Please post your two questions and response to your peers' questions
about chapter 5 of the Bedford Book of Genres by commenting on this
post!
Remember: post your questions no later than 10pm the night before our class meets to actually receive credit!
What is a "mind map" and what is the most effective way to utilize one when preparing your thoughts and ideas for a research project?
ReplyDeleteA mind map is a flowchart, of sorts, that contains your main idea for a project, and connects to other ideas, thoughts, and examples that you use for whatever it is that you're writing about.
DeleteThe most effective way to use one when preparing for a research project is to have a centre in the flowchart with the main idea or point of the Research, and have branches that stem off into specific arguments, research, and examples. This way, you can relate your main idea to different information and arguments, so that when you write, you have an ordered and hierarchical structure and do not get lost or stray too far while dawdling on other parts of the writing process.
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DeleteA mind map is a chart with various bubbles that help writers to gather information. It helps writers to clearly create an well-developed paper. Mind maps help writers to identify what information will be useful pertaining to the topic. The most common model of mind-maps is the main idea in the center with the supporting information surrounding in the outside bubbles. The outside bubbles are furthermore connected to other smaller pieces of information. This design seems rather basic, but it is quite helpful in the brainstorming process of choosing a topic. The mind-map helps to keep the focus of the paper throughout because of the clear connection of ideas displayed. The organization ultimately helps the synthesis of information into a well developed paper with well backed argument and conclusions.
DeleteWhat is the difference between a broad/general research question and a research question that is specific, analytical, and complex?
ReplyDeleteBroad and general research questions are usually formulated at the start of the research project. They question a broad topic or area that you plan on researching. They help you to uncover facts and terms in your initial researching. In other words, they are questions you ask yourself to help start your research process and begin to compile your background research information. In comparison, specific, analytical, and complex research questions are usually formulated further into the research process. Having already accumulated a variety of background information and knowledge, this question helps you to narrow your research of an area into a more focused section. The more complex research questions help you to research your topic more in-depth and focus on a specific part of your area that is of interest to you. Also, the more specific, analytical, and complex research questions are open-ended and cannot be answered by a simple yes or no response. In this way, they allow you to present your research in an argumentative or persuasive tone based on your opinion of this area.
DeleteWhat are the benefits of keeping an annotated working bibliography compared to a working bibliography??
ReplyDeleteFirstly, a working bibliography and an annotated bibliography are extremely similar as they both are lists of the resources you accessed during your research and therefore the potential sources you will use to write your research paper. The only difference is that a working annotated bibliography includes researcher written comments about the potential source while the regular working bibliography does not. This can be extremely useful in order to remind oneself about why a source is an integral part of the research argument and how it answers the research question. It can also be a great place to add notes to oneself as to the credibility of the source and to put the exact words from the text that are most useful in addressing your argument, in quotations of course to denote exact phrasing, in order to prevent accidental paraphrasing. A summary of the source can also be included, which can be a helpful reminder as to content without having to go back a reread the entire source all over. Basically, an annotated working bibliography allows you to get a headstart into the process of writing your paper!
DeleteHow can writing a research proposal help you to narrow down and focus your research?
ReplyDeleteA research proposal asks you to do more than simply pick a topic. It challenges you to find a specific perspective to view the topic from and create an argument around it. This forces you to do more research on the topic. As a result, you are more likely to discover more a more specific aspect of the topic to focus on. It prevents you from using a shallow and cliche topic.
DeleteSince this process requires you to do more research, you develop a better idea of the kind of sources you will be using throughout the paper. Sometimes, you might even discover that you won’t have enough resources for one reason or another. Perhaps your topic isn’t well research so there are few resources available, or the topic is so complex that the resources available to you are too complex to be understood. This shows how a research proposal doesn’t simply narrow down your research, but also shift it.
Overall a research proposal helps ensure that the path you pursue will produce the best paper possible. It is much better to discover your topic is unworkable half way through making your proposal than half way through your research paper.
It’s important to use academic sources in a research paper, but how essential are non-academic sources to the quality of a paper and how can they be used?
ReplyDeleteNon-academic resources can be helpful in bringing in a non-academic viewpoint or opinion piece, especially for a research paper that is more subjective in nature, such as a critique on an art piece/genre where objective, academic reasoning holds less sway.
DeleteIncorporating sources with views contrary to your own can be valuable in a research paper, but how can you use them without undermining your own argument?
ReplyDeleteI think if you use them to understand their arguments but provide counters to them in your paper so the reader sees they aren't valid.
DeleteHow could Research questions harm, instead of help, an argument?
ReplyDeleteIf your research question is poorly constructed or too broad it makes developing a concrete argument extremely difficult. In the instance a research question would hurt the argument rather than achieving the goals of the paper. Another instance in which a research question can harm the argument is when the question appears biased, meaning it argues for one side. This leads to a biased paper and, in turn, a biased argument which will not prove anything because it does not analyze both sides of the issue or topic being investigated in the research paper.
DeleteWhat do you guys value the most as amateur writers? Having sources, being able to make drafts, brainstorming ideas,laying out what you're going to write about ,bibliographies, or being organized in your writing?
ReplyDeleteHow important is it to obtain a wide variety of sources in order to write a well-developed research paper?
