Essentials of Academic Writing (D314)

Correct Answer

D. Persuasive

Explanation

A persuasive essay aims to convince the reader of a particular point of view by presenting a claim supported by evidence. The essay culminates in a conclusion that reinforces the main argument based on the evidence presented throughout the text. This type of essay is designed to persuade the audience to accept the writer’s viewpoint on a specific issue.

Why other options are wrong

A. Descriptive

A descriptive essay primarily focuses on providing a detailed description of a subject. It does not present a claim or argument but rather aims to paint a vivid picture using sensory details.

B. Narrative

A narrative essay tells a story, typically from the author’s perspective, and is more concerned with recounting events than presenting an argument or claim supported by evidence.

C. Expository

An expository essay explains a topic in a clear and straightforward manner, often using facts and examples, but it does not aim to persuade the reader to accept a particular viewpoint. It focuses on delivering information rather than advocating for a specific position.

Correct Answer

B. Materials & Methods

Explanation

The Materials & Methods section of an IMRaD (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion) paper is focused on describing how the research was conducted, including the materials used and the procedures followed. This section is generally a straightforward description of the experimental or research process and does not typically require references to previous work. While methods may sometimes be referenced if a specific procedure or technique is drawn from existing literature, the section itself is about presenting the methodology of the study.

Why other options are wrong

A. Introduction

The Introduction section provides the background and context for the study, often including references to prior research to highlight the gap the study intends to fill or to establish the theoretical foundation.

C. Discussion

In the Discussion section, references to existing literature are commonly used to compare the results of the study to previous research and to interpret the findings within the broader academic context.

D. Results

The Results section typically presents the findings of the research without detailed reference to other studies. However, it may sometimes refer to methods or figures from other sources if they are relevant for understanding the results.

Correct Answer

A. The response includes personal anecdotes without academic backing

Explanation

While personal anecdotes can sometimes be relevant in discussion posts, they should not replace academic analysis or evidence. A response that relies solely on personal experiences without grounding them in the literature or course material indicates a lack of academic rigor. Academic posts should focus on scholarly research, theory, and analysis, rather than personal stories unless they are clearly tied to the academic content being discussed.

Why other options are wrong

B. The response is overly lengthy and difficult to follow

While clarity and conciseness are important, a lengthy response by itself does not necessarily indicate a lack of academic rigor. It is more about how the response is structured. If the content is well-organized and thorough, a longer response may still demonstrate rigorous academic engagement.

C. The response provides a summary of the topic without analysis

Although a summary alone is insufficient for an academic post, if it is accompanied by analysis or critical thinking, it can still be academically rigorous. The lack of analysis is an issue, but not necessarily the absence of rigor entirely.

D. The response lacks citations and does not introduce new ideas

A response lacking citations indicates a failure to support arguments with credible sources, which is a serious issue in academic writing. However, not introducing new ideas does not automatically mean the post lacks academic rigor. Sometimes, summarizing and synthesizing existing ideas effectively is a valid academic approach.

Correct Answer

B. Essays and research papers are often studies of others' work; a thesis or dissertation is written about the student's own work or study.

Explanation

The key difference is that a thesis or dissertation involves original research or an in-depth study conducted by the student, while essays or research papers often focus on reviewing and analyzing existing literature or studies. A thesis or dissertation requires a significant contribution to the field through the student’s own findings, data, or analysis.

Why other options are wrong

A. The requirements for proper grammar, spelling, and word choice are more stringent for theses and dissertations.

While academic writing in theses and dissertations tends to be more formal, the core difference lies in the originality of the research rather than grammatical precision.

C. Undergraduate research papers do not require the student to gather, analyze, and comment upon data.

This is inaccurate. Many undergraduate papers require some level of data gathering and analysis, depending on the subject or course.

D. A thesis or dissertation should only reference other expert's work, whereas an undergraduate paper allows for more personal opinion.

This is incorrect. Both a thesis/dissertation and an undergraduate paper should base arguments on scholarly evidence, and personal opinion should be supported by research.

