A comparison between research writing and writing aimed at non-scholarly audiences, through a close examination of articles by Carol S. Dweck and John O'Sullivan.
Abstract This paper examines the differences between research writing and writing for a non-scholarly audience. The paper points out that the most obvious difference is that the former can be very difficult to read, but the latter is almost always relatively easy to read. However, there are many subtler stylistic differences as well. This essay examines the differences between the two styles of writing, by comparing Carol S. Dweck's research article entitled "The Role of Expectations and Attributions in the Alleviation of Learned Helplessness" with her popular article "Caution - Praise Can Be Dangerous", and with John O'Sullivan's popular article "Put Gay Marriage to 'Covenant' Test". To conclude, the paper examines the reliability of academic versus popular articles. The paper maintains that the former are peer-reviewed, making them likely to be more trustworthy, while popular articles are not necessarily trustworthy.
From the Paper "One sometimes comes across articles written by the same authors, but written in different styles in order to suit the kind of article being written. Thus, a researcher may write a research article for a scholarly publication, and also write articles for popular audiences. In this way, the researcher is enabled to communicate with a much broader audience. Thus, a researcher who believes her information is very important may make use of the popular media to communicate what she knows. Dweck is an example of such a researcher/author - she is able to write very competently for both audiences. This shows that she clearly has a finely nuanced comprehension of the different stylistic devices employed in the two different kinds of publications. It also affords the opportunity of comparing her writing style in the two different styles of writing."
Abstract The purpose of this discussion is to explore academic engagement and the effects of a token economy on students with emotional and behavioral disorders. This discourse will contain a literary review that will compare and contrast various studies that have been conducted pertaining to this topic. Academic engagement is defined as a combination of classroom activities, which include asking and answering questions, participation in tasks, writing, reading, and discussing academics.
Contents
Introduction
Literature Review
Academic Engagement
Token Economy
Discussion
References
From the Paper "A study conducted by Bean et al (1999) found that engagement in reading and writing improved overall academic engagement skills. Studies have also found that peer relationships impact academic engagement. Watkins and Wentzel (2002) found that peer acceptance motivates students to behave appropriately in academic settings. The authors found that academic environments in which peers were encouraging of academic success, students were more likely to experience successful academic engagement. (Watkins and Wentzel (2002) Greenwood et al (2002) explains that behavior is a significant factor in determining the amount of academic engagement that can be achieved."
Tags: school, teacher, curriculum, reading, writing, study, system
Abstract Arguments and debates stem from differences between people, creating various conflicts in different fields. One of the most famous composition disagreements exists through the works of David Bartholomae and Peter Elbow. The paper shows that Bartholomae believes in what he calls ?writing with teachers,? i.e., acknowledging the teacher's power and the need for what he calls ?academicwriting.? Elbow, on the other hand, believes in ?writing without teachers,? or giving students power over their own work, which, to him, often requires using reflexive writing. The paper shows that the different beliefs of Bartholomae and Elbow serve to classify them as different types of theorists. Bartholomae is a social constructionalist because he believes in discourse communities and the notion that the historical moment one lives in affects one's language. Elbow's beliefs in reflexive writing and providing more freedom for the student, on the other hand, help to label Elbow as an ?expressivist.? The paper shows that when examining the argument between Elbow and Bartholomae, most people tend to ask: "Which opinion is better and why"? While it is important to consider the pros and cons of both Elbow's and Bartholomae's arguments, it is a mistake to assume that one argument is "better" than the other because both approaches can be effective ways of teaching composition.
From the Paper "While Elbow admits that the first two conflicts may not be "true" conflicts because they are resolvable, the third conflict he proposes he feels is not as easily resolved: "But even if there is no conflict about what to read and how to read, I do see a problem when it comes to the question of how much to read" (Villanueva 491). While Elbow admits that academics are readers, his focus in a first year writing class is writing, not reading. Thus, Elbow dodges proposing a solution to this "how much to read" conflict, and instead focuses his attention explaining why he spends more time on writing. Elbow explains that putting the emphasis on writing "helps [him] coach students in various concrete practices" (Villanueva 491). Should the focus of a freshman writing class be writing or reading? In Elbow's view, because teachers are teaching students about how to write, the focus should be on developing the student's own writing skills."
Abstract This paper details a few of the most essential skills needed in order to write a good college paper. The writer states that students do not need to use big words or fancy sentence structures; simplicity, directness, and clarity are more important. Another primary rule for improving writing skills is organization. The paper also explains that writing a research paper can also involve using resources for college writers such as websites, books, and weekend seminars.
From the Paper "In short, there are no hard, fast, universal rules to improving one's writing skills. As with any other skill, writing can be improved primarily through practicing, honing one's skills through the constant, repeated application of the practical tools of the trade. Tools like tutoring, writing seminars, workshops, and books on writing can help students compose research papers. With the practice that college students receive in their classes, freshmen should notice that their writing skills have significantly improved by their senior year. Also, writing a research paper primarily involves good organizational skills, focus, and patience. The writer should be more concerned with clarity, originality and accuracy of thoughts than on using big words to impress a professor."
