University writing 30:151
march 15-22, 2016
focuses so far:
reading critically
making claims
constructing an argument
essay structure
prerequisites for effective research
disclaimer:
thesis-based research
VS.
"report-based" literature review
how do i support my argument and my "local" claims?
ARGUMENT: A POSITION YOU WANT THE READER TO ACCEPT AS VALID
claims: specific points YOU WANT THE READER TO ACCEPT AS VALID
supporting claims requires
reasons and evidence
definition of evidence
objective information used to support or corroborate a claim
criteria for academic evidence
IE: EVIDENCE THAT IS ACCEPTABLE FOR USE IN AN ACADEMIC ESSAY
1: COMES FROM A REPUTABLE SOURCE
ASK YOURSELF: WILL MY AUDIENCE ACCEPT THIS SOURCE AS REASONABLE OR AUTHORITATIVE?
"AUTHORITATIVE"
What credentials, expertise, or experience does the source have to be writing about the subject?
How viable is their research methodology?
What is their prior reputation and how do they demonstrate credibility within the work itself?
2: can be replicated or verified
scientific studies:
the exact same conditions and methods should produce the same results
difficult to replicate personal experience or observation
3: evidence in a disciplinary context
the field of study determines the evidence
English: Novel, Literary Theory, Interviews & Essays by the Author
science:
statistical / empirical evidence
evidence and disciplinary context
How do other writers in your field use evidence?
What kind of authorities do they cite?
What kinds of evidence are privileged within your discipline?
How is quantitative evidence presented and upheld?
How is qualitative evidence presented and upheld?
more broadly, what counts as evidence?
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is it relevant?
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is it appropriately dated (current)?
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is it representative?
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is it reliable?
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is it accurate?
process of researching w/ purpose
A Student's Guide, 99-100
1) select a topic
2) have a working thesis
3) have research questions
4) keywords
THESIS: Studies and research have shown that the benefits of vaccinating children outweigh the risks that have given rise to medical controversies fueled by the media.
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benefits of vaccinations
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media controversies and medicine
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risks of vaccinations
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media bias and medicine
5) CHOOSE RESOURCES STRATEGICALLY
6) Read intentionally and take notes
e.g.: summary for an annotated bibliography
7) cite and document all sources
using evidence
". . . use evidence to test, refine, and develop your ideas, rather than just to prove they are correct."
David Rossenwasser and Jill Stephen, Writing Analytically
evidence is more than just proof
evidence is needed to do two things:
1: establish something as true or believable
2: used to test the validity of your claims against the facts
evidence reshapes your your claims
"forcing" the evidence to fit your claims is inadvisable
adjust your claim to fit with the evidence
The broad purpose of evidence:
"Show, don't tell."
The "tell" is your claim
The "show" is your evidence
ways of discussing evidence
evidence NEVER speaks for itself
evidence is either in favour of (for) or in opposition to (against) an idea or a claim
THEY SAY / I SAY PROCESS (GRAFF & BIRKENSTEIN)
1) Understand the conversation (what others are saying)
2) Respond by explaining what you think
reporting
v.
engaging
golden rule:
do not assume. explain.
analyze the evidence
interpret the evidence
explain the evidence
highlight its signifance
connect it to your
claims
what context do i need to create so that i'm presenting the evidence to serve my purpose?
in what context does my evidence make sense?
the onus is on the writer
context makes the purpose of the evidence EXPLICIT
2 problematic scenarios:
unsubstantiated claims
generalizations without specific information to support it
purposeless evidence
information that isn't explained or connected to a claim
GRAMMAR:
DANGLING AND MISPLACEd MODIFIERS
most common modifiers:
adjectives
adverbs
ADJECTIVE:
COME JUST BEFORE OR JUST AFTER THE NOUN IT MODIFIES
Trying to save some money, the manager decided to close his store early.
The wise manager decided not to hire his scatterbrained nephew.
Satirists on Twitter gleefully mocked the political gaffe.
the participial phrase
adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun
Having had abundant experience, Kevin applied for the job.
Kevin, having had abundant experience, applied for the job.
Kevin applied for the job, having had an abundant experience.
Having had an abundant experience, the job seemed perfect for Kenneth.
dangling/misplaced participial phrase:
the phrase illogically modifies the wrong noun (or nothing at all)
adverbs:
words that primarily modify verbs, but can also modify adjectives, independent clauses, or whole sentences
Only his son works in saskatchewan.
his only son works in saskatchewan.
his son only works in Saskatchewan.
his son works only in saskatchewan.
principle of grammar:
precise meaning depends on precise placement of adjectives and adverbs
relative clause
a subordinate clause that defines or describes the noun that precedes it
relative pronouns:
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that
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which
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who
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whose
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where
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when
misplaced modifier:
Brandon University is located in Brandon, MB, which is known for its small classrooms and affordable tuition.
BRANDON UNIVERSITY, WHICH IS KNOWN FOR ITS SMALL CLASSROOMS AND AFFORDABLE TUITION, IS LOCATED IN BRANDON, MB.
John often received information on his cell phone that was useless.
John often received useless information on his cell phone.
Dangling modifiers:
when a modifier has nothing logical to attach to, it finds the closest noun and the result is illogical
Frustrated with the slowness of his essay, John’s excitement could hardly be contained when he discovered the perfect source.
After writing all day, his story was pretty satisfying to John.
A serious physicist, Einstein’s intelligence was unparalleled.
parallelism:
. . . is "the balanced and deliberate repetition of identical grammatical structures (words, phrases, clauses) within a single sentence."
principle of grammar:
coordinated words and phrases should be identical in grammatical form
Hobbies should be enjoyable, interesting, and a challenge.
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enjoyable
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interesting
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a challenge
Hobbies should be enjoyable, interesting, and challenging.
Food, textbooks, rent, and paying for utilities are basic needs in each student’s life.
When you visit Winnipeg, make sure to walk around the zoo, see a Jets game, and checking out the Museum is another option.
I keep a very demanding schedule: I exercise each day, my school is exhausting, and I have an active social life.
My parents urged me to study hard, to go to class, to take notes, and understand my responsibility.
COORDINATE ELEMENTS IN A SERIES
parallel elements in correlative conjunctions
She not only taught me grammar but also spelling.
She not only taught me grammar but also taught me spelling.
She taught me not only grammar but also spelling.
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UW: March 15-22 (Research, Evaluating Sources, Faulty Parallel, Dangling Modifier)
By Trent Gill
UW: March 15-22 (Research, Evaluating Sources, Faulty Parallel, Dangling Modifier)
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