience
abroad. My trip to the U. S. will be financed partially by the
Chinese government, which will grant me travel expenses

and a small monthly stipend (approximately $900 a

month), for living expenses during the first year. Funds in
addition to that amount, if needed, will have to come from
other sources. Also, if I am to stay for a second year, the
support will have to come from elsewhere.
Professor Zhang Ruide, Director of my institute, and
Professor Cheng Lin, the supervisor of my doctoral
program, have agreed to write references for me. They
may have written to you already. If not, please feel free to
contact them.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sample 2: An invitation for a visiting scholar

The Harvard University Center for Jewish Studies
invites you as a visiting scholar foe the 2002-2003
academic year. We are offering you $30,000 towards
pursuing your research and study.
As a visiting scholar of the Center for Jewish Studies
you will enjoy access to Harvard Universitys rich
resources and, most importantly, receive full library
privileges. The Center will also be able to offer you shared
office space and a place in our cultural community. We are
very pleased to have you join the Center and participate in
all our activities.
Please let us know the dates of your intended stay, so
that we can prepare your appointment form. We look
forward to being able to welcome you to Harvard
University.

Sample 3: Applying for Admission to the Ph. D. Program

Dear Sir/Madam:
I am writing to apply for admission to the Ph. D.
Program in plant psychology at the University of California,
Berkeley. I am a teacher of botany at Nanjing University in
China and have been selected by the University and by
the National Ministry of Education to go to the United
States for advanced study. I have selected the University
of California because of its excellent reputation in my area
of specialization.
I graduated from Nanjing University in 1996. After two
years of graduate study and research in the Department of
Applied Botany at Zhejiang University, I began to teach in
the Botany Department at Nanjing University. I have
taught introductory botany classes as well as advanced

courses in plant development. I have continued to do

research in the psychology of plant, particularly tomatoes,
and have published several articles in Chinese botany
journals.
I am currently studying English for one term at the
Shanghai Foreign Studies. In order to improve my English
to the level necessary to do graduate school work in the
United States, I am enrolled in a special intensive program
for students preparing to study abroad.
I have enclosed the application materials which I
received from the Admissions Office. Please let me know if
there is any further information you would like. If possible,
could you inform me of your decision on my application by
April 1 so I can begin to make the necessary
arrangements.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Sincerely,

Exercise:
1.Write a letter to apply for a visiting scholars
appointment.
2. Write a letter to apply for Ph. D. study.

8.3.1 A Resume (for the business and non-profit

sectors, running one page for recent graduates
and two pages for more experienced people)
Wang Xuefei
Department of History, Nanjing University
Nanjing 210093, P. R. China
Tel: 86-25-3680000
Fax: 86-25-3590000
Email: Wang001@yahoo.com

Person Data
Sex: Male

Date of Birth: May 8, 1978

Place of Birth: Suzhou, Jiangsu Province
Nationality: Chinese
Marital Status: Unmarried
Health: Excellent

Education
2001-present
Doctoral student
Nanjing University
Department of History
Expected date of completion: 2004

1998-2001
Beijing Normal University
Department of Political Education
MA awarded by the University in 2001
1994-1998
Suzhou University
Department of Foreign languages and Literature
BA awarded by the University in 1998

Honors
2002
Recipient, Guanghua Scholarship, Nanjing
University

1999
Winner, Outstanding Postgraduate Award, Beijing
Normal University

Skills
Proficiency in English
Microsoft word and Power Point

Interests and Activities

Sports, music
1994-1998
Member of Suzhou University Track and Field Team

2001-present
Member of the Traditional Instruments Orchestra of
Nanjing University

References
Professor Zhang Hongbao
Department of History
Nanjing University
Nanjing 210093
P.R. China
Tel/Fax: 86-25-359000
Email: zhhb@nju.edu.cn

Dr. Qian Ping

Department of Political Education
Beijing Normal University
Beijing 10000
P.R. China
Tel: 86-10-87684552
Email: Pq23@yahoo.com.cn
Ms. Sun Tingting
Department of Foreign Languages and Literature
Suzhou University

Suzhou, Jiangsu Province 215001

P. R. China
Tel: 86-510-76652343
Email: Tingts@hotmail.com

8.3.2 A Curriculum Vita (for the academic

environment and the research and development
environment on the doctoral level and above,
highlighting research, teaching and administrative
experience)
WANG Dong
Office
Department of X
Y University
City, Province and Postcode
P.R. China
Tel:
Fax:
Email:

Home
Number and Street
City, province and Postcode
P.R. China
Tel:
Fax:

OBJECTIVE
Visiting professor, giving lectures on Chinese culture
and language
Education
Ph. D, Chinese Literature, C University, 1995
Doctoral Dissertation: XYZ
MA, Linguistics, B University, 1985
MA Thesis: ABC
BA, Chinese Language and Literature, A College,
1982

Teaching Experience
Sept. 1995 to present: C University, Department of S.
Since the appointment as associate professor in
1997 and full professor in 2002, have served as
vice chair of the Department and have taught two
or more courses each semester at both
undergraduate and graduate levels, including X,
Y, Z other duties include giving lectures on
some specific topics to the department faculty and
students once or twice per semester and directing
MA theses and Ph. D. dissertations.
Sept. 1992 to July 1995: C University, Department

of S. Co-taught the course X with Prof. U while

studying in the doctoral program.
Sept. 1985 to July 1992: B University, S Department.
Teaching assistant and lecturer, teaching one or
two courses per semester for the certificate
classes and the undergraduates. The courses
included X and Y.
Publications
Books:
..

Papers:

Translations:
.
(Complete list of publications available upon request)
Presentations
1. , paper delivered at X Conference, March
2003.
2. , poster presented at Y Symposium, August
1999.

3. Supervisor of the Key project YZ funded by the

..(2000).

Professional memberships
1. Vice President of the X Society.
2. Secretary-General of Y Association.
3. Council member of Z Federation.

Exercise:
Write a resume and a CV for future use.