Organizing and Developing Your Draft of the Big Paper

The style of your paper should be an inductive argument Induction draws conclusions based on examination of the evidence, so it shows your critical thinking at work. Induction draws conclusions based on examination of the evidence, so it shows your critical thinking at work. Starts with a question, not a thesis statement Starts with a question, not a thesis statement Evidence is laid out clearly and alternatives are considered according to clear criteria before a conclusion is reached or an action is recommended. Evidence is laid out clearly and alternatives are considered according to clear criteria before a conclusion is reached or an action is recommended.

Development The introduction should probably be less than 10% of your overall length The introduction should probably be less than 10% of your overall length The conclusion (with your specific recommendation) might be 10%- 20% of the length The conclusion (with your specific recommendation) might be 10%- 20% of the length That means that most of the length of the paper goes into helping readers understand the concepts and assumptions of the Q at I, the implications of various actions, and your rationale for recommending a specific course of action. That means that most of the length of the paper goes into helping readers understand the concepts and assumptions of the Q at I, the implications of various actions, and your rationale for recommending a specific course of action.

Remember that you are making a pitch. There must be a specific point you are trying to sell to your readers. Remember that you are making a pitch. There must be a specific point you are trying to sell to your readers. The answer to your Q at I should be “you need to do X (and Y),” not “this is a big problem and we need to do something about it.” The answer to your Q at I should be “you need to do X (and Y),” not “this is a big problem and we need to do something about it.” Remember that you are trying to persuade specific and knowledgeable readers, so make sure a heavy preponderance of your information is from peer-reviewed or disciplinarily-acceptable sources! (Again, a specific audience helps you know what these are!) Remember that you are trying to persuade specific and knowledgeable readers, so make sure a heavy preponderance of your information is from peer-reviewed or disciplinarily-acceptable sources! (Again, a specific audience helps you know what these are!)

The Introduction This will include CONTEXT, perhaps some F&P CONCEPTS, and a statement of the Q at I. This will include CONTEXT, perhaps some F&P CONCEPTS, and a statement of the Q at I. It needs to set up the CLAIMS you will question as the major part of your analysis of the situation and the ASSUMPTIONS that you are making as propositions in support of your solution. Again, see WA p. 180 ff. It needs to set up the CLAIMS you will question as the major part of your analysis of the situation and the ASSUMPTIONS that you are making as propositions in support of your solution. Again, see WA p. 180 ff.

In the Body Here you need to explore the ASSUMPTIONS surrounding your (and the experts’) thinking on the Q at I. Here you need to explore the ASSUMPTIONS surrounding your (and the experts’) thinking on the Q at I. Use INFORMATION here—Always make sure that you introduce each source with a signal phrase (PH p. 363, 6 th ed, or p. 399, 7 th ed) and that after you finish using the source, you put a documentation indicator. Use INFORMATION here—Always make sure that you introduce each source with a signal phrase (PH p. 363, 6 th ed, or p. 399, 7 th ed) and that after you finish using the source, you put a documentation indicator. Signal phrases should contribute to your ETHOS by giving evaluative cues.(See The Correct Use of Borrowed Information.) Signal phrases should contribute to your ETHOS by giving evaluative cues.(See The Correct Use of Borrowed Information.)The Correct Use of Borrowed Information.)The Correct Use of Borrowed Information.) Then EXPLAIN/ ANALYZE/WORK WITH the source! Be the lawyer—tell us what this source’s evidence means to your case! You will probably need to discuss more CONCEPTS here. Then EXPLAIN/ ANALYZE/WORK WITH the source! Be the lawyer—tell us what this source’s evidence means to your case! You will probably need to discuss more CONCEPTS here. Remember SEE-IT! You’re going for scuba depth here; don’t just snorkel! Remember SEE-IT! You’re going for scuba depth here; don’t just snorkel!

Once you have laid out the problem, You need to look at ALTERNATIVES. Look at the IMPLICATIONS and CONSEQUENCES of possible solutions to the problem you are focusing on. Set them out in an order that’s discernible to readers— use WA 171 ff. and think about what they will expect (most to least obvious, first to last proposed, cheapest to most expensive, whatever). Think about chs. 3-6 of Wilson in terms of how ideas can be sequenced. You need to look at ALTERNATIVES. Look at the IMPLICATIONS and CONSEQUENCES of possible solutions to the problem you are focusing on. Set them out in an order that’s discernible to readers— use WA 171 ff. and think about what they will expect (most to least obvious, first to last proposed, cheapest to most expensive, whatever). Think about chs. 3-6 of Wilson in terms of how ideas can be sequenced. Weigh the PROS and CONS for your readers to see. Show your thinking. Weigh the PROS and CONS for your readers to see. Show your thinking. Again, use INFORMATION in this section to support your analysis. Again, use INFORMATION in this section to support your analysis. Scuba, not skimming or snorkeling! Scuba, not skimming or snorkeling!

Finally, you should look at the SOLUTIONS to the problem. There may be more than one good or plausible solution, and you will need, eventually, to RECOMMEND one. That means that your conclusion must state the answer to your Q at I and really enforce your pitch. the SOLUTIONS to the problem. There may be more than one good or plausible solution, and you will need, eventually, to RECOMMEND one. That means that your conclusion must state the answer to your Q at I and really enforce your pitch. Make sure that your readers understand the rationale for your choice. Make sure that your readers understand the rationale for your choice. Remember: This is not CSI: CRTW, so no surprises in the conclusion: everything here should be set up earlier in the paper. Remember: This is not CSI: CRTW, so no surprises in the conclusion: everything here should be set up earlier in the paper.

Documentation All sources used—quotes, paraphrases, summaries, passing references—must be documented. All sources used—quotes, paraphrases, summaries, passing references—must be documented. Documentation MUST include Documentation MUST include A signal phrase to show where use begins A signal phrase to show where use begins A parenthetical citation to show where use ends A parenthetical citation to show where use ends A retrieval citation in the Works Cited listing A retrieval citation in the Works Cited listing MLA form is expected unless you clear use of another form with me in advance. MLA form is expected unless you clear use of another form with me in advance.

Use the New MLA forms in your Works Cited. Find them at ource/747/01/. Use the New MLA forms in your Works Cited. Find them at ource/747/01/. ource/747/01/ ource/747/01/ Always ask me BEFORE you turn something in if you’re not sure about your documentation! Always ask me BEFORE you turn something in if you’re not sure about your documentation!

Turning the paper in Upload to Upload to Turn in one hard copy to my office by 5 pm on Reading Day! Turn in one hard copy to my office by 5 pm on Reading Day! No extensions…I will barely be able to get these all checked by the exam. No extensions…I will barely be able to get these all checked by the exam. Revisions are RARELY permitted—at my discretion. Revisions are RARELY permitted—at my discretion.