Instruct: Presenting Research & Data
Presenting and Organizing Information
This module covers the basics of using information and presenting it to others.
STEP 1: ORGANIZE YOUR PROJECT
- OWL: How to Decipher the Paper AssignmentMany instructors write their assignment prompts differently. By following a few steps, you can better understand the requirements for the assignment. The best way, as always, is to ask the instructor about anything confusing.
- Center for Excellence in WritingWe offer individual consultations and workshops for any writing you are working on throughout your time at FIU. Whether you are brainstorming, drafting, revising, or polishing, our writing consultants can assist you.
STEP 3: GRAMMAR & EDITING
- Grammar: Topic PageDescription of the structure of a language, consisting of the sounds (see phonology); the meaningful combinations of these sounds into words or parts of words, called morphemes; and the arrangement of the morphemes into phrases and sentences, called syntax.
- Semantics: Topic Page[Gr.,=significant] in general, the study of the relationship between words and meanings. The empirical study of word meanings and sentence meanings in existing languages is a branch of linguistics; the abstract study of meaning in relation to language or symbolic logic systems is a branch of philosophy.
- SyntaxFrom Dictionary of Linguistics and Phonetics
A traditional term for the study of the rules governing the way words are combined to form sentences in a language. In this use, syntax is opposed to morphology, the study of word structure. - Punctuation: Topic Page[Lat.,=point], the use of special signs in writing to clarify how words are used; the term also refers to the signs themselves. In every language, besides the sounds of the words that are strung together there are other features, such as tone, accent, and pauses, that are equally significant (see grammar and phonetics).
STEP 6: ACADEMIC WRITING
Characteristics of academic writing
Academic writing is:
- Planned and focused: answers the question and demonstrates an understanding of the subject.
- Structured: is coherent, written in a logical order, and brings together related points and material.
- Evidenced: demonstrates knowledge of the subject area, supports opinions and arguments with evidence, and is referenced accurately.
- Formal in tone and style: uses appropriate language and tenses, and is clear, concise, and balanced.
Academic writing is clear, concise, focused, structured, and backed up by evidence. Its purpose is to aid the reader’s understanding.
It has a formal tone and style, but it is not complex and does not require the use of long sentences and complicated vocabulary.
Each subject discipline will have certain writing conventions, vocabulary, and types of discourse that you will become familiar with over the course of your degree. However, there are some general characteristics of academic writing that are relevant across all disciplines.
STEP 2: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHIES
Annotated bibliographies are lists of resources that include an evaluative summary of each resource. More than just a summary of the article, annotated bibliographies give you a chance to critique the resources you're finding. They can also help you determine whether your research question is viable. Take a look at some of the resourcs on this page to help you write a strong annotated bibliography!
When writing an annotated bibliography, it's helpful to ask yourself these 3 questions for each source:
1. What is this book/journal article/etc really about? Summarize the main points. Remember that an annotated bibliography is more than just a summary, however.
2. How does this resource relate to the other sources in my bibliography? Is it biased? Is it basic or advanced? Who are the authors and how do they compare with the other authors? Critically analyze your resource and compare it to other resources in your annotated bibliography.
3. How does this resource help or hurt my research? What is the unique information? How does this uphold or change your research focus? Should you include it in your paper? Why or why not?
The point of an annotated bibliography is to tell the story of your research and your thinking process so that when you sit down to write the paper, you have a strong foundation of thought and information.
- OWL at Purdue: Annotated BibliographiesThe OWL is a great resource and their online guide gives a good introduction to different types of annotated bibliographies. They also have examples of finished annotated bibliographies.
- Cornel University Annotated Bibliography GuideThis guide is one of the few guides that describes the process of writing an annotated bibliography. The information on 'Critically Appraising the book, article, or document' is a great place to get started. Start here if you already have your resources.
- Annotated Bibliography for Sexual HarassmentProvided by the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute.
- Historiography: An annotated bibliography of journal articles, books and dissertationsProvides over 8,000 citations to books, essays, articles, and dissertations. Coverage includes materials on historical methodologies, schools of thought, specific branches of history, works on individual historians, historiographic contributions on specific countries and regions.
- How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography: The Annotated BibliographyMore information from Cornell University's library on the preparation of an annotated bibliography
- Modern Cryptozoology: An Annotated BibliographyThis site collects the best of the web regarding news, events, history, science and research about the many and various aspects of the topic that go beyond the TV shows, past the paranormal hype, into the cultural and scientific perspectives, highlighting the best scholarship and leaders in the field.
STEP 4: ESSAY STRUCTURE
STEP 5: CRITICAL THINKING