Correct Answer

C. subject to more researcher bias than other approaches

Explanation

Case studies are often subject to more researcher bias than other research approaches because the researcher has more direct involvement with the subject. The process of selecting the case, interpreting the data, and analyzing the results can all be influenced by the researcher’s personal biases or perspectives, potentially affecting the objectivity of the findings.

Why other options are wrong

A. good for uncovering cause-effect relationships

Case studies are typically descriptive and exploratory rather than experimental. While they can suggest causal relationships, they are not designed to prove cause-effect relationships due to the lack of control groups or randomized trials.

B. frequently used to promote particular therapies

While case studies may be used in healthcare or clinical settings, their primary purpose is to explore and understand complex phenomena, not to promote specific therapies. The aim is typically to examine a unique instance in depth rather than endorse a particular intervention.

D. most useful in the middle of a research program

Case studies are often most useful at the beginning or end of a research program. At the beginning, they help explore a phenomenon, and at the end, they provide detailed insights that may guide further studies. They are less commonly used in the middle, where more controlled or experimental research methods are often preferred.

Correct Answer

D. American Educational Association (AEA)

Explanation

The American Educational Association (AEA) is not a recognized primary documentation style in scholarly writing. The main documentation styles used in academic writing are Chicago, APA (American Psychological Association), and MLA (Modern Language Association).

Why other options are wrong

A. Chicago

Chicago style is widely used in humanities and social sciences and is one of the major documentation styles.

B. APA

APA style is frequently used in the social sciences and is one of the most widely adopted citation formats in academic writing.

C. MLA

MLA style is commonly used in humanities, particularly in literature and language studies, and is another well-established documentation style.

Correct Answer

C. Having someone else read it aloud to you is a waste of time.

Explanation

Having someone else read your paper aloud is a valuable revision technique, as it can help identify awkward phrasing, unclear ideas, and other issues that may not be obvious when reading silently. It is a useful tool for improving the flow and clarity of your writing.

Why other options are wrong

A. Be sure to proofread and edit as needed.

Proofreading and editing are essential parts of the revision process to catch errors in grammar, punctuation, and style.

B. Read the paper from the last word to the first word.

Reading the paper backward is a useful strategy to focus on individual sentences and catch mistakes you might miss when reading in order.

D. After receiving some suggestions, create a new outline by noting points you want to hit.

Revising and creating a new outline based on feedback can help reorganize your paper to improve structure and coherence.

Correct Answer

C. A paragraph explaining your personal interest in the subject, and its relevance in your life.

Explanation

While personal interest in a subject may motivate a researcher, it does not contribute to the objective value of the research problem. The focus of establishing the importance of a research problem should be on its potential to contribute to the field and address gaps in existing knowledge, rather than personal interest. The other options highlight factors that help demonstrate the problem's relevance in the broader academic context.

Why other options are wrong

A. A statement on how the research problem can contribute knowledge and build upon what is known in the field.

This is a crucial part of establishing the importance of a research problem. Demonstrating how the research will contribute to existing knowledge in the field validates the need for the study.

B. A reflection on holes in the current literature that warrant further investigation.

This is another important aspect of establishing the value of the research problem. Identifying gaps in the literature shows that there is a recognized need for more exploration in the area.

D. Summaries and critiques of existing studies in the area.

Summarizing and critiquing existing studies helps contextualize the research problem and provides evidence that further investigation is needed. This contributes to establishing the problem's importance in advancing the field.

Correct Answer

C. DICE

Explanation

DICE is the correct acronym that identifies the four primary modes of discourse in essay writing: Description, Illustration, Classification, and Explanation. These modes serve as the foundation for organizing ideas and presenting arguments in academic writing. Each mode plays a specific role in how information is conveyed and understood.

Why other options are wrong

A. PEAR

PEAR is not a widely recognized acronym for the four primary modes of discourse. It may be used in other contexts but is not commonly associated with the four modes of discourse in essay writing.

B. CITE

CITE stands for Citation, Information, Text, and Evidence, but it does not represent the four primary modes of discourse. It is related to academic writing but not specifically to modes of discourse.

D. EDNA

EDNA is not a recognized acronym for the four primary modes of discourse. While it might be used in different contexts, it is not relevant to the modes of discourse in academic writing.