AIDEN YEH, PH.D.WENZAO URSULINE COLLEGE OF

LANGUAGES

Writing from Research

researchwriting2012.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/58821571/Researchwriting1.ppt

Writing is…communicating

Written word creates a public record of our knowledge, our opinions, and our skill with language

So we try to make it accurate, forceful, and honest

Writing is…demanding

It is a demanding processRequires commitmentDiscovering a well-focused topicFinding a reason for writing about itChoosing a formatExploring resources through critical readingCompleting the writing task with grace and

style

What affects writing?

The richness of our languageOur backgroundExperiencesOur target audience/readersForm of expression that we choose

Writing is more than just…

Sharing personal thoughtsYou need to explore complex topicsYou need to find informationAnd present it effectivelyYou need to document the sourcesYou need to invest time

Research writing…

Grows from investigationEstablishes a clear purposeDevelops analysis for a variety of topics

Why do Research?

Teaches methods of discovery (interviews, observation, and experimentation), find solutions and synthesize your ideas

Teaches investigative skills (finding reliable sources)

Develops inquiry-based techniques (to advance your knowledge)

Teaches critical thinking (discriminate between useful information and unfounded or ill-conceived comments)

Teaches logic (make perceptive judgments based on logical response to your reading, observation, interview, and testing)

Teaches basic ingredients of argument (make a claim and support it with reasons and evidence)

RW follows conventions

Modern Language Association- MLAAmerican Psychological Association-APA

Avoiding Plagiarism

CitationQuotation marksParaphraseParenthetical citations and notesWorks cited or references pages

RW Terminology

EvaluateInterpretPerform causal analysisDefinitionComparisonSearch for precedentsTestingDiscussion of implications

Evaluation

Establish a clear criteria of judgment and explain hot the subject meets these criteria

E.g. What makes a good movie?Importance of a literary poetic verses?

Interpretation

What does it mean?What are the implications of these results?What does this data tell us?Can you explain your reading of the problem

to others?Eg. What are the social implications of

computer dating? What are the psychological implications?

Definition

Provide extended definitionE.g.The root cause of breakups in relationships is

selfishness. This topic requires a definition of selfishness

and examples of how it weakens relationships

3 elements (subject, the class in which the subject belongs to, and differences between others

Proposal

We should do somethingPractical applicationsCalls for actionAdvancing the thesis and support with

reasons and evidenceConvince the readers that problems existConsider opposing positions

Causal Argument

Show condition exists because of specific circumstances

Something caused or created the situation, we need to know why

Comparison, Analogy

Compare two classificationsAnalogy is a figurative comparison that

allows the writer to draw several parallels or similarity

Precedence

Conventions or customsRequires a past event that establishes a rule

of law or a point of procedure

Implications

Explain findingsArrive at conclusionsDiscuss the implications of your inquiry

Establishing a Schedule

See pages 8-9