Writing Background of the Study

There are four parts to the Background.  I’ll detail them as tasks to do when writing.

Introduce the Manuscript (optional or no sub-heading)

In 1 to 3 paragraphs, explain what you are writing about and explain why you are writing about it.  Begin the 1^st paragraph with a hook.  And the entire et of paragraphs should inform the reader what you intend to accomplish, and that it is worth accomplishing.

Introduce the Independent Variable (make a strategic sub-heading)

Discuss in a minimum of 3 paragraphs.  Inform the reader about the Independent Variable.  The discussion should proceed from the general idea about it, going towards the specific idea.  E.g. Solid Waste, begin with environmental problems.  And with solid waste management in Manila (if Manila is your locale).

Introduce the Dependent Variable (make a strategic sub-heading)

Do the same as with the Independent Variable,

Introduce the Thesis (make a strategic sub-heading – preferably a rewording of the actual thesis statement)

Approximately 1 to 3 paragraphs.  Talk about the thesis statement.  Which is the relationship between your Independent and your Dependent Variables.  The last paragraph should end with the actual thesis statement.

In summary:

Introduce the Manuscript

Introduce the Independent Variable

Introduce the Dependent Variable

Introduce the Thesis

The Essence of Chapter I

Chapter in the undergraduate, particularly in AB is called Introduction.  In some disciplines, and sometimes in the Graduate School, it’s called “The Problem and It’s Background.”

This particular chapter lays down the foundation of what the thesis is all about.  The word thesis applies to two things:  one is your written manuscript, and second and most important the content of the manuscript – the thesis (or argument, or idea, or claim.

You write because there is a particular thing in the world that invites intellectual curiosity.  It’s not simply a pet peeve of writing.  It has the goal of trying to understand something.  Isaac Newton wrote his thesis on gravity because he problematized on “why things fall to the ground.”  And after so many observations, he deduced from every individual event (which we call phenomenon) that “gravity pulls things to the ground.”  It’s a specific idea.  A thesis as an idea should be both specific and generalizable.  The general equivalent of Newton’s is that Forces affect the motion of objects.  Force is the general concept to which gravity belongs.

Now think of your thesis?  What are you problematizing about which belong in your specific discipline?  There must be a particular phenomenon that elicits questions that needs finding out?  That is not yet your thesis.  That is the background of your problem.  The answer to this question is your thesis.

A thesis usually is composed two parts.  The independent and the dependent variable.  The independent variable is a component of the phenomenon that affects the other component – which is the dependent variable.  The values of the dependent variable rely on the independent.

We call them variables because their values vary depending on the thesis.

E.g.  A thesis on student getting high grades because they listened to Celine Dion have two components.  Getting high grades is one.  The other is listening to music.  From that phenomenon, it’s music that affects student performance.  And those two make up the generalizable thesis.  Music affects student performance.  Specifically, Celine Dion’s music makes students perform better. J

This is what you introduce in Chapter 1.  And will be the foundation of next 4 chapters along with subsequent parts of the thesis.

Four Principles of Thesis Writing

1. No stress.  -  You write better when relaxed.

Symptoms that your thesis was written with a stressed mind include: 

• Overly long paragraphs that span a whole page if not more than one page.  
• Overly long and/or too complicated sentences that span several lines.  

This happens because you were rushing to write everything or you were not stopping to see the written thoughts of what you were thinking.  Always remember, one sentence = one thought.  One paragraph = one set of ideas centering around a one idea.

2. Write because you have something to say.  -  Your thesis or any other paper is not a patched quilt of paraphrases that you connect to make a cohesive whole.  Rather your thesis is a manuscript which relays YOUR ideas.  Hence you write around your THESIS STATEMENT.  An idea or argument or claim that you want to prove.  E.g.  Kant’s was “All democracies do not go to war.”  And thus, “The type of government determines if states will go to war.”  Michel’s – Organizations tend to become hierarchic.”  What is YOURS?  

