ExpositoryResearch Projects

Basic Elements of Analytical Research and Writing

Overview

• Project types– Argumentative

– Analytical

– Expository

• Choosing a topic

• Identifying audience

• Conducting research

• Organization and format

Types of Research Projects

• ArgumentativeoClearly defined topicoClearly defined thesis statement (stance)oGoal: Persuade audience

oExample: Martha Schwartz is the most influential contemporary American landscape architect.

oMust support thesis with proof (data) and sound reasoning

Types of Research Projects

• AnalyticaloClearly defined topicoResearch question rather than thesisoGoal: Explore and evaluate topic

oExample: Given Martha Schwartz’s influence on contemporary American landscape architecture, what are her major design inspirations and precedents?

oMust conduct thorough research and explore various sources to try to answer question

Expository

• Expositoryo Informationalo Offers insight into a topic, etc.o Claim/Data/Warrant offers a good insight

into expository essays.

Choosing a Topic

• Consider assignment requirements

• Consider due dates, your schedule, priorities

• Conduct preliminary research; ask preliminary research questions

• Determine interest - choose a topic that fulfills assignment requirements and that interests you

Identifying Audience

• Important questions:– Who are they?– What do they need, expect?– Where will they be reading?– When will they be reading?– Why will they be reading?– How will they be reading?

Identifying Audience

• Primary audience– Gatekeepers, instructor, faculty, etc.

• Secondary audience – Peers, colleagues, coworkers, etc.

• Shadow audience– Others who may read communication -

Internet!

Beginning Research

• Where do I get my information?– Secondary sources:

• Library databases• Professional

publications• Credible Websites

– Primary sources:• Interviews• Observations• Experimentation

– Use Purdue OWL to help you evaluate sources: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/553/01/

How to create a notecard 1

Numbered source and letter

“Quote” (author last name and page number).

(back)

Numbered source

Notecard source cited correctly

(front)

How to create a notecard 2

1

(Ex: Gleick, James. Chaos: Making a New Science. New

York:Penguin, 1987. Print.)

1A

Example: “And her skeleton shall remain in the chamber forever” (Gleick 2).

How to create a notecard 3

.

Sample Note CardsOrganized by Card Topic

Sample Process

TOPIC: Hershey Park

PRELIMINARY OR WORKING THESIS: Hershey Park dominates the Amusement Park world.

Working (Preliminary) Outline

I. Milton Hershey A. Childhood B. Chocolate Factory

II. Hershey Park A. When did it open? B. How has it

changed? C. What’s it currently

like?

III. Other parks A. Disney World 1. Size 2. Cost 3. Number of

visitors B. Dorney Park 1. Size 2. Cost 3. Number of

visitors

IV. Why is Hershey Park better?

Final Outline

Purpose: Serves as a table of contents for your paper. Use it to organize your note cards as your write the rough draft.

Thesis: With its fascinating history, impact on the local community, and charitable activities, Hershey Park dominates the Amusement Park world.

I. Milton Hershey A. Childhood B. Chocolate Factory 1. Its origins 2. Its success through the Depression 3. Its current success C. Boys’ Home for orphans 1. Why he built it 2. When it became The Milton Hershey SchoolII. The Park A. Opening B. Changes since opening 1. Most expensive 2. Most publicized 3. Costs a. public admission b. cost of operation 4. Safety requirements C. Impact on the local community

Notice that the final outline is still a topic outline, even though there is more detail. Your final outline should follow this exact format, with Roman numerals, capital letters, etc. If there is no B, then there should not be an A.

*PLEASE NOTE: THIS SAMPLE OUTLINE IS NOT COMPLETE! YOURS SHOULD HAVE 3-5 MAJOR HEADINGS.

Formatting the 1st Page

No title page

Double space everything

In the upper left corner of the 1st page, list your

name, your instructor's name, the course, and date

Center the paper title (use standard caps but no

underlining, italics, quote, or bold)

Create a header in the upper right corner at half

inch from the top and one inch from the right of the

page (include your last name and page number)

Sample 1st Page

What do I do when all my resources have been cited?

1. Alphabetize them according to the first word of the citation

2. Double space everything

3. Make sure every line under the first one is indented

4. Type Works Cited at the top of the page in the center.

Paper Organization

• Introduction: overview entire document– Purpose/goals

• What is the point of the paper? Argumentative? Analytical?– Audience (optional)

• Is the audience familiar with topic, terms?– For argumentative

• What is your thesis? – For analytical

• What are your research questions?– Research methods

• How did you find your information?– Findings and conclusions– Forecast organization of document– Remember: one of the best ways to learn how to write is to

read a lot of material from your discipline

Paper Organization

• Section 1:– Introduce, explain topic

• Section 2:– Discuss history, background; set the context

• Section 3:– Discuss research methods

• Section 4:– Discuss research findings

• Section 5:– Conclusions

• Works Cited/References• Appendix• If you’re short on page/word count, do more research

Format: General Guidelines

Type on white 8.5” x 11” paper

Double-space everything

Use 12 pt. Times New Roman font (or similar font)

Leave only one space after punctuation

Set all margins to 1 inch on all sides

Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch

Format: General Guidelines (continued)

Header with page numbers in the upper right corner

Endnotes go on a separate page before your Works

Cited page

NEVER PLAGARIZE YOUR PAPER!

PLAGIARISM

• It's like lip-synching to someone else's voice and accepting the applause and rewards for yourself.

• IF YOU PLAGIARIZE, YOU WILL FAIL!!! …any time you take a writer’s words and use them as your own, you are plagiarizing

Works Cited Page: The BasicsSample Works Cited page:

Works Cited Page: BooksBasic Format:

Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place of Publication:

Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.

Examples:

Gleick, James. Chaos: Making a New Science. New York:

Penguin, 1987. Print.

Gillespie, Paula, and Neal Lerner. The Allyn and Bacon Guide to

Peer Tutoring. Boston: Allyn, 2000. Print.

Palmer, William J. Dickens and New Historicism. New York: St.

Martin's, 1997. Print.

---. The Films of the Eighties: A Social History. Carbondale:

Southern Illinois UP, 1993. Print.

Works Cited Page: Periodicals

Article in a Magazine Format:

Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Periodical Day Month Year:

pages. Medium of publication.

Example:

Buchman, Dana. "A Special Education." Good Housekeeping

Mar. 2006: 143-8. Print.

Article in Scholarly Journal Format:

Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Journal Volume.Issue (Year):

pages. Medium of publication.

Example:

Duvall, John N. "The (Super)Marketplace of Images: Television

as Unmediated Mediation in DeLillo's White Noise." Arizona

Quarterly 50.3 (1994): 127- 53. Print.

Works Cited Page: Other

Film Example:

The Usual Suspects. Dir. Bryan Singer. Perf. Kevin

Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Stephen

Baldwin, and Benecio del Toro. Polygram, 1995.

Film.

Works Cited Page: WebWeb Source Format:

Editor, author, or compiler name (if available). “Article

Name.” Name of Site. Version number. Name of

institution/organization affiliated with the site (sponsor

or publisher). Date of last update. Medium of publication.

Date of access.

For More Information or Help

• OWL website: http://owl.english.purdue.edu

• Grammar Hotline: 765-494-3723

• Purdue Writing Lab in Heavilon Hall 226, Purdue

University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA

The End