Abstract This paper discusses how to improve academics, specifically learning how to juggle classes, social life and other roles that can be difficult as a college student. The paper recommends ways to obtain academic goals, including looking attributional patterns and changing these as needed, time management, learning to take notes, obtaining better study tips, learning ways to relieve stress, and setting academic goals that can be tested.
From the Paper "Freshman college students find the transition of becoming a college student quite different than high school. Many college students are challenged by time management because they have put on different masks such as being a parent, a worker, and a student. Academic stress often leads to lower grades and depression. "Academic stress pervades the life of students, and tends to impact their mental and physical health, and their ability to perform schoolwork effectively" (Akgun & Ciarrochi, 2003, p. 287). Learning how to juggle classes, social life, and other roles can be difficult as a college student. The academic goal is to become a better student and obtain higher academic grades. Obtaining this academic goal will include looking at attributional patterns and changing these as needed, time management, learning to take notes, obtaining better study tips, learning ways to relieve stress, and setting academic goals that can be tested."
Abstract This paper discusses the "notorious" case of academic fraud by Sir Cyril Lodowic Burt as presented by H. Beloff. The research focuses on the ethical problem presented, the ethical principles breached according to the Australian codes of ethics, the motives and justifications of a commitment of this breach, justification for such actions and solutions for dealing with instances of academic fraud. The paper states that while a brief discourse on the case of Sir Cyril is provided, the primary purpose of the case is to prevent fraud from occurring in the future.
Outline:
Academic Fraud
Cyril Burt
Ethical Issues and Disputes
Code of Ethical Conduct
Proposed Solutions and Actions
From the Paper "The cardinal principles of the Australian Code of Ethics as dictated by the Australian Ethical Society (2003) suggest the following principles must be applied in psychology and in evaluation of academic fraud: (1) professionals have a duty to act using well-informed conscious decision-making, (2) professionals engaged in academic investigation have a duty to act in the interests of the community they serve, (3) professionals and academics have a duty to accept responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of their community before the welfare of their private or personal interests and (4) professionals have an obligation to act with honesty and in good faith to the community, and apply their skill and knowledge in the interests of the community."
Abstract This paper examines the definitions, understanding of and legal effect of academic freedom in American schools, colleges and universities. The paper looks at how the concept of academic freedom has evolved and inherent tensions that operate within the concept.
Tags:Academic, freedom, in, educational, institutions
Abstract This paper discusses how the explanatory style is a cognitive personality variable that reflects the habitual manner in which people explain the causes of bad events that befall them. According to the paper, researchers believe that attributional style can help provide a better understanding of behaviors and consequences that affect one's performance and actions. The paper further discusses how tests of this relationship have spanned a wide variety of achievement settings including academic, health, athletic, and work settings, and how some of the problems and stresses affect performance, focusing primarily on academics.
Contents:
Chapter One
Performance
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Significance of the Study
Research Hypothesis
Scope and Limitation of the Study
Definition of Terms
Overview of the Study
Chapter Two
Review of Related Literature
Chapter Three
Methodology
Identification of Subjects
Implementing the Study
Gathering and Analyzing Data
Chapter Four
Data Analysis
Chapter Five
Summary, Recommendations, and Conclusions
From the Paper "For African Americans, ethnic identity and cultural racism significantly predict life satisfaction (Utsey et al, 2002). The study conducted by Utsey et al (2002) dealt with how African Americans felt about the culture and ethnicity that they belonged to, whether they felt they had been the victims of racism during their lifetimes, and also looked at how satisfied they were with their lives. Those that were less comfortable with their ethnicity and those that had been victimized by racism had lower quality of life scores than those that were comfortable and did not feel as though they had been victims. The higher the victimization score, the lower the quality of life score for these individuals.
Phinney, Cantu, and Kurtz (1997) state that having a poorly developed racial identity can lead to depression, a lack of comfort with oneself, and many other emotional problems that can be avoided when racial identity development theory is more clearly understood. On the other hand, having a racial identity that is well developed and that one is very comfortable with produces the opposite effects. While this is not an overly surprising insight, it is important that the correlation be noticed and recognized as something that should be studied and understood more clearly. This understanding of the link between racial identity and well-being has its roots in counseling psychology. By understanding the process of the development of racial identity, counselors felt they could begin to better understand pathology among black patients. Similarly, in investigating life satisfaction among African Americans, researchers (Utsey et al, 2002; Phinney et al, 1997) theorized that they must be attuned to cultural differences. There are significant potential dangers when researchers are unable to incorporate culture as a variable. Without a good understanding of cultural differences, it is possible for behavior to be misunderstood and even pathologized."
