Researched Paper Skills Review

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Researched Paper Skills Review

• CCC Renchen

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Introduction Paragraphs

• Research Skills

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Introduction Paragraph

• Attention Getting Device (AGD) (Think BROAD,
  ENGAGING statement or necessary background
  information.)
• No questions. None. Stop it.
• Quotes should only be used as AGD if INCREDIBLY
  relevant (this means you probably find them
  within the research that you found on your topic,
  not on Quote Garden or any of that nonsense.)
• Narrowing information (Whatever the audience
  needs to get from your broad statement to your
  specific argument/topic) (Make sure each
  sentence flows logically to next)
• Thesis Sentence (Concession Argument Summary)

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Thesis Sentence

• One complex sentencestarting with a concession
  and ending in a statement of your argument
• A concession is a sentence that admits something
  contrary to your argument (Signal words
  although, despite, even though)
• Should be broad enough to cover all arguments
  (but NO LISTING)
• Should make clear what you are arguing.

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Example Thesis

• Bad example
• Despite the many advantages of nuclear power,
  there are more disadvantages to this type of
  power.
• (This is bad because it doesnt take a strong
  stance and isnt very specific. Word choice is
  general)
• Better examples
• Even though chemical weapons provide protection
  to weaker countries that have no other means to
  protect themselves, these weapons must be
  restricted to protect the world from the risk of
  death and destruction.
• Although cloning human beings could prove to be
  beneficial in dealing with health issues, the
  risks and ethics involved make human cloning too
  dangerous to pursue.

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Further Examples

• BEST EXAMPLES thorough, specific, strong
  concession
• Although the media has led society to believe
  that using medication to treat children with ADHD
  does more harm than good, doctors should
  prescribe the drug to children with ADHD because
  of the positive impact the drug will have on the
  child.
• Although the donations are overtly insufficient
  for the demand, the destructive nature of organ
  markets makes them disastrous to the moral and
  financial fiber society.

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• INTRO PARAGRAPH
• Children with ADHD and their families will suffer
  from the disease and have to deal with the
  consequences if doctors do not prescribe
  medication to the children. In recent years, the
  public has been led to believe that there are too
  many side effects of medicating ADHD children and
  doctors should not give medication. In truth,
  some side effects are prevalent in children
  taking the ADHD medication, but the benefits
  clearly outweigh the risk. Although the media has
  led society to believe that using medication to
  treat children with ADHD does more harm than
  good, doctors should prescribe the drugs to
  children with ADHD because of the positive impact
  the drug will have on the child.

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Body Paragraphs

• Research Skills

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Each paragraph starts with a Topic Sentence

• Encompass entire paragraph (state the topic of
  that paragraph)
• Make arguments connected to thesis statementyour
  reasons
• The best writers
• Use complex sentences to transition between
  arguments

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Using Topic Sentences to Transition

• Link ideas in a specific way
• dont rely on generic transitions that could be
  inserted anywhere
• Highlight key phrases from preceding paragraph in
  following paragraph to create a logical
  progression
• Use transitions that could only connect one
  specific paragraph/idea to another specific
  paragraph/idea

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Topic Sentences that Transition

• BAD Example
• Last sentence of P1 Overall, Management Systems
  International has logged increased sales in every
  sector, leading to a significant rise in
  third-quarter profits.
• Topic/Transition Another important thing to
  note is that the corporation had expanded its
  international influence.
• Revised Topic/Transition These impressive
  profits are largely due to the corporation's
  expanded international influence.
• OR While impressive profits have been recorded,
  this would not have been possible without the
  corporations new focus on international influence.

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After Topic/Transition Sentence

• Each paragraph should work through the logic
  behind one of your reasons.
• This will be in the form of your own conclusions
  and the research youve found.
• It is generally beneficial to end each paragraph
  by summarizing your argument.

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Integrating Research

• Research Skills

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What is the difference between paraphrasing and
quoting?

• Quotes come WORD FOR WORD from your source.
• Quotes are indicated by the use of quotation
  marks.
• An in-text citation MUST follow each quote.
• Paraphrases come from your source, but are put
  into YOUR OWN WORDS.
• Paraphrases do not use quotation marks.
• An in-text citation MUST follow each quote.

