"Drafting" is the topic of the 14th chapter of "The Bedford Researcher". It illustrates the concepts of using outlines, effective paragraphs, introductions, the ease of following a document, and conclusions to enhance the qualities of a research paper. The book expresses that research writing is a long process consisting of identifying and leaning about an issue, reflecting on what you have learned, and contributing to the conversation about your issue.
The use of an outline provides the foundation to plan the points, the order, and evidence that will be included in the body of work. Organization of your ideas and substantiating the evidence can aid in the approach of gathering your thoughts and ideas in a systematic manner. Weaknesses such as not incorporating enough evidence, relying heavily on one source, and creating a bias towards one side of an argument will be made apparent as you go through the process of creating an outline. Reorganization of your ideas as you proceed in composing your paper may be necessary.
The creation of effective paragraphs to acquire the attention and focus of your readers is initiated by providing the focus on a single idea, organizing by following a pattern, use of details, use of sources that are confirmed by authority, and employing effective transitions between paragraphs. These techniques will assist the reader in following your writing with ease. It will aid in connecting the information in a sequence that makes the most sense.
Drafting the introduction is important for identifying to your readers what the main idea of your paper is about. If the reader finds it compelling, they will choose to continue reading your work. As mentioned earlier, the body work should be easy to follow and understandable. This can be accomplished by using techniques mentioned in the book such as, providing a map in your introduction, using headings and subheading, providing forecasts and cross-references, use of a menu, and paying attention to design principles. Drafting the conclusion allows you to reiterate the claims made in your introduction. Reinforcement of what you have included in your paper allows the work that you have accomplished come full circle.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
The Bedford Researcher Chapter 17 Summary
The "Bedford Researcher" discuses "Revising and Editing" in chapter 17. Although these processes are similar, the process in which they are used are different. These techniques aids the writer to evaluate the effectiveness of their draft and allows them to improve on it.
In revising of your document, you will need to consider "big picture" issues that supports your arguments and achieves your purpose of conveying your issues. When paying close attention to the parameters of the requirements of your assignment, it is important that you recognize where you can improve. The thesis statement should be clear and concise and is the first area of consideration. The correct use of integrating your ideas and separating it from those of others can be done by properly citing your sources within your document. The location of information and ideas can be easy to follow with effective use of structure and organization. The type of document that is presented influences the design elements and style that would be most appropriate to the appearance and mood you are trying to elicit from your audience. Strategies that could be beneficial to revising your work are to save multiple drafts to document to establish the changes you have made and to make comparisons; highlighting of your main point, reasons, and evidence to organize your information; putting your self in the place of your readers to challenge your assumptions; scan, outline, and map your document to check the effectiveness of the transition of your ideas; and finally, asking for feedback to measure the response of others to examine the effectiveness of the conveyance of your information.
Editing your project, pay particular attention to accuracy of the details (facts and figures, quotations and the spelling of every name), economy (the choice of words to express yourself, yet enabling your readers to easily understand your ideas), consistency (the presentation of information employing the same format throughout your paper), style (distinguishing between the different formats that will enhance the discussion within the content of your work), and spelling, grammar, and punctuation (this affects the impression of the reader to your credibility).
In revising of your document, you will need to consider "big picture" issues that supports your arguments and achieves your purpose of conveying your issues. When paying close attention to the parameters of the requirements of your assignment, it is important that you recognize where you can improve. The thesis statement should be clear and concise and is the first area of consideration. The correct use of integrating your ideas and separating it from those of others can be done by properly citing your sources within your document. The location of information and ideas can be easy to follow with effective use of structure and organization. The type of document that is presented influences the design elements and style that would be most appropriate to the appearance and mood you are trying to elicit from your audience. Strategies that could be beneficial to revising your work are to save multiple drafts to document to establish the changes you have made and to make comparisons; highlighting of your main point, reasons, and evidence to organize your information; putting your self in the place of your readers to challenge your assumptions; scan, outline, and map your document to check the effectiveness of the transition of your ideas; and finally, asking for feedback to measure the response of others to examine the effectiveness of the conveyance of your information.
