MODULE 1

What are the basic concepts in the academic

discourse?
__________________________________________

Learning Outcomes
· Identify the elements of academic writing
· Develop skills in understanding academic works
· Develop skills in writhing academic papers

Portfolio Output
Create an outline for a research topic of choice. Complete relevant
academic texts to gather information. The output depends on the use
of academic reading and writing skills like inferring from text,
summarizing and paraphrasing to the different tasks. They should
reflect to the techniques presented in the lessons. Brief explanations
regarding the outputs should be included.
LESSON 1: WHAT IS ACADEMIC WRITING?
Structure of Academic Writing
Academic wring is unlike other forms of writing, particularly creative writing, which emphasizes
the power of the imagination and the use of figurative language to capture reader’s interest.
Academic writing relies on the fact and the use of straightforward and businesslike language. Its
purpose is proficiently impart the write’s message in the most concise way. While creative
writing aims to entertain, capture the readers interest and teach a lesson, academic writing
aims to inform the readers, report a set of findings and articulate issues in a scholarly manner.
Creative writing relies on personal experience while academic writing uses data and other
empirical evidence to back up a claim.

Rhetorical Patterns Used in Academic Writing

Like other forms of writing, academic writing has a purpose, and as one who will be writing an academic
papers, you should know the reason why you are writing. Knowing your purpose would make it easier
for you to plan your academic paper. Is your purpose to analyze o to describe? Or is it to persuade or
criticize? Your purpose for writing gives direction to your writing and oftentimes dictate the mode of
writing or rhetorical pattern you will be using. If your purpose is to analyze an issue, then you might wish
to use a combination of descriptive and analytical models; if your purpose is to persuade, then you
might wish to use the persuasive and critical writing modes of writing.
When you are writing a paper on “Facebook as a Marketing Tool” for instance, you might wish to
introduce your topic using analysis to convince your reader’s that your paper will provide important
information not found in previous researches. In your discussion section you might wish to use
description as you summarize the important aspects of your study. In your conclusion, you might wish to
use critical analysis as you evaluate he issue from multiple perspectives, combined with persuasive as
you try to convince your reader’s to accept your findings and arguments. As you can see, there are
various ways to explain your topic.

Descriptive Writing
The descriptive type is the most basic of all types of academic writing. However no academic paper is
purely descriptive has most papers use a variety of writing techniques. As the term implies, this kind of
academic writing explains a topic or issue by clarifying and giving information through description.
Descriptive writing assignments are done by mince of identifying, explaining, reporting, recording, and
summarizing. Examples of descriptive writing assignments include abstracts and studies and reporting
scientific findings, and research articles that explain an issue. Other examples include academic papers
on school-related concerns, qualitative survey, even formal reports describing certain issues and
phenomena.
In this type of writing assignment your task involves more than just giving information about your topic.
Your explanation should involve detailed information in the form of statistic, actual data or scientific
finding explained in a ways that is vivid and clear to your readers. By reporting the findings in a graphic
way, you will give your readers a clear idea of what your paper is about. For example, if your paper is
about the buying habit of millennials, you might wish to discuss about what they spend their money on,
their preferences, and the reason for their spending spree. The descriptive element of your paper may
be reflected in the body of your paper, where you explain in detail the results of your finding. It is not
rare, however, to find descriptive elements in the conclusion. Since this is the most basic of all types of
academic writing, descriptive writing is a skill most students should master.

Analytical Writing
Analytical writing assignments involve not just describing and defining the topic, but rearranging the
facts in a logical sequence.
If you are writing a paper on the instructional consultation practices of two schools, you might wish to
examine two conceptual frameworks to determine their similarities and dissimilarities, to find out
whether they contribute to or to debunk your research problem you need to do extensive brainstorming
alone or with your peers to make sure that the structure and intent of your academic paper. In analytical
writing assignments, be prepared to analyze, compare and contrast relate, examine, and categorize.
This type of writing assignments involved classifying your information clearly and logically. Because you
will tremendous amount of information in the course of your data gathering, you need to be able to
arrange those data systematically, making sure that all the ideas form a unified whole. You might wish to
discuss in what ways the two school are alike in terms of the instructional consultation practices, and in
what ways they are different. You might also wish to view the consultation habits of the students to
determine to share similar practices. In the introduction, you might wish to describe the instructional
consultation practices in both schools, giving your readers a vivid explanation of how the practice is
observed in the schools you are examining. You may then proceed to evaluate the merits of your topic
when you discuss your findings in the conclusion.

Persuasive Writing
This kind of academic writing require you to convince your readers of an argument whose varied angels
you have thoroughly analyze and which you would like to defend. Persuasive elements in academic
papers are usually found in the introduction and conclusion of the paper, where important ideas are
often emphasized.
Persuasive writing involved giving information that has been restructured to accommodate several
opinions, including those of the writer and others who have written about the same topic. Because you
are making an argument, you need defend the topic by evaluating your findings and discussing them in
the context of theories so you can take a position that you can eventually defend. All your claims should
add up to form a convincing argument.
At the same time, you have to be ready to evaluate other writers’ position on the same topic or issue.
Other writers’ assumption about the topic have a bearing on your topic, for it is through their
assumptions and finding that you can determine if your argument is weak or strong compared to theirs.
For instance, if your study is about federalism its economic and political implication on social
institutions, you need to position yourself against the conviction f others whose point of view is entirely
different from yours. Evaluating their points of view would allow you to asses the credibility and
reliability of your own arguments.
In academic writing, it is a good idea to be mindful of the assumptions you will be making. Avoid illogical
conclusions. For instance, it would be unwise to state that federalism will result in political strife and the
further fragmentation of the republic, if your claim is based on hearsay. You can avoid false claims and
illogical conclusions if you have strong evidence or actual and relevant data to back up your claim.
 Critical Writing

Writing assignments that require you to evaluate, assess, debate, critique, disagree, and consider, fall
under critical writing assignments. Examples of this type of writing assignment include reaction papers,
reflection papers, a critique of a topic, book reviews, research papers about complex topics requiring
multiple perspective. When you want to determine the merits and deficiencies of an existing research,
you are using the critical mode of writing. When you use this mode of writing you need to identify the
main arguments in addition to summarizing important aspects of the topic. Just like when you engage in
an analytical writing assignments, you need to rely on logical reasoning and empirical evidence or hard
data to back up your claim.
In a critical writing assignment, you are expected to weigh not just your own assumptions but also the
merits of alternative arguments so you can arrive at a holistic evaluation.

Language Use in Academic Writing

A characteristic of academic writing is the use of professional and businesslike language, free of jargon,
colloquial expression and politically incorrect terms. Jargon is referred to as shoptalk or specialized
language known only to a particular profession (e.g. the term hydrosulfurization is a term known only
among chemists) and which may have another field (e.g., script means prescription in the medical
profession; while in means a manuscript containing the storyline in the film industry). Other expressions
to avoid in academic writing include colloquial expressions, or informal discourses. Examples of informal
expressions include how dya do? (instead of how do you do?); wanna (instead of want to); dunno
(instead of don’t know). Even popular expressions use by millennials such us LOL Laugh out loud) and FYI
(for your information) may be unknown to some readers, so avoid using them in academic writing.

Politically in correct terms include sexiest and discriminatory language that diminishes a person’s worth
on the basis of sex, race or economic status. Here are some examples of labels that can use politically
correct terms.