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The Steps to Quoting

1. Introduce source/context of quote
2. Include quote
3. Add an in-text citation after the quote.
4. Explain in a few sentences how the quote supports
   your argument and/or the significance of the
   quote

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INTRODUCE QUOTE give source/ context, give any
background info

• If referencing an idea or statistic that might be
  confusing, explain some background info
• If referencing a person or group that the reader
  may be unfamiliar with, explain why they are
  credible.
• Set us up to understand the quote, even before we
  read it!

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INTRODUCE QUOTE give source/ context, give any
background info

• Bad EX Mike Burita said,
• OK EX McDonalds has made their nutritional
  information readily available to customers. As
  Mike Burita, the communications director for the
  Center for Consumer Freedom, explains,
• EX Fast food restaurants have taken measures to
  improve their customers health, illustrating
  that they have indeed made efforts to prevent
  obesity. In response to the lawsuits and
  accusations being hurled at it, McDonalds has
  made their nutritional information readily
  available to customers. As Mike Burita, the
  communications director for the Center for
  Consumer Freedom, explains,

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Include Quote

• After you introduce the quote, you need either a
  comma or colon
• When your introduction is NOT a complete
  sentence, there should be a COMMA , before the
  quote
• When your introduction is a complete sentence,
  there should be a COLON before the quote.
• Surround the quote with
• Quotes should only include the most essential
  information
• EX Theres nutritional content available on
  the chart, its available on the wall, its
  available in literature behind the counter, its
  available on the Internet. Anybody that wants to
  know the nutritional content of a Big Mac or
  fries or a shake can readily have it at their
  fingertips. To suggest that information isnt
  there is just ridiculous

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Include Quotes

• Anything that is changed in a quote should be in
  brackets.
• If you take anything out of a quote, use an
  ellipses
• If your quote is longer than 4 lines, remove the
  quotations, set the quote as a new paragraph
  tabbed over (see me with questions)

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In-text Citation for Quote

• What goes in the parentheses??????
• The first significant word from the Works Cited
  page
• The page in parentheses. If there is no page
  put n.pag.
• Place punctuation after the parentheses.
• GENERAL FORMAT
• Lead in, QUOTE (Smith 5).
• Lead in QUOTE (Smith 5).

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Quote Examples

• In an interview with Newsweek, Mrs. Renchen said,
  Im unsure why Im being interviewed (Smith
  23).
• Studies conducted by Harvards Psychology program
  indicated that approximately 50 of humans are
  female (Jones n.pag.).
• Its clear from Johnsons article that early
  start times detract from the educational goals of
  schools 80 of high schools starting before
  730 experience lower test scores than schools of
  similar demographics but later start times (67).

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EXPLAIN QUOTE Explain what it means, why it is
important, and how it relates to your argument

• Should be at least as long, if not 2xs the
  length, of quote
• EX Not only has McDonalds provided nutritional
  information to consumers, they have also
  incorporated healthy items and portion sizes into
  their menu. Salads, grilled chicken sandwiches,
  and a variety of other low calorie meals are
  offered for health conscious consumers.
  McDonalds has also removed their trademark
  supersize option from their menu, which
  provided larger portions of French fries and soft
  drinks for only a few cents extra cost. This
  cutback demonstrates McDonalds dedication to
  preventing obesity, as does their decision to
  stop using trans-fats in cooking oil. Given
  these efforts to increase the nutritious value of
  their meals, it seems unfair to declare fast food
  restaurants the cause of obesity.

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Put it all together

• In the book, Are Americans Overmedicated?, parent
  E. Clarke Ross explains that he has had
  first-hand experience with ADHD when his son
  suffered from the disease The reality that
  children and adolescents can and do suffer from
  AD/HDis finally being recognized (Hiber 59).
  Since the scientific community has reached out to
  those who are suffering from this disease,
  society is starting to understand how terrible
  this disease is.

