Lecture 5

CTL3390

Academic Writing Workshop

Lecture 5

Schedule

Structure of Research Paper Introductory Paragraph(s) Literature Review Essay Titles Generating New Ideas

Learning Objectives

Essay Structure

By the end of the lecture, you will be able to structure your research paper effectively

Primary Research Paper

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Primary Research Paper

Title A Short and Catchy Phrase (to indicate the nature of your research)

Title Introduction Methodology Results and Analysis Discussion Conclusion References Appendices (if any)

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Primary Research Paper

Introduction Establishing a Research Territory Establishing a Niche (Literature Review) Occupying the Niche

Primary Research Paper

Methodology Research Design Research Process

Primary Research Paper

Results and Analysis Data Collected Important Graphs, Figures and Charts Statistical Analysis (Hypothesis Testing)

Primary Research Paper

Discussion Explanation (if applicable) Refutation (if applicable) Implication (if applicable) Inference (if applicable) Speculation (if applicable) Research Limitations (if applicable)

Primary Research Paper

Conclusion Restatement of Thesis Major Findings Major Implications for Future Research (if applicable)

Primary Research Paper

References APA Style (any works cited in the research paper)

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Lecture 5

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Primary Research Paper

Appendices (if any) Any Useful Information, Pictures, Graphs, Figures, Charts, etc.

Secondary Research Paper

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Title Introduction Body Paragraphs Conclusion References Appendices (if any)

Secondary Research Paper

One-Way Argumentative Paper

Title A Short and Catchy Phrase (to indicate the nature of your research)

One-Way Argumentative Research Paper Two-Way Argumentative Research Paper

One-Way Argumentative Paper

Introduction Establishing a Research Territory Establishing a Niche (Literature Review) Occupying the Niche

One-Way Argumentative Paper

Body Paragraphs Topic Sentence Supporting Information (e.g. Explanation, Exemplification, Reasoning, Refutation) APA Citation / Quotation (if applicable) Second-hand Data (if appliable) Discussion (if applicable) Concluding Sentence

Terry Chung

Lecture 5

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One-Way Argumentative Paper

Conclusion Restatement of Thesis Summary Major Discoveries (if applicable) Major Implications for Future Research (if applicable)

One-Way Argumentative Paper

References APA Style (any works cited in the research paper)

One-Way Argumentative Paper

Appendices (if any) Any Useful Information, Pictures, Graphs, Figures, Charts, etc.

Two-Way Argumentative Paper

Title A Short and Catchy Phrase (to indicate the nature of your research)

Two-Way Argumentative Paper

Introduction Establishing a Research Territory Establishing a Niche (Literature Review) Occupying the Niche

Two-Way Argumentative Paper

Body Paragraphs (Pro-Arguments) Topic Sentence Arguments that Support Your Position Citation / Quotation / Second-hand Data that Support Your Position (if applicable) Concluding Sentence

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Lecture 5

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Two-Way Argumentative Paper

Body Paragraphs (Con-Arguments) Topic Sentence Arguments that Challenge Your Position Citation / Quotation / Second-hand Data that Challenge Your Position (if applicable) Concluding Sentence

Two-Way Argumentative Paper

Body Paragraphs (Rebuttal) Topic Sentence Your Refutation of Arguments that Challenge Your Position Citation / Quotation / Second-hand Data that Support Your Refutation (if applicable) Concluding Sentence

Two-Way Argumentative Paper

Conclusion Restatement of Thesis Summary Major Implications for Future Research (if applicable)

Two-Way Argumentative Paper

References APA Style (any works cited in the research paper)

Two-Way Argumentative Paper

Appendices (if any) Any Useful Information, Pictures, Graphs, Figures, Charts, etc.

Sample Structures

Primary Research Paper Secondary Research Paper (One-Way Argumentative Essay Secondary Research Paper (Two-Way Argumentative Essay)

You may use subheadings in you paper

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Lecture 5

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Learning Objectives

Introduction

By the end of the lecture, you will be able to write introductory paragraphs effectively

Introduction

Research Territory

Establishing a Research Territory (Literature Review) Establishing a Niche (Literature Review) Occupying the Niche (Thesis Statement and Your Position)

To show that the general research area is important, central, interesting, problematic, or relevant in some way To introduce and review items of previous research in the area (i.e. literature review)

Establishing Niche

Occupying Niche

To indicate a gap in the previous research, raising a question about it, or extending previous knowledge in some way (i.e. literature review) To introduce the theoretical or conceptual framework to be used (if applicable)

To present the thesis statement (research hypothesis) and your position To explain why you have come up with this hypothesis To outline purposes or stating the nature of the present research To announce principal findings To indicate the structure of the research paper

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Lecture 5

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Sample Introductions

A Few Thoughts on Current Curriculum Reform for Tertiary Education in Hong Kong Language and Power in the Courtroom

Literature Review

Learning Objectives
By the end of the lecture, you will be able to conduct literature review effectively

Literature Review

A literature review is a critical and in depth evaluation of previous research. It is a summary and synopsis of a particular area of research, It lets your readers know why you are pursuing this particular research.