Politically Incorrect Politically correct

crippled person with disability (PWDs)
autistic/mentally retarded persons with intellectual disability
poor financially challenged
squatters informal settlers
stewardess flight attendant
fireman Firefighter
seaman Seafarer

Politically correct terms aim to diminish the disparity among people on the basis of physical ability,
financial status and other social constructs. As an academic writer, it would be wise to use language
judiciously and to avoid using labels or terms that are offensive and have negative connotation.
Language is continuously evolving and some terms that were in common use decades ago may no longer
acceptable today so examine the words that you use especially in the context of academic writing to
make sure that you are not going against the accepted trend.
To sum up, academic writing uses a language that is concise, precise logical and inclusive.
Topics, Themes, Ideas for Academic Writing

Your choice of topic is an important factor in academic writing, for it will determine the
message that you will impart to your readers. Regardless of the type of academic text you will
write, be prepared to do some data-gathering. Writers of Theses and dissertations must gather
data for their studies: the writer of the survey those the same through questionnaires. Even
reflection papers involve a certain amount of detailed gathering. Those writing a reaction paper
must cite facts and counterarguments. Writers of academic texts must engaged in data-
gathering procedures to arrive at valid, scientific, and empirical evidence. Other sources of data
include interviews, focus group discussions, even email and private conversation.

The choice of topic is an ever-present element in an academic writing. At times, the topic will
be identify by your teachers. At times, you will be given the freedom to choose your topic. In
academic writing, possible topics may range from the strict academic ( e.g.., the impact of the
tuition hike on students from the low-income bracket) to personal issues (e.g.., the impact of
the no-junk-food policy in the school cafeteria on the students freedom of choice). The topics
may be other done academic (e.g.., the use of red to boost the self-confidence of an individual).
Regardless of your topic, your paper should be written in a style and manner that suits
academic writing.
ACTIVITY:

A. Statement analysis. Write A if statement is correct and B is wrong. B if statement B is correct

and A is wrong: C if both statements are correct or D if both statements are wrong.

_____ 1. A. All forms of academic writing use citations.

B. Academic writing is superior to creative writing.

_____ 2. A. In academic writing, the writer should set aside his/her emotions
C. Political correctness is a feature of academic writing.

_____ 3. A. The readers are part of the writing context.

D. Most types of academic writing involve persuasion.

_____ 4. A. The use of political correct words enables a writer to be subtle and businesslike.
E. It is important to understand and clarify one’s purpose before writing an academic
text.

_____ 5. A. An objective point of view is free from biases.

F. In academic writing, the writer may resort to rhetorical figures to conceal his/her
biases.

_____ 6. A. Unlike creative writing, academic writing relies on hand facts and evidence.
G. In academic writing, one’s choice of topics is crucial to the outcome of the paper.

_____ 7. A. Critical thinking is more useful in descriptive writing than in other forms of writing.
H. Analysis is a feature of all forms of academic writing.

_____ 8. A. All types of writing assignments require empirical evidence.

I. Even the most basic type of academic writing involves analysis.

_____ 9. A. In academic writing the writer is expected to have only one point of view.
J. In academic writing, the writer is expected to have at least two points of view,
including his/her own.

_____ 10. A. It is rare for any academic text to be purely descriptive.

K. When writing academic texts using the descriptive approach, the writer usually
critiques, debates disagrees with or evaluates a topic.
HOW SHOULD I READ ACADEMIC TEXTS?
EXPLORE
Think-Pair-Share. Read the short paragraph below and determine the writer’s purpose and
intended readers.
Thee following anecdote illustrates the power of clear vision.

Many years ago, the researchers at one of the Ivy league schools is in the United States
conducted a now-famous study among the members of the graduating class. Foremost in their
study was to find out the plan of action of the students after leaving the university. The study
found out that only about 3% of the class had a clear plan-not express in 50 pages at that time-
but one that reflected their thoughts about the future, articulated on paper and constantly
reviewed. After 30 years the researches contacted the surviving members of the class to
analyze the life they’ve had in terms of their life goals and progress. The researchers found out
that the 3% who had a clear vision of what they aspired to be and do had a net worth which out
weighed the net worth of the 97% of the class who did not have a clear plan for the future.

Guide Questions:

1. Do you think writers are consciously aware of intended readers and purpose each
time they write?
2. Is it possible for writers not to have anybody in mind when writing an article?

EXAMINE:

In Lesson 1, you were introduced to academic writing- its structure and characteristics. In this
lesson, you will learn more about academic texts. In the process, you will learn to identify the
writer’s tone, purpose, as well as the relevance of the text. In the following academic text, take
note of the writer’s tone.

The One Thing You Need

Because of constant changes in job market demands, a skill you have been learning for
sometime now might be rendered obsolete by the time you use it in the workplace. It is this
mercuriality that makes one want to examine what is really essential to be useful.

Over the last years, contact centers have been providing employment for a lot of
undergraduates, fresh graduates, and other job seekers, Being customer-centered, work in a
contact center requires one to deliver information well and establish trust while taking to
clients, with the different needs, issues and of course, temperaments. As such good
communication skills have become crucial in securing a post in the industry. Aside from this,
the major task of handling customer concerns requires analytical skills to determine the
problem and swiftly offers solutions. And when the company grows and expands to other
countries, extending their reach to different customers of diverse cultures and social mores,
agents are also expected to be fluent in a foreign language other than English to ensure not just
a stable employment, but also a good paycheck.

The contact center, or call center, is just one facet of the business process outsourcing (BPO)
industry. Outsourcing means obtaining external manpower to carry out business processes like
human resources. Solutions for technological needs like software development can also be
outsource. This has led to a large demand in the field of computer sciences, making yet another
king of language valuable to learn-namely, the programming language.

But as technological needs are met, and technology advances, we could lose some of these
jobs, especially the ones that replaceable by artificial intelligence. According to Telegraph, in a
study conducted by Oxford, routinary jobs have the highest chances to assigned to machines
that are programmed to do tasks. The thig is, there are a lot of them and humans will
eventually have no choice but to look somewhere else for jobs. They will have to develop other
skills which cannot be automated by the most advanced machines that can possibly be
invented.

So what skills are those? Of course, these should be ones that are automation proof (or at least
very difficult to automate), or those that have to do with establishing meaningful human
connection. In this case, good communication skills are still the best master-from doing
aloquent presentation and handling conflicts with diplomacy, to being assertive, considerate
and having overall empathy towards others. Besides, it is expected in any job.

It is still important to be able to keep up with the changes. The educational system must be
technologically-oriented, but should not completely do away with tradition, which has been,
and still is, the basis of what we humans have reached so far in the realm of sciences.

Understanding Academic Text

Any piece of writing comes with a purpose, whether it is stated explicitly or not. As a discerning reader,
it is your task to be able to identify it. The short article titled “The One Thing You Need” is clear about its
intent to inform readers-you-to be equipped with skills that remain necessary despite the challenges of
an increasingly competitive and complement future. In most essays, as it is in this article, this
information is stated in the thesis statement. If you analyze the article in terms of its purpose tone, and
relevance, this is what you will glean from it:

Purpose: to inform the readers that the job market is going to be tougher in the coming
Years.

Tone: serious, academic

Relevance: as a reminder to future job-seekers

Determining the Writer’s Purpose
To Inform

Academic writing seeks to inform, to teach, to add to the reader’s knowledge by way of new
ideas. Articles that seek to inform are often serious in tone, and are unmistakably academic in
their intent to impart learning. Note how the following article consists of ideas like those found
in a news article.

A three-day retooling seminar titled “Navigating the Path towards Excellence” was held
last Dec. 5-7, 2017 at the Blessed Garrido Padua, OP Building.

Aimed at providing the senior high school faculty with a fresh perspective on current
trends and future innovations in 21st century teaching and learning the seminar boasted of
topnotch speakers both considered stalwarts in their respective fields: Dr. Elizabeth Paredes, an
educator and a published author and Dr. Charlemagne Ty, a SEAMEO grantee, scientist and
mathematician.

