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Introduction to Research Methods in Politics and International Relations PIR 1600. SECKIN BARIS GULMEZ s.b.gulmez@rhul.ac.uk. WEEK 3: ESSAY WRITING. War in Afghanistan. Is it just?. Group discussion. Group up in Threes or Fours Read the hand outs and compare the two texts.
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Introduction to Research Methods in Politics and International RelationsPIR 1600 SECKIN BARIS GULMEZ s.b.gulmez@rhul.ac.uk
WEEK 3: ESSAY WRITING War in Afghanistan. Is it just?
Group discussion • Group up in Threes or Fours • Read the hand outs and compare the two texts. • Analytical? Descriptive? Formal? Informal? Objective? Subjective? • Good introduction? • Are developing chapters clear? • Efficient conclusion? • Which features of a decent essay are demonstrated or missing in the text? • Discuss within the group • You have got 20 minutes
GOOD INTRODUCTION • Don’t forget the title unless you have a cover sheet • Asking the question • Essay plan • Summarise the arguments to be discussed in order • Make clear your criticisms and argument • Bring your innovation to better explain the problem under discussion.
DEVELOPING CHAPTERS • Title (not obligatory, but I personally prefer) • Literature review about the topic; the existing criticisms about the subject etc.. • Analysis of the review • Criticisms of the literature (examples to falsify them) • Innovations to better solve the problem. • Referring to literature in order to justify the argument • Examples to support the argument.
CONCLUSION • Summary of the argument • Brief analysis of your criticisms against the literature • More examples • More literature (you will find both your allies and foes in the literature. It is not a unified body; knowledge is dispersed. It is your duty to find the relevant knowledge and use it effectively) • Final analysis
Assignment • Assignment: Write a 500 word response, with a thesis and brief conclusion on the question, "Should the UK stay in Afghanistan?" DUE for next week's class. • Compare: • George Will, “Time to Get out of Afghanistan”, The Washington Post, 1 September, 2009. Available online: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2009/08/31/AR2009083102912.html • Michael Williams, “The Price is High, But we Should Stay in Afghanistan”, • The Scotsman, 10 June 2008. Available online: • http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Price-is-high-but-we.4167294.jp
NEXT WEEK • Week 4: Reviewing and Referencing Academic sources • Core reading • Johnson, J.B., H. Reynolds and J.D. Mycoff. (2007). Political Science Research Methods (Washington, D.C.). Chapter 6.