Academic Writing with Readings

Description

Features

* An emphasis on core academic skills: Academic Writing introduces core concepts used across a variety of disciplines in order to help students recognize patterns that appear in all academic reading and writing situations.
* Connections across contexts: From traditional science reports written for fellow scholars to blogs written for general audiences, this interdisciplinary text contains a wide range of readings, allowing students to examine how context influences academic writing.
* "Concept in Practice" and "Applying the Concepts" features: These features encourage students to apply the critical reading, research, and writing strategies that they learn in composition courses to what they read and write in all of their courses.
* An anthology: This accompanying anthology includes forty-two articles drawn from across a wide range of disciplines-including Sociology, Psychology, Computer Science, Communications, History, Art, Communications, Business, Economics, Geography, and Environmental Science-which are grouped together by engaging interdisciplinary themes: Social Networks (Chapter 13), Perceptions and Perspectives (Chapter 14), Language, Literacy, and Technology (Chapter 15), Violence and Justice (Chapter 16), and Conservation and the Environment (Chapter 17).

Table of Contents

* Each chapter ends with a works cited
Preface
1. Academic Writing across the Disciplines
Recognizing Common Features of Academic Writing
-- Specialized Audiences
-- Contextualized Writing
-- Specialized Vocabulary
-- Disciplinary Perspectives and Modes of Inquiry
-- Emphasis on Research and Evidence
Transitioning to Reading and Writing in the Disciplines
-- Consider Your Study Habits and Learning Preferences
-- Consider Your Prior Writing Knowledge and Beliefs about Learning
Understanding Concepts and Connections in Academic Writing
--Applying the Concepts to Reading: Reading Academic Writing
--Applying the Concepts to Writing: Considering Your Learning Preferences
PAIRED READINGS FROM INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
"Disciplinary Cultures and General Education," Essays on Teaching Excellence, Sheila Tobias
"Why Poets Just Don't Get It in the Physics Classroom: Stalking the Second Tier in the Sciences," NACADA Journal, Sheila Tobias
2. Strategies for Reading Academic Writing
Strategy 1: Understanding the Context
-- Analyze the Rhetorical Situation
---- The Writer
---- The Audience
---- The Situation, Genre, and Purpose
--- Know What to Expect While You Read
-- Concept in Practice 2.1: Considering Context Clues
-- Use Genre Knowledge to Understand What You're Reading
-- Recognize the Vocabulary of the Genre or Discipline
-- Concept in Practice 2.2: Considering the Vocabulary of Research Studies
-- Keep Your Reason for Reading in Mind
Strategy 2: Making Predictions
-- Preview the Entire Text
-- Notice Signal Words and Transitions
-- Concept in Practice 2.3: Considering Linguistic Clues
Strategy 3: Reading Actively
-- Highlight, Annotate, or Create Graphical Depictions as You Read
-- Concept in Practice 2.4: Making Annotations
-- Make Connections as You Read
Strategy 4: Adjusting How You Read
-- Learn to Adjust Your Reading Rate
-- Concept in Practice 2.5: Adjusting How You Read
-- Learn to Read Critically
-- Alter Your Reading Style When Reading Onscreen
-- Applying the Concepts to Reading: Considering the IMRAD Report
-- Applying the Concepts to Writing: Why Read Original Research Reports?