To Entertain

Academic writing that seeks to entertain make take the form of creative nonfiction whose
intent-in addition to telling a story-would be to state a narrative in an academic way. Writing
that takes this form uses the convections of formal writing while writing about a personal
experience. In the following example, although the experience being narrated is personal, it is
straightforward and follows grammar conventions.

I was 13 when I first turned to writing as an escape from boredom and loneliness. Even then, I thrived on solitude and found it easier to
articulate my thoughts on paper than to verbalize them. My writing during this phase was nothing more than mere scribbling: purple verse with
a profusion of grand words, journal entries bordering on the melodramatic. My writing during this phase was more therapeutic and cathartic
than anything. For instance, whenever my mother scolded me, I would write about it in my journal instead of telling my sister or best fried
about it. By the time I was 15, I had accumulated several journals made from recycled bond paper which I tied together with an abaca twine,
and whose cover I adorned with pictures of movie stars.

To Persuade
Persuasive writing aims to influence readers to take a particular stance or belief. This form of writing
uses persuasive techniques such as illustration, as cause-and-effect to convince readers.

The Healthier Choice

Some of us may have gone to grocery to get our stash of food and realize that at least three-fourths of what we brought home are instant
noodles, canned goods, cured meats and chips. These foods normally don’t require cooking and can eaten as soon as they have been opened,
making them a convenient choice for people who maintain a busy lifestyle and have no time to cook. They also last longer so you don’t have to
worry if that can of tuna has gone uneaten for months.

The secrets to long shelf life is preservatives. But constantly bombarding your body with foods that are rife with these can be destructed. Fresh
product are obviously the healthier choice because you are in control of what you put in. There is also no need to add preservatives since fresh
food is meant to be consumed right away. However, it requires preparation time, and if you’re a busy person, you would rather reach for those
instant noodles. Cooking can also be expensive-preparing a pasta dish will cost more than a can of tuna.

So if canned goods are bad, and making your own food its up more time and resources, what is the best thing to do for people who spend most
of the time at work? For one, preserve goods aren’t made to poison people; they are still food and go through the standards. They won’t end
up in the grocery shelves if the amount of chemicals in them exceeds safe labels. Go ahead and have them, but remember to have them in
moderation. Take time as well to check the food nutrition labels so you can make more helpful choices. And if you are too busy to cook, you can
always have those fruits that are ready to eat. Grab a banana or an apple on the way to work, or have a bunch of grapes to satisfy your cravings
for an afternoon snack. However you do it, taking the route to a healthy diet is always the better choice if you want to reap the benefits of
overall health and well-being for many years to come.

To Inspire
Another aim of writing would be to inspire. To inspire means to uplift, to make someone feel better or be enlightened. This form of writing aims
to reach out to each reader regardless of religious affiliation. Without being hardcore religious, this form of writing explores themes that
resonate with most readers. In the following example, note how the writer tries to make the readers realize a fundamental truth about self-love
and contentment.

How would you fare when compared with someone? Are there people you hold in high stead because they are richer, stronger, more
intelligent? What is it about them that makes you feel less intelligent or less accomplished?

Teddy Roosevelt was right when he said” comparison is the thief of joy.” In the words desiderata, “ If you compare your self with someone, you
will end up feeling vain or better.” When we compare ourselves with those who have less, our ego is gratified; but if it’s with others who have
more, we end up feeling disappointed. Is your self-esteem like a leaf being tossed by the wind? Is it only stable as the person with whom you
are being compared?

Remember that each of us unique. We each have a talent unlike that of others, and we will be held accountable for how we use our gifts.
You and I. We are all being called to develop our gifts in the best way we know how. Our comparison should be with ourselves, and how will we
use our gifts from day to day-not how we fare when compared with others.

Determining the Writer’s Tone

Each time you read, do you try to determine the writer’s tone? Are you aware that every piece of writing uses a particular tone? Most often,
tone is explicit. As a reader, you should be able to detect it. Other times however, a piece of writing may try to hide its tone, and the tone might
identify only subtly. The write’s tone may be formal, casual, sarcastic, condescending, or angry.

Implied Meaning
A text is said to have an implied meaning when what is directly stated in not is real meaning. Instead, the intended meaning is stated more
obliquely. This kind of meaning can only be arrived after analyzing the hidden or implied meaning of the text. Because it is the more perplexing
kind, implied meaning has to be drawn from the layers of meaning hidden in subtle language.

The dictionary defines implication as” the conclusion that can be drawn from something, although it is not explicitly stated.” Implication
involved drawing conclusions about a topic as suggested by something you bow read or seen. For instant when you say,” this research has
implication for educators and guidance counselors,” you are claiming the result of the research should be taken seriously by these sectors, and
the result directly affect the way the shape the policies they will be making.

Skimming and Scanning

Skimming and scanning are two activities related to academic reading chances are, you have done these
two activities. Most readers an aware that each time they make an initial assessment of an academic
text, they are actually skimming and scanning it.

Some students use skimming and scanning to get key information about the text with the intent to read
it more thoroughly later. When you browse or leaf through a book, you are skimming and scanning it.
Skimming and scanning might also include reading only the chapter, reading the blurb or analyzing the
abstract. The activity may also involve getting preliminary information about the text to determine its
usefulness. In other words when you” review” a text to determine how will you like it you are skimming
and scanning it.

Lesson3: HOW CAN I USE THESIS STATEMENTS AS A WRITING

STRATEGY?
1. Think-pair-share. What words do you associate with the word thesis?
Complete the list below with the words you’ve brainstormed with your classmate. Write a short
summary of your findings and be prepared to present your findings in class.

Thesis ͢

A short synthesis of your ideas:

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

Questions:

1. What is the role of a thesis statement in an academic student in an academic text?

2. Why must an academic text have a thesis?
3. Without a thesis, can an academic text prove its point?
4. In what ways does a thesis statement clarify and explain a writer’s claim?

Thesis Statement Defined

In the sample editorial, you probably caught a particular sentence the captures the writer’s conviction
about the issue. This sentence that gives the reader particular focus on the writer perspective is called
the thesis statement.
The thesis statement is the main idea of your paper that is usually conveyed one declarative sentence It
serves as a summary of your writing and give your viewpoint about a particular topic. It is like a signpost
that tells your readers what to expect from your essay. Through the thesis statement you guide your
readers by briefly explaining your argument, giving clues on how you will defend your claim.
As a writing strategy, the thesis statement help you determine what significant ideas to emphases you
determine what significant ideas to emphasize in your writing. You may evaluate your essay using your
thesis to see if it is consistent with the ideas you have expressed. If your essay contains other useful
information not reflected in your thesis, you might wish to revise it to include the information you have
left out.
Although usually found at the start of the essay, it is not unusual to find the thesis statement in the
concluding paragraph. But whether it is placed in the introduction or conclusion, the thesis statement
serves and the basis for your outline.

Parts of a Thesis Statement

The thesis statement should be concise enough to include only the essential parts. An arguable thesis
statement consists of the following the claim or convection, objective, passion, and issue. An important
element of an arguable thesis statement is the issue or problem that the writer wants to tackle. This
may be linked with the claim and conviction which reflects the writer’s argument. The may be a short
phrase that expresses what the writer wants to prove. Although the thesis statement is usually
expressed in one or two sentences, it should be able to accommodate the objective, which reflect what
the writer wants to accomplish. The position is an expression of what the believes should he done about
the issue.