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Put it all together

• Fast food restaurants have taken measures to
  improve their customers health, illustrating
  that they have indeed made efforts to prevent
  obesity. In response to the lawsuits and
  accusations being hurled at it, McDonalds has
  made their nutritional information readily
  available to customers. As Mike Burita, the
  communications director for the Center for
  Consumer Freedom, explains, Theres nutritional
  content available on the chart, its available on
  the wall, its available in literature behind the
  counter, its available on the Internet. Anybody
  that wants to know the nutritional content of a
  Big Mac or fries or a shake can readily have it
  at their fingertips. To suggest that information
  isnt there is just ridiculous (n.pag.) Not only
  has McDonalds provided nutritional information
  to consumers, they have also incorporated healthy
  items and portion sizes into their menu. Salads,
  grilled chicken sandwiches, and a variety of
  other low calorie meals are offered for health
  conscious consumers. McDonalds has also removed
  their trademark supersize option from their
  menu, which provided larger portions of French
  fries and soft drinks for only a few cents extra
  cost. This cutback demonstrates McDonalds
  dedication to preventing obesity, as does their
  decision to stop using trans-fats in cooking
  oil. Given these efforts to increase the
  nutritious value of their meals, it seems unfair
  to declare fast food restaurants the cause of
  obesity.

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Paraphrasing

• Using researched information in own words
• Still need to cite source
• When to paraphrase
• When quote is difficult to integrate because of
  the style (may be confusing, or clash with your
  writing)
• When the quotation is long and wordy
• When the reader would get the same effect even if
  it was reworded
• When it is background information essential for
  understanding, but you would rather condense it
  into a couple of sentences.

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Paraphrasing Example

• The original passage
• Students frequently overuse direct quotation in
  taking notes, and as a result they overuse
  quotations in the final research paper.
  Probably only about 10 of your final manuscript
  should appear as directly quoted matter.
  Therefore, you should strive to limit the amount
  of exact transcribing of source materials while
  taking notes. Lester, James D. Writing Research
  Papers. 2nd ed. (1976) 46-47.
• A plagiarized version
• Students often use too many direct quotations
  when they take notes, resulting in too many of
  them in the final research paper. In fact,
  probably only about 10 of the final copy should
  consist of directly quoted material. So it is
  important to limit the amount of source material
  copied while taking notes.
• A acceptable paraphrase
• In research papers students often quote
  excessively, failing to keep quoted material down
  to a desirable level. Since the problem usually
  originates during note taking, it is essential to
  minimize the material recorded verbatim (Lester
  46-47).
• An acceptable paraphrase
• Students should take just a few notes in direct
  quotation from sources to help minimize the
  amount of quoted material in a research paper
  (Lester 46-47).

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Words and Phrases

• Research Skills

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Transition within a Paragraph

• Link ideas in a specific way
• Should work within paragraphs to move reader from
  one idea to the next in a logical way
• Dont rely on generic transitions that could be
  inserted anywhere. While these are fine when
  used occasionally, they are not as effective as
  more specific and original transitions.

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Transition within a Paragraph

• BAD Example Overall, Management Systems
  International has logged increased sales in every
  sector, leading to a significant rise in
  third-quarter profits. Another important thing
  to note is that the corporation had expanded its
  international influence.
• Stronger transition Overall, Management Systems
  International has logged increased sales in every
  sector, leading to a significant rise in
  third-quarter profits. These impressive profits
  are largely due to the corporation's expanded
  international influence.
• OR Overall, Management Systems International has
  logged increased sales in every sector, leading
  to a significant rise in third-quarter profits.
  While impressive profits have been recorded, this
  would not have been possible without the
  corporations new focus on international influence.

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Transition within a Paragraph

• Weak Example (transition is vague) Fearing for
  the loss of Danish lands, Christian IV signed the
  Treaty of Lubeck, effectively ending the Danish
  phase of the 30 Years War. But then something
  else significant happened. The Swedish
  intervention began.
• Revision (connects 2 specific ideas) Fearing for
  the loss of more Danish lands, Christian IV
  signed the Treaty of Lubeck, effectively ending
  the Danish phase of the 30 Years War. Shortly
  after Danish forces withdrew, the Swedish
  intervention began.

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Transitions

• Weak Example Amy Tan became a famous author
  after her novel, The Joy Luck Club, skyrocketed
  up the bestseller list. There are other things
  to note about Tan as well. Amy Tan also
  participates in the satirical garage band the
  Rock Bottom Remainders with Stephen King and Dave
  Barry.
• Revision Amy Tan became a famous author after
  her novel, The Joy Luck Club, skyrocketed up the
  bestseller list. Though her fiction is well
  known, her work with the satirical garage band
  the Rock Bottom Remainders receives far less
  publicity.