PAIRED READINGS FROM READING STUDIES
Excerpt from an "Interview with Ellen Rose," conducted by Laureano Ralón for Figure/Ground Communication
"The Phenomenology of On-Screen Reading: University Students' Lived Experience of Digitised Text," British Journal of Educational Technology, Ellen Rose
3. Reading Academic Arguments
Defining Academic Arguments
-- Claims of Observation
-- Claims of Interpretation of Evidence or Research
-- Claims of Opinion or Value
-- Claims that Call for Action
-- The Intended Audience
Recognizing Persuasive Appeals
-- Pathos
---- Consider Imagery and Concrete Details
---- Consider Figurative Language
---- Consider Appeals to Shared Values
-- Concept in Practice 3.1: Appealing to Shared Cultural Values
-- Ethos
---- Consider the Author's Experience or Qualifications
---- Consider the Author's Concern for Others
---- Consider How the Author Acknowledges Opposing Views
-- Concept in Practice 3.2: Qualifying Conclusions
---- Consider the Credentials and Reputations of Sources Cited
---- Consider the Tone and Writing Style
-- Logos
---- Look for Indicators of Trustworthy Quantitative Research
---- Assess the Reliability of Studies and Surveys
-- Concept in Practice 3.3: Evaluating Research Methods
---- Evaluate the Visual Evidence
---- Look for Indicators of Trustworthy Qualitative Evidence
-- Applying the Concepts to Reading: Critically Reading Arguments
-- Applying the Concepts to Writing: Writing a Critical Analysis
PAIRED READINGS FROM SOCIOLOGY
"Promoting Bad Statistics," Society, Joel Best
"Birds-Dead and Deadly: Why Numeracy Needs to Address Social Construction," Numeracy, Joel Best
4. Writing Academic Arguments
Understanding the Writer-Reader Relationship in College Writing
-- Deferring Authority in College Papers
-- Concept in Practice 4.1: Analyzing the Rhetorical Situation in a Biology Writing Prompt
-- Claiming Authority in College Papers
Recognizing Analysis
-- Types of Analysis
---- Find or Delineate a Recurring Pattern
---- Compare and Contrast
---- Apply a Specific Analytical Template or Theory to a Situation
---- Evaluate Worth According to Discipline Standards
-- Concept in Practice 4.2: Summary vs. Analysis
Making an Argument
-- Thesis-Driven Arguments
-- Empirical Arguments
-- Proposals
Providing Evidence in Analysis and Argument Assignments
-- Summary, Analysis, and Personal Response
-- Published Quantitative Data
-- Personal Observation
-- Textual Evidence
Responding Effectively to Writing Prompts
-- Applying the Concepts to Reading: Analyzing a College Writing Prompt from Music Appreciation
-- Applying the Concepts to Writing: Responding to a Writing Prompt from History
PAIRED READINGS FROM INFORMATION LITERACY
"College Students Eager to Learn but Need Help Negotiating Information Overload." The Seattle Times, Alison J. Head and Michael B. Eisenberg
Excerpt from "Learning the Ropes: How Freshmen Conduct Course Research Once They Enter College," Project Information Literacy Research Report, Alison J. Head
5. Visual Rhetoric in Academic Arguments
An Overview of Visual Rhetoric
Visual Rhetoric in Academic Arguments
-- Passage from an Academic Journal
Using Images
-- Using Images to Explain Concepts or Procedures
-- Using Images to Evoke Emotion
-- Concept in Practice 5.1: Combining Images with Other Types of Evidence
Presenting Quantitative Data Visually
-- Using Tables
-- Concept in Practice 5.2: Presenting Data in Tables
-- Using Figures
---- Pie Charts
---- Bar Charts (Graphs) and Column Charts
---- Line Graphs
-- Concept in Practice 5.3: Comparing Figure Types
Best Practices for Incorporating Visuals into Academic Papers
-- Applying the Concepts to Reading: Reading Quantitative Data
-- Applying the Concepts to Writing: Analyzing Images
-- Getting Started
-- Conducting Your Analysis
-- Writing the Analysis
PAIRED READINGS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
"Can We Feed the World and Sustain the Planet?" Scientific American, Jonathan A. Foley
"Closing Yield Gaps Through Nutrient and Water Management," Nature, Nathaniel D. Mueller, James S. Gerber, Matt Johnston, Deepak K. Ray, Navin Ramankutty, and Jonathan A. Foley
6. Writing with Authority
Reviewing the Past and Announcing the Value of Your Paper
-- Concept in Practice 6.1: Recognizing Patterns in Introductions
Introducing and Announcing the Purpose of Your Paper
-- Concept in Practice 6.2: Engaging Readers and Announcing Your Goals
Qualifying Claims and Anticipating Objections