CLAIM OBJECTIVE FUNCTION ISSUES

COMMUNICATION What do you want to What do you believe in What are the problems?
What do you want to prove? accomplish? and what would be done
about it?
That junk food contains That school authorities That the government The proliferation of
carcinogenic should ban junk food should impose stricter junk food
substances that establishment within regulations concerning manufacturers to lune
jeopardize a person’s and near school foods that are made school children to but
health available to school junk food packaged
children attractive containers
Thesis Due no one health risks posed by attractively packaged junk food containing harmful substances
authorities should loan those zero nutrient food items within and near schools.
Or
Thesis Attractively packaged paged foods containing toxic substances pose health risk to school children
thus authorities should loan those zero nutrients food within and near schools.

Functions of a Thesis Statement

1. The thesis statement expands on an answer to an issue or topic.

The first thesis statement below is a weak thesis statement. Although it seems to have a stand,
no reason s were included to explain why they are useful as learning resources.

Poor E-books are useful learning resources.

 Improved: E-books have significantly influenced students positive perception about reading and
learning therefore, educators should explore more awakens and programs for the use of e-
books in classrooms.
The improved thesis has a clear claim that can be defended
2. A thesis statement gives direction to academic text.
In the example below, the first thesis does little to advance the essay’s direction. Not only is it
vague, it also contains no specific detail explaining why poverty is prevalent in the Philippines.

Poor: in the Philippines many people are poor.

Improved: According to 2015 study, 22% of the Philippine population are poor despite the poverty alleviation
program of the government due to a number of factors: ineffective implementation of government programs,
widespread corruption, and continued poverty mentality among the marginalized sector.
The details provided in the improved thesis give a clearer picture as to which aspect of poverty in the Philippines the
writer will discuss.

3. A thesis statement defends a writer’s claim.

It should be strong enough to stand the “So what?” test. Try asking yourself this question each
time you write a thesis. Keep asking the question until you are sure your thesis is complete and
datable. It’s exhausted the “so what?” question.

The thesis statement below contains the writer’s claim but fails the “So what?” test.
Poor: Television may be your child’s worst enemy.

Ask yourself: So what if television is a child’s worst enemy? So what should be done about it?

Improved: Due to the adverse effects of watching television, parents should strictly monitor the amount of time children
spend in front of the television, as well as the programs they watch.

Guidelines in Formulating a Thesis Statement

1. Your thesis should be expressed as a declarative statement not an a question.
It should not be mere statement of fact, but should answer the question, “Why” or “How”. In
the following example, you need to explain why you believe the use of social media has become
Obligation and what you believe should be done about the issue.

Fact or observation: Access to social needs has reached journey.

Improved thesis: Parents and educators should impose journey on social media use as not to
compromise the physical and mental test of young members.

2. Your thesis statement should be more than just a statement of fact about a topic.
Statements: My paper will show the complement of the traffic problem in Metro Manila.
 Improved thesis: The traffic problem in Metro Manila is a multi-access problem that must be
solved with the combined effort of peer individuals foreign think tanks and the government.

3. Your thesis should contain enough supporting details and should be more than just a title.
Because a thesis statement is the single most important statement in your essay, it should
contain an argument that can be depended.

Title: Change in study Habits of Millennials

Improved thesis: Parents should exert stricter supervision over their children whose study habits have
changed as result of their changing priorities.
4. Your thesis statement should be specific enough to be defended.
A thesis statement should include specific details explaining the important aspect/s of the topic.
Without specific details, the thesis statement loses its focus.

Example 1
Broad: The ROTC has been re-implemented.
Specific: Senior High School graduates should be required to take ROTC or pursue community service project s before entering
college in order to increase their maturity discipline and love of country.

5. Your thesis should reflect your opinion going enough arguments that can be proven.

Your thesis is a reflection of what you believe in it should contain your conviction combined with your arguments.

Differentiating between a Thesis Statement and a Topic

The thesis statement and topic sentence have similarities but the differ several aspects. The topic
sentence give a glimpse of what the paragraph talks about, while the thesis statement contains the
writer conviction. The topic sentence connect to the thesis statement the thesis statement encompasses
all the other sentences in the essay. Because the thesis convers the entire essay research paper, it is
browed in scope that the topic sentence.
ACTIVITY:

A. Access the following link featuring “Millennials in the Workplace: A communication Perspective
of Millennials Organizational Relationships and Performance”.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC22868990/

Formulate a debatable thesis based on the article:

B. Make the partially completed thesis statements debatable by adding valid explanations.

1. The main reason of poverty in the Philippines are __________,_________, and

___________________.

2. Getting pregnant before graduating from college results in ___________ and

_______________.

3. Having OFW parents has its advantages such as ________________ and

___________________.

4. People should be allow to carry guns because _______________ and __________________.

 5. The Anti-Distracted Driving Law must be amended because
______________________________.
6. There must be tougher law against cyberbullying because _______________________.

7. The main reason for the popularity of social media is___________________________.

8. A stricter penalty on plagiarism will result in___________________________________.

9. In order to alleviate poverty, the government must_____________________________.

10. The ban junk food in school cafeterias has resulted in

_______________________________________________________________________.

LESSON 4: WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF SUMMARIZING AND

PARAPHRASING AS WRITING STRATEGIES?
EXPLORE:

Summarizing

Think-Pair-Share: Read the following abstract and underline the keywords that do not appropriately
describe it.

Abstract

There have been numerous studies on portfolio development as an instructional practice. As a form of
interrogation with such studies, this study explores portfolios’ benefits’ to students, teachers and the
curriculum. The use of portfolio as an instructional strategy has implications for pedagogical practice
and curriculum design in the context of current learning theories advocating active students’
engagement in learning and assessment to improve the student’s ability to construct meaning. This
study suggests that portfolios support curriculum and teaching initiatives, allowing teachers to go
beyond quantitative tests and provide opportunities for cognitive and self-reflection skills.

Keywords, portfolio, portfolio assessment, instructional strategy, reflection paper, self-reflection skills
 curriculum design, art design, intervention program student-teacher interaction.

Guide Questions:

 Why is it important to learn how to summarize?

 When writing summary, how important are keywords in describing its content?
 How does one decide which ideas should be included in a summary?

SUMMARIZING

Refer to the article below and note how it was summarized.

Is your smartphone making you happy?

By David Trilling

There’s abundant speculation that our smartphones make us less happy. Twitter: saps your attention.
Facebook: fills you wish FOMO. Email: your boss is barking direction again.

A new paper in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology finds science behind the speculation. The
researcher, from the University of Virginia, conduct two experiment that show smartphone distractions
reduce how much we enjoy one thing repeatedly show to make humans happy: face-to-face social
interaction.

In the first, 304 participants each had dinner with a small group of friend or family. Half were told to
keep their smartphone handy for a questioner, which would arrive by the text, about the meal. Half
were asked to turn their phones to silent and stash them away, instructed that they would receive
question later by paper. After the meal, all participants answered questions about how much they
enjoyed their social interactions, how connected they felt, how destructed of bored. Lastly, participants
reported how much they use their mobile phones; this response was compared with video footage of
the meal (participants consented to being recorded, but didn’t know why they were being videotaped).
This part of the study found that.

 Participants who used their phones- knows as “the phone condition” -reported “significantly
lower interest and enjoyment than those in the phoneless condition.”
 Participants in the phone condition reported feeling more distracted and slightly more bored.
 “We found that phone use had small negative effect on well-being.

In the second experiment, the researchers surveyed 123 American public University students by text message five
times a day at random for a week asking them how they were feeling and what they had been doing for the last 15
minutes. Over 41% responses occurred while participants were interacting with someone face-to-face. While using
their smartphones, these people reported feeling:

 More distracted and more bored

 Less interested in their interactions with other people
 That time was moving more slowly

Summary Defined
Summaries are shortened versions of long and complicated text. They are useful for several reason: they help you
focus on the main idea, enabling you to identify key points and glossing over less important ones. When you
summarize, you are able to combine the key points that support the main idea. It is important to understand that
summarizing in not equivalent to writing down everything verbatim. Nor does it mean coming up with a version
that is similar in length to or longer than the original text. Your reason for writing a summary should determine the
kind of summary you will write.

