Academic Writing Webinar: Session 2
On February 15, 2021, the Women's Scientific Research Committee of the Bachelor of Arts in English program held the second session of a series of webinars on academic writing, presented by Dr. Nada Al-Qarni.
In her address, Dr. Al-Qarni highlighted a common pitfall in academic writing: the tendency of authors to scatter references throughout their work without thoughtfully integrating them into the broader themes and theoretical constructs. She suggested that an effective starting point is to place the research topic in a historical context and identify landmark studies in the field. This approach allows authors to establish a framework for their research and differentiate their work from existing studies. Dr. Al-Qarni asserted that the literature review should encapsulate the key concepts, variables, and findings of the research paper.
She went on to outline the steps authors should follow in writing a literature review. Firstly, they need to find relevant information and studies pertaining to their topic. Secondly, these studies should be summarized – organized and evaluated – outlining who discovered what, when, and how this has contributed to the evolution of the topic. Finally, the literature review should conclude by addressing knowledge gaps identified by the author, explaining how their research will fill these lacunae.
Dr. Al-Qarni underscored the importance of correctly citing works in a research paper. She recommended that authors apply a mental test every time they reference a work or include a quote. This test comprises questioning whether the reference contributes to the development of the theory, how it fits into the overall research narrative, and how it pertains to the research questions. She then discussed the rules of citation tense, explaining that a shift from past to present perfect, then to present tense, signals an increasing proximity between the writer and the researchers cited. Dr. Al-Qarni further elucidated ways of providing an overview of past-to-present literature, reporting on specific authors' contributions, and underlining the limitations of prior studies, all reinforced with practical examples.
The webinar was well-attended by MA and Ph.D. students and faculty members, who all recognized the value of the insights shared. The session was characterized by its informative content and high level of engagement from the participants.