Preparing the Reader for What's to Come
-- Titles
-- Forecasting Introductions
-- Overviews, Topic Sentences, and Headings
Using Specialized Vocabulary and Academic Phrasing
-- Academic Phrases
-- Concept in Practice 6.3: Recognizing Academic Vocabulary
-- Reformulations
---- Reformulations that Paraphrase
---- Reformulations that Specify or Illustrate
---- Reformulations that Define
-- Concept in Practice 6.4: Recognizing Opportunities for Reformulation
Using First Person to Establish Authority
Bringing the Conversation to a Close
-- Applying the Concepts to Reading: Reading Mathematics Writing
-- Joining a Conversation
-- Establishing Territory and Stating the Value of the Research
-- Expressing Uncertainty
-- Applying the Concepts to Writing: Using the Conventions of Academic Writing
PAIRED READINGS FROM BUSINESS
"First Impressions: The Science of Meeting People." (An interview with Amy Cuddy), Wired. Com, Rob Capps
"Power Posing: Brief Nonverbal Displays Affect Neuroendocrine Levels and Risk Tolerance," Psychological Science, Dana R. Carney, Amy J. C. Cuddy, and Andy J. Yap
7. Conducting Secondary Research
Discovering Topics
-- Analyze Assignment Prompts
-- Choose from What You Know
-- Consult Course Resources
-- Conduct "Presearch"
---- Library Resources
---- Internet Sources
Refining Your Topic
-- Concept in Practice 7.1: Asking Open-Ended Questions to Refine a Topic
Finding Sources
-- Search Library Databases
-- Concept in Practice 7.2: Searching for Articles in a Database
-- Search Online Book Catalogs
-- Consult Your Sources' Sources
-- Consult Your Librarians
-- Concept in Practice 7.3: Using Your Library's Databases
Evaluating Sources
-- What Is the Publication Source?
-- Is the Source a Primary or Secondary Source?
-- Does the Author Have Relevant Credentials?
-- What Is the Original Context?
-- What Is the Publication Date?
-- Are the Author's Sources of Information Identified?
-- Is the Source Static or Dynamic?
-- Concept in Practice 7.4: Evaluating a Website
Creating a Working Bibliography
-- Concept in Practice 7.5: Developing an Annotated Bibliography
Selecting Evidence for an Academic Argument
Reading Academic Research Reports
Choosing between Primary and Secondary Sources of Information
-- Applying the Concepts to Reading: Evaluating Online Sources
-- Applying the Concepts to Writing: Creating an Annotated Bibliography that Evaluates Sources
PAIRED READINGS FROM COMPUTER SCIENCE
"YAB [Youth Advisory Board] Interview: Laura Granka, Search User Experience, Google." Ypulse Youth Advisory Board post from Raymond Braun
"Eye-Tracking Analysis of User Behavior in WWW Search," SIGIR Forum, Laura A. Granka, Thorsten Joachims, and Geri Gay
Eye-Tracking Analysis of User Behavior in WWW Search
8. Integrating Source Material into Academic Writing
Summarizing
-- Summary in Introductions
-- Summary as Evidence
-- Comprehensive Summaries
---- Reading a Text You Will Summarize
-- Concept in Practice 8.1: Summarizing an Article
---- Template for Standalone Summaries
Paraphrasing
-- Paraphrasing a Passage
Understanding Plagiarism
-- Patchwriting
-- Common Knowledge
-- Concept in Practice 8.2: Summarizing and Paraphrasing a Passage
Quoting
-- Determining When to Quote
-- Analyzing Quotations
-- Capitalizing and Punctuating Quotations
---- Introducing Quotations
---- Integrating Quotations
---- Interrupting Quotations
---- Introducing a Quotation with a Colon
---- Following a Quotation with a Comma or Period
---- Following a Quotation with Other Types of Punctuation
-- Identifying Speakers
-- Copying Quotations
---- Adding Emphasis to a Quotation
---- Omitting Words from a Quotation
---- Inserting Words into Quotations
---- Identifying an Error in a Quotation
-- Concept in Practice 8.3: Quoting Sentences and Phrases
-- Using Block Quotations
Identifying Sources through Formal Documentation
-- Similarities and Differences in Documentation Styles
Quoting in Different Documentation Styles
-- Similarities and Differences in Bibliography Styles
-- Concept in Practice 8.4: Recognizing Differences in Bibliography Formats
-- Applying the Concepts to Reading: Combining Summary, Paraphrase, and Quotation with Analysis
-- Applying the Concepts to Writing: Summarizing an Article
PAIRED READINGS FROM RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION
"Sandra Jamieson and Rebecca Moore Howard: Unraveling the Citation Trail," Project Information Literacy, "Smart Talks."
