Creating Contexts: Writing Introductions across Genres

by Christine Feak, John M. Swales

Overview

Research article introductions are central to Creating Contexts: Writing across Genres with the CaRS (creating a research space) model used as a starting point. This volume focuses on introductions for other kinds of texts that are also part of the graduate student writing experience such as course papers and critiques, proposals, and dissertations.

This volume represents a revision and expansion of the material on introductions that appeared in English in Today's Research World.

The material presented in this volume is appropriate for graduate students and others already working in their chosen academic fields. The material has, in fact, been used with each of these groups in both writing courses and writing workshops. We believe that the material would also be suitable for those wishing to pursue a course of self-study. To target these different possible uses, we have included a variety of topics and tasks that we hope will deepen users’ understanding of how to create a writing context for their work. Tasks range from evaluating text commentaries to open-ended questions and have been designed to generate lively classroom or workshop discussion as well as thoughtful consideration by an individual user.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780472034567
Publisher:	University of Michigan Press
Publication date:	02/25/2011
Series:	Michigan Series In English For Academic & Professional Purposes , #3
Edition description:	Revised/expanded English in Today's Research World
Pages:	136
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)

Table of Contents

General Introduction to the Volumes ix

Introduction to the Introductions Volume xiii

Some Preliminary Considerations 1

When to Write the Introduction 1

The Overall Shape of an Introduction 3

Language Focus: Old to New Flow of Ideas 6

Points of Departure: Starting the Introduction 12

Introductions to Course Papers 17

Introductions to Book Reviews 27

Language Focus: As 29

Introductions to Critiques and Reviews of Journal Articles and Book Chapters 33

Introductions to Journal Articles 39

Why Cite the Literature? 50

The CaRS Model 56

Citation Practices 59

Language Focus: Highlighting Agreement and Disagreement 67

Language Focus: Expressing Agreement 68

Language Focus: Expressing Disagreement 69

Language Focus: Expressing Agreement and Disagreement 71

Establishing Your Stance 73

Highlighting the Need for Research: The Gap 79

Filling the Gap 84

Language Focus: Guiding Your Readers 86

Problem-Focused Introductions 88

Specific-General Introductions in the Humanities 96

Short Research Reports 99

Introductions to Proposals 101

Introductions to Dissertations 111

References 117