Academic Writing for International Students of Business

(a) ___

(b) ___

(c) ___

(d) ___

(e) ___

Building on generalisations

Most essays move from the general to the specific, as a generalisation has to be supported and
developed. For example, an essay with the title ‘The impact of globalisation on the Chinese
economy’ might develop in this way:

2.8:Generalisations 123

Generalisation Support Development > Specific

Since the mid-

twentieth century,

there has been a

remarkable increase

in international

trade.

The reasons for this are a

combination of

international agreements

such as GATT, better

transport and improved

communications.

China has played a significant

part in the process, with its

international trade growing by

16 times in just 20 years, while

its GDP increased by nearly 10%

per year.

Three patterns for developing entrepreneurial powerhouses have been identified.

The first is where a major company stimulates the growth of surrounding smaller

firms. Another can occur when a recession creates widespread redundancy among

skilled workers, who use their knowledge to create a cluster of new businesses.

Finally, a successful local businessman or woman may build an enterprise that

creates opportunities for others.

But two other ingredients can affect results: chance and culture. If the culture is filled

with barriers to business development, the more enterprising are likely to take

their ideas somewhere more suitable, as many Indians did in the 1960s and 70s.

 Choose a title from the list below, write a generalisation, and then support and
develop it in the same way.

(a) People are often positively disposed to their own country’s products – discuss.

(b) To what extent has management theory made space for gender?

(c) Evaluate the contribution of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to the economy.

(d) Compare and contrast the challenges facing big business groups in China, Japan
and South Korea.

 See Unit 1.10 Introductions and Conclusions