MEST 3520 TV Theory 7th March Seminar 2

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MEST 3520 TV Theory 7th March Seminar 2

• First part we will go through some formal
  requirements and genre requirements
• During the break we will put you into subgroups
  based on the source texts and your wishes.
• Second part you will work in these groups with
  the outline of your assignment, and then well
  meet for a plenary session.

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To write is to think Å skrive er å tenke

• Anders Johansen (1998) Om å tenke seg om
  skriftlig og med stil in Rhetorica
  Scandinavica. Tidsskrift for skandinavisk
  retorikforskning

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Writing a paper means

• reading the question thoroughly, thinking it
  through, interpreting it
• structuring the assignment efficiently in an
  outline
• using the theory actively
• master the genre requirements
• using references properly
• remembering the formal requirements

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Remember to read the question thoroughly

• we started this last seminar session
• It is important to find out which words are
  keywords, and then think them over.
• Words like explain, place and discuss give
  a clue of what is expected of you.
• Then ask yourself How do I organize my paper so
  that I respond properly to what is asked of me?
  What weight should be put on each of these parts?

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Towards an outline 

• Then, when youve identified what youre asked to
  do, make some choices.What to include.What not
  to include.Why? 
• Explore the reading list.

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Genre requirements of an academic paper

• Outline
• A kind of index with comments for your own use.
  Spend some time on the index, youll save a lot
  of time when writing your paper.
• Research questionIn a paper with a given
  question, you will be expected to be explicit on
  how you understand this question, how you want to
  answer it. There are many choices to be made,
  remember to give reasons for your choices.

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Content of an assignment paper

• Academic contribution, therefore have the form of
  a systematic and academically informed
  investigation.
• Part of the test that this investigation be
  documented correctly, using note and reference
  system, and using relevant existing literature in
  the field

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A theoretical discussion

• There are several types of investigations. In
  this paper you are asked to do a study of
  literature, e.g. Central key concepts of a
  central theorist and a theoretical discussion.
• No empirical analysis should be included in your
  paper, but you are welcome to illustrate your
  arguments with examples.
• The paper should not be a report on or paraphrase
  of chosen work from your reading list

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Structure of the assignment paper

• More or less be like this
• An introduction (max. 1 page) with a
  clarification of the approach taken to the given
  topic
• 2-5 chapters (approx. 8 pages) of main content
• Summing up and conclusion (1-2 pages)
• References (1-2 pages)
• Appendixes (if any)

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Documentation

• Key information, insights or arguments from the
  contribution of others must be documented with
  references.
• No general rule, but 5 references per page is not
  to much

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References

• When referring to or citing other texts, be
  consistent
• Your references should always contain two
  elementsNotes in the text
• References at the end of the term paper

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Notes in the text

• Render, in abbreviation, information on where a
  citation or piece of information has been taken
  from.
• Either footnotes, at the bottom of the page or
  consecutively in the text
• Example Citation (Scannell 1996page number)
  orGeneral discussion of Scannells view, from
  some of the pages in his book (Scannell 1996
  12-23)

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A referencelist at the end of your paper

• Renders the full title, place and year of
  publication etc. For all boks and journals
• In alphabetical order
• Example
• Scannell, Paddy (1996) Radio, Television and
  Modern Life, Oxford, Cambridge Blackwell

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Formal requirements of this paper

• Length 2500 words /- 20 including notes,
  excluding references (ie. Reference list at the
  end of the paper)
• Spacing 1,5
• Fontsize 12
• Font Times New Roman, Palatino, Garamond or
  equivalent.
• left and right margin 2,5 cm

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The frontpage of the paper

• Student ID number, on top of the page
• Title
• Course name and number, semester and year
• Please do not write your name on the paper, only
  your student ID (kandidatnummer). You will find
  this number on studentweb.

Student ID 123 456 Title MEST 3520
TV Theory, Spring 2005
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Hand in

• When? 20th of May, between 12 and 2 pm Where? In
  the reception area of the Dep. of Media and
  Communications (two stairs up)
• You will be asked to sign a declaration that will
  be added to your paper. This you can find
  onhttp//www.hf.uio.no/kvalitetsreform/obligerkl
  aering.html
• Please hand in your paper in 3 copies that
  include the reference list.

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Course reading list

• What? A full 800-page list of compulsory reading
  and supplementary reading must be handed in
• When? A latest date for submission of the
  individual reading list is now set at 2nd May.
• Where? Either in paper form in Espen Ytrebergs
  shelf (4th floor) or to espen.ytreberg_at_media.uio.n
  o

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Results

• The results will be announced on the boards on
  floor 2 and 4.
• You will not be able to phone here and get your
  results, unless your living address is outside
  Oslo and Akershus. (That means that if youve
  left Norway when the results are back, please
  call to get them)
• After a few days, the results will be available
  on the studentweb

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The assignement paper is evaluated with a view
to...

• The candidates ability to handle the topic in a
  comprehensive and systematic manner, taking into
  account existing literature in the field.
• Abilities in the area theoretical discussion
• Overall reflexivity, stringency and originality
• Whether the references function satisfactorily to
  cover what has been asserted