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Edge wordsstrengthen that language!

• Affected changed impacted influenced
• Because led to which effected caused
• improved altered shaped as a result
  of
• transformed effects resulted
  illustrates
• Evolved supports demonstrates developed
• _____shows the influence of _____
• _____ resulted in _______
• _____ created a greater need for ______

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Counter Argument and Response/Rebuttal

• Research Skills

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What are they?

• Counter argument
• A paragraph devoted to explaining a misconception
  OR an opposing argument
• Response to Counter Argument (aka Rebuttal)
• A paragraph that either concedes or refutes.
• Should point out why the writers opinion is
  still valid even in light of the counter argument.

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Why Include Counter Argument?

• Shows that you have considered both sides of the
  issue
• Strengthens your argument because you have a
  chance to anticipate and answer readers
  questions
• Develops your ETHOS

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Counter Argument Paragraph

• One paragraph devoted to the STRONGEST ARGUMENT
  AGAINST your position
• EX If Im arguing FOR abortion, the strongest
  argument AGAINST my side is that abortion is
  murder.
• Signal the beginning of the counter argument with
  a phrase like
• Many people believe/argue/feel/think/suppose
  that
• It is often thought/imagined/supposed that
• It would be easy to/One could easily
  think/believe/imagine/ suppose/etc that
• It might seem/appear/look as if
• Then explain what the argument is and using
  research to support that argument.

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Refute/Concession Paragraph

• After presenting counter argument, you need to
  concede or refute
• Concede where you admit that the counter
  argument is true BUT continue by discussing why
  your argument is MORE TRUE or OUTWEIGHS concerns
• Refute prove through logic or research that
  counter argument is false, illogical, irrelevant,
  etc.

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First sentence of Response Paragraph should use a
Topic/Transition sentence

• To start your Concession paragraph
• While it is true that counter argument, one
  must consider.
• This view is plausible, but fails to consider the
  importance of
• The core of this claim is true, yet
• This concern is undeniable, yet it fails to
  consider how invaluable

• To start your Refuting paragraph
• What this argument overlooks/fails to
  consider/does not take into account is ...
• This view seems/looks/sounds convincing/plausib
  le/persuasive at first, but ...
• While this position is popular, it is not
  supported by the facts/not logical/impractical
  because
• Although the core of this claim is valid, it
  suffers from a flaw in its reasoning/application
  because

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Concede if

• The counter argument is true/verified/valid.

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Refute if

• Faulty Factual Assumption
• Counter argument Racism is a thing of the past
  therefore, students dont need to bother with it.
• Makes the assumption that racism is in the
  pastrefute with current examples
• Makes the assumption that we dont need to bother
  with past thingsshow how past can still be
  important

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Refute if

• Faulty Analytical Assumption
• Counter argument Learning about racism might
  make students more racist.
• Assumes that learning about racismracism
• Refute by explaining that learning about a
  problem is not the same as causing the problem

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Refute if

• Faulty Values
• Counter argument Who cares if students are
  racist?
• Based on an assumed value that its okay to be
  racist
• Refute by pointing out value and explaining why
  it is flawed

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Refute if

• True but Irrelevant
• Counter argument Students are already familiar
  with racism they dont need to study it in
  school.
• True, yes, but argument is not about students
  being familiar with the concept, its about being
  familiar with causes.
• Also, being familiar with something doesnt meant
  that you know EVERYTHING you need to know.

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Other

• Research Paper Skills

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Potential Outlines

• Introduction
• Supporting point 1
• Supporting point 2
• Supporting point 3
• Supporting point 4 Counter-argument
• Rebuttal
• Conclusion

• Counter-argument, which also serves as
  introductionending in thesis
• Rebuttal, which starts with strong statement of
  argument
• Supporting point 1
• Supporting point 2
• Supporting point 3
• Supporting point 4
• Conclusion

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Where should I give background info?

• In your introduction paragraph?
• In a short paragraph right after your
  introduction?
• Little by little throughout the paper?

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Works Cited Page

• MLA formatcan use online generator, but check
  formatting
• Alphabetize entriesthis is EASY, but frequently
  forgotten
• Double spaced
• Hanging indent (Type ALL sources. Then highlight
  sources and hit Ctrl T)
• Highlight, then highlight in paper the info that
  came from that source in the same color.