Editing your project, pay particular attention to accuracy of the details (facts and figures, quotations and the spelling of every name), economy (the choice of words to express yourself, yet enabling your readers to easily understand your ideas), consistency (the presentation of information employing the same format throughout your paper), style (distinguishing between the different formats that will enhance the discussion within the content of your work), and spelling, grammar, and punctuation (this affects the impression of the reader to your credibility).
The Bedford Researcher Chapter 18 Summary
"Understanding Design Principles" is the title for chapter 18 of "The Bedford Researcher". It examines the concepts of using design effectively and the uses of design elements. The selections of design principles and elements have a significant effect on the response you generate from your audience. Technology offers an abundance of methods to improve the appearance of your work to illicit positive reactions.
Effective design aids in communicating your ideas and arguments. The understanding of the utilization of balance, emphasis, placement, repetition, and consistency will give you the ability to capture the eye of your readers. A well-designed document allows your audience to easily understand the organization of your work allowing for ease in locating information and efficiently recognize the different components of the document.
The design should support the style of your writing. The choice of fonts, line spacing, and alignment are important choices that will assist your audience to easily read your material. Page layout using color, shading, borders, and rules plus the use of illustrations improves visual attractiveness of your project. Images should be used cautiously. It should serve a purpose, be placed near the corresponding information it is describing, or include an explanation, caption, or title that indicates how the image benefits what you have included in the body of your work.
The Bedford Researcher Chapter 15 Summary
Chapter 15 of The Bedford Researcher titled "Using Sources Effectively" asks three key questions. These are "How can I use sources to accomplish my purposes as a writer?", "How can I integrate sources into my draft?", and "How should I document my sources?" The section provides the writer with strategies and techniques for working with different types of sources.
Quotations, paraphrasing, or summaries introduce ideas or arguments to your readers. Choosing the most effective approach will call attention to specific aspects to readers. Contrasting ideas or arguments between your sources can be displayed by using these techniques. Evoking trust from your readers can be established by supporting your assertions with evidence from credible sources. Another way to support your argument is to introduce the ideas of someone who possesses expertise in the area. When using this technique, it is important give credit to the person from who you borrowed the information. Defining a concept may be more effective by paraphrasing or quoting a resource such as a dictionary or encyclopedia to clarify information then using your own words. Quotations and illustrations can be utilized to create a mood or induce emotion. Illustrating evidence using examples is more effective than telling your readers about the concept. The use of amplification broadens a discussion while qualification narrows the scope of a statement.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
RESEARCH PROPOSAL ON BIPOLAR DISORDER
Introduction:
Bipolar disorder has held a negative connotation for
many people. The social stigma associated
with this mental illness can be attributed to the fact that the general public
does not understand the illness. They are uninformed about definition of
bipolar disorder and make assumptions that do not necessarily correlate with
the facts. Previously known as manic
depression, the illness has been linked to words such as crazy, maniac, and
madness causing negative reactions and fear.
This project will give information about the symptoms, causes, and
treatment of bipolar disorder. How do
the symptoms of bipolar disorder affect the lives of the person who has it and
the people around them? What are the
causes of this illness? Why do some
people choose to get treatment while others do not? Bipolar disorder is a misunderstood disease
with many negative and positive aspects.