This idea should be prominently be seen all across the five chapters of your thesis.  The thesis statement influences the sequence of contents of the Background of the Study.  It answers the Statement of the Problem.  It is based on your Theoretical Framework, and is explained in detail in your Conceptual Framework.  Its terms are defined.  The topics of the RRLS are influenced by it.  Your method should be aligned to it.  And your discussion of Chapter IV is outlined by it.  Your Conclusion answers the Statement of the Problem (which means that the Conclusion affirms your Thesis Statement.)   The Objectives of the Study and Significance of the Study are aligned with your Statement of the Problem.  And your Recommendations in Chapter V address the Significance.  

The purpose of citations are so that they can support your argument.  Hence, you quote, paraphrase, refer to a source because you said something that is contestable.  Since it is a manuscript detailing a claim of yours, it is one manuscript which is one big explanation, with a hell lot of proofs.  Make sure that you have an argument, and that what you are arguing about has use to people at present and the future.  Or else, your entire thesis does not have any significance.  It’s not worth arguing and it’s not worth reading, nor writing.

3. Write as if you are talking to a child whom you care for. -  Most of the time, panel evaluators have very precious time, hence they are busy.  Sometimes, they already lack the energy to review your work.  Sometimes they’re just cranky as a person undergoing menopause if not in the middle of a bout with dysmenorrhea.  

Hence, since you are writing your thoughts, make sure that you write clearly.  

• This means that each sentence should be clear and direct.  
• Each paragraph should be a standalone idea.  Not composed of several ideas.  If there are several ideas in one paragraph, that means there should be as much number of paragraphs as there are ideas.  
• Each sentence should connect to the previous or to the next sentence.  
• Each paragraph should connect, through transitional devise, to the previous or the next paragraph.  
• And most importantly.  Be addicted to the use of HEADINGS AND SUB-HEADINGS AND EVEN SUB-SUBHEADINGS.  These boldfaced words (e.g. “Scope,” “Method”), phrases (“Decay of Democracy,” “Rise of the Fifth Wave”), and even sentences (“Federalisms effect to poverty,”  “The community’s lure to transnational”) are ways for the reader to easily see the big picture of your thesis. 

4. Write because you know.  -  Your thesis is one of the requirements of graduation.  It is, because it is proof that in your four years, you have proven that you know something about a particular area of your discipline.  It is what defines your gaining your Bachelor’s degree.  

Make sure that you master your topic in terms of your discipline.  You may write about solid waste.  But you write about it as a feature of the Philippines or an Asian country if you are an Asian Studies student.  You write about it in terms of power relations and governance if you are a Political Science student.  You write about it in terms of media awareness and social responsibility if you are a Media Studies student.  

Part of being in the discipline means that you speak the Jargon, hence you will use terms that are used in your particular discipline, this helps you speak better to your target audience – YOUR PANEL.  

In addition, you also cite names and works whom your panel will recognize. It helps build rapport with the panel.  This coupled with the clear way of expressing will help you in passing your defense.
 

Pol 3211 History of the Discipline ppt

To help you in reviewing.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/1CKqK5KZwlqnqaAeAqS5_O31KPLjNOaD_/edit?usp=docslist_api&filetype=mspresentation

Pol 3211: Intro and Writing Ppts

Introduction to the Profession

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B30MHtoilXd4ZzNOTVJMRW5RNnM/edit?usp=docslist_api&filetype=mspresentation

Writing in the Discipline


https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B30MHtoilXd4VDBRZ0ZGa1NySVE/edit?usp=docslist_api&filetype=mspresentation

ASN 902 - Significant comments

Note that since this was supposed to have been presented in class, the comments are just apt to be posted here.

For everyone - make sure that you have primary source for your data.

Adriano - Consider changing the sub topic on price manipulation.

Alejo - Word it based on migration jargon.

Cay - I need deeper analysis, the ppt was not enough to describe your main idea.  I want better on the newsletter.

Dela Cruz, Angelika
and
Realuyo - Topic is jaded.  Make sure you provide something new.

Alvarez - I'm looking forward to see you frame it in a migrant context.

Lisondra - Drop the comparison in food tase part, or elevate the discussion.  Make the analysis insightful on that part.

