Professional Correspondence

1. TYPES OF PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC WRITING
Professional and Academic
Writing

2. 1. Book Review or Article Critique
Is a paper that aims to
cover the reaction or
criticism of a reader with
regards to a book or an
article that he read.

3. Book Review Format
1. Exposition. This includes the beginning
and the setting of the story.
2. Characters. These are the major players
in the piece.
3. Conflict. This is the inherent problem in
the plot of the book that must be resolved.
4. Rising Action. These are the event
leading to the climax.

4. Book Review Format
5. Climax. This is the highest
point in the book.
6.Declining Action. These are
the event following the climax.
7. Conclusion. This is the end
or resolution of the plot.

5. Book reviews also contain the following:
 What you like about the piece, or points you
agreed with the author.
 What you dislike about the piece, or points
where you disagreed with the author.
 Important excerpts or statements that
resonated with you, and why.
 Recommendations on how the book can be
improved even more.

6. Things to Remember about a Book Review
Consult additional sources to gain a
better understanding of the book.
Study the background of the author and
the circumstances surrounding the time
and even other book reviews.
Make particular note of themes, motifs
and styles found within the book or the
article.

7. 2. Literature Review
 Is an evaluative report of previous studies
related to the subject matter of an academic
paper.
 It describes, summarizes, and evaluates such
studies in subject matter of an academic
paper.
 I t also gives a theoretical basis for the
research and helps the author determine the
nature, scope, and limitation of his own
study.

8. 2. Literature Review
 Is a published material by accredited scholars
and researchers regarding a certain topic of
interest.
 After identifying your sources, you are to
provide a description and critical evaluation of
each work in relation to its stance on your
paper.
 By having a literature review, you are informing
your readers of existing ideas and knowledge
that have already been established on the topic.

9. Elements of Literature Review
 An outline of the topic, issue, or theory under
deliberation, along with the objectives of the literature
review.
 Dissection of materials under review according to
those in support of a particular position, those against
it, and those offering an entirely different thesis.
 Details of how each work is similar and different from
others.
 Conclusions of the most convincing opinions, as well
as the greatest contribution to the understanding and
development of the area of research.

10. How to Write a Literature Review?
 You must first define your topic before you
write literature review.
 Use search tools like school’s library catalog
or go online to search the right materials.
 Read and evaluate the materials that you
found to see if they have something to
contribute to your topic.
 Analyze the material and write a discussion.

11. Tips to Consider When Writing a Literature Review
 You need to have a clear line of argument to
make your review credible.
 Make sure that your literature review has
opinion that do not agree with your own
thesis.
 There always has to be a clear link between
the evidences you gathered and your own
opinion.
 You must write in a formal, academic style.

12. 3. Research Report
Is a standard form of a paper that is
requested in the academe. It requires the
student to come up with a single major
topic, and to research or experiment on it
while documenting every process and
method used. A comprehensive analysis
of the findings before finally coming up
with a conclusion needs to be done.

13. Purpose and Aim
Purpose. Is to display your
ability to solve problems through
research or experimentation.
Analytical skills are also tested in
this report.
Aim. Is to answer a primary thesis
question stated at the beginning.

14. Sections of a Research Report
1.Preliminary Material
2.Body of Report
3.Supplementary
Material

15. 1. Preliminary Material
a. Title of report.
 This is a short, concise heading of
what the study is all about.
 Contains the name of the school, the
title of the study, the person or
department to whom the work is
intended for, the name of the
researcher and the date of
submission.

16. 1. Preliminary Material
b.Table of Contents.
 A list of each
individual section and
their page numbers.

17. 1. Preliminary Material
c.Thesis Statement.
 This is the main
problem or topic to be
covered in the paper.

18. 1. Preliminary Material
d. Abstract/Synopsis.
 The summary of the main findings or the
points which the study is aiming to prove.
 It captures the problem or aim of the
paper, the method used, and the result or
findings.
 Key words are mentioned at the end of the
abstract for reference, while the title is
found at the top portion.

19. 2. Body of Report
a. Introduction.
 This puts the study within context so
that readers can better understand
the need for the study.
 This contains the background of the
problem, the problem, the objectives,
significance of the study, and the scope
and limitations of the study.

20. 2. Body of Report
b. Literature Review.
 A comprehensive run down
of the important research
documents and materials
that is in the report itself.

21. 2. Body of Report
c. Methodology.
 Is the chronological
statement of the methods
used in order to solve the
problem of the thesis
topic.

22. 2. Body of Report
d. Result.
 This is the final outcome of the
methodology. This area
describes in detail the
researcher’s discoveries after
the research or
experimentation.

23. 2. Body of Report
e. Discussion. The research
discusses how it is pertinent
to the original topic and
answers the research
questions based on the
results found.

24. 2. Body of Report
f.Conclusion. A
cohesive summary
of all the findings
and results.

25. 3. Supplementary Material
a. Reference or Bibliography.
 All books, journals, websites,
academic papers, and all other
research media that the
researcher has used must be
cited here.

26. 3. Supplementary Material
b. Appendices (Glossary).
 It provides more
supplementary information,
often a glossary of terms
used throughout the report.

27. Principles of Writing a Research Report
 Narrow the topic – it must not be too broad.
 Make sure that the topic is timely and
interesting.
 Define the scope and limitations of the study.
 Gather information related to the topic.
 Consult experts on the topic.
 Revise the paper for factual, conceptual,
grammatical, and typographical errors.

28. 4. Project Proposal
Is an academic paper
that proposes a
particular experiment,
project, or research
topic for methodology.

29. Parts of Project Proposal
1. Introduction
This is one- to two- paragraph
description of the project. It
should start with a sentence of
motivation that describes why
this project should be in
consideration to begin with.

30. Parts of Project Proposal
2. Motivation
This section must
describe the motivation
of the project with more
elaboration.

31. Parts of Project Proposal
3. Project Summary
This section should be a
paragraph summarizing the
project itself and what to do
during its course. It should be a
generalized summary of the
project.

32. Parts of Project Proposal
4. Project Details
a. The environment
b. The issues and challenges
faced
c. Deliverables
d. Timeline

33. Parts of Project Proposal
5. Conclusion
Summarize the entire
proposal.
Add some emphasis on why
this is a good idea and why is it
a viable project to approve.

34. Parts of Project Proposal
6. Reference
Cited sources from which
the researcher has drawn
background studies from
making the project
proposal.

35. 5. Position Paper
A formal paper which depicts a
student/writer’s view point on a
particular topic of discussion.
This reveals a person or organization’s
stand about a pressing concern or issue.
This is a effective tool which allows
writers to solidify their stand on real
life scenarios and issues.

36. Steps in Making a Position paper
1. Make your outline
2.Identify and describe
your affiliations.
3.Propose solutions.
4.Cover all the bases.