After you read the first four chapters in Bookmarks: A Guide to Research and Writing,write ONE paragraph on each chapter--a SHORT paragraph. You might use one of the following templates:
1. The one thing I learned from chapter ___ was:
2. In Chapter ___, the authors say ______; but I say ______.
3. What I found new and different in Chapter___, compared with the way I USED to approach research papers is _________ .
Good luck!
What I found new and different in Chapter 1, compared with the way I used to approach research papers is the way I would research. I used to pick a topic then research about that topic. Now I realize that research comes first. Also I would have never considered myself a researcher. But now I realize you have to analyze and synthesize all research materials before using them. In the past I would have rarely considered the source. Now I know how wrong I was.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I learned about Chapter 2 was that keeping a journal or doing free writing about your topic may help you to choose a topic for the research paper. I would have never thought to do either of these things in choosing a research topic. I have not yet tried this but am going to as I am having difficulty choosing and narrowing my topic down into a reasonable research topic.
ReplyDeleteWhat I found new and different in Chapter 3 compared to the way I used to approach research papers is the audience of the paper. Before when I would write I would not consider who I was writing the paper for. I would simply write for the assignment. Now it makes sense that you have to consider the group or audience that the paper is directed towards. This will help guide your research. This also helps to establish the amount of information given on the background of the topic and what the audience wants to know about the topic. This way the same information is not repeated over and over again.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I learned in Chapter 4 is the way you can plan your research. For instance to formulate research questions within your research topic. The way to formulate these guiding questions is to use issues of controversy, names of events and important people. After reading these four chapters I realize how much I did not know about research and hope to make use of all of this information.
ReplyDeleteWhat I found new and different about chapter 1 compared with the way I used to do research is that research is a way to add to the conversation with peers. I always thought of research as reporting information to someone else. I like the way. I think another thing that this chapter made me realize is that you need to be disciplined and have patience when researching a topic. As overewhelming as a large project like this can seem, if you plan effectively, look at the hard points of the assignments, and evaluate the resources and time that you have available, you will be successful.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I learned about Chapter 2 is that freewriting can help lead you to your topic. I think this would be an effective strategy for me. I often have my student freewrite to help them come up with ideas for their writing. Reading Chapter 2 helped me come up with new ideas to help me formulate my topic. There are so many useful tools available for researching that I never knew existed.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I learned from Chapter 3 was there are many ways that you can look at a topic. The chapter discusses five rhetorical approaches that help the researcher narrow their topic and create a project that is focused on their intended audience.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I learned from Chapter 4 is that the sources of research materials needed for your topic will vary depending upon which rhetorical approach you choose for you project. For example, special interest magazines would be a great source for a value or cause project, but it would not be a valuable source for a factual or definition based project. Reading these chapters helped me update my knowledge of the research process and will guide me as I begin my project.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I learned from chapter 4 was that there are a variety of places to find information on your research topic. When ever I think about research I envision tons of books and long journals I never thought about using newspaper articles or special interest magizines. This chapter gave me a new insight on how to conduct research
ReplyDeleteWhat I found new and different in chapter 1 compared with the way I USED to approach research was the idea to establish the hard points within the project first. Knowing the hard points allows the researcher to create a timeline and stick to it. This will give the researcher a valuable starting point. I normally leave the hardest parts for last but this method would ensure that every part gets equal time
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I learned from chapter 2 was many different ways to find a topic. I liked the idea of questioning your self to create a topic. I think it is important to find a topic that you a passionate about when conducting reseach
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I learned from chapter 3 was how to consider the topic as a question of cause and effect. This chapter was very informative it showed you how to link your topic with diferent approaches
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I learned from Chapter 1 is how important it is to map out your tasks so you are not overwhelmed. ALWAYS remember to figure in extra time. There are so many circumstances that can get in your way and prevent you from getting the project completed on time. But if you have scheduled the extra time you should be right on track to completing a well written, thoughtout report.
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter 2, the author says "connect your assignment to your own experiences and you are more likely to do original research". But I say although I agree with the above statement it is not always possible especially when you are given an assignment that you do not have first hand experience. This, in my opinion, makes it harder to complete the project.
ReplyDeletethe one thing I learned in Chapter 3 are the five approaches you can take when researching a project. Cause and effect, or examining why things happen the way they do is on of the most important jobs of researchers.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I learned in Chapter 4 is you do not want your topic to be to broad because it will be difficult to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information. If your topic is too specific you may have a difficult time finding information to support your thesis.
ReplyDeleteChapter 1 was a motivating chapter for me. It takes me a while to get into the flow of writing, so when given the task of coming up with my own research topic, this added a bit of anxiety. The one thing that I learned from chapter 1 is that “research is an active process of creating knowledge rather than one of reporting information.” By keeping this in mind it will surely help to stay focused and not be afraid of the task ahead.
