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Writing in the Discipline
Content, Composition, Citation
"Writing a paper is like debating"
Debate Scores: Manner, Matter, Method
Your paper is effective because of: Composition, Content, Citation
Purpose of Writing:
Bachelor: Gathers information, Tests a theory
Master: Tests a theory, Attempts to propose a theory
Doctor: Proposes a theory
Ingredients of a Paper — Content — Intellectual Matter
Why Write?
Describe: Vivid — Stimulate novel ideas.
Explain: Factual — Contribute to the body of political science knowledge
Propose: Sound — Aims to get Published.
Where's the Political:
— Know and distinguish the political from the contaminants and digressions.
Samples:
How can these be political and non-political?
Prostitution in Metro Manila
Federalism in the Galactic Republic
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Climate Change
Composition — Expressing your reasoned thoughts.
The Basics of Format:
Use 3rd Person : The author, the researcher, the writer, this student
Use Headings : Main (standard), Introduction, Discussion, Conclusion
Sub-headings: sub-topics, usually in discussion ; depending on the topic
** For this class: Times New Roman, Size 12, Top and Bottom Margins — 1",
Right Margin 1.5" , Left Margin - .5" Alignment — Justified, Spacing — double.
Your Voice:
Discuss the content.
Tell the story, describe or explain the phenomenon, propose and defend your
arguments.
Use reputable and relevant sources.
"Looking like a queen is not enough, but a brave heart a king grasps of affairs will
go for nothing, if the people don't see you as a queen."
Be a storyteller
When writing your paper:
Remember the tautology that YOU are the WRITER.
You are not a nobody who is just stitching together a bunch of
information.
Whether it is qualitative or quantitative, your discussion narrates a particular
THESIS. (thesis: is the subject, argument)
** Avoid direct quotes, makes it less original. MORE of your own words. Use only
direct quotes because it has impact.
Signposts:
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This paper...
The author's opinion is...
Based on the ff proofs...
First...
Lastly...
Because of..
All these leads to the conclusion that...
Thesis:
A thesis is the point that you want the reader to know.
It is usually in the form of a proposed argument that can be tested.
Usually a positive generalizable statement about the political world.
Positive: The Philippine government is corrupt.
Philippine democracy is effective.
Negative: Philippine democracy is not effective.
A teacher is not an engineer.
Included within the paper are the proofs that back up your thesis.
3 LAWS OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
Kantian Law - Since democracies do not go to war, only non-democracies
meet a tax of aggression (begin wars), then if all the states of the world
become democratic, there will be no wars.
Authoritarian governments tend to go to war.
Democracies do not go to war unless provoked.
Michel's Iron Law of Oligarchy - All organizations tend to end up with a
hierarchy with a small elite at the top.
Duverger's Law Duverger's law on electoral and party systems)
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States with single member constituency tend to have a multi-party
system. (one seat with the MOST number of votes) [ voting for candidates
]
States with proportional representation tend to have two-party system.
(how many votes a party receives, if the party gets the most votes, they
get 6 seats/representatives) [ voting for the party ]
*insert quotation SCs here*
Paraphrasing
Use your own words.
The idea of the source must be preserved.
Word count may exceed the original.
Best in maintaining professionalism.
From Flint 2006, A statement made by Modelski is that Power is the ability to
influence global events. Along with his interest in naval history, he had developed
Modelski's model of world leadership. Which was used to gain control of the
oceans.
Tools:
A paper is not a series of paraphrases.
It's your ideas laid across pages of reasoning.
Tools: Paraphrase, quotes, other evidences.
Citation — Documenting the source of your ideas
Always keep a record of:
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Names of Authors
Name of editors
Name of publisher
Place of publication
Copyright Page ****
In-text Citations:
Author (date) said that..
Quote or paraphrase Author, date)
Instead of said that..
An analysis by...
In the book written by...
Comparisons of various governments by Author (date)
Author's (date) analysis of the 1990's Asian crisis...
Standard format:
Use hanging indention
May be single or double spaced
Use of Chicago or APA
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