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Paper Writing
Class
Created Jul 17, 2020 643 PM
Reviewed
Break the process down into manageable units. Chew the
elephant
Research Tips
Critical Writing
Critically evaluate the validity of the sources you use
Acknowledge alternative perspectives
Support arguments with reliable evidence
Make arguments relevant: answer the question
Links between concepts or events and explains their wider
significance.
Paper Writing 1
When making analysis, avoid logical fallacies
Structure of writing
Once you have identified the main points you want to include,
consider the order you want to present them in. You may want to
present information thematically, chronologically or starting general
and getting more specific. It all depends on your own individual
argument and how you feel it can be presented most logically.
Point: a statement, claim or assertion you want to make.
Evidence: information, or an example which supports the point.
Explanation: the reason, logic or justification for the point.
Academic Writing
Critically evaluate the validity of the sources you use
Acknowledge alternative perspectives
Support arguments with reliable evidence
Make arguments relevant: answer the question
Links between concepts or events and explains their wider
significance.
Paper Writing Involves Three Components:
Sifting through existing arguments
Forming your own arguments
Communicating your assertions
Research Papers:
Start looking for a topics early on keep notes of the areas of knowledge that
piques your curiosity. If you can't find topics, either ask the teacher or skim
through your primary sources.
Finding a Topic:
Paper Writing 2
Observation from reading literatures (some things you notice while reading a
subject)
Making an argument:
Read through the sources in your preleminary research and make notes of
interesting or unusual things
Start with the general sources such as an encyclopedia and move into
specific sources based on the bibligraphy of the interesting section of the
general books.
Be sure that your preleminary research strongly backs your thesis before
you move on with your research.
Ask your professer if you find it hard to get a general source
A good thesis requires four traits:
Provocative
Nuanced
Direct
Inclusive
Grasp of the complexity of the subject
Don't be scared if don't know the details and mechanics of how your thesis holds;
you will discover the answers along your girtty journey. You will, in the early
stage, just establish the type of connection between concepts. Be flexible to the
evolution of your thesis. After you have a strong, concrete idea of what your
thesis is going to be, seek for a professional opinion on your thesis before
proceeding.
Research Machine
A good argument requires a solid grasp of all relevant informations so make sure
all the relevant sources, facts and ideas are organized and easy to access.
The Algorithm
Find sources from general to specific method.
Paper Writing 3
Search using varying synonym and relevant terms
Break up query into general chunks
Use journal databases
When in doubt consult Google
Make personal, easily-annotatable copy
Organize the materials by subject, same argument, or concepts
Annotate Make a flow chart/ structure)
Skim through the materials no need to read throughly
Jot down relevant sections and dump quote under the relevant topics
Decide if your done
Stop if you have 2 sources that provides crucial details and 1 good source
for your arguments
Write a compelling story
When you start this stage, you should have a vision of the overall structure of
your argument
Decent college level arguments include:
Draw from previous work on the same topic to establish a context for the
discussion
Introduce a thesis and spell out how it relates to the work on similar
issues
Support the thesis with reasoning and references to the existing
arguments derived from evidence and primary sources
Introduce some final prognostication about the extending the argument
and its potential impact on the field as a whole
Get inspired in crafting a storyline by reading good literature such as The
New Yorker, Harper's and Atlantic Monthly
Paper Writing 4
Make sure to take breaks between each sessions so as to stimulate your
diffuse thinking cogs running. Be an academic ninja and expose yourself to
the material frequently to internalize the material.
Make an outline based on significant topics. Use this outline to identify
knowledge gaps so you can fill it up with good sources. Add sources under
each outline points.
Consult your expert panels (need more notes)
Write without agony
Give good time frame for writing and seperate time frame for editing and
researching
Work at a place without any distractions
Use your outline to direct your writing and focus soley on the current topic in
the structure that you are working on; if you are struck by an idea, jot it down
and continue your writing
Edit against the marking schemes and improve your paper accordingly to the
steps you were weak in
Editing process:
Make sure your flow is smooth, coherent, and easy to follow along
Make sure your structure is optimal and arguments are clear
Make as though the paper is a script for a speech you will give
Make sure to read the paper one last time as reward before the deadline
Paper Writing 5