Writing Logically. Doublets or Word Ladders Change MORE into LESS one letter at a time. – MORE –...

Writing Logically

Doublets or Word Ladders

• Change MORE into LESS one letter at a time.

– MORE– – – – LESS

Sequential Arguments

• Statement of position

• Expansion of statement of position

• Expansion of expansion

• Expansion of previous expansion

• And so on …

• Leading to conclusion


Society is becoming more diverse. The percentage of the American population represented by non-English speakers increases yearly. The largest group within non-English speakers is Hispanic. Most of the Hispanic immigrants are arriving from Central and South America. A substantial impact on American diversity is represented by individuals who have arrived from Central or South America.

Sequential Arguments (Word Ladder)

1. Societal diversity

2. Diversity–Non-English speakers

3. Diversity–Non-English–Hispanic

4. Diversity–Non-English—Hispanic–Immigrants

5. Diversity–Non-English—Hispanic–Immigrants–From Central and South America

Creswell (hook and eye)• Read Creswell on Writing

Creswell (hook and eye)• Society is becoming more diverse.• The percentage of the American population

represented by non-English speakers increases yearly.• The largest group within non-English speakers is

Hispanic.• Most of the Hispanic immigrants are arriving from

Central and South America• A substantial impact on American diversity is

represented by individuals who have arrived from Central or South America.

Writing an Introduction

Designing and Reporting Educational Research

• What do you want to know?

• What do others know already?

• How will you gather information?

• What information was gathered?

• What does it mean?

• References

Chpt 1

Chpt 2

Chpt 3

Chpt 4

Chpt 5

(3-4)

(10)

(3-4)

(4-6)

(3-4)

20/30

Chapter 1: Introduction

• What do you want to know?• What is the research question precisely?• What is the logical argument that leads to

the need to ask this question?– Context– Theoretical constructs

• How can you expand these points into readable prose?

Writing an Introduction

• Develop a problem statement – Follow the rules for problem statements

– Discuss this with a mentor before you go very far

• Develop a logical argument that leads to the problem statement– This should have about 4 or 5 steps in it

• Write a paragraph or two that expands on each point of your argument


• Statement of position

• Expansion of statement of position

• Expansion of expansion

• Expansion of previous expansion

• And so on …

• Leading to the conclusion

In an introduction the conclusion is that the problem stated needs to be studied.

• Read Brown and Walberg up to the Methods section

Brown and Walberg Example

• The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of experimentally manipulated motivational conditions on elementary students’ mathematical scores.

• Summarize the topic of each paragraph preceding the problem statement.

Brown and WalbergLogical Argument by Paragraph

1. Everybody is concerned that US students don’t do well on standardized tests. This may be due to motivation.

2. Too much motivation or not enough may make students not do well.

3. The research is unclear. Therefore the purpose of this study is…

For instance,if the problem statement was…

• The purpose of the present study is to examine the impact of reading circles on story comprehension.

• You would need to explain why this is an important study to do.

• Readers will want to see a strong, logical argument to make this case.

Logical Argument

• Much effort is being focused nationally on the improvement of reading skills of all learners.

• Although the majority of programs focus on direct instruction of reading skills, considerable evidence exists that students can improve their understanding of what they read by discussing it with peers.

• Formalizing the integration of this activity into direct reading instruction programs may improve reading comprehension.

• Reading circles are a promising strategy to this end.• Therefore the purpose of the present study is to examine the impact of

reading circles on story comprehension in direct instruction reading programs.

Notice that this is a single, straight-forward argument that is designed to make it apparent that the research question is a logical one to ask.

What to Write

• Then expand each point into readable prose (a couple of paragraphs).

• Often you will include a reference to the theoretical construct on which the work will be based.– This may be the only part of the introduction which

includes any citations although citations may appear elsewhere if appropriate.

– Don’t be tempted to do the literature review in the introduction.

Theoretical Construct

• Sufficient evidence exists that a construct (theory) is defensible.

• Usually attributable to a single author or group (a specific reference).

• Outlines the parameters of the issue.

• Outlines how the topic is usually investigated.

Logical Argument


• Although the majority of programs focus on direct instruction of reading skills considerable evidence exists that students can improve their understanding of what they read by discussing it with peers.


• Reading circles are a promising strategy to this end.• Therefore the purpose of the present study is to examine the impact of

reading circles on story comprehension in direct instruction reading programs.

Where is the discussion of the theoretical construct likely to go in our argument?

Palincsar, A. S., Brown, A. L., & Martin, S. M. (1987). Peer interaction in reading comprehension instruction. Educational Psychologist, 22(3-4), 231–253.

Logical Argument


• Although the majority of programs focus on direct instruction of reading skills considerable evidence exists that students can improve their understanding of what they read by discussing it with peers (Palincsar, Brown, & Martin, 1987).


• Reading circles are a promising strategy to this end.

• Therefore the purpose of the present study is to examine the impact of reading circles on story comprehension in direct instruction reading programs.


Swanson, H. L. (1999). Instructional components that predict treatment outcomes for students with learning disabilities: Support for a combined strategy and direct instruction model. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 14(3), 129–140.

Logical Argument


• Although the majority of programs focus on direct instruction of reading skills considerable evidence exists that students can improve their understanding of what they read by discussing it with peers (Palincsar, Brown, & Martin, 1987).

• Formalizing the integration of this activity into direct reading instruction programs (Swanson, 1999) may improve reading comprehension.

• Reading circles are a promising strategy to this end.

• Therefore the purpose of the present study is to examine the impact of reading circles on story comprehension in direct instruction reading programs.


What to Write

• Then expand each point into readable prose.

• Things that may be included might be:– Some discussion of the context of the study if you

are making the case that this context is unique.– Descriptions of specific events or news that

impact your topic.– Descriptions of specific problems you are having

that need to be addressed.

This is how you do this …

• Write down your problem statement

• Start thinking about why this is a good question to ask

• Make an outline of an argument that you think would convince a reader that you are asking a good question

• Take your outline and turn each bullet point into a paragraph or two.

By the end of the period …

• Send me ([email protected]) a draft of a problem statement and the outline of your argument.

• Remember you are trying to develop a linear argument where each point grows comfortably from the previous point.

Writing Logically. Doublets or Word Ladders Change MORE into LESS one letter at a time. – MORE –...

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