"Writing from Sources, Writing from Sentences," Writing & Pedagogy, Rebecca Moore Howard, Tricia Serviss, and Tanya K. Rodriguez
9. Writing a Synthesis Paper
Planning a Synthesis Paper
-- Consider Your Audience, Purpose, and Assignment
-- Look for Agreements, Disagreements, and Discrepancies between Sources
-- Think of Research and Writing as Simultaneous Processes
-- Look for Ways to Graphically Organize Information
-- Concept in Practice 9.1: Planning a Source-Based Synthesis Paper
Formulating the Central Claim
Categorizing Types of Central Claims
-- Claims that Summarize the Published Research
-- Claims of Opinion or Value
-- Concept in Practice 9.2: Expressing the Central Claim
-- Central Claim that Summarizes Sources
-- Central Claim that Expresses the Writer's Opinion
Drafting Your Paper
-- Support Claims with Evidence
-- Write an Original Argument
-- Use Additional Features of Good Synthesis Writing
Synthesizing Source Material Using MLA Format
Synthesizing Source Material Using APA Format
-- Applying the Concepts to Reading: Reading a Source-Based Proposal Documented in APA Format
-- Applying the Concepts to Writing: Synthesizing Information from Sources
PAIRED READINGS FROM PSYCHOLOGY
Excerpt from "An Interview with Deanna Kuhn," Educational Psychology Review, Michael E. Shaughnessy
"Jumping to Conclusions," Scientific American Mind, Deanna Kuhn
10. Conducting Primary Research
Secondary Research versus Primary Research
Choosing a Research Topic
-- Use Course Resources
-- Look Around
-- Use Published Studies
Primary Research Questions
Choosing Your Research Methods
Observation
-- Limitations of Observation
-- Guidelines for Conducting Observational Research
-- Concept in Practice 10.1: Reporting Observational Research
Interviews
-- Guidelines for Conducting Interviews
-- Concept in Practice 10.2: Interviewing Research Subjects
Surveys
-- Guidelines for Creating Survey Questions
-- Concept in Practice 10.3: Evaluating Survey Questions
-- Limitations of Survey Research
Textual Analysis
-- Guidelines for Conducting Textual Analysis
-- Concept in Practice 10.4: Analyzing Textual Features
-- Discovering Topics for Textual Analysis Studies
Ethical Considerations When Conducting Primary Research
Reporting Your Original Research
-- Title
-- Introduction
-- Methods
-- Results
-- Discussion
-- References
Benefits of Conducting Primary Research
-- Applying the Concepts to Reading: Analyzing a Description of Methods
-- Applying the Concepts to Writing: Planning a Research Study
PAIRED READINGS FROM INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
Excerpt from University of Michigan's webpage for the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (Sandra R. Gregerman, director)
Excerpt from "Undergraduate Student-Faculty Research Partnerships Affect Student Retention," Review of Higher Education, Biren A. Nagda, Sandra R. Gregerman, John Jonides, William von Hippel, and Jennifer S. Lerner
11. Revising and Editing Academic Writing
Global vs. Local Changes
Making Global Revisions
-- Can Readers Predict What's Ahead?
-- Does the Organization of Main Ideas Make Sense?
-- Are Main Ideas Repeated?
-- Are Ideas Linked?
-- Concept in Practice 11.1: Linking Paragraphs
-- Are the Body Paragraphs Well Structured?
---- Are the Sentences within each Paragraph Connected?
---- Is the Paragraph Unified?
---- Is the Paragraph Adequately Developed?
