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Writing Across the Disciplines

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Organizing your paper

Title Introduction

Thesis statement/hypothesis

Body Paragraphs Constructing Topic Sentences Building Main Points In an argument, countering the opposition

Conclusion

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Analyzing the question (examples on page 56 of your binder)

Read the essay question carefully

Underline the key words and check their meaning

Highlight the action words

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An example would be an assignment that asks you to choose a topic to analyze. You are also required to explain your topic using a specific example. You have chosen to write your paper on civil disobedience.

What it means Analyze (the action word) asks for a definition. It also requires you to

examine the following elements: who uses it, for what purpose, what are its effects, what are its consequences.

Examples which illustrate the concept of civil disobedience could include:

1950’s fight against McCarthyism1960’s struggle against South African Apartheid1970’s anti-war activists (Vietnam)Ghandi and India’s independenceMartin Luther King and the integration of African Americans

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Different Types of Action Words Information words – ask you to demonstrate what you

know about a subject (5Ws). Words like define, explain, illustrate, summarize, trace, research

Relation words – ask you to demonstrate how thing are connected. Words like compare, contrast, apply, cause, relate

Interpretation words – ask you to defend ideas of your own about a subject (opinion needs to be supported by concrete evidence. Words like assess, prove, justify, evaluate, respond,

support, synthesize, analyze, argue

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Choosing a topic

If you are having difficulty choosing a topic, make an appointment to speak with the professor.

Brainstorm - write down the various aspects of the topic you know about from lectures, general knowledge etc.

choose a topic that interests you

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Locate/evaluate resources When I begin my research on civil disobedience, I find

that there is too much information on this topic so I will need to narrow it down. I will need to focus on one specific area of the topic to study.

How do I accomplish that?

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Possible ways to narrow down a topic

1.Geographically

2.Demographically

3.Time Period

4. Journalistic Approach (5Ws)

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The processExample topic: Civil Disobedience

1.Civil disobedience in the 20th century

2. Civil disobedience in 20th Century Canadian society

3. Civil disobedience and First Nations in 20th Century Canadian Society

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A thesis statement is usually a single sentence - summarizing the fundamental argument of an essay or report. Typically, the thesis statement will appear near the end of your introductory paragraph. Thesis frequently answers the questions What is the subject of this essay? What is the writer’s opinion on this subject? Does my thesis pass the ‘so what?' test? Does my thesis pass the ‘how’ or ‘why’ test?

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A good thesis statement Must make an arguable assertion.For example: Heavy use of computers may disrupt family cohesion

and increase divorce in society. (arguable because some people would not believe it).

TIP: To test whether your assertion is arguable, ask yourself whether it would be possible to argue the opposite. (if not, then it is a statement of fact, not a thesis).

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A Good Thesis Statement also: Justifies discussion of the topic Expresses one main idea Contains specific, defining language Make a judgment about something or

Offer a solution /recommendation or

Explain something

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A winning thesis includes:

1. a narrow topic (who, what, where, when and why) 2. a specific purpose or point of view (so what) For example: Honesty is not always the best

policy. Lying is harmful when it betrays trust or undermines the liar’s self image; however, telling a lie can benefit others if it serves a higher order value than honesty

3. is strongest when it is one or two sentence with two parts. For example: Drug addiction leads to social withdrawal, self alienation and disdain for the future.

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What’s wrong with these thesis statements?

Experts estimate that half of crack babies will grow up in home environments lacking rich cognitive and emotional stimulation.

Companies need to exploit the marketing potential of the Internet, and web pages can provide both advertising and customer support.

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Which of these thesis statements is good?Why?

Pierre Elliott Trudeau was a great Prime MinisterRoad rage causes numerous negative effects on our highways including death, injury and damage to personal property.A successful relationship requires trust, respect and good communication.World hunger has many causes and effects.

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The thesis statement A strong thesis statement for an essay on civil

disobedience and First Nations would be:

First Nations Canadians have used civil disobedience as a vehicle to educate the public about the issues facing them, as well as a means of forcing the government to settle outstanding land claims.

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Method for Constructing an Introduction Provide a hook; a hook is a statement or two that begins

the introduction. It engages the reader’s attention and stimulates curiosity.

Provide background information. Include a general statement or statements that give a broader picture of the subject matter to be discussed.

Thesis statement.

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Methods for Constructing an Introduction’s Hook personal anecdote

- My first experience of racism in high school was when….

statistics

- In the 2003 Ipsos-Reid survey commissioned by the Canadian Centre for Research, 74 percent of respondents expressed the view that there is still considerable racism in Canada.

Think about the course and your professor’s guidelines

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Methods for Constructing an Introduction’s Hook example-real or hypothetical

A new school nutritionist changes the diet at the local elementary school. As a result, average height starts increasing. The changes are seen mostly in 4th and 5th grade.

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Methods for Constructing an Introduction’s Hook Question with a possible answer

- What if you were to wake up in the morning and have no memory of the past? How would you function? Would you even know who you were? More and more Canadians are finding themselves suffering from memory loss, some of it quite fast and without warning.

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Methods for Constructing an Introduction’s Hook Quotation

“You’ve come a long way baby.”. Cigarette advertisers targeted females with this slogan. Virginia Slims was

advertised as a “women’s only” cigarette. Phony sepia-toned photos, picturing the sorry lot of a circa 1900's woman, were juxtaposed against color photographs of a far happier modern woman wearing stylish contemporary clothing.