Review
of Literature:
Sources
reviewed include the 2013 research article “Understanding Treatment
Hon-adherence in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder: a Survey of What Service
Users Do and Why” by Susanne Gibson and colleagues for BMC (BioMed Central) Psychiatry. Its authors provide statistical information
and analyze reasons why over half of the participants in the study do not
follow treatment recommendations. Another
source from BMC Psychiatry in 2013 by Holly Peay, Donald Rosenstein and Barbara
Biesecker, “Adaptation to bipolar disorder and perceived risk to children: a
survey of parents with bipolar disorder” assesses the perceptions of the risk
of parents with bipolar disorder passing on the illness to their children. A source by Guy Goodwin and colleagues, “ECNP
consensus meeting. Bipolar
Depression. Nice, March 2007” in European
Neuropsychopharmacology from 2008 discuss the criteria for bipolar disorder
described in the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) from the American Psychiatric
Association published in 1994 as well as the types of medication used for
treatment and its effectiveness. Jihyung
Hong and colleagues published a research article for Pharmacoecomonics in 2010,
“The Cost of Relapse for Patients with a Manic/Mixed Episode of Bipolar
Disorder in the EMBLEM Study”, analyzing the substantial costs and the economic
impact of relapse of bipolar patients. A
paper written by Klára Látalová, “Insight in Bipolar Disorder” published by Psychiatry Quarterly in 2012, discusses
the association of how better insight correlates to a better outcome from
treatment. “Bipolar disorder” a report
provided by the University of Maryland Medical Center, discusses the different
aspects regarding the causes, diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder
highlighting the different categories of the illness and specific treatment
guidelines for the each type of the disorder including drugs, psychotherapy,
and lifestyle changes. Steve Bressert’s
article, “Frequently Asked Questions About Bipolar Disorder” written for PsychCentral
in 2006, answers common questions regarding bipolar disorder including heritability,
other medical conditions that manifest symptoms similar to the disorder, how to be nonjudgmental towards someone with
the condition, and how medication, information, support, and lifestyle affects
it. In her article in the Winter 2012
issue of Bipolar Magazine, “Accentuate the POSITIVE”, Elizabeth Forbes identifies
some positive characteristics associated with bipolar disorder such as
creativity, drive, innovation, resilience, and empathy. In Madeline Vann’s contribution to Everydayhealth.com,
“Is There a Bright Side to Bipolar Disorder?”, she writes about the advantages
of hypomania in bipolar disorder. “Advantages
in Bipolar: No Longer If, But Why and How.” from Psychologytoday.com, written
by Tom Wootton, published on June 21, 2013 in Bipolar Advantage, highlights the
presentations of four doctors at the APA annual conference who spoke about
their research on people affected with bipolar disorder and why they exhibit
certain advantages in their lives.
Plan
to Collect Information:
The
sources that I have collected so far are ten peer-reviewed scholarly articles
using Academic Search Premier from
the Olympic College website, over ten resources from various websites I have
found during Google searches, three books I have checked out from the Kitsap
Regional Library (Touched with Fire by
Kay Redfield Jamison, Living with Someone
Who’s Living with Bipolar Disorder: A Practical Guide for Family, Friends, and
Coworkers by Chelsea Lowe and Bruce M. Cohen, and The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to
Know by David J. Miklowitz), one book that I personally own (An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison)
and a reference book I found at the Olympic College Poulsbo Library (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM-IV) by the American Psychiatric Association. I have found information on Google Images
which include the articles they originated from that has some useful
information. I have also had
conversations with two psychiatrists, six psychologists and an Advanced
Registered Nurse Practitioner. Although
I did not perform official interviews with the intent of using the information
in writing my research paper, I did gain valuable information and personal
advice about the symptoms and treatment specific to bipolar disorder for myself
and other family members affected by this illness. Over the past year, I have shared many
conversations with my husband about the information we have found during our individual
research to understand this disorder.
For a public speaking class I took during the summer of 2013, I polled
the class asking various questions about their perceptions and understanding of
bipolar disorder that I used in my final speech. On Facebook, I asked the question, “Does anyone
have experience with trying to control bipolar disorder without medication?”,
and received some personal messages about the experiences of others regarding
the use, or non use, of medication for themselves or that of close family
members. I have also posted many “statuses” regarding my personal experience
with this illness and received many responses, some helpful and some not, that
has given me insight on how others perceive this disorder. Although I will not be using my personal
experiences directly, it will help me determine which information would be
beneficial to use from my cited sources.
