UHCL Writing Center American Organizational Structure

UHCL Writing Center American Organizational Structure

Introduction Body paragraphs Conclusion UHCL Writing Center Parts of an academic paper

Provides background and introduction to the topic being discussed in the paper. Usually provides a thesis at the end of the paragraph UHCL Writing Center Introduction

At some point, everyone will be bothered by a telemarketing call. They can be annoying, pointless, and just plain rude at times. But at what point do they violate a law? Mark Leyse, in the case Leyse v. Clear Channel Broadcasting, Inc., sought to prove that that was the case in his situation (Hart, 2013, p.2). UHCL Writing Center Example:

Lets the reader know the main idea of the paper without saying “My paper is about ” UHCL Writing Center Thesis

Throughout the whole of human existence, storytelling has been a crucial component of societies. As new forms of media arise, so do new forms of storytelling; these include the newspaper, the radio, television, and, with the advent of the Internet, YouTube. In his book Watching YouTube, Dr. Strangelove investigates the legal and social implications of this fascinating, addicting trend in media (Hart, 2011, p. 1). UHCL Writing Center Example:

Since the beginning of time, cats have been companions of humans. In Ancient Egypt, they were worshipped as gods, with the goddess Bast representing their patron diety (insert citation here). Today, cats continue to be companions to humans. Their small, four-legged body, aloof manner, and often child-like antics make them intriguing subjects and the favorite animal of many people. UHCL Writing Center Sample Introduction Prep: Cats

Pick a simple topic (Like dogs, trees, your favorite season, etc.) and write a three-sentence introductory paragraph about it with a thesis at the end. UHCL Writing Center Now you try!

Must have a clear focus Can you point to your main point in your thesis? UHCL Writing Center Ways to organize: Essay level

Expanding Code Words “Nutshelling” and “Teaching” Building an “Issue Tree” UHCL Writing Center Ways to organize: Essay level

Look for key words that have a great deal of meaning for you, but which may not be clear to your audience. Defining these terms will help you to consider the order in which you present ideas. Before you discuss a key concept, you must give your reader a definition to work with (Writing Center, 2013, p.1). UHCL Writing Center Expanding Code Words

Intriguing Small Mammalian Child-like Playful UHCL Writing Center Expanding Code Words: Cats

Go back to your sample introduction and pick out key code words you used to describe your topic. UHCL Writing Center Now you try!

By putting your ideas into just a few sentences or a nutshell, you will be able to sort out the more important points from the less important supporting information. Teaching your ideas aloud to a willing listener will force you to think about how to present them so your audience will be able to follow and understand (Writing Center, 2013, p. 1). UHCL Writing Center Nutshelling and Teaching

Try describing your topic briefly (in a nutshell). UHCL Writing Center Now you try!

The issue tree can help you organize before you begin writing by giving you a structure for your argument, or you can create an issue tree for a draft to see whether its organizational pattern is clear. The issue tree is an upside down tree that allows you to arrange your ideas in a hierarchical order. The top level represents your most inclusive idea and each lower level represents a less inclusive idea. Issue trees let you sketch out ideas and relationships. Issue trees let you visualize the whole argument to see how the pieces fit together. Issue trees help you generate new ideas when you see gaps in your argument (Writing Center, 2013, p.1). UHCL Writing Center Issue Trees

UHCL Writing Center Sample Issue Tree: Cats

Create an issue tree for some ideas you have about your topic. UHCL Writing Center Now you try!

Each paragraph is a new idea that supports the thesis. Within body paragraphs, research is cited effectively to support the main idea and commentary on quotes/research is given. Usually have a topic sentence which states what the paragraph is about – similar to a thesis. UHCL Writing Center Body Paragraphs

Linear means staying on topic throughout the paper and naturally flowing from one thought to another. UHCL Writing Center Linear Style

Sentences, words, and/or phrases that move the reader from one thought to the next Include “in addition,” “furthermore,” “thereupon,” “by the same token,” “second,” “finally,” etc. Used within paragraphs and to connect one paragraph to the next UHCL Writing Center Transitions

The TRI Pattern In this familiar pattern, the author introduces a topic, refines or restricts it, and then illustrates or develops it in the rest of the paragraph. With a long or complicated paragraph, the author may come back to the topic at the end and create a TRIT pattern. The Problem-Solution Pattern In this type of paragraph, the writer simply presents a problem and then solves it. The Cause and Effect Pattern Chronological Order Here, the writer presents an action and examines its results. In this pattern, the steps in a process, or a series of events are presented chronologically (Writing Center, 2013, p.2). UHCL Writing Center Paragraph Level Organization

Try outlining sentences in a paragraph using one of these methods. UHCL Writing Center Now you try!

Conclusions provide relevancy to the reader’s daily lives; they “help them see why all your analysis and information should matter to them after they put the paper down” (The Writing Center at UNC Chapel Hill, 2014). UHCL Writing Center Conclusion Paragraph

Ask “so what?” Return to the themes in your introduction Synthesize, don’t summarize Include a provocative insight or quote Propose a course of action Point to broader implications (The Writing Center at UNC Chapel Hill, 2014). UHCL Writing Center Tips on writing conclusions

Try writing a short conclusion on your topic. UHCL Writing Center Now you try!

You have a finished outline of a paper! UHCL Writing Center Voila!

Hart, K. (2013). Clear Channel Telemarketing. Unpublished manuscript, University of Houston-Clear Lake. Hart, K. (2011). Watching Youtube: A Précis. Unpublished manuscript, University of Houston-Clear Lake. University of Houston-Clear Lake Writing Center. (2013). Tips on Organization. Unpublished manuscript, University of Houston-Clear Lake. Writing Center at UNC Chapel Hill. (2014). Conclusions. Retrieved from http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/conclusions/ UHCL Writing Center References