---- Concept in Practice 11.2: Revising Underdeveloped Paragraphs
-- Does the Writing Address Your Reader's Needs?
-- Have You Used Feedback from Professors?
-- Concept in Practice 11.3: Using Instructor Feedback
Making Local Edits
-- Decide between Active Voice or Passive Voice
-- Use the "Given-New" Pattern
-- Concept in Practice 11.4: Using the Given-New Pattern
-- Help Readers Navigate Complex Sentence Patterns
-- Edit for Conciseness
---- Replace weak verb phrases with single, active verbs
---- Eliminate filler words
---- Eliminate redundancy
-- Concept in Practice 11.5: Editing for Conciseness
-- Editing for Correct Grammar and Spelling
Final Revising and Editing Tips
-- Applying the Concepts to Reading: Making Global Revisions
-- Applying the Concepts to Writing: Using a Revising Checklist
-- Revising Checklist
PAIRED READINGS FROM EDUCATION
"Some Reasons for the Grades We Give Compositions," The English Journal, Sarah Warshauer Freedman
"Why Do Teachers Give the Grades They Do?" College Composition and Communication, Sarah Warshauer Freedman
12. Working and Writing in Groups
Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in Groups
-- Keys to Successful Collaboration
---- Discuss in Advance Your Group Philosophy
---- Expect Different Approaches to Communication and Work
---- Consider Other Perspectives
---- Coordinate Efforts
-- Concept in Practice 12.1: Engaging in Productive Conflict
Writing Collaboratively
Giving Peer Feedback
-- Focus on What's Needed at the Time
-- Consider the Evidence Supporting the Writer's Claims
-- Notice the Organization and Flow of Ideas
-- Annotate As You Read
-- Give Specific Feedback
Benefits of Peer Response
-- Concept in Practice 12.2: Giving Useful Feedback
-- Applying the Concepts to Reading: Responding to the Writing of Others
-- Applying the Concepts to Writing: Writing Collaboratively
PAIRED READINGS FROM BIOLOGY
"The Brains of the Animal Kingdom; New Research Shows that We Have Grossly Underestimated both the Scope and the Scale of Animal Intelligence. Primatologist Frans de Waal on Memory-Champ Chimps, Tool-using Elephants and Rats Capable of Empathy," Wall Street Journal, Frans de Waal
Excerpt from "Chimpanzees Play the Ultimatum Game," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of The United States of America, Proctor Darby, Rebecca A. Williamson, Frans B. M. de Waal, and Sarah Brosnan
13. Social Networks
(Sociology) Excerpt from Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives, Nicholas A. Christakis and James H. Fowler
(Biology) "The Empathy Instinct," Discover, Frans de Waal
(Economics) "Is Poor Fitness Contagious? Evidence from Randomly Assigned Friends," Journal of Public Economics, Scott E. Carrell, Mark Hoekstra, and James E. West
(Economics) "The Canseco Effect: Wherever He Went, Jose Canseco Made His Teammates Better Power Hitters. Can Statistics Be Used to Find Juicers?" Slate, Ray Fisman
(Sociology) "The Illusion of Diffusion," Society, Joel Best
(Neuroscience) "Creativity versus Skepticism within Science," The Skeptical Inquirer, V. S. Ramachandran
(Art History) "Hackers of the Renaissance," OMNI Reboot, Pablo Garcia
(Psychology) "Culture and Causal Cognition," Current Directions in Psychological Science, Ara Norenzayan and Richard E. Nisbett
(Psychology) "Cultural Variation in Eye Movements during Scene Perception," PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences), Hannah Faye Chua, Julie E. Boland, and Richard E. Nisbett
14. Perceptions and Perspectives
(Psychology) "Kidding Ourselves," excerpt from How the Mind Works, Steven Pinker
(Psychology) "'Why Won't They Admit They're Wrong?' and Other Skeptics' Mysteries," Skeptical Inquirer, Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson
(Advertising) Excerpt from "'I Smoke But I Am Not a Smoker': Phantom Smokers and the Discrepancy between Self-Identity and Behavior," Journal of American College Health, Youjin Choi, Sejung Marina Choi, and Nora Rifon