Project
Timeline:
Towards the end of January, I gathered my sources
and compiled them in the form of a Working Bibliography in MLA format. This included spending time searching for the
required number of sources using the parameters outlined in the class
syllabus. After completing this Research
Proposal, I plan to work on my Annotated Bibliography that is due this week. I will also need to complete a Literature
Review of a minimum of 20 sources. To
accomplish this, I will finish reading my material and choose the necessary
information needed to include in my paper.
By February 27th, I will need to have completed the Final
draft of my Outline, Rationale and Abstract.
On this day, I will bring three copies of my Rough Draft to be reviewed
during an In-Class Lab. Afterwards, I
will have a week to make revisions according to the feedback of my peers. On March 6, we will have a Drafting Workshop
where I will have a chance to polish my research paper even more. The final draft of my research paper is due
March 13th.
Working Bibliography:
Angst, Jules. “Bipolar Disorders in DSM-5:
Strengths, Problems and Perspectives.”
International Journal of Bipolar Disorders. 1:12
(2013):1-3. Academic Search Premier.
Web. 18 Jan. 2014.
“Are There Benefits to Having Bipolar
Disorder?” Wholepsychiatry.com. The National
Center for Whole Psychiatry. n.d. Web. 18
Jan. 2014.
“Bipolar Disorder.” Dbsalliance.org.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. n.d. Web.
18 Jan. 2014.
“Bipolar Disorder.” Umm.edu. University of
Maryland Medical Center. n.d. Web. 18 Jan.
2014.
“Bipolar Disorder Statistics.”
Dbsalliance.org. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.
n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2014.
2014.
Bressert, Steve. “Frequently Asked Questions
About Bipolar Disorder.”
Psychcentral.com. PsychCentral, 2006. Web 18
Jan. 2014.
Carney, Reed. “Bipolar Disorder Advantages and
Disadvantages.” Articlesbase.com.
Articlesbase, May
2010. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.
Between Bipolar I Disorder, Schizoaffective Disorder, and
Schizophrenia.” BMC Medicine 11:127 (2013): 1-7. Academic Search Premier. Web. 18 Jan. 2014.
Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Washington D.C.:
American Psychiatric Association, 1994.
Print.
Duckworth, Ken. “Bipolar Disorder.” Nami.org.
National Alliance of Mental Illness,
2011. Web. 18 Jan. 2014.
Duckworth, Ken. “Understanding Bipolar
Disorder and Recovery.” Nami.org. National
Alliance of Mental Illness, Aug. 2008. Web.
23 Jan. 2014.
Forbes, Elizabeth. “Accentuate the POSITIVE.”
Bphope.com. Bipolar Magazine, Winter
2012. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.
Gibson, Susanne, et al. “Understanding
Treatment Non-adherence in Schizophrenia and
Bipolar Disorder: A Survey of What Service Users Do and
Why.” BMC Psychiatry 13.1 (2013): 1-12. Academic
Search Premier. Web. 18 Jan. 2014.
Goodwin, Guy M., et al. “ECNP Consensus
Meeting. Bipolar Depression. Nice, March
2007.” European Neuropsychopharmacology 18 (2008):
535-549. Academic Search Premier.
Web. 11 Jan. 2014.
Henry, Brook L., Arpi Minassian, and William
Perry. “Everyday Functional Ability
Across Different Phases of Bipolar Disorder.” Psychiatry
Research 210 (2013): 850-856. Academic
Search Premier. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.
Hong, Jihyung, et al. “The Cost of Relapse for
Patients with a Manic/Mixed Episode of
Bipolar Disorder in the EMBLEM Study.” Pharmacoecomonics
28.7 (2010): 555-566. Academic Search
Premier. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.
Jamison, Kay R. Touched with Fire. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1993. Print.
