Graduate-level Writing
Dr. Dana M. Harris
I. Expectations of Graduate-level Writing
A. Basics of a thesis and argumentation
1. A clearly stated thesis
2. The importance of an outline
3. Anchoring points in more than one source
4. The role of footnotes
Resources:
Rolfing Library Research Guides (Writing an Academic Paper at TEDS; especially Making an Argument; Proper Style)
B. Elements of good writing
1. Clarity of expression vs. obscurity
2. Formal vs. informal style
3. Basics of grammar and word choice
4. But why bother anyway?
Resources:
Rolfing Library Research Guides (Writing an Academic Paper at TEDS; especially Making an Argument; Proper Style)
Print/Kindle Sources:
Baugh, L. Sue. Essentials of English Grammar: A Practical Guide to the Mastery of English. Third edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005.
*Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams. The Craft of Research. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1995. [
Strunk, William, Jr. and E. B. White. The Elements of Style. Third edition. New York: Macmillan, 1979. (Updated 2011 Kindle edition available on Amazon for $2.99)
Weston, Anthony. A Rulebook for Arguments. Third edition. Indianapolis: Hackett, 2009.
Zinsser, William. On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction. 30th Anniversary edition. New York: HarperCollins, 2012.
I. Expectations of Graduate-level Writing (contd.)
C. Differences between graduate-level research and Bible study
1. Distanciation and presuppositions
2. Engagement with critical resources
3. Standard presentation and formatting
Resources:
Rolfing Library Research Guides (ATLA Religion Database; Bible and Theological Reference Tools; Zotero; Research Guides by Department)
Rolfing Library Tutorials (especially Citation and Formatting Help; Word Formatting)
MyTIU.edu >> Academic Resources >> Writing Resources
II. The Concept of Information Literacy
A. Scholarly vs. popular resources
B. Evangelical and nonevangelical
C. Appropriate internet sources
Resources:
Rolfing Library Research Guides
Rolfing Library Tutorials (especially Library Resources, Distance Research, Evaluating Websites)
TIU Citation Guide (especially for Kindle; e-journals; websites)
Chicago Manual of Style (online site)
III. Interacting with Sources
A. What is plagiarism and what is wrong with it?
B. What constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it (unintentional vs. intentional plagiarism)
C. Interacting with and citing images and visual media
III. Interacting with Sources (contd.)
Resources:
Rolfing Library Research Guides (Plagiarism)
Rolfing Library Tutorials (Plagiarism)
MyTIU.edu >> Academic Resources >> Writing Resources >> Academic Integrity Helps