Abstract This paper examines the role of the mentor in the academic achievement of low-achieving students. It focuses on the history of mentoring, the description of the mentoring process and the relationship between mentoring and student achievement. The paper concludes that in most cases mentoring is a process that benefits both parties and assists in improving conditions in the academic setting or in the workplace.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
The History of Mentoring
The Mentoring Process
The Relationship Between Mentoring and Student Achievement
Conclusion
From the Paper "As it related to academic achievement, the researchers focused on two measures of academic achievement: test scores and grades. The research results found that the mentored students in the first cohort were more successful academically that the students without mentors by the time 8th grade was completed. On the other hand, the mentored students in the second cohort actually did worse than the students without mentors. The researchers point out several reasons for the differences between these groups. One factor being the differences between the academic statuses of students in these groups. In addition, the participants were chosen differently between the two groups. The first cohort consisted of students that were chosen by teachers and the second was chosen randomly."
Abstract This paper presents an overview of memory and the different types of memory and then takes a look at the relationship between memory and academic achievement. The paper also describes tests used to measure memory and learning.
From the Paper "This literature review, concerning the topic of the relationship between memory and academic achievement, addresses the following areas relevant to this study: history and overview of memory, different types of memory, memory and academic achievement, tests to measure memory and learning and a conclusion. Baddeley reported that whether memory needs to be regarded as a single system or two or more subsystems was a major controversy during the..."
Abstract This paper discusses the limited educational research done to-date that is relevant to the role high school athletic programs plays in motivating Latino students to achieve academically, if any. The paper then goes on to confirm, deny or ascertain that there is a lack of a sufficient body of sound statistical evidence to support the conventional wisdom in the educational field that three is little if any correlation between playing sports and getting good grades in general, and in relation to particular ethnic groups.
Abstract The paper discusses the importance of quality writing in the business world. The discussion encompasses the hidden costs of bad writing, the ways in which businesses use effective writing everyday and some of the lessons that can be learned by studying literature and composition. In short, quality writing is crucial to success in business. The paper explains that courses in writing offer the means of mastering the skill.
From the Paper "No one in the business world needs to write, right? After all, business is about making money, not crafting pretty strings of words of clever turns of phrases. Who cares about that kind of thing? What could literary writing possibly have to do with up-and-coming business leaders? As it turns out, there's quite a bit that the business world can learn from literature and writing classes. And not just to sound smart, but to improve the bottom line. A recent survey by the College Board found that one-third of the employees of the world's top 120 firms lack adequate writing skills. The result? Those firms cumulatively spend more than $3 billion annually on remedial writing training for their employees ("Good Writing" 22). Three billion dollars."
Abstract One of the major foci of Octavio Paz's writings is the nature of being a Mexican or a mestizo. This paper shows how he attempts to persuade other Mexicans through his writings to be proud rather than ashamed of their 'in-betweeness'. The paper explains the writing form of Magical Realism and shows how it has been championed by a number of Latin American writers as a way to express political views. Paz uses highly symbolic and inventive language to make people look at the world in novel ways. Because he approaches the problem of Mexican identity through the use of magical realism, his writing is less threatening to many who are trying to negotiate their own sense of self.
From the Paper "Octavio Paz is one of the writers and thinkers most responsible for helping Mexicans come to an understanding of their own place in the world, and the relationship between "Mexicanness" and mestizo-ness. Through his writings he has helped both Mexicans and everyone else come to understand that the mixed heritage of the people of Mexico is not something that should be attempted to be overcome but is rather something that should be celebrated."
This paper analyzes three fictional works that have particular elements of similar writing. The three works are "How to Become a Writer" by Lorrie Moore, "Joy of Cooking" by Elaine Magarrell and "Will and Grace" by Kari Lizer.
Abstract The writer of this paper focuses on the common themes present in all three works of writing, which are comprised of the feminist perspective, the characters it creates and the resulting conflict. This paper analyzes the main female characters in all three novels, in which each possesses a distinct character that creates the mood for each piece. The writer also discusses the ensuing conflict among the characters. This paper delves into the practice of female authors who write female characters that often have a different perspective than their male counterparts. The writer contends and describes why these three works are decidedly female, decidedly different and all written with a noticeable attitude. The writer of this paper discusses the many layers that are needed to create fiction when writing and how those layers differ from story to poem to play and back again. This paper details the uniqueness of each character in all three works and the manner in which they deal with conflict. This paper also focuses on each of the authors' unique style of writing.
From the Paper "This is also a very common bond between all the characters. They are all such strong and unique personalities that they create conflict around them. They are not afraid to speak their minds and open up their hearts, and so, they are sometimes strident and sometimes controversial. They live their lives with passion, doing the things they love, and they sometimes irritate and clash with those around them. This young writer is not fulfilling her mother's dreams, she is fulfilling her own, and so, she has a long-term conflict with her mother. Even though the story never actually says so, it is clear the writer will have a conflict with her mother throughout her life, and so will the girl who wants to serve up her brother's heart on a plate."