Jamison, Kay R. An Unquiet Mind. New York: Random House, Inc, 1995. Print.
Academic Search Premier.
Web. 18 Jan. 2014.
Liang, Min-Jie, et al. “Identify Changes of
Brain Regional Homogeneity in Bipolar
Disorder and Unipolar Depression Using Resting-State
fMRI.” PLOS ONE 8:12 (2013) 1-8. Academic
Search Premier. Web. 18 Jan. 2014.
Lowe, Chelsea and Bruce M. Cohen. Living with Someone Who’s Living with
Bipolar
Disorder: A Practical Guide for Family,
Friends, and Coworkers. San Francisco:
Jossey-Bass. 2010. Print.
“Manic Depression/Bipolar Disorder.”
Hopkinsmedicine.org. John Hopkins Medicine
Health Library. n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2014.
Miklowitz, David J. The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family
Need toKnow. New
York: The Guilford Press. 2011. Print.
Pålsson, Erik, et al. “Neurocognitive
Function in Bipolar Disorder: a Comparison
Between Bipolar I and II Disorder and Matched Controls.”
BMC Psychiatry 13:165 (2013) 1-9. Academic
Search Premier. Web. 18 Jan. 2014.
Peay, Holly L., et al. “Adaptation to Bipolar
Disorder and Perceived Risk to Children: A
Survey of Parents With Bipolar Disorder.” BMC Psychiatry
13.1 (2013): 1-18. Academic Search
Premier. Web. 18 Jan. 2014.
Pedersen, Tracy. “Benefits of Bipolar
Disorder?” Psychcentral.com. Psych
Central. May
2012. Web. Jan. 23, 2014.
United States. Dept. of Health and Human
Services. Bipolar Disorder. NIMH
Publication 08-3679. 2008. WEB. 18 Jan. 2014.
Vann, Madeline. “Is There a Bright Side to
Bipolar Disorder?” Everydayhealth.com.
Everyday Health Media, LLC. n.d. Web. 23 Jan.
2014.
Wootton, Tom. “Advantages in Bipolar: No
Longer If, But Why and How.”
Psychologytoday.com. Bipolar Advantage. 21
Jun. 2013. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.
Images
Cited:
becauseilive.
“How to Tell if You Have Bipolar Disorder.” Hubpages.com. Hubpages,
Apr.
2012. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.
Hirschfeld,
Robert . “Bipolar Depression: The Real Challenge.” Medscape.org.
Medscape,
LLC., n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.
Khalife,
Sami, Vivek Singh, and David J. Munzina. “Bipolar Disorder.”
Clevelandclinicmeded.com.
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Aug. 2010. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.
Nemade,
Rashmi, and Mark Dombeck. “Contemporary Understanding of Bipolar
Disorder: Causes and
Outcomes.” Mentalhelp.net. CenterSite, LLC., Aug. 2009. Web. 23 Jan.
2014.
Porter,
Eloise. “9 Famous Faces of Bipolar Disorder.” Heathline.com. Healthline
Networks,
Inc., Oct. 2011. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.
In-Class Lab Work “Incorporating Sources Effectively”
1a. In the
research article “Understanding Treatment Non-adherence in Schizophrenia and
Bipolar Disorder: A Survey of What Service Users Do and Why,” by Susanne Gibson
et al., it states that “approximately half of service users with schizophrenia
or bipolar disorder do not fully follow treatment recommendations…It is well
documented that, when it comes to utilising [sic] treatments for psychotic
illness, service user behaviour [sic] does not always coincide with clinical
prescription.” (1)
1b. It also
states that, “Studies of adherence suggests further that there is a correlation
between non-adherence and poor outcomes for the patient and his/her social
group…In bipolar disorder, there is a similar association with relapse,
hospital admission and suicide.” (1-2)
2a. Min-Jae Liang from the Medical Imaging Center
at First Affiliated Hospital of Jian University, China, and colleagues reported
in their article “Identify Changes of Brain Regional Homogeneity in Bipolar
Disorder and Unipolar Depression Using Resting-State fMRI,” that 1.5-3.0% of
the population worldwide is affected by a common psychiatric condition known as
Bipolar Disorder. It is “…the sixth
leading cause of disability...” (1). The information about disability is in agreement
with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance in their article “Bipolar
Disorder Statistics” as reported by the World Health Organization. In the same article, the National Institute of
Mental Health declared that the illness “affects approximately 5.7 million Americans
or about 2.6 of the U.S. population age 18 and older every year.”
