Week 6: Research Paper 1.01

research paper 101 [tips for a successful assignment]

+ plan ahead [be strategic]

+ simplify [be specific]

+ maximise your resources [tutor, library, notes, time, etc.]

Basic elements of a research paper

+ introduction [thesis statement]

+ body of essay

+ illustrations

+ conclusion

+ bibliography [references—sources cited in essay]

plan ahead [be strategic]


+ introduction [thesis statement]

›  gains the reader’s a.en/on ›  provides brief background material about the meaning, context & significance of the topic

›  includes defini/ons of keywords if necessary ›  iden/fies the 'gap', problem or issue outlined in the ques/on ›  gives the reader some understanding of the order in which the ideas in the essay will be presented

›  clearly iden/fies the author's point of view in a thesis statement

›  300 – 500 words [max]



+ the body of an essay

›  your argument is developed through paragraphs ›  each paragraph should contain only one main idea, as stated by the topic sentence

›  each paragraph supports the main idea by explaining the issue, and providing evidence e.g. quotes, sta/s/cs, facts, examples, case studies

›  decide how many points you wish to make and in what order ›  link the paragraphs together ›  make sure paragraphs follow in logical sequence [as promised in the Introduc/on] so that the essay flows towards the conclusion.

›  two or three case studies: 400 -‐ 500 words each [1200-‐1500 words max]



+ illustrations

›  back to this in a moment [evidence]….



+ the conclusion

›  sum up your main points ›  /e these back to the thesis statement ›  avoid adding new material or using quotes ›  DO comment or make recommenda/ons ›  it is your opportunity to reassert your opinion ›  300 -‐ 500 words [max]


refining your argument [thesis statement]

+ have a unique point of view

+ an argument is an opinion (not a fact)

+ collect evidence to convince your reader

simplify [be specific]

building a convincing argument [research paper]

+ collect your evidence ›  quotes ›  supporting text, ideas ›  images: illustrations, photos, visualisations ›  other supporting data ???? [evidence will help convince your reader]



+ visual evidence [photos, graphs, illustrations, renderings, visualisations, etc.]


when and how to include illustrations

+ if the image supports, illustrates, or advances your argument

+ If it illustrates something specifically addressed in your writing

+ always describe the image or illustration

+ describe what is it that you want your reader to “see” [let your reader know why the image is important]

+ locate your illustration with in-text reference, e.g. (Figure 1) or (Figures 1, 2)



+ textual evidence [direct quote, primary source, secondary source, other written materials] "It would seem that more than function itself, simplicity is the deciding factor in the aesthetic equation. One might call the process beauty through function and simplification.” (Lowey, 2000, p.127).



+ textual evidence [direct quote, primary source, secondary source, other written materials] “The futuristic stands the modernist dictum of ‘form follows function’ on its head: form does not follow function, form pretends to follow function but is actually an aesthetic end in itself, a decorative feature that ostentatiously proposes itself as a useful one.” (Harris, 2000, p.163).



+ when to use quotes ›  support your own (original) argument

›  when the quoted author’s words are unique to such a degree that meaning is lost in paraphrasing

›  always introduce or contextualize your quote--never include a quote without reference to author or original context

›  do not use quotes for long passages of historical or otherwise unremarkable information or data

›  use “” on either side of the quote followed by a citation



+ a convincing argument needs “proof”

+ readers expect to be convinced with MORE than opinions

+ the better your evidence, the better [and more interesting your paper] will be

maximise your resources

When to use citations

+ when you are paraphrasing an author’s ideas, concepts, or words

+ if you are using factual information from another source

+ when you are directly quoting a source--any source

+ when in doubt--cite your source!!!


in-text citations in APA style http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/



+ IDENTIFY: Who, what, where, when

+ CONTEXTUALIZE your evidence

+ ALWAYS, always cite your sources


final reminders

+ be specific – as much as possible [always]

+ define all new terminology—introduce all new people

+ make sure your evidence supports/expands your argument

+ a simple, well-written, logical argument is always better than a complicated/confused claim

+ read your paper carefully: do you understand and believe your argument and evidence?


Documents

Week 6: Research Paper 1.01