Writing Academically

Here are some ground rules:

1. Reference according to academic conventions (see exemplar & Harvard referencing guide, lower down on this blog.)
2. Use the 3rd person - THE WHOLE TIME - Don't say, 'I think...' / Don't say 'Personally', - instead say (if you need to give a measured opinion), 'It is the opinion of this writer...'
3. MATTER OF DEGREE -it's not all black and white, rather it is a matter of degree - so you need certain types of connectives:

* To a certain extent
* To a limited extent
* To a large extent
* Inasmuch as
* Insofar as

4. (as guided by the essay plan - DO NOT INDUCE YOUR CONCLUSION
(Don't reveal your findings at the end of the essay - STATE THEM AT THE START (YOur thesis statement), and reiterate/emphasise them at the end.

5. Anticipate objections / counter-arguments - evaluate them carefully - do not ignore them.

Essay Plan (suggested)

1.Thesis statement – what you have found out in a nutshell

2.How you plan to prove your findings – briefly outline to the range of methods and texts you have covered

3.Outcome of surveys you conducted – link to thesis statement

4.Secondary text 1 – explain / evaluate  

5.Secondary text 2 – explain / evaluate    

6.Secondary text 3 – explain / evaluate    

7.Secondary text 4 – explain / evaluate   

8.Any other Secondary texts 1 – explain / evaluate – then link to primary texts by way of comparison/contrast/evaluation/reference to thesis proofs

9.Primary text(s) – over-arching evidence of thesis proofs, from notable sections of the text (e.g. key scenes, paragraphs or photos – must use excellent media terminology when discussing media forms used to construct specific representations)

10.Primary text(s) – narrative codes – link to relevant theories – evaluate

11.Primary text(s)  – institutional sources – link to thesis  - who is behind this text and what are their motives for key representations

12.Primary text(s) – Audience – link to relevant audience theory – evaluate

13.Conclusions – prognosis for future media texts  - contrast with what you would like to see happen in terms of positive representations (if applicable). –

14.BIBLIOGRAPHY!

  

Reminder of what to do with your secondary sources / guide to Referencing & Footnotes

Phase 2 - Research and Planning - Critical Investigation
    

1. Decide upon your secondary texts - articles or journals ideally.
2. Print them out.
3. Write a summary of each text:
include:
a) who / when /where
b) main ideas / arguments
c) key quotes
d) strengths and weaknesses of arguments - for example - how much is mere opinion or surmise - and how much is based on research / (supposed) evidence etc.?
e) How reading these text is developing your own generation of a thesis.
4. Post each article on your blog and send me the link

Thank you. Mr Baines

 

Now here's the referencing guide - your essay must be a proper, bona fide academic document, and must therefore keep within the conventions of footnoes and referencing (essentially, saying where you got your information from).

 

 

Homework

All post-survey evaluations and analysed secondary texts MUST be on the blog by Friday 16th October 2015

Exemplar 3 - Critical Investigation MEST 4

 

 

Exemplar 2 - Critical Investigation MEST 4

 

Exemplar 1 - Critical Investigation MEST 4