2b. According to Klára Látalová, Ph.D.’s paper
“Insight in Bipolar Disorder” published for Psychiatric Quarterly in 2011, “…the
effect of insight on adherence to treatment is important since adherence plays
a key role in any treatment’s effectiveness…” (295) Similarly expressed, in the Preface of the
book co-written by Chelsea Lowe and Bruce M. Cohen, M.D., Ph.D. titled Living with Someone Who’s Living with
Bipolar Disorder: A Practical Guide for Family, Friends, and Coworkers
published in 2010 Cohen said, “…accurate information and good advice on
bipolar disorder can lead to better relationships and more productive lives…information
in this book will provide you with a solid foundation of understanding and will
give you…useful guidance and assist you in understanding your options and
accessing the resources you need." (xi)
Thursday, February 13, 2014
The Bedford Researcher Chapter 16 Summary
Chapter 16 of the Bedford Reader titled, "Writing with Style", covers the topics of beginning to use style in your writing and polishing your style while writing your paper. In order to have your readers form a positive impression of you and your ideas, you will want an appropriate style which varies by the writing situation. Improvement of the quality of your document can be accomplished by paying attention to a few aspects.
Understanding the situation is the beginning of writing with good style. You can be inspired by reading the works of others. Citing your sources, avoiding the use of "I", and avoiding strong claims are useful. Making your document easy to read by stating your information clearly and using shorter sentences are helpful in keeping the interest of your readers. There are three techniques for writing concisely: remove unnecessary modifiers, remove unnecessary introductory phrases and eliminate stock phrases. Consider the advantages of using active or passive voice while phrasing your paper to effectively state your information. Adopting a point of view that is consistent will make your writing easier to understand. Formality, specialized language, and variety will help to carefully choose your words.
Polishing your style can be accomplished by varying your sentence structure. The creation of effective transitions that smoothly leads the reader to understand the information, ideas, and arguments and how are related to one another is improtant. Integrating the work of other authors by using more imaginative attributions will allow your writing to stand out as well as varying your words and phrases. Using nonsexist language, using good examples from a good handbook, and reading a wide variety of writings will expose you to different styles used by different writers. You can more easily find ways to engage your audience by frequent reading as you compose your own style of writing.
Understanding the situation is the beginning of writing with good style. You can be inspired by reading the works of others. Citing your sources, avoiding the use of "I", and avoiding strong claims are useful. Making your document easy to read by stating your information clearly and using shorter sentences are helpful in keeping the interest of your readers. There are three techniques for writing concisely: remove unnecessary modifiers, remove unnecessary introductory phrases and eliminate stock phrases. Consider the advantages of using active or passive voice while phrasing your paper to effectively state your information. Adopting a point of view that is consistent will make your writing easier to understand. Formality, specialized language, and variety will help to carefully choose your words.
Polishing your style can be accomplished by varying your sentence structure. The creation of effective transitions that smoothly leads the reader to understand the information, ideas, and arguments and how are related to one another is improtant. Integrating the work of other authors by using more imaginative attributions will allow your writing to stand out as well as varying your words and phrases. Using nonsexist language, using good examples from a good handbook, and reading a wide variety of writings will expose you to different styles used by different writers. You can more easily find ways to engage your audience by frequent reading as you compose your own style of writing.
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