Week 7-2

What does the word "conclusion" mean?

conclusion, [kuh n-kloo-zhuh n]. n.

1: the end or close; the final part.

2: the last main division of a discourse, usually containing a summing up of the points and a statement of opinion or decisions reached.

4: final decision.

5: a reasoned deduction or inference.

Dictionary.com

We may not be 100% sure--and in fact, we may be less sure than when we started. But our task in Phase 3 is to draw some conclusions

  • Known knowns: things that we know that we know.
  • Known unknowns: things we know that we don't know.
  • Unknown unknowns: things that we don't realize we don't know.

Brainstorming

Take a piece of paper and draw two lines, dividing it into three columns. We're going to make three lists.

List #1 Things I Can Prove To Be True

Until the timer goes off, write as many things on the list as you can. Be fast, not detailed!

List #2 Things I Can Prove To Be False

Until the timer goes off, write as many things on the list as you can. Be fast, not detailed!

List #3 Things I Am Still Not Sure About

Until the timer goes off, write as many things on the list as you can. Be fast, not detailed!

Taking a Stand

Write down your research question.

Now look at it.

In a sentence or two, write down as much of the answer as you can.

Sharing our Conclusions

Talk for a few minutes in small groups about what your research has turned up, and what you think the answer to your question is. Just share a bit.

Writing Project 1 - Phase 3

Claim What does the word "claim" mean to you?

A claim is:

  • a statement
  • that takes a position on an issue
  • which the audience is not likely to accept as true.

Which of these things are claims?

  • “Is vegetarianism healthy?”

  • “Many Americans are vegetarians.”

  • “Vegetarianism has its pros and cons.”

  • “Some people think vegetarianism is good for you, but others worry that it is not.”

A Claim

Your job in college writing1 is to make a claim about the question or issue you're writing about.

1Like 90% of the time.

Support

When we talk about claims, the usual next step is “evidence.” But I’d like to use a slightly broader word: support. For our purposes, support will describe those statements:

  • that the audience is likely to accept as true, and
  • which is used to demonstrate the truth of a particular claim.

Which of these claims would my birth certificate support?

  • I am a United States citizen.
  • I was born in California.
  • California is a great place to be from.
  • I can legally drink in California.
  • I can legally drive in California.
  • I am eligible to run for the Senate in Maryland.

Your job in college writing1 is to make a claim about the question or issue you're writing about, and support that claim with reasons and evidence your audience will accept.

1Like 90% of the time.