Functions

Process

To justify your choice of research question, research hypothesis, theoretical or conceptual framework, and method To establish the importance of the topic To provide background information needed to understand the study To show readers you are familiar with significant and up-to-date research relevant to your topic

Identify keywords for your research Conduct library research Download, copy or borrow relevant articles and books Read the abstracts of the articles Review the information presented critically Select relevant articles Cite relevant information

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Advice

It is not a chronological catalog of all of the sources It is not a collection of quotes and paraphrasing from other sources Do not reject research just because it conflicts with your hypothesis

Essay Title

Writing Good Title

Exercise
Essay Titles a) Home Schooling: The Right Choice? b) College and Success in Life c) Security Cameras and Privacy d) Who Learns Faster Children or Adults? e) Telecommuting: Will It Change the World? f) Spending on Art g) Save our Sports! h) Corporal Punishment: Effectively When Used Wisely i) Physical Punishment for Children: Time to Change our Minds

Be relevant Include keywords Be laconic (succinct) Indicate the scope of research Indicate the topic

Exercise
Which Title for This Introduction Extract? (g) Today, many sports are becoming increasingly regulated. Boxing, rugby, soccer, and other games are being targeted by sports bodies and medical organizations in an effort to improve safety standards and to reduce injuries. However, for some people, this is not enough, and they would rather see some dangerous sports banned completely. In this essay, I will examine some arguments against banning dangerous sports.

Exercise
Which Title for This Introduction Extract? (h) Many parents use physical punishment to discipline their children. Others prefer to use different methods to reward good behavior or punish misbehavior. This essay will look at some of the arguments for and against physical punishment of children. We argue that

physical punishment can be a useful method of discipline. However it should be the last choice for parents. If we want to build a world with less violence we must begin at home, and we must teach our children to be responsible.

Terry Chung

Lecture 5

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Exercise
Which Title for This Introduction Extract? (b) It is very difficult to answer the claim that a person needs a university education to be successful in life because success in life means different things to different people. This essay starts by defining three different ideas of success. Following this, it looks at which types of success are dependent on a university education.

Exercise
Which Title for This Introduction Extract? (c) Security cameras have become ubiquitous in many countries. Whereas before they appeared only in banks and at high-security areas, they are now entering public places such as malls, streets, stadiums and transport. Many people feel this affects their privacy. This essay will examine whether the advantages of these cameras outweigh their negative impact.

Exercise
Which Title for This Introduction Extract? (a) In most countries in the world, governments require children to attend schools in which trained teachers are responsible for educating the children using an approved curriculum. However a significant number of parents believe that it is much better for their children to be educated at home by the people who know them and their needs best. This essay will examine the question of home schooling and discuss which the best option for the child is

Exercise
Which Title for This Introduction Extract? (e) Telecommuting will have major effects in the worlds of work and family life. The effects are difficult to predict because they depend on the extent to which telecommuting becomes popular. However, telecommuting could be the start of a major societal shift, possibly as big as the Industrial Revolution which created our present ideas of work. Nevertheless However, its biggest effect will be in the area of individual freedom, responsibility, and time management.

Exercise
Which Title for This Introduction Extract? (d) Small children seem to learn very quickly, while adults sometimes appear to lose the ability to pick up new subject such as languages, music, games, or computer programs. We feel that we cannot generalize about children or adults being better learners. It depends on the situation and the motivation of the person, and the level of enthusiasm he or she has for learning. In this essay, we will discuss whether children or adults make the best learners.

Exercise
Which Title for This Introduction Extract? (f) Many peoples lives are richer because of art music, paintings, calligraphy, pictures, sculpture, poems and dance. However, some people feel that governments should be spending money on housing, medical care, or defense, instead of on art. This essay will discuss whether governments should or should not spend money on the arts. We believe that governments should prioritize their spending carefully, but they should also allocate some of their budget for art. It is part of their duty to society and to future generations.

Terry Chung

Lecture 5

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Exercise
Which Title for This Introduction Extract? (i) There have been big changes in the attitudes of most parents over the last few years. Very few parents would agree with using force regularly as a way of dealing with discipline problems in their children. Physical punishment is banned in schools in most countries, and in many countries, there are moves to ban all corporal punishment of children even in the home. However, many parents still believe that they have a right to use some physical punishment to deal with certain misbehaviors at certain ages. This essay will reiterate the plausibility of physical punishment

Generating New Ideas

Learning Objectives
By the end of the lecture, you will be able to generate new ideas for research

Novelty

No doubt, you will be using other peoples ideas and research findings in your paper, but the final conclusion that you draw must have something new in it, however small it may be.

Method One
Develop a Synthesis, NOT Summary Take findings of previous research and produce a synthesis Take the same ingredients and recombine them in different portions and ways to provide something new

Method One
Example A dish that fuses Oriental and Western recipes (e.g. pizza with Dongbo pork toppings)

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Method Two
Relocate a Theory to a Foreign Context Take a theory developed and tested in the West and apply it to an Oriental context, or vice versa Take an idea from one discipline, and try it out in another

Method Two
Example Groupon (group coupon) is a deal-of-the-day website that features discounted gift certificates usable at local or national companies It was launched in 2008 and is now a successful business worth USD 1.35 billion with over 35 million registered users There are several websites that mimic Groupon in Hong Kong e.g. gigonzone

Method Three
Push the Envelope Take an idea from someone and extend it to its limits what if I push it a bit further?

Method Three
Example The films Infernal Affair I, II and III talk about undercover agents or moles. The idea is extended to double agents and triple agents

Method Four
Think the Opposite Take an existing idea and try to find any fault Consider the opposite

Method Four
Example The consumption tax is a bad tax because it discourages consumption The consumption tax is a good tax because it discourages spending

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Method Five
Re-focus and Elaborate We have our blind spots, making us neglect things that should be given more attention; Re-focus and elaborate on ideas that have been regarded as minor and insignificant.

Method Five
Example Inspectors looking for new clues to identify the murderer in things apparently insignificant or too obvious to be noticed.

Tutorial 5

Tutorial 5

Before you come to the tutorial Prepare a draft of your introduction (some background information and a thesis statement, no more than 1 page) Read and re-read the Lecture 5 handout to see if you have any questions

Tutorial 5
During the tutorial Refine your introduction Ask questions concerning Lecture 5

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