1. Structuring the argument of a theoretical paper
For bachelor’s theses and master’s seminars
in social sciences and humanities
Richard Parncutt, Uni Graz

2. What to do Read the guidelines
Internet: “Structuring the argument of a theoretical paper”
Insert your materials into this ppt file
Quality not quantity!
Include 2-4 subtopics
Each with the same structure
Present this ppt file in class
After the talk, revise this ppt (based on comments)
Create a regular talk with content-based headings
That can also be presented in class
Write and submit bachelor’s thesis or seminar paper
The grade will depend on content, clarity, structure etc.
Last update:
28 May 2012

3. Introduction Example Main topic Terminology Academic background
Main question
Context and relevance
Possible theses
Approach
Last update:
28 May 2012

4. Example Sound, video, story, demonstration etc.
Specific person, situation, anecdote
Illustrates and introduces
Direct, specific relationship to main topic
Links theory to reality
Finding it is difficult, allow time for it!
Precede and follow by short explanation
May be different for written version of paper
See separate guideline on use of examples
Last update:
28 May 2012

5. Main topic Same as main title of paper Concise, carefully formulated
In a course unit: address course topic
Explain or define technical terms and unusual usages
Last update:
28 May 2012

6. Interdisciplinary background
List the 2-4 most important disciplines for your topic
cover at least 2 of the following 3 areas: humanities, sciences, practically oriented disciplines
Explain briefly:
Relevant differences in epistemology*, approaches and methods between these disciplines
How these disciplines might conceive of, or approach, your question differently - possibly with different results
Cite relevant literature, but don’t get into detail
Don’t cite material that could be better cited later
*It’s important to understand the concept of “epistemology”! See e.g. VO Introduction to Systematic Musicology, or the wiki page.
Last update:
3 November 2015

7. Main question Carefully and concisely formulated
Clarifies the aim of your paper
Corresponds to topic (may be more specific)
Not trivial (see “possible theses”)
Last update:
28 May 2012

8. Context and relevance
Why should we spend time and money on this question? (How would you convince a grant agency to give you 100,000 Euros for this project?)
Humanities approach: What is the social, cultural, historical, political, or moral context?
Sciences approach: What is the potential (long-term? sustainable?) benefit to human beings or society?
Last update:
12 November 2014

9. Possible theses
Each possible thesis should plausibly answer your main question
One possible thesis (or similar) should later become your main thesis
Generate the list by thinking logically about your main question. Refer to everyday experience, not literature.
The possible theses should be independent (mutually exclusive) and diverse:
Include extreme or simplistic theses
Include theses lying between these extremes
Vary theses along more than one dimension
If you can’t do this, your thesis is too trivial!
Last update:
12 Nov 2014

10. Approach Explain the structure of the main section
Label subtopics concisely (just one word?)
The simplest structure is best! Subtopics should
be independent (not overlap)
vary in just one way, e.g.
different disciplinary approaches
different aspects of the research object
Main question
aspect1
aspect2
aspect3
Last update:
28 May 2012

11. Main section
Subtopic 1
Subtopic 2 …
Last update:
28 May 2012

12. Subtopic 1 Formulate it carefully
Explain or define any technical terms
Relation to main topic should be clear
Last update:
28 May 2012

13. Subquestion 1 Corresponds to the subtopic Add a brief explanation
Clarify relation to main question
Last update:
28 May 2012

14. Summary of research 1 A detailed treatment with many references!
empirical and theoretical
humanities and sciences
articles and books
different languages
Last update:
28 May 2012

15. (Note on graphs and diagrams)
Redraw!
Include only directly relevant detail
Avoid copyright problems
Be simple and direct!
Clearly label axes
Explain axes in caption
Avoid 3-D graphs
Color for ppt
b/w for written paper, avoid gray
Last update:
28 May 2012

16. Subthesis 1 An answer to your subquestion Unitary: just one claim
Supports your main thesis
Supported by convergent evidence
Last update:
28 May 2012

17. Main evidence for subthesis 1
Repeat the main points
Show that the evidence for the subthesis is stronger than the evidence against it
Last update:
28 May 2012

18. (repeat the last few slides for every subtopic)
Last update:
28 May 2012

19. Conclusion Main question Main thesis with domain of validity
Main evidence and counterevidence*
Methodological limitations*
Return to introductory example*
Implications*
Further research*
*Include the exact formulation of your thesis in the heading of every slide after the first two
Last update:
28 May 2012

20. Main question Just repeat it – the audience has forgotten Last update:
28 May 2012

21. Main thesis Best available answer to main question
Consistent with most presented evidence
The climax of your presentation!
Unitary (unifies the paper)
Not trivial (not obvious earlier! research was needed!)
Credible both with and without research
Perhaps even original, going beyond the literature?
Last update:
28 May 2012

22. Domain of validity
Under what conditions or in what domain are you claiming that your thesis is true?
Under what conditions do you expect it is not?
Last update:
28 May 2012

23. Main evidence
Repeat main evidence from all subtopics that support the specific formulation of your thesis
No new detail here!
Last update:
28 May 2012

24. Main counterevidence
Refer specifically to your formulation of main thesis
List arguments that undermine it
Which alternative theses are supported by evidence?
Arguments against thesis should be weaker than for!
Last update:
28 May 2012

25. Methodological limitations
Consider only cited empirical studies
Do their limitations reduce plausibility of thesis?
Might they bias thesis in a particular direction?
Last update:
28 May 2012

26. Return to introductory example
Link main thesis to specific example
More from abstract back to concrete
Help your audience understand…
example
main question
Make testable predictions
NB:
Main thesis must apply to example!
Example must support main thesis!
Last update:
28 May 2012

27. Implications What if your thesis really is true? Implications for
Link your thesis to external reality
Think creatively and laterally!
Implications for
social context: everyday life
historical, cultural, political, moral context
academic context: background disciplines
professional context
Last update:
28 May 2012

28. Suggestions for further research
Which aspects of main question are still unclear?
Refer to the exact formulation of your thesis!
not merely to your topic (too general)
not merely to methodological constraints
Plan research that could confirm or challenge your main thesis
Last update:
28 May 2012

29. References List of cited literature in standard format
>20 point is ok, but only here
Last update:
28 May 2012