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Introduction to Critical Thinking Papers

GEO 300 Recitation

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CT papers How to avoid a zero (check list will help!):

At least 4 peer-reviewed sources in Works CitedAll of which are in-text citedNo plagiarism

Word count – list on paper425+/- 25 in Analysis section125 +/- 25 in all other sections combined550-word max; Over = zero gradeYou may or may not include citations in your word count.

It’s up to you.

Having the proper headings… (Interpretation, Analysis, Evaluation, Inference, Explanation, Self-Regulation)

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CT paper: Logistics (20%)AT THE TOP OF THE PAPER (separate lines):

Word counts:1 for Analysis section (425+25)1 for the Others (125+25)

550 MAX. Over, you will receive a zero.Your nameDateTA nameRecitation day and timeOSU ID NumberQuestion numberTitle

You lose 4% per missing item

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CT paper: Style/Format (25%)

Follow format given by example paper1% off for each grammatical error (max 9%)No personal pronous (i.e. “I” , “my”, “we” or “our”)

No contractions8% for proper in-text citation format

(Friedman, 2008; p. 16) or “As noted by Friedman (2008; p. 16)”

8% for proper Works Cited formattingNo particular citation style (MLA, APA, etc.) required, but be consistent

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Works Cited/References/Bibliography,

some tips

List authors alphabetically by the FIRST author’s last name Adams, Kelly, Joan Rivers and Ted Nuggent,…

Dole, Bob, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton,…

Include access date for web sites Be consistent in styleStyles guides are available online, email me or visit office hours for help, or look at examples

Using the citation function in the database produces strange results, be aware and check

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CT paper format: Content (55%)

INTERPRETATION(10%):A 3-sentence lead-in.Sentence 1: Issue statement.Sentence 2: A statement of importance.Sentence 3: A hypothesis where you take

sides/ a stance.

Eg: Society is facing a growing energy deficit, sustainable and otherwise. With it becoming increasingly apparent that unsustainable energy is not an option, most find themselves facing young, pricy renewable energy sources. Conservation and storage are the cheapest and most reliable way to sustainably meet future energy needs.

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CT paper format: Content (55%)

ANALYSIS (25%):Largest component of the paperThis is where you make your argument and

cite facts from peer-reviewed sources to support it.

Proper citation of all references in your works cited, 4 of which must be peer reviewed, is expected

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CT paper format: Content (55%) cont.EVALUATION (5%):

A critical look at your sources.Evaluate at least 2 of your sources’

potential bias or critique a limitation or shortcoming of their research.

Be specific about which sources you are evaluating.

INFERENCE (5%):Infer something not already explicitly written

in your work.Try looking at different scales OR Try connecting to a different discipline

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CT paper format: Content (55%) cont.EXPLANATION (5%):

Summary of the all the preceding sections.The best I’ve seen on this was from a 3-

sentence format:Sentence 1: Statement of issue.Sentence 2: Supporting fact.Sentence 3: Broad conclusion.

SELF-REGULATION (5%):An examination of your own bias

Where did it come from?How does it affect your analysis of the topic?Only place first person pronouns are acceptable.

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CT papersHow to avoid a zero (recap).

4 peer-reviewed sources/books in Works CitedAll of which are in-text citedNo plagiarism

Word count – 425+- 25 in Analysis section125 +- 25 in all other sections combined550-word MAX (do not go over!)

Having the proper headings…Interpretation, Analysis, Evaluation,

Inference, Explanation, Self-RegulationOtherwise, I mark it zero.

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CT paper #1Each CT Paper is worth 75 pointsPlease print double-sided or on used paper

+1 point for this, -2 points for not.Must be turned in at class next weekLate work is NOT accepted (except for

emergencies)Attach the check list (with grading sheet) to

your paper and initial you have followed the instructionsPapers without the checklist will not be

accepted.

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Peer-reviewed sources  Instructions on how to access OSU library journal databases using the EBSCO database

provider: Go to http://oregonstate.edu/ Click on the Library tab Click on Find it: Databases: there are three columns (Database Title, Dates of Coverage and

Database Provider). Under the Database Provider column, you can see the ones which have EBSCO as the provider. You can also click on the link letter “E” and then click on the EBSCOhost (under the Database Title) to assess all the sources that are provided by EBSCO.

Here is an example for instructions on how to get a peer reviewed source: Click on the database as in step 3 above Click on Academic Search Premier (third under the Database Title). Let’s assume you are searching for “Carbon Footprint” as a key word for your search. Make sure to click or check the Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals box, type your key search word and then

click Search The first article that comes is titled “Emergy Net Primary Production (ENPP) as basis for calculation of

Ecological Footprint”. Click on the “Link to Full article” tab to access the article. To properly put it in your reference, go back to where you were before you clicked the “link to full article”

tab. Then, click on the heading link: “Emergy Net Primary Production (ENPP) as basis for calculation of Ecological Footprint”. Then on the same row as the citation where there are seven tabs (print, e-mail etc photos), put your cursor on the cite article tab (the fourth one from your right) and click. Copy and paste from your preferred citation format. Make sure to use the same citation format for all your sources  

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Example Papers (on website)

Useful as a guide, but they’re not perfect papers

Remember to include your ID numberRemember to include the question number

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TipsDon’t do it last minute.Everything in your Works Cited must be cited

in your text; everything cited in your text must be in your Works Cited.

Never use a newspaper or magazines (Time, The Economist, Forbes, etc.)

No Wikipedia.Use sources only from the 21st century (2000- ) Questions about a source? Email me to check

if it is appropriate.Go to the Writing Center (Waldo 123)Get a classmate to peer review your paper

(Extra Credit for them!)