MEST 3520 TV Theory 7 th March Seminar 2

1. MEST 3520 TV Theory 7th March Seminar 2 • First part we will go through some formal requirements and genre requirements • During the break we will put you into subgroups based on the source texts and your wishes. • Second part you will work in these groups with the outline of your assignment, and then we’ll meet for a plenary session.

2. ”To write is to think” ”Å skrive er å tenke” Anders Johansen (1998) ”Om å tenke seg om skriftlig – og med stil” in Rhetorica Scandinavica. Tidsskrift for skandinavisk retorikforskning

3. Writing a paper means • reading the question thoroughly, thinking it through, interpreting it • structuring the assignment efficiently in an outline • using the theory actively • master the genre requirements • using references properly • remembering the formal requirements

4. Remember to read the question thoroughly • we started this last seminar session • It is important to find out which words are keywords, and then think them over. • Words like “explain”, “place” and “discuss” give a clue of what is expected of you. • Then ask yourself: How do I organize my paper so that I respond properly to what is asked of me? What weight should be put on each of these parts?

5. Towards an outline • Then, when you’ve identified what you’re asked to do, make some choices.What to include.What not to include.Why? • Explore the reading list.

6. Genre requirements of an academic paper • Outline: A kind of index with comments for your own use. Spend some time on the index, you’ll save a lot of time when writing your paper. • Research question:In a paper with a given question, you will be expected to be explicit on how you understand this question, how you want to answer it. There are many choices to be made, remember to give reasons for your choices.

7. Content of an assignment paper • Academic contribution, therefore have the form of a systematic and academically informed investigation. • Part of the test that this investigation be documented correctly, using note and reference system, and using relevant existing literature in the field

8. A theoretical discussion • There are several types of investigations. In this paper you are asked to do a study of literature, e.g. Central key concepts of a central theorist and a theoretical discussion. • No empirical analysis should be included in your paper, but you are welcome to illustrate your arguments with examples. • The paper should not be a report on or paraphrase of chosen work from your reading list

9. Structure of the assignment paper More or less be like this: • An introduction (max. 1 page) with a clarification of the approach taken to the given topic • 2-5 chapters (approx. 8 pages) of main content • Summing up and conclusion (1-2 pages) • References (1-2 pages) • Appendixes (if any)

10. Documentation • Key information, insights or arguments from the contribution of others must be documented with references. • No general rule, but 5 references per page is not to much

11. References • When referring to or citing other texts, be consistent • Your references should always contain two elements:Notes in the text References at the end of the term paper

12. Notes in the text • Render, in abbreviation, information on where a citation or piece of information has been taken from. • Either footnotes, at the bottom of the page or consecutively in the text Example: ”Citation” (Scannell 1996:page number) orGeneral discussion of Scannells view, from some of the pages in his book (Scannell 1996: 12-23)

13. A referencelist at the end of your paper • Renders the full title, place and year of publication etc. For all boks and journals • In alphabetical order Example: Scannell, Paddy (1996) Radio, Television and Modern Life, Oxford, Cambridge: Blackwell

14. Formal requirements of this paper • Length: 2500 words +/- 20% including notes, excluding references (ie. Reference list at the end of the paper) • Spacing: 1,5 • Fontsize: 12 • Font: Times New Roman, Palatino, Garamond or equivalent. • left and right margin 2,5 cm

15. The frontpage of the paper • Student ID number, on top of the page • Title • Course name and number, semester and year • Please do not write your name on the paper, only your student ID (kandidatnummer). You will find this number on studentweb. Student ID: 123 456 ”Title” MEST 3520 TV Theory, Spring 2005

16. Hand in • When? 20th of May, between 12 and 2 pmWhere? In the reception area of the Dep. of Media and Communications (two stairs up) • You will be asked to sign a declaration that will be added to your paper. This you can find on:http://www.hf.uio.no/kvalitetsreform/obligerklaering.html • Please hand in your paper in 3 copies that include the reference list.

17. Course reading list • What? A full 800-page list of compulsory reading and supplementary reading must be handed in • When? A latest date for submission of the individual reading list is now set at 2nd May. • Where? Either in paper form in Espen Ytrebergs shelf (4th floor) or to espen.ytreberg@media.uio.no

18. Results • The results will be announced on the boards on floor 2 and 4. • You will not be able to phone here and get your results, unless your living address is outside Oslo and Akershus. (That means that if you’ve left Norway when the results are back, please call to get them) • After a few days, the results will be available on the studentweb

19. The assignement paper is evaluated with a view to... • The candidate’s ability to handle the topic in a comprehensive and systematic manner, taking into account existing literature in the field. • Abilities in the area theoretical discussion • Overall reflexivity, stringency and originality • Whether the references function satisfactorily to cover what has been asserted