Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Some Parameters
We will not exhaust every aspect of academic writing We will focus on the overall process of writing an academic paper We will not focus on rules We will instead focus on strategies
Other Purposes
Discover knowledge Make a point Persuade the reader Share information Synthesis Information Analyze a topic Document your observations All of the above
Read and Research Brainstorm Ideas Develop Working Thesis and Outline Write Rough Draft Review for Content Revise Rough Draft Review for Grammar and Mechanics Revise Second Draft Continue Reviewing and Revising as Needed
Reading a Text
Compare these two images about Japanese Concentration camps during World War II. The first is by American photographer Ansel Adams. The second is a cartoon by Theodor Dr. Seuss Geisel.
Ansel Adams
Dr. Seuss
Uses photograph Creates sympathy Documents history Subtle Politically motivated Captures humanity Shows us the suffering Emphasizes helplessness Focused on the individual
Uses cartoon Stirs animosity Used for propaganda Exaggerated Politically motivated Uses stereotypes Makes characters look happy Emphasizes danger Focused on the larger view
Clustering
Write your main point in the center of the page and circle it As ideas come to you, branch off from the main point Think of the cluster as a tree, each idea branching off a previous idea Do not censor or edit yourself
Cluster Example
A thesis comes at the end of the introduction section of your paper It lets the reader know exactly what overall point you are trying to make It should be specific, not general It can be used by the reader and the writer as a road map for the rest of the paper It is not fixed; it can and should evolve as your ideas evolve What you present in the paper should not deviate from what you promise in the thesis Establishes expectations
Thesis Examples
Dr. Seuss propaganda cartoons during World War II reduced Japanese Americans to stereotypes, played on the fears of the American public during a time of war, and focused on a the broad, generalized issues of the situation rather than the individual circumstances of the people involved.
Developing an Outline
Once you establish a thesis, use it to help you develop an outline of the paper An outline will:
Help you organize your ideas Keep you focused Save time
Outline Example
Supporting Point
Supporting Point
Main Point
Supporting Point
Detail Detail
Supporting Point
Detail
Detail Detail Detail
Supporting Point
Main Point
Supporting Point
Supporting Point
Conclusion
Now that you have a thesis and outline, you may begin writing your rough draft. As you write this rough draft, keep the following strategies in mind:
Organize information in your body paragraphs Hook the reader in the introduction Keep your paper coherent with transition words and sentences Wrap up your paper with a strong closing Utilize academic writing conventions Follow the writing process
Introductions
Bait the reader Contextualize your argument or topic Provide necessary background information about the topic
Ask a question Tell a story Use a quote Provide interesting statistics Share an anecdote Make a provocative statement
Historical background Issues relating to the topic Important authors and texts you will be referring to Cultural issues Why this topic is important or relevant
Comes at the beginning of a paragraph Presents the most important point you want to make in that paragraph Is specific (or not so broad it would require a full essay to explore)
Supporting points are examples or pieces of evidence that support the claim you have made in your topic sentence. They can be:
Once you have listed your supporting points, you can now elaborate on them by adding details or explaining what you mean further.
Example
Topic Sentence: Dr. Seuss emphasized the danger posed by Japanese Americans during World War II. Main Point: His pictures show a parade of smiling Japanese marching down the West Coast collecting explosives. Detail: Each box of TNT these cartoon characters carry plays on the often irrational fears Americans felt toward Japanese Americans after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Another useful strategy to organize information is to use the PIE formula PIE
P = Point = The main point you want to make I = Illustration = A quote or paraphrase from the text E = Explanation = Your explanation about what the quote or paraphrase means
Use transition words or sentences to bridge ideas so the reader does not get confused First Second In addition Nevertheless In contrast Furthermore Therefore Etc.
Re-state your thesis statement in a different way Make a strong closing comment Use any of the strategies for the introduction Wrap up the paper with a neat bow tie
Avoid use personal pronouns like I, We, and You. Avoid not use contractions like isnt, theyre, wasnt, etc. Avoid slang Avoid a personal tone Avoid vague ideas Avoid plagiarism
Do address both sides of an argument Do cite your sources Do use a formal tone Do take a stand Do use concrete details Do give yourself time to develop your paper
Every writing assignment is practice for the next one Writing takes time Go through every step of the process Focus on your ideas first Focus on grammar and spelling last Get feedback from a peer, instructor, or tutor