(Psychology) "The End of History Illusion," Science, Jordi Quoidbach, Daniel T. Gilbert, and Timothy D. Wilson
(Business) "In Hiring and Promoting, Look beyond Results," The Wall Street Journal, Francesca Gino
(Business) Excerpt from "Correspondence Bias in Performance Evaluation: Why Grade Inflation Works," Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Don A. Moore, Samuel A. Swift, Zachariah S. Sharek, and Francesca Gino
(Psychology) "Myside Bias in Thinking about Abortion," Thinking and Reasoning, Jonathan Baron
(Neuroscience) "Filling in Gaps in Perception: Part I," Current Directions in Psychological Science, V. S. Ramachandran
15. Language, Literacy, and Technology
(Psychology) "Lost in Translation," The Wall Street Journal, Lera Boroditsky
(Psychology) "Subtle Linguistic Cues Influence Perceived Blame and Financial Liability," Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, Caitlin M. Fausey and Lera Boroditsky
(Psychology) "Our 'Deep Reading' Brain: Its Digital Evolution Poses Questions," Nieman Reports, Maryanne Wolf
(Technology) "How Computers Change the Way We Think," The Chronicle of Higher Education, Sherry Turkle
(Communications) "Does the Internet Make You Smarter or Dumber?" The Wall Street Journal, Clay Shirky
(Media Studies) "Using the Internet to Examine Patterns of Foreign Coverage," Nieman Reports, Ethan Zuckerman
(Psychology) "The Effects and Predictor Value of In-Class Texting Behavior on Final Course Grades," College Student Journal, Sylvia E. McDonald
(Information Sciences) "The Laptop and the Lecture: The Effects of Multitasking in Learning Environments," Journal of Computing in Higher Education, Helene Hembrooke and Geri Gay
16. Violence and Justice
(Art History) "Another Report on the Age of Extinction," Canadian Review of American Studies, John O'Brian
(History) "Getting Away with Murder," American Historical Review, Elizabeth Dale
(Social Work) "Taking a Juvenile into Custody: Situational Factors That Influence Police Officers' Decisions," Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, Terrence T. Allen
(Law) "The Government Wants Your DNA," Scientific American, Erin Murphy
(Psychology) "How I Got Started: From Semantic Memory to Expert Testimony," Applied Cognitive Psychology, Elizabeth F. Loftus
(Psychology) "Repeated Information in the Courtroom," Court Review: The Journal of the American Judges, Jeffrey L. Foster, Maryanne Garry, and Elizabeth F. Loftus
(Management) "It's a Crime What Some People Do with Statistics," The Wall Street Journal, Arnold Barnett
(International Relations and Psychology) "War Really Is Going Out of Style," The New York Times, Joshua S. Goldstein and Steven Pinker
17. Conservation and the Environment
(Interdisciplinary) "Conservation-Reliant Species," BioScience, Dale D. Goble, John A. Wiens, J. Michael Scott, Timothy D. Male, and John A. Hall
(Marine Science) "Finding Nemo on Your Plate," The Nature Conservancy blog, Stephanie Wear
(Wildlife Ecology) "Survival of Neonatal White-Tailed Deer in an Exurban Population," The Journal of Wildlife Management, Sarah T. Saalfeld and Stephen S. Ditchkoff
(Environmental Science) "The Trial," Conservation Biology, David W. Orr
(Interdisciplinary) "Conservation and the Social Sciences," Conservation Biology, Michael B. Mascia, J. Peter Brosius, Tracy A. Dobson, Bruce C. Forbes, Leah Horowitz, Margaret A. McKean, and Nancy J. Turner
(Geography) "Alpine Areas in the Colorado Front Range as Monitors of Climate Change and Ecosystem Response," The Geographical Review, Mark W. Williams, Mark V. Losleben, and Hillary B. Hamann.
(Economics) "Climate Change and Agriculture: Economic Impacts," Choices, John M. Antle
(Geography) "The Last Americans," Harper's Magazine, Jared Diamond
(Geography) "Will Big Business Save the Earth?" The New York Times Upfront, Jared Diamond