Activity• Create a model for the RP introduction by: (1)

reading the sample text and (2) filling out the blanks on the exercise sheet.

• The model you come up with should use only terms that can be applied to all RP introductions, regardless of the topic. Avoid content-specific terms such as “bacteria.”

• The bonus is all or nothing. You get a 5-point bonus on your process requirements only if you come up with the perfect model.

START: 7:18

END: 7:33

THE ARP INTRODUCTION

“The beginning is half

of the whole.”- Plato

In the writing process. . .

The beginning is at the end.

Qualities of a good RP intro

• Gives you the “so what?”– What the problem is – The importance of the problem

• Gives you the “now what?”– What role this research will fulfill– What the research will talk about

Create a Research Space (CARS) Model• Move 1: Establishing a research

territory• Move 2: Establishing a niche• Move 3: Occupying the niche

Establishing a research territory

• What does the word “territory” mean to you?

Establishing a research territory

Marking out the general topic under which your research belongs

What do you think are the general topics for the following?

• Condoms• Spratlys• Sin tax (for tobacco and alcohol)

Organization

Take note of the flow of topics in the sample intro.

How does the “marking of the territory” go?

CARS Model• Move 1: Establishing a research

territorya. By showing that the general research

area is important, central, interesting, problematic, or relevant in some way

b. By introducing and reviewing items of previous research in the area

• By showing that the general research area is important, central, interesting, problematic, or relevant in some way

How? – By introducing and reviewing items of

previous research in the area

How?

Claims of centrality

What phrases suggest centrality in the sample introduction?

• The increasing interest in . . . has heightened the need for . . .

• Of particular interest and complexity are . . .• Recently, there has been growing interest

in . . .

CARS Model

• Move 2: Establishing a nicheBy indicating a gap in the previous research, raising a question about it, or extending the previous knowledge in some way

Useful verbs

Which phrase in the sample shows a gap in the current research?

Previous research, however, . . .– concentrated on X– disregarded X– failed to consider X

Useful adjectives

Much research has been conducted on X but the results remain _____.

– controversial– incomplete– inconclusive– questionable– unconvincing– unsatisfactory

Explain why you think so.

• Move 3: Occupying the nichea. By outlining purposes or stating the

nature of the present research (obligatory)

b. By announcing principal findings of your research (optional)

c. By indicating the structure of your paper (optional)

• Move 3: Occupying the nichea. By outlining purposes or stating

the nature of the present research (obligatory)

Option 1: This paper seeks to prove that the drug orlistat should be banned because of its negative physiological and psychological effects.

Option 2: This research seeks to determine whether the drug orlistat should be banned.

b. By announcing principal findings of your research (optional)

This paper seeks to prove that the drug orlistat should be banned because of its negative physiological and psychological effects. It presents the results of surveys and experiments that prove the detrimental effects of the drug and enumerates the growing number of countries that have banned the substance.

c. By indicating the structure of your paper (optional)This paper seeks to prove that the drug orlistat should be banned because of its negative physiological and psychological effects. It first presents background information on the drug, followed by arguments in support of banning it. It will then present [etc].

Useful phrases

• The aim of this paper is to . . .• This paper argues for …• This paper reports on . . .

Links among the moves

• Move 1: Establishing the res. terr. starts with the general topic and ends with ARP topic

» The global energy crisis» The need for sustainable

energy sources» Wave and solar energy

as two most abundant sources in the Phils.

Links among the moves

• Move 1: Establishing the res. terr. starts with the general topic and ends with ARP topic

• Move 2: Point out the gap in rel. to topic 3 of Move 1However, the question on which of these two energy sources is the most feasible remains unanswered, (claim) as most of the available studies focus on either type of energy; no synthesis has ever been done for comparison. (support)

Links among the moves

• Move 1: Establishing the res. terr. starts with the general topic and ends with ARP topic.

• Move 2: Point out the gap in rel. to topic 3 of Move 1.

• Move 3: Show that your paper can fill the gap by stating your purpose.

The question on which of these two energy sources is the most feasible remains unanswered, as most of the available studies focus on either type of energy; no synthesis has ever been done for comparison.

This research attempts to answer this question by synthesizing the current research on solar and wave energy. It aims to compare these two energy sources in terms of generation capacity, cost, and energy storage.

Some adjustments

• How different is the sample study from your research paper?

• What should therefore be adjusted?

• Wrong: This research is significant because the effects of tobacco on humans have never been researched before.

source

Swales & Feak (1990) Academic writing for graduate students