ReplyDeleteWhat I found new and different in chapter 2, compared to with the way I used to approach a research paper is the thought process in choosing a topic is much more in depth. By taking the time to research and consider your topics appeal to others makes for a great topic choice. Simply stated, it takes research to find a meaningful topic for an interesting research paper.
The one thing I learned from Chapter 3 is whenever you write, you are writing for an audience. Also, consider a topic as a question and this will give you the opportunity to clearly focus on different perspectives of the topic. Thus, allowing your research to be well rounded and rich with a multitude of information.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 4 I learned that you must be specific when choosing a research topic because researching a broad topic can be overwhelming and lack focus, leading to an unorganized final project.
One thing I learned from chapter 1 is to assess my strengths and weaknesses. Once I have an idea about what my research project will require, I need to decide which areas will cause me the most trouble. By doing this at the beginning, I can decide to devote more time to those areas or steps of the project. I can also seek additional resources, such as interviews, meetings with my professor, or additional services from the library to help me with the areas that I know will be most difficult. I should factor in extra time for those areas in case there is a problem such as writer’s block or procrastination. As long as I set up a timeline and seek help in areas that I feel weak, I would be able to overcome those challenges and be successful.
ReplyDeleteWhat I found new and different from chapter 2, compared to the way I used to approach research papers is freewriting about your topic. By sitting down to freewrite for about ten minutes without stopping, you can establish a great starting point for your research paper. This technique can lead you to discover questions about your topic that you will need to research an answer. Freewriting can also help you discover what ideas you are interested in, and it can help you focus those ideas. After you set your focus and begin researching, you can also keep a journal to record additional ideas that you may have while you are working. Freewriting and keeping a journal during your research can be useful tools that help you brainstorm ideas and keep record of your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I learned from chapter 3 is that there are some specific approaches a writer can take when establishing a purpose for a research project. First, your topic could be “A Question of Fact” if you are dealing with facts and using research to verify what you already know about a subject. Next, “A Question of Definition” may arise if you are examining questions about the nature of things and attempting to understand them. In addition, your topic could be “A Question of Value” if you judging the validity of an idea or concept and determining whether what you are evaluating meets those standards. You could also consider your topic “A Question of Cause and Effect” if you are seeking to understand why something happened. Last, your topic could be considered a “Question of Consequence” if you are studying a problem to determine why current solutions are not working, and as a result, you will suggest alternatives. All in all, it is important to select a purpose for your research topic so you can make important decisions about how you will prepare your information, set goals, ask questions, and create a connection to an audience.
ReplyDeleteWhat I found new and different in chapter 4, compared to the way I used to approach research papers is not to focus on a hypothesis right away. In the past, I have usually tried to pin point a hypothesis and thesis statement before I began my research as a starting point for my project. However, the textbook states that many people who focus on a hypothesis right away end up changing their original opinion while researching. After beginning research, people are often introduced to many different ideas and opinions on the topic, and as a result, they are sometimes persuaded into changing their original hypothesis and thesis. Because new ideas from research may cause you to end up modifying, refining, or completely changing your original hypothesis, the textbook suggests diving into research before even creating a set thesis. After you have actually read and analyzed different ideas and opinions, you can then create your hypothesis based on what you have read and learned. I will definitely use this strategy while reading about my topic, and I plan to read and research before I create my hypothesis and thesis.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I learned from Ch.1 was establishing hard points. For our assignment we have 3 hard points that I recognized 1. topic:ESL 2.due date:10-11-10 and 3. Format:APA style.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I learned from Ch.2 was consider the topic as a question of cause and effect.The chapter stated explaining and examing why things happen the way they do is one of the most important jobs of a researcher. Cause and effect analyses are among our cultures most powerful operations.
The book says get closer to your subject by spending a few hours browsing in the library or on the web.I say if possible interview actual people, or visit places to get real life data and documentation!
The highlight of chapter 1 was the discussion about time management and planning a research project. The authors' recommendation that the writer assess his/her strengths and weaknesses and consider the resources needed to complete the task are spot on. Planning in advance for issues such as writer's block, acquisition of resources, or the common cold can help reduce anxiety connected to the research project and help the writer produce a more polished final product.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I learned in Ch. 2 was the term "heuristics." According to the book, heuristic devices are questions that can help lead a writer to a topic by helping the writer connect his/her interests to a topic and purpose. These are things I have always used, but it was nice to discover that there is a technical term for them.
Chapter 3 outlines different rhetorical approaches that are directly tied to establishing a purpose for writing a research paper. Of the various approaches, I think the most applicable for action research would be either a question of value or a question of consequence. Although I have not settled on a topic yet, this chapter helped me think about which lens I will be viewing my topic through.
The one thing I learned from Ch. 4 is that research is conducted differently based on whether the researcher frames their topic in the form of a query or a claim/hypothesis. A query seems to require a broader research scope while a claim/hypothesis requires a narrower focus. Both approaches seem appropriate for this type of assignment; however, it seems that query would lead to a claim or hypothesis. Therefore, I am not sure that we can view them as two separate approaches because they seems naturally dependent.