Structuring your Extended Project Structure Why is structure

Structuring your Extended Project

Structure � Why is structure important in a piece of academic writing? � List three reasons and compare with your partner.

Academic writing � Academic moves. �“ writing conforms to a set of general Academics say they enjoy innovative structures devised by their students, but they also warm very positively to this classic model “ ( Barnes, 1995 p. 130)

The classic extended project is organised into sections: � Title page ( not counted) � Contents ( List of acronyms) ( not counted) � Abstract ( Abbrev. Acknowledgements) ( not counted) � Introductions � Review of background literature � Critique/ comment on literature � Summary & conclusion � Recommendations � References ( not counted) � Bibliography ( not counted) � Appendices ( not counted)

The reader’s five questions � 1. What is the question/ problem or situation addressed? Title/ Introduction � 2. How was the matter studied? Methods � 3. What information/ data was obtained? Results/ Appendices � 4. What interpretations/ comments and evaluations were made? Discussions/ conclusions � 5. What actions are recommended? Conclusion/ recommendations

Structural Moves � Within most sections of the project report there a series of moves ( Swales, 2000).

Introduction 10 -20% � Functions � To establish the background/ context and importance of the research � To explain the value � To identify the gap � To provide the reader with a clear structure � To clarify any key terms/ abbreviations

Structure of the Introduction Establish the importance of the topic • Give a very brief synopsis of the key literature • Give your question • Explain your interest in the topic Outline approach • Provide a synopsis of the research methods • Define key terms/ abbreviations Structure • Provide an overview of how you will organise your report

Literature review � Functions � To give the reader all the information they need to understand your research � To demonstrate the depth and breadth of your reading � To establish connections between your study and previous studies � To point out you know the arguments for and against the subject matter � To inspire, educate and excite the reader

Literature review structure Distant-close • You cite and discuss work ever closer to your own Research question grouped • From distance to close under each research question Chronological • History of research- be careful not to get too descriptive here.

Taxonomy of skills (Bloom, 1964) Evaluation Synthesis Summary

Balance your arguments Studies against Studies for journals Journals Books Gov. Reports

Types of resources Conference abstracts Journal articles Scholarly books

Types of resources Gov. reports Reliable newspapers

Methods functions � To describe exactly what you did � To explain why you did it � To describe the advantages and disadvantages of the method � To allow another research to repeat / expand on your research

Structure of Methods � Describe different methods often used in this type of research � Detail method selected and justify � Describe � Discuss exact procedure weaknesses

Results and discussion/ analysis � Functions: � To discuss relevant results or findings demonstrate your critical thinking/ evaluation

Conclusion & recommendations Reiterate aims/ research question(s) Restate key findings Refrain from introducing new ideas Recommend

References/ Bibliography � Zotero-Firefox � Word � NOT extension 2007 - referencing tool footnotes

Appendices � Copy of questionnaire � Interview transcripts � Pictures/ diagrams not essential � Observation records � Extracts/ images

Small things, big difference � Avoid � And all things that may confuse-abbreviations so on…. . etc � Signpost-direct � Reference � Numbers the reader details in text and in References under 10 spell out � Capitalisation-learn the rules and apply them � British spelling-adjust spellcheck

Examiner’s comments � Narrow � Lack of critical analysis � Poorly � Lack range of literature structured of references � Weak reflection and refinement of aims

Model examples � Read through the model/ exemplar reports from previous cohorts. � Think � Read about why they were awarded A or A* the examiner’s commentary and compare it to your view.

Checklist � Does the introduction help the reader understand how your research fits into a wider area of study? � Does the literature review demonstrate that you are familiar with a wide range of literature relevant to your study? � Is your method section clear and detailed enough to allow another researcher to replicate it?

Checklist continued � Is the information in the results and discussion section relevant to your research questions? � Are all your conclusions drawn from your research and supported by evidence? � Are all the transitions managed smoothly? all the in-text references included in the References section?