What are some of the main language points that need to be considered when using reporting verbs?

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 498.

• The structure of sentences when using reporting verbs can vary, and can be flexible; for example:

e.g. Jones (1999) argues, in his study of thermodynamics, that...

As Jones (1999) argues in his study of thermodynamics,...

In his study of thermodynamics, Jones (1999) argues that...

• It is possible (and often quite attractive stylistically) to invert the subject and verb when reporting:

e.g. Thermodynamics, Jones (1999) argues, is.

• Reporting the work of others often needs an extra sentence introduction or 'lead-in':

e.g. In considering Smith's discussion on thermodynamics, Jones (1999)

argues that

• It is important to remember to put the final 's' on the verb when the subject is 'he/she'.
• Very often, in academic writing, reporting takes place in the present tense, as in the examples above;this isbecause of the need to bring past research into the present moment.
• If you have used the verb 'said' very often in your writing, try to replace this with something more descriptive and precise. BUT NOTE: the tendency to use variety in verbs of speech is greater in the literature review - when reporting qualitative data such as interviews, we tend to use a more restricted and prosaic range of verbs: e.g. 'said' or 'stated'. This probably derives from the need to avoid imposing an interpretation on interviewees' comments at the data analysis stage.
• The words 'mention' or 'reckon' are informal and are often best replaced with a more formal equivalent.
• Other informal verbs of saying that are best avoided in academic writing are: 'come up with', 'guess', etc.

As regards referencing, it is usually best to put the year of publication straight after the name used, before going on with the sentence. The page reference can then be placed at the end of the sentence.

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/al/learning_english/leap/grammar/reportingverbs/

2 Summarize the text ‘What is Lifelong Learning?', using the reporting verbs.