Using Marker Feedback to Improve Your Work Using

Using Marker Feedback to Improve Your Work: Using Sources and A Reasoned Argument This workshop will. . . − Introduce the two types of sources and the process of choosing sources − Provide a basic overview of how to use quotations, paraphrases and summaries in your written work − Explain what a reasoned argument is and how to develop one Louise Livesey Academic Skills Adviser

The Plan… 1. Reasons for using sources 2. Categories and types of sources 3. Choosing which source to use 4. Basics of quoting, paraphrasing and summarising 5. What a reasoned argument is 6. Taking a position

1. Reasons for using sources Feedback: Your reading for this assignment was limited What tutors want you use… • sources to obtain a depth of knowledge and not just those on the reading list • different types of sources • a wide range of sources • sources to support your arguments

2. Categories and types of sources Primary sources This is evidence that comes directly from the people involved in the event or phenomenon in question. Secondary sources This includes material produced about the event or phenomenon, including the commentary or interpretation of others. and Activity 1: Primary and secondary sources

3. Choosing which source to use

4. Basics of quoting, paraphrasing and summarising Quotations: use when… the specific words are crucial to your point you make a very specific point you analyse or challenge the view expressed you need strong support/authority adding impact to an introduction/ conclusion

4. Basics of quoting, paraphrasing and summarising Paraphrasing: use when… the wording of the source is less important than the meaning of the source you change the organization of ideas for emphasis simplifying complex arguments, sentences, or vocabulary. clarifying technical passages or specialized information

4. Basics of quoting, paraphrasing and summarising Summarising: use when… the wording of the source is less important than the meaning of the source providing a brief overview of a text condensing the material omitting extra information from the source material to focus on the author’s main point/s simplifying complex arguments, sentences, or vocabulary.

4. Basics of quoting, paraphrasing and summarising Quotation example: According to Roger Sipher, a solution to the perceived crisis of American education is to ‘abolish compulsory-attendance laws and allow only those who are committed to getting an education to attend’ (31).

4. Basics of quoting, paraphrasing and summarising Paraphrasing: ‘Schools should be for education. At present, they are only tangentially so. They have attempted to serve an allencompassing social function, trying to be all things to all people. In the process they have failed miserably at what they were originally formed to accomplish. ’ Answer: Roger Sipher concludes his essay by insisting that schools have not been able to fulfil their primary duty of education because they try to fill multiple social functions.

4. Basics of quoting, paraphrasing and summarising Summarising: Activity 2 Answer: Roger Sipher makes his case for getting rid of compulsoryattendance laws in primary and secondary schools with six arguments. These fall into three groups—first that education is for those who want to learn and by including those that don't want to learn, everyone suffers. Second, that grades would be reflective of effort and elementary school teachers wouldn't feel compelled to pass failing students. Third, that schools would both save money and save face with the elimination of compulsory-attendance laws.

5. What a reasoned argument is Feedback: ‘your work is more descriptive than critical’ ‘there is not enough depth’ ‘you need more analysis’ ‘you’ve included too much description’ ‘you did not apply much critical thinking; need to use more critical analysis or thinking’ do not panic

5. What a reasoned argument is Process stage Example Claim claim Manchester United has won more Premiership football titles and so is the best Premiership football team ever Claim claim Manchester United has the most successful football league manager ever in the history of football and so is the best league football team ever Claim claim Manchester United has won more domestic and European cups than any other football team and so is the best European cup winning club ever Argument Manchester United is the best team to have played football ever Reasoned argument Manchester United is the best team ever to have played football (my dad et al)

5. What a reasoned argument is Engaging analytical thinking by Employing critical thinking by looking at something (whether tangible or conceptual) before you start your reading for your initial impressions breaking it down into its constituent parts using analytical thinking of close observation asking questions of the origins of ideas, the assumptions behind the ideas, and the applicability of the ideas evidencing your conclusions and findings from this questioning process. keeping an open mind about the application of this knowledge to address a problem or answer a question

6. Taking a position 6 different ways of responding to any argument, theory, practice or concept. You can: Agree with it • Reject or disagree with it • Concede it has merits but needs qualifying • Propose a new opinion • Reconcile seemingly different (opposite? ) stances • Connect or synthesise to develop a new approach •

6. Taking a position ‘Manchester United is the best team ever to have played football’ • • • Agree: Indeed, Manchester United are the best (evidence) Reject: Disagree, other teams have done well in other areas (evidence) Concede: Yes they are the best or the top in a number of areas but consider, x, x, x (evidence) Propose: Liverpool are the best team (evidence) Reconcile: ? Synthesise: ?

References Sipher, R. (1977) So That Nobody Has to Go to School If They Don't Want To. The New York Times. 19. 12. 1977. p. 31. [online] Available at: https: //owl. english. purdue. edu/owl/resource/563/03/ [Accessed 18. 9. 2014] University of Houston-Victoria. (2014) Decide when to Quote, Paraphrase & Summarize. Victoria: University of Houston-Victoria. [online] Available at: http: //www. uhv. edu/Student. Success. Center/style/quote. aspx [Accessed 14. 8. 2014] Van den Brink-Budgen, R. (2010) Critical Thinking for Students. 4 th Ed. Oxford: How To Books Ltd.

Academic Skills Advice Service • Where are we? Chesham Building B 0. 23 • What do we do? Support undergraduate students with their academic skills by running clinics and workshops, having bookable appointment slots, and enabling students to drop-in for Instant Action. • Who are we? Michael and Helen specialise in Maths Support; Lucy and Russell advise students on study skills; and I (Louise) deliver the workshops • When can you come for help? Everyday both face to face and on-line • How do I get in touch? Email: academicskills@brad. ac. uk or website www. brad. ac. uk/academicskills

Any questions?