VCSEwiki:Text analysis

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Usual text structure (in academic articles)

  • Title (abstract)
  • Introduction (purpose)
  • Background paragraph
  • Body paragraphs (in journals) following:
    • Literature review
    • Research design/methods
    • Results/Analysis)
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion

External links

Paragraph

“A paragraph is generally understood as a single "unit" of a text – paragraphs are the workhorses of the paper. If a single paragraph is incoherent or weak, the entire argument might fail. Every paragraph has a "job" to do. Every new paragraph would declare a point and then offer support for that point. So, the paragraphs cannot wander aimlessly among a half dozen points, or declare points without offering any evidence to support them – otherwise the reader becomes confused or irritated by presented arguments. Good paragraphs also have a very precise relationship with other paragraphs.” (Gocsik, 2005 )

External links

  • What should the paragraph do: Gocsik, Karen. Writing: Considering Structure & Organization EDT Dartmouth College http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/ac_paper/write.shtml. You can write short annotation of every paragraph (few words – what is it about?) according to it. That will show you if the paragraph itself is consistent – and if it is related to the other parts of the text.

Logic

Paragraphs

  • Each deals with one aspect, clearly stated in a topic sentence
  • All sentences within each paragraph are related
  • Paragraphs in each section of the article are linked, in a logical order

Argument

  • All aspects are covered
  • Each aspect is adequately discussed
  • Definitions are provided (where required)
  • Argument is developed logically
  • Argument is convincing

Connected to the style

  • Logical outline of headings and subheadings
  • The article / thesis flows (reads easily)
  • The style is concise
  • The language is clear

External links

Other links