IA WORKSHOP 2023.12.20

what factors caused this event —> pick a factor, something that is disputed

research

Broad Topic Research —> wikipedia, britannica

Narrow Topic —> pick something specific, get some understanding, then look at debate

Sources Research —> primary & secondary

• primary: google scholar, books, govt websites
  • caution: source review vs. original source
  • caution: academic translation vs. google translate
• secondary: scholar, books, JSTOR, researchgate, taylor and francis
  • caution: commentary vs. actual source
  • caution: historian background

Dissecting Academic Papers

• find a thesis: what point are they talking about
  • intro, conclusion, or in a pattern
• topic sentences:
  • understand the topic of each paragraph
    • providing background
    • pressenting argument
    • presenting evidence
    • addressing opposite view
• gist notetaking (by paragraph)
  • bold key points / ideas
  • underline concrete details
  • highlight transition/direction words
  • write a gist — one sentence to summarize the paragraph

writing

• introduction
  • introduce topic
  • historical significance
    • how does this RQ relate to the history topic you chose
  • historical debate
    • introduce each perspective with specific supporting historians
  • open thesis —> let reads meet you at a conclusion
• argument (perspective 1)
  • claim — what am i trying to argue
  • explanation — what does this claim mean
  • evidence — what historical events showcase this claim
  • analysis — now that you have evidence:
    • how does this evidence prove the point
    • historian perspective can be included here
      • they support YOU, not the other way around
  • conclude — remind the readers what you just said (1 sentence max)
• counter argument (perspective 2)
  • write them as if you believe in them/advocate for them
  • follow same structure as prev. arguments
  • extra part: rebuttal
    • this is their point and evidence — but why am i still right
      • they fail in this way or that way
    • convince readers to side with you
• conclusion
  • weigh perspectives you wrote on
    • which is more right in your eyes
    • why other perspective lacking/illogical
  • state thesis — readers should arrive at same conclusion as you
    • what have you been arguing for

tips

1. be interested or get interested in the topic
2. peer review — workers of the world unite
3. fresh set of eyes and freshened mind can go a long way
   • do not edit immediately after first draft—let it sit for a bit
4. give yourself grace
   • don’t look for perfection