Question

People always feel headache about academic writing.Jennifer Ahern-Dodson provides some suggestions with some students and teachers.She asks about their earlier writing experiences.Were they negative or positive?She advises that you are not alone if you have had problems with your writing.She says everyone struggles with writing.

“Writing is hard.All writers struggle at some point.And even if writing has come easily for you,at some point in your work as a student,that eventually you’re going to hit a roadblock.So it’s really important to take a moment to think about their past writing experiences.And when the writing was going well,what was happening?When the writing wasn’t going well,what was happening?”

She says most people’s negative writing experiences happened because a very specific formula is required for a paper including an exact length.”And so they primarily focus on,and worry about,what the final product has to look like,like how many pages for a research essay?Or if it is in the second or third language,you know,punctuation and grammar,like whether it gets communicated in the right language.

Another problem can arise when the need to do well on a paper is extremely important.“...like a timed essay exam,or a college application essay,or a research paper that is at the end of the semester,and it’s tied to the entire grade for the class.So worrying about what will happen if they don’t do well–get bad grades,don’t get into college–creates,of course,significant anxiety.And that can make it harder to get the writing done.”

Then she and the people she’s helping move to more positive projects.She says usually when writing comes easily,the writers feel they have something important to say.The teacher advises thinking about who your audience is,and what it is that you really want to say to them.

1.What does Jennifer Ahern-Dodson think of academic writing?

A. It is made up of past experiences. B. It has positive effects.

C. It is hard for everyone. D. It makes people think.

2.Which can best explain the underlined words“hit a roadblock”in Paragraph 2?

A. Have an accident. B. Meet into trouble.

C. Break some record. D. Graduate from school.

3.What can be the problem with academic writing?

A. Research subjects. B. Required styles.

C. A certain formula. D. Lack of patience.

4.According to Jennifer,how can we improve writing?

A. By stopping worrying. B. By thinking positively.

C. By focusing on the subject. D. By thinking about audience.

Answer 1