Writing a term paper Sigurd Allern, spring 2006

The Five Paragraph Essay 1) Introducing the reader to the topic. Make it clear and limited. Present your thesis and subtopics. 1) Introducing the reader to the topic. Make it clear and limited. Present your thesis and subtopics. 2-4: Restatements of the three supporting ideas presented in the first paragraph. Each of these is again supported by supporting sentences. Present your empirical evidence. 2-4: Restatements of the three supporting ideas presented in the first paragraph. Each of these is again supported by supporting sentences. Present your empirical evidence. 5: The summary paragraph: the last chance to convince the reader of the validity of the information presented. 5: The summary paragraph: the last chance to convince the reader of the validity of the information presented.

Sources Part of what you write will be based on other authors ideas, theories, arguments and data. Part of what you write will be based on other authors ideas, theories, arguments and data. Show where you have gout your inspiration and information through references. Show where you have gout your inspiration and information through references. References secure that the reader can identify your sources – and your own independent contribution. References secure that the reader can identify your sources – and your own independent contribution. Lacking or inadequate references can lead to suspicions and accusations of plagiarism. Lacking or inadequate references can lead to suspicions and accusations of plagiarism.

Plagiarism Plagiarism is to present other authors work as your own. Plagiarism is to present other authors work as your own. Plagiarism is regarded as cheating Plagiarism is regarded as cheating

References Name your source when you are quoting fro another text Name your source when you are quoting fro another text Name your source when you are paraphrasing; expressing in a shorter or different way what someone has said or written Name your source when you are paraphrasing; expressing in a shorter or different way what someone has said or written Name your source when you refer to something Name your source when you refer to something It is NOT necessary to name your source if you refer to something that is generally known and accepted (like: George W. Bush was re-elected president in the US..) It is NOT necessary to name your source if you refer to something that is generally known and accepted (like: George W. Bush was re-elected president in the US..)

Choose a reference system The Harvard system: based on author and year (give the authors name and year in the text, and all information about the book/article in alphabetic order in a separate reference list. The Harvard system: based on author and year (give the authors name and year in the text, and all information about the book/article in alphabetic order in a separate reference list. The Vancouver system: a number system. In the text give up a (serial) number, in the reference give the full information in the same order. The Vancouver system: a number system. In the text give up a (serial) number, in the reference give the full information in the same order.

Harvard style, special rules If a source has more than two authors, just refer to the first name and then write: & al. If a source has more than two authors, just refer to the first name and then write: & al. Several publications from one author from the same year are separated by a, b, c after the publication year Several publications from one author from the same year are separated by a, b, c after the publication year If you use secondary sources name your your source and refer to the quotation for the secondary source If you use secondary sources name your your source and refer to the quotation for the secondary source

Harvard, special rules (2) Quotations under two lines of written words can be quoted directly in your own text. Quotations under two lines of written words can be quoted directly in your own text. If you are quoting more than two lines of written words you can use the tab key to indent the quotation: If you are quoting more than two lines of written words you can use the tab key to indent the quotation:XxxxxxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Reference list (example) Bjørklund, Tor (1991). Election Campaigns in Post-war Norway ( ): From Party-Controlled to Media_driven Campaigns. Scandinavian Political Studies, Vol 14 – no.3. Bjørklund, Tor (1991). Election Campaigns in Post-war Norway ( ): From Party-Controlled to Media_driven Campaigns. Scandinavian Political Studies, Vol 14 – no.3. Boorstin, Daniel (1992/1961). The image. A guide to pseudo-events in America. New York: Vintage Books Boorstin, Daniel (1992/1961). The image. A guide to pseudo-events in America. New York: Vintage Books Ericson, Richard V. & al (1989). Negotiating Control: A Study of News Sources. Milton Keynes: Open University Press. Ericson, Richard V. & al (1989). Negotiating Control: A Study of News Sources. Milton Keynes: Open University Press. Blumler, Jay & al. (1989). The earnest vs. the determined: election newsmaking at the BBC, In I. Crewe & M. Harrop (Eds.). Political communication: The general election campaign of Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Blumler, Jay & al. (1989). The earnest vs. the determined: election newsmaking at the BBC, In I. Crewe & M. Harrop (Eds.). Political communication: The general election campaign of Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Reference list (example 2) Article in a newspaper: Article in a newspaper: Nilsen, Kjell Arild (2006, February 9 th ). Slik ble protestene iscenesatt. Aftenposten, Kultur s. 4. Nilsen, Kjell Arild (2006, February 9 th ). Slik ble protestene iscenesatt. Aftenposten, Kultur s. 4. Webpage: Webpage: Authors name (Year). Title in italics. Loaded day, month, year from Authors name (Year). Title in italics. Loaded day, month, year from