Research Paper
Research Paper Background Paragraph
ENGL 101
Instructor: Jean Jeon
(Heajin.jeon@twu.ca)
Today’s agenda
Thesis statement (review)
Background paragraph
Types of evidence
Task 7
Thesis Statement (PTOCR)
Perspective (视角)
Topic
Opinion
Concept (趋势)
Roadmap
(Causes/
effects)
Background Paragraph Overview
Definitions
Historical events
Information
Transition sentence
1 background paragraph (8-11 sentences)
or 2 paragraphs (4-6 sentences each)
No “direct quotations”.
Paraphrase with a citation
1) Definitions
Introduce a definition of important terms on your topic
(COVID-19/ LGBTQ+ / Feminism…)
2) HISTORICAL events
Introduce historical events that influenced the issue?
Originality (Where it originally come from?)
(e.g. What are the history behind gender inequality in North America/ How many cases of bullying were there in North America?/ What are the history behind the wage gap in North America?)
3) Specific Information
Provide a comprehensive information of the issue
Statistics (i.e. the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19/ death rate)
A summary of the situation (a story of the last two decades of “issue”/current situation in BC/factors that contributes the topic)
4) Transition Sentence
Transition sentence uses a synonym of the thesis keyword.
“Therefore/ Hence, …”
Different source types
General vs Specific Sources
Statistics
Expert’s opinion/ interpretation
vs
Case studies
Illustrative Examples
General
to
Specific
Statistics
Definition: “a practice of collecting and analyzing numerical data to study human behavior/social trend.”
(i.e. About 14% of patients had symptoms described as “severe”; 5% were considered “critical”, with about half of those resulting in death)
Statistical evidence
The percentage of cases which, according to a study of 45,000 confirmed infections in China, caused only minor illness. About 14% of patients had symptoms described as “severe”; 5% were considered “critical”, with about half of those resulting in death.
The number of people diagnosed with coronavirus in the UK. The figure, announced on Saturday, was a rise of 46 on the previous day, compared with an increase of 48 on Friday people infected from Thursday. The Department of Health said more than 21,000 people had been tested for the virus.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/08/coronavirus-in-numbers-outbreak-impact-worldwide
Expert’s opinion
An Alberta Health spokesperson said that provincial residents can “rest assured that we are well-prepared for any future situation that may arise”.
“Trying to distance people from one another or people can decrease the number of large gatherings that they’re participating in” said Dr. Vera Etches, the City of Ottawa’s top health oficer.
Illustrative Examples
Uses a person who goes through the issue.
"People weren't going to restaurants, therefore restaurants weren't ordering as much product.” mentioned by Osborne Burke, a manager of Victoria Fisheries.
Business owners who goes through the trend can be used an illustrative example.
Illustrative Examples
Illustrative Examples do not necessarily have to come from sources with high credibility.
They can be found in newspapers, magazines, blogs, even social media websites such as Facebook, YouTube or Twitter.
This must be researched with a citation/reference.
Types of Evidence
Blogs: personal stories, illustrative examples, Current Events,
Magazines: Illustrative examples, Factual/historical information.
Newspapers: Factual/current Events, Statistics, Expert Opinion/Interpretation
Academic Article: Statistics, Expert Interpretation/theory, Case study
Government/NGO Website: Statistics, Expert Opinion/Interpretation, Historical/Factual Evidence
Book: Statistics, Expert Theory/Opinion/Interpretation, Examples, Factual Evidence
Credibility Ratings
Level 1: Popular source for self-help or entertainment
Level 2: Personal story, testimonial, or narrative (blogs, magazines)
Level 3: NEWS article, magazine article, article from a professional organization; may include research but reported in journalistic or less formal style
Level 4: Scholarly source but written for average reader; includes references and scholarly research such as studies, statistics, and reports.
Level 5: Scholarly source written for advanced academic work; includes references and scholarly research; written in very formal style, with long sentences and difficult vocabulary. This level is written for experts in the field.
Current information for research
For social science issues, use information published within the last 15 years (2005-2020)
(exceptions: historical events/classical works/ “pioneers” in the field.)
Due Dates
Task 7 Due: Nov. 17th @11:59pm.
After meeting your LC, upload a revision into “RP Drafts Dropbox”
Final exam: Dec. 9th (6-8pm)
HAPPY READING BREAK!
(No Classes on Nov. 11-13)
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The Ladder of Abstraction
General/Abstract
Specific/Concrete
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