Learning Objectives
- Researchers will understand the importance of creating an outline
- Researchers will understand the difference between a literal audience and an implied audience
- Researchers will understand how to arrange their argument in a way that is likely to prove most persuasive to their implied audience
- Researchers will recognize and understand the importance of an introduction, context, definitions, refutation of counterarguments, subclaims and evidence, and a conclusion
Beyond the Five-Paragraph Essay
- Benefits of creating an outline
- How to organize longer, more scholarly papers
- Six basic elements of a good research paper
- Best for beginning level
- 1m 22s
Two Audiences
- Writing for a literal and an implied audience
- Beginning to intermediate level
- 2m 6s
Introduction
- What makes a good introduction
- Captures attention, why reader should care, articulates writer's main points
- Examples of strategies not to use
- Best for beginning level
- 2m 6s
Context
- Defines context
- How and what context to give; directly related to your major points
- What is original and compelling about your argument?
- Best for beginning to intermediate level
- 1m 18s
Definitions
- Explains provisional definitions; how you are defining the word for your paper
- Best for beginning research instruction
- 1m 2s
Subclaims and Evidence
- Defines subclaims and why they are important
- How to provide subclaims with evidence
- The two principle methods of organizing subclaims and their evidence
- Beginning to advanced classes
- 1m 36s
Refutation of Counterarguments
- How to address counterarguments and why this is important
- Three types of counterarguments
- Refuting versus acknowledging counterarguments
- Best for intermediate to advanced research instruction
- 2m 41s
Conclusion
- Revisiting the introduction
- Reiterate your strongest points in conclusion
- Addressing weak points, acknowledge limitations, suggest further research
- Memorable final sentence
- Beginning to intermediate level
- 1m 49s
Checklist
- Make an outline of your paper
- Identify your implied audience, the main readers you will be targeting in your paper.
- Write an introduction that captures the interest of your readers, establishes a need for your paper, and communicates your main point.
- Provide the context and definitions your readers will need to understand and follow your argument
- Order your subclaims in a logical progression or from least to most persuasive.
- Refute counterarguments either outright or by showing that they don't seriously undermine your argument.
- Write a conclusion that briefly summarizes your paper, suggest limitations, and provides closure.
Terms
- Context
- Conterargumetns
- Implied Audience
- Provisional Definition
- Refute
- Subclaim
