PRED 154 Academic Writing

Overview Academic Writing As a Genre Argument Structure Writing Reaction Papers

General Rules for Academic Writing Write to express your ideas, not to impress. Avoid informal language long sentences sexist language abbreviations and acronyms active – passive language

Writing Paragraphs A paragraph deals with just one topic or major point of argument in an extended piece. Structure of a paragraph Topic Sentence Supporting Sentences Closing Sentence Never write one or two-sentence paragraphs

Sample Paragraph There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

Sample Paragraph Homework has been a important topic of debate in education, and attitudes toward it have been cyclical (Gill & Schlossman, 2000). Throughout the first few decades of the 20th century, educators commonly believed that homework helped create disciplined minds. By 1940, growing concern that homework interfered with other home activities sparked a reaction against it. This trend was reversed in the late 1950s when the Soviets' launch of Sputnik satellite led to concern that U.S. education lacked rigor; schools viewed more rigorous homework as a partial solution to the problem. By 1980, the trend had reversed again, with some learning theorists claiming that homework could be detrimental to students' mental health. Since then, impassioned arguments for and against homework have continued to proliferate. Marzano, R. Pickering, D. (2007). Special topic/The case for and against homework. Educational Leadership. 64, 6. pp. 74-79.

Argument Academic writing should present the reader with an informed argument Claim: A statement that you are asking the other person to accept. Data: The basis of real persuasion and is made up of data and hard facts, plus the reasoning behind the claim. Warrant: link between data and claim, legitimizing the claim by showing the grounds to be relevant.

Basic Argument Claim: You should buy our tooth-whitening product. Data: Studies show that teeth are 50% whiter after using the product for a specified time. Warrant: People want whiter teeth.

Write a basic argument containing Claim Data Warrant You have 3 minutes to do this on your own. When finished, exchange your argument with the person next to you.

Complex Argument Qualifier: strenght of the claim Drinking coffee is the most significant cause (although perhaps not the only cause) of stained teeth. Rebuttal: exception to the claim Coffee is the major cause of stained teeth except for those coffee drinkers who drink the special non-teeth staining coffee. Backing: support for warrant Whiter teeth will be more socially pleasing than stained teeth.

Complex Argument Structure

Complex Argument Government should ban animal research (1) except for the medical research (2) because a law to ban all research would have detrimental effect (3). Animals are tortured in experiments that have no necessary benefit for humans such as the testing of cosmetics (4). The well being of animals is more important than the profits of the cosmetics industry (5). Claim: 1 Warrant: 5 Data/Evidence: 4 Qualifier: 2 Rebuttal: 3 Backing:?

Paper Structure Introduction Main Body Conclusion general statements about the subject a definition of terms in the context explanation of purpose of writing outline of the writing Main Body Paragraphs Illustrations, examples, arguments and counter arguments paragraphs are linked and logically flowing Conclusion recall the issues raised bring the points made in the main body together

Writing Reaction Paper CLARITY and PURPOSE ORGANIZATION, COHERENCE, and DEVELOPMENT ORIGINALITY and ENGAGEMENT APPROPRIATE SUPPORT PROPER EDITING

Writing a Reaction Paper Do not just summarize the texts. Do not have to cover everything text talks about Do your best to characterize text’s arguments Evaluate the evidence that text presents: point out strengths and weaknesses Include your own voice by weighing arguments, evaluating evidence, and raising critical questions. If writing a response for group of texts How do they relate to one another? Do the authors agree? Disagree? Address different aspects of an issue?

Preparing to write Do not wait until deadline. Develop an outline or concept map of your ideas and argument. Develop each paragraph and your overall paper with logical flow. Try to write your main body and conclusion before the introduction. Work with drafts.

Submitting a Written Work Follow the rules given for a paper. Check your punctuation, spelling and grammar. Make sure that each sentence makes sense. Write in argumentative style. Read your work again before submitting.

Assignment for next week Write 1000 word reaction paper to list of sources you found and post it as on moodle. Make sure to include your refence list Follow the rules of in text citation.