Critical writing and Research papers

CRITICAL WRITING AND RESEARCH PAPERS: An Overview

BASICS

  • Writing as a Skill

    • Writing is considered a skill, but it is also viewed as a practice that requires constant effort.

    • The more one engages in writing, the better they become; writing is a continuous work in progress.

    • Quote by Richard Bach: “A professional writer is an amateur that didn’t quit.”

READ, READ, READ!

  • Importance of Reading

    • Reading is described as an active process rather than a passive activity.

    • It involves not just absorbing information but also critically examining how authors construct their arguments.

    • Reading enhances knowledge, provides templates for presenting arguments, improves vocabulary, and teaches critical thinking skills.

    • Recommendations for Reading:

    • Read extensively (a wide range of material).

    • Read intensively (engage deeply with fewer texts).

    • Quote by Stephen King: “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.”

    • Quote by Alisa Valdes: “There’s no better teacher for writing than reading… Get a library card. That’s the best investment.”

SOME GENERAL RULES OF ACADEMIC WRITING

  • Nature of Academic Writing

    • Expression by Ernest Hemingway that there is no definitive rule on writing; it can come easily or feel like drilling rock.

    • A good research paper should include both historiographic and analytical arguments.

    • It is expected that writers will reach their own conclusions when addressing questions posed by the paper's topic.

    • Always observe the specified word limit for written assignments.

DICTION

  • Word Choice

    • Writers should be deliberate about their word choice and use words in the correct context.

    • The use of “smart sounding” words or phrases may lead to obfuscation rather than clarity.

    • Techniques for Better Writing:

    • Consider reading work aloud to check for sound and flow.

    • Adverbs can be seen as ornamental and can often be removed to reduce word count.

    • Quote by William Faulkner: “In writing, you must murder your darlings.”

EXAMPLES OF DICITION

  • Example illustrating ineffective phrases:

    • “This shows that Said’s theory of Orientalism analysed how the West saw the East as different and foreign.”

    • “In this paper I argue that the Chinese Communist regime used the state apparatus to carry out a brutal programme of suppression against all political opponents.”

    • “From this example, we can see that nineteenth-century French republicanism was not a radical ideology that posed a significant threat to public order.”

    • “In conclusion, we can see that Soviet communism hurt the Russian economy more than it helped.”

    • Commentary: Phrases like “this shows that” and “from this example we can see that” generally do not contribute to the argument and can often be eliminated.

ELEMENTS OF A GOOD RESEARCH PAPER

  • Introduction

    • The introduction is vital for framing the overall argument and should clearly communicate the thesis from the outset.

  • Body of the Paper

    • This section is where ideas are developed and discussions on the topic unfold.

    • Employ techniques such as comparing and contrasting to assist in analysis and argumentation.

    • Ensure that the progression of ideas is logical, flowing coherently from one to the next based on topic, subject, and theme.

    • Avoid the habit of repeatedly referring back to previous statements, which may signal issues in organization.

TRANSITION SENTENCES

  • Purpose of Transition Sentences

    • Transition sentences are essential for maintaining the logical flow of arguments across paragraphs.

    • New points must be presented in a coherent manner, either by complementing, contradicting, or expanding upon previous ideas.

    • Considerations for effective transitions:

    • Complementing: providing further support for the previous idea.

    • Contradicting: presenting opposing evidence or arguments.

    • Expanding: building upon the preceding point for more general arguments.

CONCLUSION OF A GOOD RESEARCH PAPER

  • Structure

    • The conclusion may span 1-2 paragraphs.

    • It should summarize main points and often reiterate aspects covered in the introduction.

    • In addition to a summary, it should provide a “value-added” explanation, detailing how the preceding discussions illuminate or expand understanding of the issue presented in the introduction.

REFERENCING

  • Citation Practices

    • It is crucial to cite all works consulted, regardless of whether they are quoted.

    • Avoid using long quotes; instead, focus on quoting key phrases or statements that encapsulate the main ideas.

  • Example: “Francois Furet’s supposed ‘return to the political’ provided a novel context for analyzing the French Revolution after the ‘social turn’ of the 1960s and 1970s.”

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Writing Quality

    • Pay attention to grammar, sentence structure, and overall organization to effectively convey arguments.

    • Ensure that all points and arguments are supported by adequate evidence and examples.

    • Avoid speculative and general claims, as these typically indicate a weak thesis.

  • Learning from Others

    • Reflect on how authors in the articles read for class introduce, present, and foster their arguments.

    • If an article stands out for its insightfulness or quality, analyze the elements that contributed to its success.