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Writing Guide for POLI 211 Essays

The document provides guidance on how to write academic papers, including introducing the topic and thesis in the introduction, presenting arguments and evidence in the body, summarizing the argument in the conclusion, and ensuring paragraphs have a beginning, middle, and end with clear transitions between them.

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Barbara Su
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4 views1 page

Writing Guide for POLI 211 Essays

The document provides guidance on how to write academic papers, including introducing the topic and thesis in the introduction, presenting arguments and evidence in the body, summarizing the argument in the conclusion, and ensuring paragraphs have a beginning, middle, and end with clear transitions between them.

Uploaded by

Barbara Su
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

POLI 211: How to Write Well

1. Each paper should include an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.


2. The introduction should introduce the topic, and explain what you intend to accomplish
in the text. The introduction should preview what you will argue in the paper and
should include a thesis statement that states your argument succinctly.
3. In the body of the essay, you should present your argument logically and provide
evidence to support it.
4. The conclusion should summarize and reinforce the argument and explain what you
believe that you have proven. It is often helpful as well to draw out the implications
of your argument for future trends, for policy options, and/or for groups of people.

In addition, while having good ideas is very important, but being able to express them well
is also crucial. Below are key issues that will help you write a good paper.

• Each paragraph should address a single point and include a beginning, a middle, and
an end.
• The paper should flow from one paragraph to the next with clear transitions; a para-
graph should always be logically related to the previous and the following paragraph.
• You are strongly encouraged to reread and revise your work. Please carefully check
grammar and spelling. Too many grammatical and spelling errors can be distracting
and reduce the clarity of your argument.
• It is often beneficial to ask another person to read your essay as well. Look carefully
for weaknesses in your argument and for places where you do not explain your point
clearly.
• Avoid excessive reliance on direct quotations; paraphrase where possible.
• It is important that you provide citations when you refer to the ideas of others. That
is, you must give credit to authors whose ideas you invoke in your essay. Rice Univer-
sity Honor Code is available at [Link] If you have any questions about
related matters, please ask for clarification.

Rice has a Center for Written, Oral, and Visual Communication. I encourage you to take
advantage of this resource for improving your writing, both on your papers for this class
and during your time at Rice overall. You can find information about the Center, which is
located on the second floor of Fondren Library, here: [Link]

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