120 likes | 199 Views
This guide covers the essentials of research paper writing, from drafting to final submission. It includes tips on logical arguments, avoiding plagiarism, appealing to the audience, and using visuals effectively.
E N D
Research Writing Moccia
Next Stage • Adraft (COMPLETE) is due the first day of class next week • Looking ahead: A final draft, along with all of the other required info – journal, etc. – is due the following week
5thGrader Rule Revised • An average 8th grader should be able to comprehend your essay and follow its argument/logic • “You don’t get it because you’re not smart.” • “You don’t get it because you’re not an expert in the field like me.” • Examples of bad logic that disguises poor writing
Plagiarism Review • What is the overarching rule concerning plagiarism? • Whenever you take ANYTHING from ANY source, you must cite it at the end of THAT sentence. • This includes direct quoting or taking of an idea.
Review Questions • What is direct plagiarism? • What is indirect plagiarism? • What is plagiarism of ideas? • What is paraphrasing? • What is the overarching rule for plagiarism? • If you were not able to answer ANY of the above questions in PERFECT detail, you may want to spend some time reviewing
Special Rule for Research Papers • If a paragraph is completely indebted to a source or sources, you may cite the source(s) at the very end of the paragraph; this signals to the reader that the entire paragraph isn’t the idea/research of the writer of the essay. • Example: • Sentence. Sentence. Sentence. Sentence. Sentence. Sentence. Sentence. Sentence. (Smith 110-5)
Don’t Overuse This Rule • Why? • For one, you could be cheating yourself by implying that ALL of the ideas in the paragraph aren’t yours • Also, this is potentially a falsification
Introductory Material • In research essays and longer works, you may need to take some time in the beginning of the essay to introduce material • Be sure to DEFINE YOUR TERMS
Appeal to Audience • Besides arguing your major point, you need to convince your reader that your topic and argument are interesting, important, and/or worthy of thought & time • How does one do this? • Through rhetoric
Logical Arguments • You need to appeal to facts, research, and data, and you need to do this in a logical and reasonable way • “Gut opinions” and “common sense” aren’t strong tools for research writing
Telling a Story • Humans like storytelling • If you can find a way to “tell a story” through your essay, this is a very good thing. • This doesn’t mean “story” in its most literal form
Graphs / Images • If you feel graphs or images can help your essay, then use them • They don’t count toward your page total