The summary makes it easy for the readers to determine at first glance the content and merit of a piece of writing;
often this is the first thing discriminating readers read to assist the merit of the academic paper. In the case of the
abstract, it is the first thing readers examine to determine the suitability of the academic paper to their needs and
preferences.

Kinds of Summary
There are different kinds of summary. All of them have the same objective-to highlight key ideas. All summaries
have an introduction, body and conclusion. Each type emphasizes a different part depending on its object.
Regardless of the type however, all summaries must be given proper citation even if the exact words of the author
have been replaced.

Descriptive Summary
This summary is basically a list of topics without details and can serve as a quick reference to the subject matter
discussed in the literature. Imagine subject catalogs you might see in some libraries but written in complete
sentence. Descriptive summaries can also be found in annotated bibliographies.

Informative Summary
Compared to a descriptive summary, an informative summary is longer as it gives context to the realization of the
sturdy. It provides the background of the problem and the methods used to address the problem. As its name
suggest, this kind of summary may also give a glimpse of the documents’ merits and limits. A page is enough to
written and informative summary.

Abstract
The summary you write for your research paper, thesis, or any college paper is called an abstract. It is found at the
beginning of the entire paper gives a brief but comprehensive description of your work.

Parts an Abstract
The most important aspects of your academic text are reflected in the following parts of an abstract:

Introduction

This section answers the question: What makes the article interesting? Why should readers know the problem and
its result? What do the readers have to gain from reading the full text? If the teaser isn’t well-written, the readers
will not be interested to read the rest of the article. It is in this section were the important aspects of the text are
highlighted, including the author’s reason for conducting the study, its importance and its variables. This is were
the readers will find the rationale and important ideas related to the study.

PARAPHRASING
Refer to the short paragraph below and compare it with the paraphrased versions.

Original article:

The disillusionment with traditional forms of assessment is due to the inability of traditional assessment-i.e. quantitative test-to reflect a full
range of learning outcomes attained. Quantitative tests really on norm-based systems which evaluate a student in relation to the performance
of other students doing the same examination. In a norm-based scenario, a large number of students will fare below-average; thus, educators
must see the need to shift to a criterion-referenced evaluation scheme, or a more qualitative evaluation scheme such as portfolios, where
individual performance is evaluated regardless of the other students in the same class (Billanes, 2015).

Plagiarized version

The growing discontent with usual forms of assessment is because of the failure on the part of traditional assessment such as quantitative tests
to attain a complete set of learning outcomes. Quantitative test use norm-based system with access a student on other students’ performance
in the same examination. In this kind of setting, many students may perform poorly. Therefore, those in the academe must choose the
qualitative assessment system or the criterion-based method of assessment, where the performance of the individual is assessed without being
compared with that of his/her classmates (Billanes, 2015).

Good paraphrase:

The trends towards an attainment of learning outcomes augurs well for the qualitative or criterion-based assessment which evaluates students
base on their individual merit. This mode of assessment assures the student of an above average rating not guaranteed in the usual forms of
assessment such as the norm-based qualitative tests where students’ performance is assessed in relation to that of their peers. Educators
would do well to shift to this non-traditional assessment mode (Billanes, 2015).

Paraphrase Defined
Paraphrasing is the method of rewriting a passage from an academic text in the paraphraser’s manner and style and no longer that of the
author. When you paraphrase, you adopt the author’s ideas and translate them into your own words to make the ideas suit your style of
writing. Your goal is to make the article clearer and shorter, or about the same length as the original. You should neither distort the ideas nor
merely mimic the words and the sentence structure of the original article. In a way, you are bringing in your own perspective combined with
that of the writer when you paraphrase.

Paraphrasing is used extensively in research for the following purposes to cite important facts and information, to situate a topic in context, and
to support an argument.

Because paraphrasing makes use of the ideas in the original academic text, you should be careful to cite your source to make sure credit is
given to the original author. You can if necessary.
Use the introductory tag “According to…” (known the author heading format) at the start of the paraphrase; however, in case an article does
not have an author, cite the title of the article instead.

How to Paraphrase
Paraphrasing is necessary skill that you should master. When you know how to paraphrase, you can shorten long
passages without deviating from the original text. Paraphrasing reflects your understanding of the text. When your
able to paraphrase well, that is an indication that you understood the text. In that way paraphrasing also becomes
a reading strategy.

Here are some guidelines for paraphrasing a text:

 After reading the text, take time to understand it. Key notes and write marginal notes on the text to help
you understand the authors intended meaning. Re-read the text if necessary.
 As you read, interact with the text by asking relevant questions pertaining to it. Be sure the questions will
lead you to a better understanding of the text you are examining.
 In your own words, answer the questions that you raised. Doing so would allow you to determine how will
you drafted the questions in relation to the text.

Lesson5: HOW CAN I USE OUTLINING AS A WRITING

STRATEGY?
Think-pair-share: Fill in the necessary information in the partially completed outline below.

Teenage Pregnancy

Thesis statement: the alarming incidents of teenage pregnancy in the country call for concerted
efforts from parents, educators, and legislator.

I. Introduction: The rate of teenage pregnancy-in the country and the rest of the world-is on
the rise.
A. Background
B. Statistic
 II. Body
A. Causes of teenage pregnancy
1. _______________________________
2. Lack of sex education
3. Alcohol and drug abuse
4. Lack of parental supervision

B. Effects of teenage pregnancy

1. On the young parents
2. _________________________________

III. Conclusion
A. As a social problem
B. _____________________________________

Guide Questions:

1. Why is it important to learn how to outline correctly?

2. How does effective outlining enhance your understanding of the academic text?
3. How do you decide which ideas to include in an outline?

Outline Defined
An outline is a condensed version of an academic text in a linear, structured format. As an academic
writing strategy, it aids both the writer and the readers in identifying the key ideas in the text,
simplifying the task of reading a longer, more complicated text. Writers have the choice of the of
starting their composition with a tentative outline, or “clinching” the completed writing task by task
writing an outline based on it.

In the sample outline we just read, note how the parts are interrelated with each other and how each
heading is explained by the details in the subheading. Notice too, how the holistic structure is achieved
through the individual headings that validate and contribute to the thesis statement.
As an academic writing tool, outlines are just as useful even in their basic format. Even without being
fleshed out, they give readers a glimpse of what is contained in the longer composition.

Function of Outlines

An outline is useful in academic writing because it helps you to organize your ideas. Being able to
arrange your ideas logically in an outline is an indication that you know how your writing will procced.
Some people make their outline before they write while some write theirs once the writing has been
completed. Whatever method you choose, remember that an outline is like a blueprint that allows you
to focus on important aspects of your writing.

How to Write an Outline

You can make an effective outline by bearing in mind that your composition is only as structed as your
outline. When your outline is well-structed your composition well reap the benefit of your organized
ideas.

You might wish to start by listing down important ideas, clustering those that are related and finding the
similarities among them. You may now classify related ideas using a logical system of arrangement and
find an appropriate heading for them. Your subheadings should follow logically from the ideas in your
heading. When you are certain that your heading and subheadings are written in parallel forms (noun
and noun, clause and clause, phrase and phrase, verb and another verb), then you have done the last
step in sorting out your outline.

To put the finishing touches to your outline, write an arguable thesis that reflects the direction that you
would like your academic paper to take. Some people however, start their outline by writing a thesis
statement, while some write their thesis statement after they have completed the outline. Regardless of
whether you start or end with the thesis, be sure that your outline reflects the content and structure of
your academic paper.

