WRT333-0001: Scientific and Technical Writing

2—Journal Article IMRAD Structure
Given 9/15 | Due 9/17 (pt. 1) / 9/19 (pt. 2)

Syllabus | Grading

Part I (in class, Wednessday)

In the previous assignment, you chose an article from a refereed journal. Now, analyze the introduction of each article sentence by sentence. At the end of each sentence, write a number 1 through 5 to correspond to one of Day's five suggested functions for the introduction. If you cannot assign a function, mark the sentence with a question mark (?). If the nature and scope of the problem (Day's suggestion #1) does not appear in the first paragraph, rewrite the first paragraph so that the nature and scope appear as quickly as possible. If a summary of results (Day's #4) and conclusions (Day's #5) do not appear in the introduction, write 1-2 sentences (or a brief paragraph) that accomplishes points 4 and 5. Be prepared to attack or defend Day's 5 suggestions in class.

Part II (in class, Friday)

We will discuss Day's views on Methods, Results, and Discussion in class. Using the same article that you used above, write a short critique of the Methods and Results, focusing on the structural relations and distinctions. That is, discuss briefly (1-2 paragraphs) whether you as reader were well served by use of headings in these two sections, and whether Methods followed Day (could you understand the observations or repeat experiments?) and Results were adequate to support conclusions (there may be many ways for you to express your opinion on this). Finally, discuss briefly whether the discussion actually discussed the results, and whether the article was closed in the discussion (hypothesis accepted or rejected, question answered or not, etc.).

What you will hand in: This assignment requires you to read Day, to reflect on the example paper given you in class, and to write thoughtfully about your own article. Be prepared to participate in class, and to hand in the above on Friday, 9/19.