Writing Writing Workshop 1Workshop 1

Writing Writing Workshop 1Workshop 1

Leah BurnsLeah Burns

Leah.Burns@griffith.edu.auLeah.Burns@griffith.edu.au

Phone: 37353649Phone: 37353649

What we are What we are going to do todaygoing to do today

What we are What we are going to do todaygoing to do today

•Discuss the minor and major Discuss the minor and major assignmentsassignments

•Develop strategies for researching and Develop strategies for researching and writing the assignmentswriting the assignments

-Key wordsKey words-Types of questionsTypes of questions

-StructureStructure-ReferencingReferencing

The Major The Major AssignmentAssignmentThe Major The Major

AssignmentAssignment

•Topic of your own choice - Topic of your own choice - relevant to courserelevant to course

•Worth 50% of total markWorth 50% of total mark•Due when you return to VoldaDue when you return to Volda

•Basis for oral examBasis for oral exam

The Minor The Minor AssignmentAssignmentThe Minor The Minor

AssignmentAssignment

•5 questions - chose 15 questions - chose 1•Worth 25% of overall markWorth 25% of overall mark

•2000 words2000 words•Due in Brisbane – Friday 8 OctoberDue in Brisbane – Friday 8 October

Writing Writing AssignmentsAssignments

Writing Writing AssignmentsAssignments

Unpacking the Unpacking the AssignmentAssignment

Unpacking the Unpacking the AssignmentAssignment

Focus of the Assignment

• Why has this topic been set?

• What is this topic testing?

• What is the question asking me to do?

Key words help you decide on the approach

you take

• Topic words that highlight the major concept

• Directive words that give direction on approach you should take (e.g. examine, analyse, compare)

• Limiting words that limit the scope of the writing and research

EXAMPLE

‘What is multiculturalism, and is there evidence that Australia is

a multicultural society?’

• Topic Words– Multiculturalism, Society

• Directive Words– What

• Limiting words– Australia

Planning and Planning and Structuring the Structuring the

AssignmentAssignment

Planning and Planning and Structuring the Structuring the

AssignmentAssignment

Focus first on your Overall Argument or

Response to the Assignment Topic

• Write a statement to clarify your argument or position – (If your assignment topic were a question,

what would your main answer be?)

• Be concise and clear. This argument is central to how you structure the assignment.

Minor Assignment Topics

1. What is ‘multiculturalism’, and is there evidence that Australia is a multicultural society? Use examples from your readings, as well as from your own experiences in Brisbane, to support your answer.

2. The Saami in Norway and the Aborigines in Australia are both classified as ‘indigenous people’. What similarities and differences, in terms of their relationships with the wider national society, do these two groups of indigenous people share? In your answer make reference to key historical events that have influenced the way in which both the Saami and Aborigines currently live.

3. How are Aboriginal people represented in the Australian media? Over seven consecutive days, compare stories from at least two different media sources (e.g., newspapers, radio and television news broadcasts). In your answer, you should describe the main focus of these stories and the attitudes they reflect.

4. Prior to visiting Australia you will have been exposed to different aspects of the Australian identity. Now that you have spent time here, how have your perceptions of the Australian identity changed? From your readings and your experiences, what features do you think typify the Australian identity? In your answer, compare and contrast your pre-arrival notions of an Australian identity with your Brisbane and Bourke experiences.

5. Discuss 5 key environmental problems currently faced in Australia and 5 faced in Norway, and address the following:

• Are the main environmental issues faced by these two countries the same?

• If not, why do they differ?

Your answer should refer to the history of engagement with environmental issues in each country and speculate on their environmental futures.

Exercise - what to do

In groups based on each topic, discuss:

• The focus of the assignment• The key words• Overall response• Ideas for how to start researching

the topic

Developing the Argument

• What are the main (key) points that will develop your argument?

• In dot point form, jot down these main points• Think about the best order for making these

points• Check that each of these points is relevant to

the assignment topic and your overall response to the topic

• Each one of these main points will become a topic sentence in a paragraph

Number of words• How long is a paragraph?Paragraphs can range in word length, however:

– Plan for an average of about 100 words (6 sentences) per paragraph.

– A 2000 word essay will contain approximately (and only approximately) 20 paragraphs

• If you have too many points for your essay length, group related points together to make one point.