Cardinal Rules in Outlining

1. Observe parallelism. Make the ideas in your heading and subheading consistent. If you used a
verb in the first heading, the second subheading should also be a verb.

Example (Noun used as heading):

I. Causes of Anorexia Nervosa

II. Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa

Example (Gerund/Verb used as heading):

I. Tracing the Cause of Anorexia Nervosa

II. Finding a Cause for Anorexia Nervosa
Module 2
How do I apply critical thinking in academic discourse?

Learning Outcomes

 Construct sound argument free from bias

 Distinguish among different types of academic papers
 Produce different types of academic papers with the given guidelines
 Establish good writing practice through citation of source materials

Portfolio Output
Create a position paper regarding a currently debated social issue. It should be well-structured. Make
sure they more or less follow the recommended flow and the guide questions considered.

Lesson 6: WHAT IS CRITICAL THINKING?

Think-Pair-Share: Explain why the following statements are flawed.

1. “The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown is an anti-Catholic novel, so I will not include it in my required
reading list.”
2. “95% of senior high school students have bought this book, so this is the right book for you.”
3. “Junk food is bad because junk foods have disastrous effects.”
4. “What I do in private is my business (even if it involves cybersex).”
5. Sir Justine said so, so it must be true.
6. “Children shouldn’t be raised bilingual as they mix languages and get confused.”
7. “Stephen Curry is a celebrity icon and he use this deodorant. You must too.”
8. “My political rival is a sexist, racist hoodlum. He will only bring ruin to our country if you vote for
him.”
9. “You see, marriage is so much like riding a car.”
10. “If I allow you to take a special test, everyone else in the class will demand that they be allowed
to take a special test.”

Guide Question:
 1. Why is it important to be critical?
2. What principles should you remember when you analyze certain arguments?
3. How does critical thinking enhance academic writing skill?
The Importance of Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is important in all aspects of your academic life, especially in research and other writing
assignments. You need to be critical when you analyze the ideas information you have gathered for your
academic work. When you engage in critical thinking, you are able to weigh and evaluate various
information. By separating those that are useful from those that are not, those support your belief from
those that do not, you become more discerning. Being discerning means being able to let go of
preconceived nations and valuing viewpoints that are contrary what you believe.

Distinguishing Fact from Opinion

Critical thinking in the context of academic writing demands being able to distinguish facts from opinion.
Facts are statement involving ideas and information that can be verified, while opinions involve one’s
personal beliefs. In academic writing, you are allowed to express opinions you feel strongly about,
provided you support your conviction with enough evidence. For example, if you are writing paper
about the mental health of senior high school students and you believe that too many academic
requirements have a negative influence on students’ mental health, you should be ready to provide
evidence in the form of testimony from students, as well as data from guidance counselors and teacher.

Two Kinds of Reasoning

Deductive Reasoning (General to specific)

When you argue using deductive reasoning, your argument proceeds from a general assumption to
more specific statements of facts, evidence, or other ideas. Deductive reasoning may be compared to a
top-down argument wherein, if the general principle is true, the conclusion is also true. A classic
example in philosophy is the syllogism: “All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is
mortal.” When you use a theory to come up with conclusion or to explain a specific phenomenon, you
also use deductive reasoning. However, if the premise is not wholly accurate, the conclusion could lead
to a faulty conclusion. For instance, when you hear reports that the US has relaxed its laws on migrants,
you might be led to believe that migrating to the US would be a viable option. Your conclusion should
not be based solely on the premise, for there are a number of factors to consider before migrating to
any country.

Inductive Reasoning (Specific to general)

This kind or reasoning proceeds from a specific premise to a general conclusion. Also known as the
bottom-up logic or cause and effect argument, the reasoning involved in this argument is a set of
specific situations used as premise, ending with a definitive conclusion. For example, you’ve personally
experienced rude treatment from a foreign national. From then on, you’ve regarded all foreign nationals
from that country as rude.

Common Logical Fallacies

In academic writing, fallacies are frowned upon because they are ill-substantiated statements. Unlike
incorrect information that can be easily corrected, logical fallacies involve flawed arguments where the
premises have not been fully supported, leading to a weak and faulty conclusion.

Lesson 7: WHAT IS A REACTION PAPER/REVIEW/CRITIQUE?

Think -Pair-Share: Read the following restaurant review. Take note of the details used in favor of the
restaurant.

Gastronomic feast

The interesting lineup of local and international dishes will overwhelm you when you see the assortment
of foods at The Cosmopolitan Buffet. Whether you are a meat lover, a seafood aficionado, or even a
picky vegetarian, your cravings will be satisfied with the many food choices laid out for you. Simply try
out whether dishes please the eye and go back for more. Even the variety of desserts, from tarts and
cookies to cakes and ice-cream, will satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you wanting more. The well-
designed counters and comfortable dining areas also give a cozy ambiance at a very reasonable price.

Guide Questions:

1. Does the writer highlight significant aspects of the restaurant?

2. Is the review persuasive enough?

Reaction Paper

Here’s an excerpt from a sample reaction paper.

“Nothing about the play stimulated me. I was dragged into it only because the class was
required to watch it. So many aspects of the play need improvement. For one, the props were
outdated. Made me wonder if that was part of the ploy, or because the production team was
operating on a tight budget. Another thing that displeased me was the venue. It was evident
that budget. Another thing that displeased me was the venue. It was evident that the acoustics
had seen better days. Lastly, the script was lackluster and boring. Also, it’s hard believe that the
characters from this economic group would speak and behave this way. I also find the speaking
style of the characters too pretentious. While I appreciate the effort of the writers perhaps they
can rethink the characters’ work view. The only saving grace was that the script tried as best as
it could, to mimic the struggles of the working class.”

When you write about what you have read or something you have seen or experienced-an
event, situation or phenomenon-you’re writing your reaction about it and your output would be
classified as a reaction paper. Chances are, you’ve been asked many times to write reaction
papers in your elementary days. However, its not uncommon for Senior High School students to
be write reaction papers as well.
 When you write reaction papers, you are expected to write about your total experience in
relation to an event or reading material. You write about not just the usual details but also your
reaction to it; you can discuss whether the experience had a positive or negative impact on you.

For example, if you’re asked to write a reaction paper after attending a seminar on “Youth
Empowerment.” Your expected to discuss not just the sequence of the seminar including the
topics, objectives, and program flow, but also your feelings after watching the event. Your
insights about it will be useful when you summarized the event.

A reaction paper would not be completed without your assessment, you may include
statements praising the organizers or suggesting point for improvement. Whether you’ve chose
to highlight the positive or negative aspects, it would be best to be both objective and careful in
your assessment, making sure that you balance your opinion with verifiable facts.

Here are some questions to ask when you write a reaction paper;

1. What is the book event, or phenomenon about?

2. Did it meet its objective/s?
3. How do I feel about it? Did it influence me in a negative or positive way?
4. What insights did I get from it?
5. Did I tactfully justify my reaction toward the book, event place, thing, etc.?

Review

Here’s an excerpt from sample review

Think of a class cullet, round, transhicent, Wuminated by rays of light. A robust figure cradling
what seems to be an outline of a child. Or a 12” high brush piece of a faceless chunk in a contemplative
pose. These remarkable sculptures highlight the exhibit aptly title “In Praise of form” held recently at the
Grand Ballroom of Manila Hotel.

The art works are in scintillating emerald green and deep electric blue, candy-colored but avoid and
sleek. Cosmopolitan. They look like sweet stuff; but the art pieces would make fitting adornments in
plush homes and offices. Although faceless and rendered as non-representational abstraction, the art
works speak of profound message about humanity and love. The other artforms are forays into other
media, metal wood, semi-precious stones and glass. But the piece of resistance is a combination of glass
and bronze, and concave and convex. It is a study in contrast: simplicity and strength; seamlessness and
grace.