ReplyDeleteIts extremely important to identify a multitude of various sources because this guarantees that you have all of your bases covered. A limited researched paper can easier be taken apart by simple counter arguments that a full research paper would cover. If research is only done on one side of the subject, there's a whole level of the topic that wasn't touched on. The paper will not be complete. Any subject can have as much as a dozen different versions of the viewpoint and if one isn't at least brushed up on then all of the viewpoints are not represented. Representation of all viewpoints is a major key to a complete research paper. Also, if someone was to read the research paper and become interested on the topic, they would not be able to be connected with sources that can bring them to full coverages of the topic. Having an extra source that may only barely be related to the topic would be better than having less sources. If the paper overall strives to be well-developed then it must have a wide variety of sources.
DeleteIs it vital to write a research proposal before you begin a research essay, or can you construct a research paper without a proposal?
ReplyDeleteShould we value academic sources more than non-acedmic sources? Are the more reliable or do the non-acedmic sources offer information that is just as valuable?
ReplyDeleteAcademic sources are commonly more reliable than non-academic sources because they usually have a reputation to uphold, and, therefore, must make sure the facts they give are truthful. Along with upholding an image, they usually are more factual than opinion based. Even though they are more reliable than non-acedemic sources, it does not mean we shouldn't value nonacademic sources. These sources can open up new ideas that academic sources may not address. They can be up to date with what has yet to be researched, but new ideas that have developed.
DeleteHow do mind-maps help an unexperienced writer in synthesizing their various ideas into a well formulated and specific topic?
ReplyDeleteSometimes it is hard for unexperienced writers to start a paper. Using a Mind Map would be very helpful because they can layout any ideas they may have and visually see how they relate to each other. This is an easier way to decide which examples would give the best support for their topic.
DeleteHow much research is necessary before writing a research proposal?
ReplyDeleteThis probably depends on your topic and how formal your proposal is. For example, if you are just starting to formulate a research proposal, you may just want become acquainted with the general history of whatever it is that you're researching, and some topics have a more intricate or long-standing history than others. I don't think you absolutely have to have all of your research done before you start writing a proposal; rather, writing a research proposal is an on-going and ever-changing process.
DeleteIs it important to make sure you have access to a lot of academic sources before starting a research proposal?
ReplyDeleteWhy is it beneficial to organize your resources?
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of questions does the writer need to think about answering throughout their paper before beginning a research proposal?
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to narrow down a topic too much to the point where there isn't enough information to write a full research paper?
ReplyDeleteCan you quote a source but use it just to disagree with it?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. In fact, it's critical in developing and rebutting your counterargument. In order for the argument to have foundation it's important to recognize the professional opinions of the opposing viewpoints. Those opinions need to be not only stated, but developed. The stronger the counterargument you are able to put down, the more persuasive your thesis will be. The development of your counterargument must be done through research. In the process of gathering your sources for your topic, make sure to find sources that reflect all aspects of it, including sources of differing viewpoints. Be sure that those sources are credible, just as all your other sources should be. In this way you are able to draw the most informed conclusion, back it with the best support, and point out the falsehood in the strongest counterargument.
DeleteHow important is it to consider the opinions of others when formulating a proposal, and not just facts?
ReplyDeleteIs the increase in the availability of information due to the internet making references and bibliographies less useful?
ReplyDeleteReferences and bibliographies are still relevant because many people will use a bibliography on the first source they find to lead them to other information about their topic that they may not have initially found by using a Google search. These lists of sources can act as a springboard for ideas and information especially when used in conjunction with another article.
Delete1. Should non-academic sources be used in a research paper where the purpose is to write an argument using credible sources?
ReplyDelete2. Are both a mind map and written research proposal necessary before beginning a research paper?
I think whether or not both a mind map and written research proposal are necessary depends on the person. Each person thinks and processes differently.
DeleteIs Wikipedia a good resource to use when researching for a project? Why or why not?
ReplyDeleteWhile the wiki itself may not always contain true information, they have their sources listed which can be a good resource.
DeleteWhy is it important to take into account multiple arguments or sources on a topic?
ReplyDeleteThis gives you a more rounded view point on the topic of your research. Through this you are able to construct a more inclusive world view on the topic. This way you can also see the argument from the other side, so it is also easier to refute what the other side of argument is saying. A variety of sources also helps you formulate a more comprehensive thesis and more constructive argument.
DeleteIf you were to make a mind map, do you think that could be used to create the structure of your paper as well?
ReplyDeleteShould we keep the sources we use during our topic brainstorming in case we want to use them during our actual research or should we find entirely new sources?
ReplyDeleteYes, all research conducted before and during the writing of the research paper should be kept until final submission as it allows for more avenues to discuss the topic that is chosen.
DeleteHow can a non-academic source be properly used in a research essay?
ReplyDeletePicture yourself in a potential career in your major. What kind of topics may you be researching one day? How will knowing how to properly conduct research be beneficial for you in your field of interest? How do you feel about these potential topics?
ReplyDeleteDo you believe mind map is an effective planning tool for a research paper?
ReplyDeleteWhat are some examples of potential audiences of research proposals, if any? In what ways can they be considered persuasive?
ReplyDelete1. How would you begin composing a mind map of your own?
ReplyDelete2. How does writing a Research proposal help you prepare for writing your research paper?
Do you, when reading a paper/article/argument, check for academic sources for the points the piece makes?
ReplyDeleteCan academic sources be misrepresented, misconstrued, or just flat out incorrect? If so, what can be done about it?
ReplyDeleteWhat are some alternatives to academic sources and how can they be used?
ReplyDeleteIs there a perfect format for a research paper? Why or why not?
ReplyDelete