Position Paper Topic

Choose one from the topics listed below and write a three-page Position Paper:

1. Should A Subject in Religion Be Taught In UP Mindanao?

2. Is Technology Making Us More Alienated, Less Sociable, and Less Human?

3. Should Genetic Engineering, Cloning, and Other Forms of Genetic Medicine Be Pursued?

4. Should Filipino Nurses Planning To Work Abroad Be Given Additional Tax by the Government?

5. Should Violent Youth Offenders Be Put On Trial As Adults?

6. Should the Internet Be Restricted and Regulated?

7. Does Religion Create Intolerance?

8. Should the 1987 Philippine Constitution Be Amended?

9. Is the Reproductive Health Bill A Viable Solution to the Population Problem in the Philippines?

10. Should the Decline of the Philippine Movie Industry Be Blamed On the Filipino Audience?

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Submit your papers, following the usual format, on January 22.

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Assignment Number 4: Paraphrasing

Here is a page with a discussion on plagiarism and the proper way of rewording a passage.

As previously announced in class, you will read this page and carefully study the examples provided. Look at the examples of plagiarism on this page and try to avoid these mistakes.

Apply these principles in making your assignment on paraphrasing.

Click here to view the page.

Don’t forget to submit your papers on Tuesday. Make sure to follow instructions and comply with the deadline.

Assignment 2: Reaction Paper

Instructions:

Write a 3-page Reaction Paper to an article written by columnist Conrado de Quiros for the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Click here to read the article.

Your paper should be able to exhibit the characteristics of a good reaction paper, as discussed in class. Always keep the focus on the topic, issues, and opinion raised in this article. Do not submit a paper that tackles an entirely different subject.

The paper should be written on a short size bond paper, with one inch margin on all sides, double-spaced, in Times New Roman Font.

Both the Reaction and Concept papers should be submitted on our first meeting in 2009.

Happy Holidays to everyone!

What is Research?

Is a purposive, systematic and scientific process of gathering, analyzing, classifying, organizing, presenting, and interpreting data for the solution of a problem, for prediction, for invention, for the discovery of truth, or the expansion or verification of existing knowledge, all for the preservation and improvement of the quality of human life.

Purpose of Research:

To discover new facts about known phenomena.
To find answers to problems which are only partially solved by existing methods and information.
Improve existing techniques and develop new instruments or products.
To discover previously unrecognized substances or elements.
Discover pathways of action of known substances and elements.
To order related, valid generalizations into systematized science.
To provide basis for decision-making in business, industry, education, government, and other undertakings.
To satisfy the researcher’s curiosity.
To find answers to queries by means of scientific methods.
To acquire a better and deeper understanding about one phenomenon.
To expand or verify existing knowledge.
To improve educational practices for raising the quality of school products.
To promote health and prolong life.
To provide man with more of his basic needs.
To make work, travel, and communication faster, easier, and more comfortable.

Characteristics of a Good Research:

Research is systematic.
Research is controlled.
Research is empirical.
Research is analytical.
Research is objective, unbiased, and logical.
Research employs hypothesis.
Research employs quantitative or statistical methods.
Research is original work.
Research is done by an expert.
Research is accurate investigation, observation, and description.
Research is patient and unhurried activity.
Research requires an effort-making capacity.
Research requires courage.

Your research objectives should be:

Specific: clear about what, where, when, and how the situation will be changed; Measurable: able to quantify the targets and benefits;

Measurable: able to quantify the targets and benefits;

Achievable: able to attain the objectives (knowing the resources and capacities);

Realistic: able to obtain the level of change reflected in the objective; and

Time bound: stating the time period in which they will each be accomplished.

Help from around the web

I have found a few web pages that could surely help you in the quest to improve your writing skills, and of course, better papers — not just for AH 2, but for the rest of your subjects too. Just click on these links and surf away. Take note that these sites offer guidelines and tips; make sure to read them thoroughly, absorb all the information you think you need, and don’t hesitate to ask me for clarifications.

1. The MLA way.

Here’s a reliable site prepared by professors from Capital Community College in Hartford, Connecticut. The site is literally a guideline on how to write the Research Paper, using the Modern Language Association (MLA) documentation format.

2. Tense With Verbs

I noticed that many of you can’t get your verbs to agree with your subjects. It’s a problem most of us–and even native speakers–often encounter. Same goes for keeping those verb tenses consistent. Here are some pages that could help you work on this verb-related problem. You may read the charts showing clear examples of verb tenses, or you can also try out the exercises.

3. The Tricky Thing With Style

I’ve been constantly reminding you all to check out books, references, and websites that could help you improve your style. Actually, the best answer really to this is lots and lots of practice: reading and writing religiously is crucial. By “religious” of course I mean a keen sense of dedication, devotion, even passion. Check out this student writing lab developed by the University of North Texas, a space not only offering exercises on style, but also a whole lot more.

4. The Right Language

Unsure whether you are being formal or informal with how you write? Are the words you’re using fit the right context? Always make sure you are using the appropriate language, tone, and manner. The Owl At Purdue can help you with language appropriateness, jargon, and the issue of formality.

There are more topics to be covered on our way to writing the best research papers. Hope to see you in class for the continuation.

Welcome guys!

Welcome to the official WordPress blog of Arts and Humanities 2, Section E. In here you will find all your blogs linked for everyone’s reference. Kindly visit this site once in a while for updates such as assignments, supplementary readings, and deadline announcements. Meanwhile, I’ll be checking your blogs to see what you’ve been working on.

I’ll keep you posted.