Such is the essence of an exhibit that gives tribute to form.

How will did the reviewer describe the art exhibit? Did it go beyond a mere recounting of the event? Did
the writer attempt to tell a story in the framework of the exhibit or did it just describe the art works?

Your honest answer to these questions will help you determine the qualities of a well-written review.

Critique
Here’s an excerpt from sample critique

Pulitizen-price winner Toni Morrison gives readers a glimpse of the rich tapestry of her imagination and
insight on how it is to be an African-American in a multi-cultural society. She brings her own experiences
as an African-American from a small town in Loerain, Ohio to the intricate web of her
novels resorting at times to magical realism, as in two of her novels Songs of Solon and Beloved, the
weaves her tales using folklore and myths. Her language is clear and lyrical. Her characters are like the
even-changing facets of a kaleidoscope.

Morrison has written extensively about racism, class and sexism and explored how their issues have
affected the lives of her characters, positing that these issues are societal and psychological restrictions
that leave a gaping hole in the black women’s psyche. Her narratives depict the characters interacting
with variety of forces; the protagonist at odds with other characters, the protagonist at odds with
nature; protagonists at odds with themselves.

Precisely because of her own unique experience as an African-American, Morrison is at her best when
she writes for, and about African-American. The extent to which acknowledges their experience against
a backdrop of gender oppression and racism is what makes her novels worth reading. She influence her
novels with these realities and shows just how such issues restrict the individual not only physically but
also emotionally.

As a contemporary fictionist Morrison continues to be intrigued by the question of how African-

American, particularly women-transcend or sometimes succumb to restrictions of class, gender, and
race. Morrison gives her readers a glairing account of the disparity between the American woman’s
experiences vis-à-vis the African woman’s circumstances. In most of her novels white American women
and depicted as being financially well-off, and loving a charm life. In contrast, African-American women
are depicted as impoverished, uneducated, unattractive, and more often than not, deserted by their
husbands. However, despite these glairing stereotypes, Morrison redeems her characters by gibing
them qualities that would endear them to the readers. That she should situate her characters in
situations where they have to grapple with the roles ascribed to them by society on the basis of their
gender, race, and class is inevitable.

Of all types of academic writing in this lesson, critiques are considered the most academic. Defined as a
form of intellectual discourse involving one’s evaluation of an event, book, place, or phenomenon, a
critique is the more expanded version of a reaction paper. Examples of critiques include of an artist’s
work, literacy criticism, and scholarly essays evaluating a project. This type of writing allows writers to
articulate their opinion about issues familiar and relevant to them.

Reaction papers/reviews/critiques allow writers to their views, enabling others to share their point or
contrary viewpoint. Although they rely on the writer’s opinion, as with all types of academic writing
these types of papers require evidence in the form of facts, statistics, examples testimony, reviews of
fellow writers, pictures and other pieces of evidence to make the writer’s claim more valid.

Guidelines for Writing a Reaction Paper/Review/Critique of an

Event
  Be thoroughly familiar with the event, program, or occasion that you are writing about.
 Be observant and record significant details in relation to the event. For instance, if the crowd is
composed mostly of young students, instead of young professionals as you were expecting, be
able to cite this and offer a legitimate explanation.
 Consider the potential of the event for an interesting story. Use your story telling potential and
write about the event the way you would write a short story with all details including the who,
what, when, where, and the interesting turn of events. For instance, if you overheard a remark
about the event form one of the guests, include in your review. How did the guests react during
the entire occasion? Was their music in the background? Did the atmosphere appear lively?
How would you describe the turn of events? Was the event lively? Fast-paced? Was there an
interesting guest whose presence lighted up the event? However, while these details would
undoubtedly spice up your writing, be sure to include only those which would not detract form
the event.
 Remember that a reaction paper/ review/ critique is about providing enough evidence, so be
sure to give enough proof to validate what you are writing about. Include interesting photos,
testimonies from noteworthy persons and be sure your opinion is offensive nor fallacious.

Just like other kinds of academic writing, this type of writing needs an interesting introduction, well-
supported body paragraphs and a logical conclusion. In addition, it must contain a thesis statement
reflecting your claim.

Critical Approaches

Various critical approaches govern the writing of reaction paper/ review/ critique. Theoretical
framework is the research as critical approach. Is to a reaction paper/ review/ critique, A critical
approach provides the basis that grounds the critique, giving it a solid foundation. It answers the
question: What principle did the writer use?

Read the following book review. Take note of the authors approach is explaining the book.

Fairytale and Realism in Jane Eyra

By Carol Atherton

Jane Eyra is often seen as a profoundly realistic novel, drawing on Charlotte Bronte’s own experiences to paint a vivid picture of
Jane’s suffering at Lowood and her struggle against the narrow role the 19 th century society allotted to women. Nevertheless,
the novel also contains a strong element of fantasy Right form the start- hidden in the window seat, where the sits, “cross-
legged, like a Turk’-Jane escapes into a world of imagination, losing herself in the wild frozen landscapes of Bewrick’s History of
British Birds, and thinking of the fairytales and ballads told by Bessie, the nurse, on winter evenings. Fantasy is thus established
as a counterpoint to Jane’s real-life privations and as a rich source of imagery.

One important strand of fantasy in the novel surrounds Jane’s relationship with Rochester, which is shot through with
references to myth and fairytale. When Jane encounters Rochester’s dog Pilot in Hay Lane, just before the meets Rochester
himself her first thought is of the ‘Gytrash’, a mythical black dog said to haunt the deserted roads of northern England,
Rochester repeatedly refers to Jane as a ‘sprite’ and a ‘fairy’, and claims that she ‘bewitched’ his horse (ch.13). The paintings
that Jane shows to Rochester of a cormorant perched on a desolate shipwreck, the goddess Seine rising into the sky above
Mount Latinos, and a ‘colossal head’ wreathed in ‘turban folds’ -are straight out of fantasy, influenced by Bronte’s knowledge of
the Bible and of Greek mythology (ch.13). And the tale of the poor orphan who overcomes obstacles to marry a rich man can
itself be seen as having its roots in fairytale, although what could appear as a simple regs-to riches story is complicated by
Rochester’s references to himself as an ‘ogre’ (ch.24), the fact that Jane is emphatically not a Beauty and the troubling fact that
in the fairytale canon, the most famous imprisoner of wives, of course, the murderer Bluebeard.

Lesson 8: WHAT IS A POSITION PAPER?

Think-pare-Share: Would you like argue for or against the following topics? Tick the column of your
choice.

Controversial Topics Argue for? Argue against?

1. Allowing priest to marry

2. Allowing nuns to say mass

3. Allowing civilians to carry guns

Guide Question:

1. Why is it important to express your stand on an issue that is important to you?

2. If you don’t have a stand or position on an important issue, does that make you less credible?

Read the article below and take note of the writer’s position or conviction.

Why do we need a Magna Carta for the digital age?

by Anne Jellema

The World Wide Web Foundation was set up by the Web’s Inventor, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, to achieve his
vision of a Web that truly benefits humanity. Almost twenty six years ago, in March 1989, Sir Tim
Berners-Lee wrote a paper proposing an “information management” system for his colleagues at CERN,
a Swiss physics lab. This system, which became the World Wide Web, turned out to be so powerful that
it spread everywhere and changed our lives forever.