Organise supporting detail

• Choose material that will provide evidence to support or develop each of the points you are making (Colour coding information may help)

• Take note of the author and other referencing details (year of text, page number(s))

• Use this to expand your essay plan so that you now have main

points and key details

Example

• 1st main point– Evidence/support (author, referencing details)– Evidence/support (author, referencing details)

• 2nd main point– Evidence/support (author, referencing details)– Evidence/support (author, referencing details)

Organise your references

• Create a list of all books, articles and other resources you intend to mention or cite within your essay. – These will be needed for your

reference list

Reflect and Revise

• Allow time to revisit your plan so that you can check that you are making all the points necessary to address the topic and to develop and support your argument

• Try reading it aloud – you can often hear if it is or is not flowing in a logical way

You are now ready to You are now ready to begin writing your begin writing your

assignment …assignment …

You are now ready to You are now ready to begin writing your begin writing your

assignment …assignment …

Writing the Assignment

• Introduction• Body (made up of paragraphs,

may also include maps or figures)• Conclusion or summary• A list of references (bibliography)• Appendix?

Introduction• The introduction acts as a “roadmap” for

your readers– Introducing the topic or subject area– Stating the aim or purpose of the assignment– Showing the structure or overall plan– Indicating the limit or scope of the assignment– Stating the argument or thesis statement –

“This paper argues that …”

Body• Paragraphs - each paragraph

functions like a ‘mini-essay’• Topic sentence (usually the first

sentence of paragraph) states the key point of the paragraph

• The body of the paragraph contains explanations, evidence and examples

• Concluding sentence links the main idea back to your argument, and the assignment question

• Linking between paragraphs and sections - logical flow

Conclusion or Summary

• This is a summary of your main points

• Importantly, your conclusion should:– Contain no new ideas or information– Summarise your key points briefly– Relate key points directly back to the

question/ your argument

Reference List

• E.g.:Cottrell, S. 2003 The study skills handbook (2nd ed.). New York: Palgrave

• Check: Are the references in alphabetical order?

• How many should you include?

The Major Assignment

• 8000 words• Topic of your Own Choice

• Research Proposal due September 22

• Progress Report due October 20• Draft due November 17• Essay due December 10

Major ProjectsStine - pop groups in Brisbane: music management

Ellie - sexism; women shaping Australia.

Inge - backpacking: economic

Sylvia - pub culture: pros and cons; addiction

Mona - immigration: Indian; aboriginal - current policies

Marianne -

Therese - Kathy Freeman; Palm Island

Asa - irrigation in Murray darling basin

- Student art in Brisbane

Marit - writers

Maree - aboriginal art- Heidelberg School- History of Australian cinema

Josephine - changes in attitudes towards aborigines- Nick Cave

Jenny - sport & treatment of problem youth

Tanya - social work: sex trafficking; young people & social change

Camilla - aborigines; stolen children; barrier reef

Sindre – rabbits

Aspin - sport & society

Stein - shark attacks: media angle

Andre: dangerous creatures

Martin: Midnight Oil

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Direction wordsa. highlight the major conceptb. give direction on the approach you should takec. limit the scope of the research or writingd. are the same as topic words 

2. Which of the following is NOT the correct answer to the question: How long is a paragraph?a. paragraphs vary in word lengthb. most paragraphs are about 100 words longc. most paragraphs are about 6 sentences longd. a single sentence = a paragraph

3. Which of the following is NOT true about paragraphs?a. the topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraphb. the topic sentence in a paragraph states the key point of the paragraphc. a paragraph should contain no new ideas or informationd. each paragraph functions like a mini essay

4. The conclusiona. can contain new ideas or informationb. is a summary of your main pointsc. introduces the subject or topic aread. provides necessary links between paragraphs and sections

5. Which of the following is TRUE about referencing?a. it does not matter what style of referencing you choose as long as you

are consistent with it throughout the assignmentb. references should always be in chronological orderc. the reference list should appear at the start of the assignmentd. it is ok to include in your list of references any sources you found that

are relevant to the topic, regardless of whether they are cited in the paper

What we are going to What we are going to do in the next do in the next

workshopworkshop

What we are going to What we are going to do in the next do in the next

workshopworkshop

•Discuss a sample minor assignmentDiscuss a sample minor assignment•Develop strategies for editing the Develop strategies for editing the

assignmentsassignments•Focus more on the major assignmentFocus more on the major assignment

Before then …

You need to:• Choose, research, and write first

draft of the minor assignment• Have submitted research proposal

for major assignment (due 22/9) and be very clear on the topic