Manzala - 1st goal is moot.  Better pursue the second.

Tay - Proposal very much vague.  I can't see the migration component.

Dragon Trippers group - Make sure that there's something unique in the report/experience.

Castro, Angelyn
And
Cho
Primavera  - Guys, make sure each of you address something unique in your article.

Vergel - Make sure to focus on migrant cuisine.

Litana -  Proposal looks good, but seems grand.  I hope you can accomplish it all.

Menor and Perianes - Make sure you have primary source.

Scout Group - Noteworthy Submission

Taste of Southeast Asia Group - Good group presentation, but individual topics did not identify the students involved.

Probinsyano Group - Very good twist on the topic.

ASN 902: Report Topics

Topics

From Sigona et.al. Diasporas Reimagined

Making a Kurdistani identity in diaspora: Kurdish migrants in Sweden

By Barzoo Eliassi 45

Associational profusion and multiple belonging: diaspora Nepalis in

the UK

By David N. Gellner 78

The Indigent Moslems Burial Fund

By Nazneen Ahmed 96

The stateless speak back: Palestinian narratives of home(land)

By Elena Fiddian-Qasmiyeh 194

The Jewish diaspora and Israel: problems of a relationship since the

Gaza wars

By William Safran 202

Instructions and Grading

A. Each topic may touch on the one or more of the following migration concepts: Space, Identity, Community, Homeland, Transference.  Make sure that you explain which one was illustrated by the article.  4 pts  

B. Each topic to be presented by a group (composed of 6 members for 4ASN3,  7 members for 4ASN2).   Groups can accommodate 1 additional member once all groups have been filled-up. 2 pts  (deduction of 6 pts for not following this)

C, Each group should outline properly their topic, presented in the powerpoint.  4 pts

D. Each group get 30 minutes to present.  No reading.  Be able to cross reference the concepts/theories that each article may have.  6 pts

E. Use powerpoint that follows the Zen style.

- there should be ample empty space in each slide, hence not crowded. 2 pts

- use the Rule of 7.  Each slide should have only 7 lines each.  A line of text should have approximately 7 words.  2 pts

- use pictures.  2 pts

- use media that can enrich the Main Topic discussion.  One media for the entire group.  Again use rule of 7 for the media length.  6 pts

F,   3 groups to present per meeting starting on the 3rd week of April (no meeting on the 1st week of April, use the time to  coordinate the groups, and to prepare for the reports). Each group  should one member submit on the comments box the list of members and their group topic.  4 pts 

30 pts in total

Econ 22: Report Topics, Instructions and Marks for Grading

Topics

1.  Economics of Power

2.  Propaganda and the Political Economic Capital of Reputation

3.  Institutional Dynamics

4.  Social Justice

5.  Public Good of Crime Security and the Law

6.  International Political Economics and the International System

7.  War

Instructions and Grading

A. The topics come from the book - Notes on Political Economics.  Note that each topic has subtopics (see the sub topics here).  Each sub topic get 4-5 minutes of presentation.  4 pts  

B. Each topic to be presented by a group composed of 2 members for every sub-topic of each main topic.  Groups can accommodate 1 additional member once all groups have been filled-up. 2 pts  (deduction of 6 pts for not following this)

C, Each subtopic should be supplemented by research to enrich the discussion.  Use the lecture on Normative Political Economics (last prelim lecture) as a pattern for this task.  4 pts

D. Use powerpoint that follows the Zen style.

- there should be ample empty space in each slide, hence not crowded. 2 pts

- use the Rule of 7.  Each slide should have only 7 lines each.  A line of text should have approximately 7 words.  2 pts

- use pictures.  2 pts

- use media that can enrich the Main Topic discussion.  One media for the entire group.  Again use rule of 7 for the media length.  6 pts

D,   2 groups to present per meeting starting on the 2nd week of April (no meeting on the 1st week of April, use the time to  coordinate the groups, and to prepare for the reports). Each group  should one member submit on the comments box the list of members and their group topic.  4 pts