What was so magical about Sir Tim’s invention? Openness and freedom. Sir Tim and his colleagues
wanted everyone, everywhere to be able to add knowledge to the Web, so they gave its building blocks
– its source code- away to the world. That meant anyone could view everything on the Web, make their
own Web page, link to someone else’s Web page or develop a We’ve already seen that change is
possible. Last year, for example, the United Nations adopted a resolution saying the same human rights
people have offline must be respected online. Brazil has passed a digital bill of rights for its citizens
called Marco Civil da Internet. Like the Web, it was built by people, using a ground breaking, inclusive
and participatory process so that the voices of all stakeholders (companies, government and ordinary
web users) could be heard equality.

It’s time to stand up for the rights we want in the digital era. It might seem like a tall order, but our
secret weapon is the World Wide Web itself. We can use it to connect all the different people fighting
for freedom and privacy online in their respective countries, and in that way, we build a Magna Carta for
the Web in the same way that the Web was built-from the bottom up.

Position Paper Defined

The position paper is a form of writing used in academic and professional contexts that is often
controversial, requiring one’s definite stance.

As you can see in the sample in the article, certain topics call for a deep personal conviction. Writing is a
forum where issues may be raised. Expressing one’s opinion is both a right and skill, and it is welcomed
in democratic society. If you wish to express your opinion, you can do so through subtle and polite
language. You may also express your opinion using facts to validate what you believe. Other ways to do
that would be to cite examples and statistics to prove that your claim is not entirely personal and
subjective. In expressing your opinion, you have to realize that not everyone shares your viewpoint.

In the article, the writer cites statements of fact, balancing them with well substantiated statements of
opinions, thereby making the article both interesting and thought-provoking, personal and academic

Uses of a Position Paper

When you write a position paper, your aim is to inform others about your stance, position, or
conviction about a certain issue. It reflects what you know about the topic, exposing your belief
about it. Although it is a statement of your strong belief and opinion, you must combine it with
valid and verifiable facts.

Position papers are used not only in schools but also in government and corporate officers. In
academic settings, position papers are an expression of an individual’s claim, written without the
academic rigor of conducting a full-blown research. In government and politics, position papers
are an expression of an employee’s definitive position about issues that are crucial to and both
the company and its employees.

Elements of a Position Paper

Just like any piece of academic writing, the position paper must have the basic elements: an interesting
introduction, well-developed body paragraph and effective conclusion. To sway your readers to follow
your line thinking and arguments, you need to use persuasive techniques when you write the position
paper. By giving sufficient evidence through verifiable facts and convincing details, you well be able to
persuade your readers to go along with your argument.

Guidelines for Writing a Position Paper

 Have a definite stand.
 Do a thorough research of the issue.
 Be prepared to defend your position and provide evidence for your counterarguments.
 Your conviction should be reflected in your thesis statement.

CHECK
A. Think of the controversial issue that you feel strongly about and list your argument/s for or
against it.

Controversial Topic My main argument for or against it

1.
2.
3.
LESSON 9: WHAT IS A CONCEPT PAPER?
EXPLORE

Think-Pair-Share: Think of a novel idea. If you were to write about it what would you include in your concept paper?

My novel idea: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

What I will include in my concept paper:

1. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Guide Questions:

1. How does a concept paper differ from other forms of academic writing?
2. How are novels ideas clarified through concept papers?

Concept Paper Defined

A concept paper is an academic written discourse that explains a concept, often about something that the writer is thoroughly familiar with and
passionate about. As you will note in the given example, it is a summary structured to highlight the significant parts of a more comprehensive
research. Usually a concept paper is the preliminary part of an academic research, written to obtain permission to undertake the research
project, or to obtain funding chances are, you will be required to submit a concept paper before being allowed to proceed with your research
assignment. This is to ensure that you know the scope and demands of your writing assignment.
Functions of a Concept Paper
In addition to being an “accompaniment” to a full blown-research, the concept paper explains the
reason for conducting the project and how it will be carried out. Perhaps, because it contains some parts
found in a research paper, it is sometimes mistaken for a full-length research paper. However, you
should be careful to make the distinction between the two. A concept papers merely a “prelude” to the
research you intend to carry. In explaining the what, why, and how of your intended project, you are
defining your concept. Think of it as your plan of action, your vision, the preliminary phrase of your
research project. As the preliminary version of your research project, your concept paper’s aim should
be clear; to gain the approval of important stakeholders so you can proceed and carry out your research
project.
In the sample concept paper, the concept was introduced by giving background information about the
topic. The introductory idea also took the form of the topic’s significance and the perceived need for it.
The sample concept paper also includes information about the aims of the project and why it is
important to conduct it. This information is contained in the expected outcomes. This part is meant to
convince the research adviser or the head of the funding agency to approved it.

Another basic information that you should include in the concept paper is the manner of
implementation, or how will you carry out the project. Readers of your research -including your research
adviser and passively the head of the funding agency-need to be conceived of the viability of your
project or the likelihood that your project will meet the expected outcome/s at the designed time. The
information you were include in this section is just as important as the Introduction and Objectives
section because this is where you conceive your reader that you have planned out your project so well
that you can envision when you will start and complete it.

Structure of a Concept Paper

There are conventional ways to structure your concept paper. However, you may vary the heading,
subheading and their content and arrangement defending on the nature of your project.

Techniques in Writing a Concept Paper

A concept paper may be explained using different methods of paragraph development, namely:
explication, and clarification.

Definition
Definition is the method of describing a given concept and making its meaning clear by means of giving a
description, examples, and illustrations.

A formal definition explains the concept by using general classifications and differentiating
characteristics of that concept. The dictionary uses formal definitions. On the other hand, an informal
definition, as the term implies, uses more familiar words and examples to define a concept.

The following example uses dictionary entries or existing knowledge paradigms in defining social
activism:
The dictionary defines social activism as the use of direct, often confrontational actions such as
demonstrations or strike, rallies or other mass acts rather that supporting a cause. Further, it is an action
directed at cultivating changes, practices or policies to effect social change. The traditional duty of a
social activist includes interacting with policy makers to make sure a relevant plan of action is carried
out. The term also conveys being attuned to societal conditions directly affecting the community, In the
traditional sense, a social activist is expected to take a concrete actions-usually in a dramatic and drastic
way to institute changes that would benefit society as a whole.

Explication

Another way of writing your concept paper is through explication. It is the method of explaining a
concept or issue by borrowing sentences, verses or passages from an academic or literary work and
explaining these thoroughly in relation to the concept being explained.

Another way of using this technique is by clarifying a concept or issue through the thesis statement
explained in a detailed way. In the following example, note how the thesis statement was used to
explain the concept:

Due to the evolving concept of authentic social activism, it should no longer be equated with hard-core radicalism reflected in
anti-government stance and slogans. (thesis statement) In its truest sense, social activism means being an active believer in the
power of nation-building where concerned citizens are willing and able to participate in the affaires of the community. A person
who is detached from the affaires of the nation is far from being a social activist. Because it is now devoid of its radical
connotation, social activism has now evolved into the kind of activism that translates into concern for others.

Clarification

Clarification is another technique that involves organizing ideas from abstract, or those not readily
understood, to concrete examples, or those easily understood. This technique involves analyzing the
concept by looking at the examples and then drawing out a definition based on this information.

In the following example, the concept of social activism has been explained using a combination of
definition, explication, and clarification.

Nowadays, social activism seems to have distanced itself from its subversive driven connotation. In the face of changing social,
political and historical contexts, social activism is now defined as going beyond its radical feature. It now means being one with
the nation in its quest for social justice. It used to be associated with left-wing movement and rallying for reform the hard-core
way. Social activism is no longer about fighting the government in the quest for social reform but about answering the call for
nation-building and all its attendant goals: to help fight poverty and injustice and find the most pro-active solution to some of
society’s most pressing problems.