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Methods for Constructing an Introduction’s Hook striking image- He pounds down the court, ball in hands. Deftly

sidestepping every obstacle in his path, he barrels toward the net…. Michael Jordan….

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The Funnel Method of Introduction

The most common academic technique:

In life, people pass through different phases. They are borninto a family, and then they grow up and reach puberty. Afterpuberty, they are considered adults. At this time, the socialburden on people become heavier, and new responsibilitiesare added to a person’s burden. Graduating from a gooduniversity, finding a job, getting married and having childrenare some of these expectations. Most people consider theseexpectations, especially having children, reasonable and seethem as sources of happiness . However, that children are far away from beingthe ultimate bliss in our lives; on the contrary, they bring about more responsibilities and restrictions.

From the General to the Specific

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The Turning an Argument on its Head Introduction- Canadian children are exposed to and take part in competitive sports

starting at a very early age. By participating in such sports as football, tennis, and basketball, proponents (sources) claim, children learn the skills necessary to survive in today’s fiercely competitive world. Recent studies (sources), however, have demonstrated how damaging competitive sports really are to the overall psychological development of children.

In an argument paper begin with a sentence or two that presents a point of view totally opposed to what you really want to say.

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Paragraphs and Topic Sentences

Paragraphs build on the claims made in the introductory paragraph(s)

Topic sentences illustrate the main idea of each paragraph.

Offering a brief explanation of the history or recent developments in your topic within the early body paragraphs can help the audience to become familiarized with your topic and the complexity of the issue.

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Paragraphs

Paragraphs may be ordered in several ways, depending upon the topic and purpose of your argument: General to specific information Most important point to least

important point Weakest claim to strongest claim

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Paragraph Structure

Is a three part structure consisting of an :

Introduction – includes the topic sentence Body – discusses the main idea of the

paragraph using research Conclusion – summarizes the connections

between the main idea and the information discussed in the body

(http://www.indiana.edu/`wts/pamphlets/paragraphs.shtml

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Topic Sentences States the main idea of your paragraph Organizes the paragraph – after stating the

main idea, the paragraph then expands on it, describes it or proves it.

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Expanding on a main idea Techniques: 1. illustrate your ideas with examples 2. give an authoritative quotation 3. anticipate and respond to counterarguments 4. back your ideas with more evidence 5. offer another perspective to the idea 6. brainstorm more insights about the idea 7. elaborate on causes/effects, definitions,

comparisons/contrasts

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Offering a Counterargument Addressing the claims of the opposition is an

important component in building a convincing argument.

Raising a counterargument and then refuting it demonstrates knowledge about the subject and an awareness of the different components of the issue.

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Offering a Counterargument

Counterarguments may be located at various locations within your body paragraphs.

You may choose to build each of your main points as a contrast

to oppositional claims. offer a counterargument after you have

articulated your main claims.

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Counterarguing effectively

Consider your audience when you offer your counterargument.

Conceding to some of your opposition’s concerns can demonstrate respect for their opinions.

Remain tactful yet firm. Using rude or deprecating

language can cause your audience to reject your position without carefully considering your claims.

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Incorporating research into the body paragraphs

Researched material can aid you in proving the claims of your argument and disproving oppositional claims.

Be sure to use your research to support the claims made in your topic sentences--make your research work to prove your argument!

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Incorporating Research into your Paper Use summaries, paraphrases and quotations

to help weave your voice and your research together.

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Summary Reduces the passage by 50 to 75 percent. Clearly identifies the source in the first sentence of the

summary. Uses synonyms to replace major words that are not

generic.

Summary Techniques

1.After reading the piece, list the most important points on a sheet of paper (keep the sequence of the original).

2. Reread the piece

3. Put the original away and using your list, write a short version in your own words.

http://www.uhv.edu/ac/research/write/paraphrase.asp

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Paraphrase Restate an original passage by rewording and using

different sentence patterns. Paraphrase ONLY for the following reasons:

1. To emphasize important ideas.

2. To clarify a difficult passage.

3. To combine details.

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Paraphrasing Techniques1.Understand the meaning of the passage (use a dictionary if

necessary)

2.Divide the passage into smaller sections (include all important ideas)

3.Restate the information –

- replace as many words as possible with synonyms but

remember that words often have more than one meaning so,

consider the context in which the word is used.

(Dictionary may be better than a Thesaurus).

4. Change the structure of the sentence.

http://www.uhv.edu/ac/research/write/paraphrase.asp

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When to use Quotations

To present technical words for which there is no accurate paraphrase.

To avoid any doubt about the accuracy of a surprising statement or evidence.

To capture the flavor of the original. To avoid an awkward or wordy paraphrase. To enhance your credibility as a writer.

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Using Quotations – But How? Use a signal phrase to precede the quotation and

introduce the speaker as: According to William Shakespeare… A study by Mahmoud Aziz… Others, like Hemingway, believe….

Avoid weak phrases like: A study revealed…, Experts say…., It is believed… In my opinion… I feel…..

Page 126 in your binder gives more examples

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Conclusion -- The Big Finale

Your conclusion should reemphasize the main points made in your paper.

You may choose to reiterate a call to action or speculate on the future of your topic, when appropriate.

Avoid raising new claims in your conclusion.

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Organizing your argument

Title Introduction Body Paragraphs

Constructing Topic Sentences Building Main Points Countering the Opposition

Conclusion