Academic Writing in an Age of BS Assignment
Instructions for Task #1:
Follow the step-by-step process to produce a final product. Read through the instructions carefully.
Step 1.
You will need to make annotations on these articles, located in the required readings for this module
folder:
On Bullshit 16 A Kind Word for BS 16 The Prevalence of Humbug 21 Short of Lying 18 Critiquing, Defending Academic BS 3 How Data And Information Literacy Could End Fake News 7
***Please use the worksheet for the annotations!!! I cannot stress this enough. It will simplify this task.
Be prepared to make connections between the articles.
I want you to be aware of the scholarly position and academic writing. You will need to be aware of the
this to make your own theory between BS and academic writing. And believe me, there is plenty of
well, I wont go there.
The Nietzsche article you can leave until you work on the reflection part (but do not forget this). You
will need to know his character traits to be able to write his part.
Step 2.
The tasks.
Divide up the six tasks among team members (each person must have a different task). I am keeping
track. Depending on the number of team members, not all tasks will be completed. Again, you will pick
only one task to complete. You, alone, will be responsible for your work. It must be original.
Plagiarizing on this assignment will result in failure of the assignment or failure of the course (see
university policy in syllabus).
Brainstorm about each article in a collaboration session before you beginthis is optional, but it will help
to voice your thoughts on this topic.
Note: This is an essay that you are turning in for a grade. I will look for creativitydid you include
images? Are these images inserted correctly? Did you thoroughly work with the idea/task given? Did you
provide evidence in the form of quotes, in-text citations, and a Works Cited section? Is the essay properly
formatted by MLA style standards? Did you write the reflection part that included all the authors? In this
reflection part, I am expecting dialogue and to see how you work with character traits.
Before you begin, know the general message you to convey, the purpose, and the audience.
Task #1: Evaluating the articles
Evaluating articles increases the reader’s understanding of the main idea and themes. Interpretation and evaluation assess the information learned and you arrive at a conclusion. Work with each article individually, addressing each question in separate paragraphs:
What is your opinion of the topic and how it is treated in the article?
How would you evaluate the author?
How did you select the quotes used for your annotation?
What data was used?
Discuss the work’s organization and style
Discuss the articles effectiveness (subject matter)
Discussion of the author’s treatment of the topic
Discuss the appeal to a particular audience
In each bullet you must make judgments (think, defend, or criticize) using evidence from the article. You should address all the articles using subtitles; a template is provided. Change all highlighted areas. Length of text: minimum 5 pages; no maximum. Perspective: evaluations are commonly found in the workplace. Evaluate: v. to determine the significance, worth, or condition of by careful appraisal and study. Organization: n. process of putting the different parts in a certain order. When things are laid out in some sort of order, we can work with them more easily. If we can impose some kind of order on information, the information is easier to talk about, easier to understand, and easier to remember. Principles of organization include: chronological, spatial, climatic, and topical. Style: n. distinctive manner of expression; custom of behaving or conducting oneself. How does the author use words? These words will reflect their personality. Focus on word choice, sentence structure, figurative language. Connections: Then make connections between the texts, lecture notes, and textbook (Length: 1 page).
What are some similarities?
What are some differences?
What claims do the authors make and do you agree with them? Do you agree with some or all or none? Why or why not? Explain your logic. Provide evidence.
Do they all share the same definition of the word, bullshit? Why or why not? Provide evidence.
What is academic writing?
What is bullshit? Do you think about this differently than just a phrase you might have thrown around in the past? Have you thought about this term in an academic sense?
Discuss a recurring theme that crosses the articles.
Themea broad idea, message, moral, universal truth, or lesson expressed. See examples of themes below. *Allow time for proofreading. Check grammar and punctuation. MLA format. *Do not forget images with this part of your section, make sure they are labeled correctly by MLA standards.
Reflection (creative writing): Our selected Authors and Readings:
? Harry Frankfurt, On Bullshit ? Philip Eubanks & John D. Schaeffer, A Kind Word for Bullshit: The Problem of Academic Writing
