Research Papers

Critical Thinking Observations: From a series of observations we can establish facts. You have all experienced some sort of interactive storytelling, either in this course or elsewhere. What are some common elements about all your experiences? Was technology involved? What are the interfaces like? Were you given choices? If so, what sorts of choices were you given? Observations: From a series of observations we can establish facts. You have all experienced some sort of interactive storytelling, either in this course or elsewhere. What are some common elements about all your experiences? Was technology involved? What are the interfaces like? Were you given choices? If so, what sorts of choices were you given?

Critical Thinking Facts: From a series of facts, or from an absence of fact, we make inferences : “ A judgment based on reasoning rather than on a direct or explicit statement.” What inferences can you make about interactivity? Storytelling? Interactive storytelling? Ie. Since interactivity is ______ we can infer that it is __________. Facts: From a series of facts, or from an absence of fact, we make inferences : “ A judgment based on reasoning rather than on a direct or explicit statement.” What inferences can you make about interactivity? Storytelling? Interactive storytelling? Ie. Since interactivity is ______ we can infer that it is __________.

Critical Thinking Inferences: Testing the validity of our inferences, we can make some assumptions. “ Statements accepted as true without proof or demonstration. A statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn; "on the assumption that he has been injured we can infer that he will not to play" ･ A hypothesis that is taken for granted; "any society is built upon certain assumptions" ” Inferences: Testing the validity of our inferences, we can make some assumptions. “ Statements accepted as true without proof or demonstration. A statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn; "on the assumption that he has been injured we can infer that he will not to play" ･ A hypothesis that is taken for granted; "any society is built upon certain assumptions" ”

Critical Thinking What do you accept as true about the value of interactive storytelling? What do you assume when you enter into an interactive experience?

Critical Thinking Assumptions. From our assumptions, we form our opinions. “ A personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty ” What is YOUR opinion about interactive storytelling? Where do you think it fits? Is it a game? An art? An education tool? Does interactive storytelling have an important role in the arts, education or media? Will technology be able to support it? Assumptions. From our assumptions, we form our opinions. “ A personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty ” What is YOUR opinion about interactive storytelling? Where do you think it fits? Is it a game? An art? An education tool? Does interactive storytelling have an important role in the arts, education or media? Will technology be able to support it?

Critical Thinking Opinions. Taking our opinions, we use the principles of logic to develop arguments. Can you defend your opinions? What facts can you draw on? Who else agrees with you? What examples can you use? What’s new about your approach or ideas? Opinions. Taking our opinions, we use the principles of logic to develop arguments. Can you defend your opinions? What facts can you draw on? Who else agrees with you? What examples can you use? What’s new about your approach or ideas?

Critical Thinking Arguments: And when we want to challenge the arguments of others, we employ critical analysis. Who disagrees with your arguments? Why? How is your argument different from theirs? What observations, facts, inferences, assumptions and opinions do you have that help support your way of looking at it and disprove the theirs? Arguments: And when we want to challenge the arguments of others, we employ critical analysis. Who disagrees with your arguments? Why? How is your argument different from theirs? What observations, facts, inferences, assumptions and opinions do you have that help support your way of looking at it and disprove the theirs?

Thesis statement Tests your ideas by distilling them into a sentence or two ･ Organizes and develops your argument ･ Provides your reader with a “ guide ” to your argument Tests your ideas by distilling them into a sentence or two ･ Organizes and develops your argument ･ Provides your reader with a “ guide ” to your argument

Thesis statement Distills the prompt into a single question. Composes one or two sentences to answer that question. Distills the prompt into a single question. Composes one or two sentences to answer that question.

How to Tell a Strong Thesis Sentence from a Weak One. A strong thesis takes some sort of stand. Show your conclusion. “Some people say interactivity is_____, others say it is ________. The dictionary says it is _____. I believe it is a mix of these. “The success of interactive storytelling hinges on the ability of technology to provide a framework that is both invisible and active. It must provide room for the user to make choices that are meaningful without being a distraction to the story itself. I suggest the perfect interactive story framework would look like _______” A strong thesis takes some sort of stand. Show your conclusion. “Some people say interactivity is_____, others say it is ________. The dictionary says it is _____. I believe it is a mix of these. “The success of interactive storytelling hinges on the ability of technology to provide a framework that is both invisible and active. It must provide room for the user to make choices that are meaningful without being a distraction to the story itself. I suggest the perfect interactive story framework would look like _______”

How to Tell a Strong Thesis Sentence from a Weak One. A strong statement justifies discussion. “I agree with Chris Crawford that interactive storytelling is _______________. ” “While most people see interactive storytelling as being related to games, I see it as the perfect tool for educational purposes.” A strong statement justifies discussion. “I agree with Chris Crawford that interactive storytelling is _______________. ” “While most people see interactive storytelling as being related to games, I see it as the perfect tool for educational purposes.”

How to Tell a Strong Thesis Sentence from a Weak One. A strong thesis expresses one main idea. “Interactive designers need to develop new technologies and create content that will exploit those technologies. Some interactive storytellers choose not to use technology in the storytelling. All need to draw on elements of classic storytelling, theater, film and games.” “Because interactive stories are often dependent on technology, interactive storytellers will need to develop a brand new language based on the elements of traditional storytelling.” A strong thesis expresses one main idea. “Interactive designers need to develop new technologies and create content that will exploit those technologies. Some interactive storytellers choose not to use technology in the storytelling. All need to draw on elements of classic storytelling, theater, film and games.” “Because interactive stories are often dependent on technology, interactive storytellers will need to develop a brand new language based on the elements of traditional storytelling.”

How to Tell a Strong Thesis Sentence from a Weak One. A strong thesis statement is specific. “Interactive storytelling will impact many art forms.” “Because of its ability to engage the audience in the creative process, interactive storytelling will change the future of movies and performance arts.” A strong thesis statement is specific. “Interactive storytelling will impact many art forms.” “Because of its ability to engage the audience in the creative process, interactive storytelling will change the future of movies and performance arts.”

Sections Introduction/overview Where things are now Your new ideas and why they are different and important –Description (including comparison to current beliefs or state of the art) –Key elements or new ideas –Rules or structure –Why is this neat? What are the weaknesses? What needs to happen - Future developments Recap References Introduction/overview Where things are now Your new ideas and why they are different and important –Description (including comparison to current beliefs or state of the art) –Key elements or new ideas –Rules or structure –Why is this neat? What are the weaknesses? What needs to happen - Future developments Recap References

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Research Paper The Overview State your topic. Find background information on your topic. Use library resources to find books, non-print media, archival information, and government documents. Use indexes and abstracts to find periodical articles. The Overview State your topic. Find background information on your topic. Use library resources to find books, non-print media, archival information, and government documents. Use indexes and abstracts to find periodical articles.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Research Paper Use the internet to find additional sources for your topic. Evaluate what you have found. Pay particular attention to the reliability of internet resources. Write your paper. Use a standard format for your bibliography. Do not plagiarize. Use the internet to find additional sources for your topic. Evaluate what you have found. Pay particular attention to the reliability of internet resources. Write your paper. Use a standard format for your bibliography. Do not plagiarize.