Writing Introductions and Summaries EDF 801 Writing for Research Spring 2016

Introductions Two Functions Chapters Briefly address what, why, how Check prospectus checklist for other required elements Explain organization of chapter as transition to remainder of chapter Major Sections Introduce focus of section Explain what is covered (sub-sections)

Introductions Chapter I Introduction (see assignment rubric) Identification of issue Organization of chapter Chapter II Introduction Brief reiteration of problem under investigation significance of the study Criteria for selecting topics included Sources of literature and key search terms Transition to next chapter, when appropriate

Summaries Two Functions Chapters Emphasize salient concepts Connect to proposed study Transition to next chapter (what is to come) Major Sections Emphasize salient concepts Link to the proposed study

Guidelines for Writing Summaries 1. Summaries, as intended for the dissertation, are succinct recaps of salient points that the student has covered in major sections or chapters. They serve to alert the reader to the major points that are most pertinent to the identified educational topic and to the student's research problem. No restatement of examples or details is needed for the summary. 2. Students should embed arguments in the summary that support her/his research and that are substantiated by the points covered in the section or chapter. 3. Summaries should provide a transition to the next section or chapter. If it is difficult to make a transition between sections, then the student should consider whether the placement or even the content of the section is appropriate to the organization and focus of the chapter. 4. To construct a summary, the student should review the section or chapter, taking note of headings, sub-headings, and topic sentences. These should help the student recall what is important to cover in the summary. 5. The summary should be well organized with adequate segues between points. It should not be simply a string of unrelated sentences or exact restatements of what was said in the section or chapter.

Summaries Difference between summaries and conclusions Summaries (Chapters I through IV) Reiteration cogently and succinctly important points covered in chapter or section Build convincing arguments for study or links to study Conclusions (Chapter V) Make meaning of findings Speak to implications in the broader context of policy or practice Advocate