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Topic:
Your paper will be a review of research literature on a theme that relates
to your intended thesis direction and to the research questions that you
are developing this term. The theme should be broader than your
research questions. The goal is to place your specific research
questions in the context of research in the relevant subfield of
geography. Your sources (the relevant literature) may include
material from other related disciplines, but it should also include some
geographic literature. In
your paper, present synthesis, comparison and analysis across your
sources, rather than simply individual summaries.
Identify consistencies and disagreements among your sources.
Identify what is not known as well as what is known.
You may also include research methods or techniques if relevant to
your theme.
Paper length and style:
The paper should be 12 to15 pages of text, double-spaced, 12-pt type, plus
the reference list and figures (if any). Follow the
style of the Annals of the Association of American Geographers for
citations in the text, references, headings and subheadings, end notes,
figure caption, and tables.
Writing tips:
Your audience is geography grad students and faculty. Write your paper to communicate effectively and efficiently
to the reader. Write a short,
descriptive, meaningful title. Your
paper should have an introduction, a middle (presentation of your
information) and an end (summary and conclusions).
Organize your presentation of ideas, and use section and subsection
headings to make the organization clear to the reader.
Use the writing guides on the reserve book list for advice.
Booth et al. (1995) provide good discussions on the intellectual
aspects of research, constructing an argument, organizing the paper,
creating the first draft, and revising. Day (1998 or earlier editions) and Alley (1996) are good
sources for the importance of the title, typical structure of a paper,
selecting and designing tables and figures, and language (especially
precision and clarity). Alley
has good advice on language (precision clarity, etc.), and on the
introduction/middle/end components. Day
is more concise, provides more advice on mechanical issues, and also
covers the submission and editing processes.
Day’s advice is directed mainly toward presenting experimental
results in the life and physical sciences, while Alley’s advice is a bit
more general. Turabian (1996)
provides answers to many questions of mechanics (i.e., grammar,
punctuation, formatting).
Due dates:
10/25 or earlier: Submit your
paper title for comment and approval with your second round research
questions or earlier. Earlier
is better.
11/29: Your completed paper
is due at the last class meeting.
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