How to write a good project

46h – April 2009

The Project

Writing a project is basically a kind of academic text: The academic text

The project The BA-project▪ The Thesis▪ Master

Ph.D.

Disposition

A scientific text should consist of:1. Front-page2. List of content3. An introduction4. A body which typically is the most

important part – it is here analyzing is being done

5. The end (conclusion)6. Literature list, notes, etc.

The most typical bricks in scientific texts

Problem formulation, The question of the project Method, how the project ’is being done’ Presentation of the theories Presentation of the empiric field, also a brief historic

introduction Collecting data Analysis Results, presentation of the production,

interpretations Considerations, discussion Conclusion Perspectives

Disposition

Introduction Problem Field▪ Where are we now, what is the topic of the project in a

broad perspective? Problem Formulation▪ What is the topic of your project in a narrow

perspective. You must be very precise and exact. You must make it clear, which questions will be answered by the project and which not

▪ That means you must draw clear boarders for your problem formulation

Disposition

Introduction (cont.)...

Criteria for selection or drawing the boarder:▪ Why is ‘this’ included in stead of ‘that’? On which

terms are the selections done? Method

▪ Which analyzing tools are you going to use? And which theories? Tell about your approach towards the analysis

▪ How can you base the method on different texts or eve may be a theory?

▪ ”Change of gear” Tell about how the reader will be guided from page 1 to p. XX? What can the reader expect?

Disposition

The Body The analysis▪ Analyze means ”deconstruct”, on the other

side you have synthesis meaning ”construct”. ▪ It is imperative to keep a good balance

between deconstruction and construction – possibly in a new way.

Please dig deep if you like. (I.e. in a production, which you really go into. But never forget: think about your reader: She must understand what is going on!

Disposition

The end Conclusion Perspectives Further work

Literature, appendix, etc. Important!

To conklude ...

Part conclusions A good tool But: Not always the best for the text. It may become to ‘heavy’. Do experiment with the right way to do (Catch ups)

Conclusion Conclude on your analysis!

TEST: The part conclusions 1, 2 and 3… must become the same result as the conclusion (otherwise something is wrong!)

Literature list (I.e.)

Alter, Jonathan: “The Weird World of Secrets and Lies”, in Newsweek, nr. 22, 1998

Bolter, Jay David and Richard Grusin: Remediation. Understanding New Media, Cambridge, Mass. 1999

De Certeau, Michel: The Practice of Everyday Life, Berkeley 1984 [1974]

Elmer, Greg: Profiling Machines: Mapping the Personal Information Economy, Cambridge, Mass. (in press),

From the whole world into the

topicCut, cut, cut!

Elaborate, elaborate…

- but don’t forget to draw lines forth and

back

Conclude, conclude… But don’t forget self critism and news to

come

Style How to write the project? Which style should I use? It is scientific – but don’t use difficult words

when not necessary. Also about notes: Only when relevant

Focus on working with two texts: 1: The raw material text, and 2: The text for your reader.

Reader? A student at your level but from an other programme.

Style

Its al in the variation… Highlight your points by ’replays’ – but not all

the time Feel free to point to your own text (i.e. In the

next paragraph I am going to… But not all the time!)

Change between short and long sentences, beginnings, metaphors etc.

A good project is ‘written through’ several times! Remember: The last: I am not in the mood for more… costs at least one grade!

Argumentation

The classical scientific text is based on a thesis which you have to prove right or wrong. The reader must be able to control the content

That’s why argumentation is important The Argumentation is yours (and therefore

also the readers) way through the landscape. Therefore argumentation is like travelling with a companion…

Thing about it like a series of: ‘If’ – ‘then’s’ – and test your self and your text. Did you remember all part conclusions? Can others follow your way of thinking? Are you jumping to conclusions too fast?

Argumentation

It is imperative to distinguish between: Analysis and Description

NOW: you are in the interpreting mode (you analyze) when you are telling the reader (and give good argumentation) which style the design of you production has. This can be supported by examples (which then are descriptive.

You are in the DESKRIPTIVE mode (you describe), when you give a short review of a plot or give a refernce to another analyse (of your production) etc.

Formalities

A good project finds the balance between form and contend

It’s not enough that you have brilliant ideas if your language is messy, bad spelling and you are not argumenting well for your points etc.

CONSISTENS: Use the same system for your notes all way through your project, the same way of spelling same quotation pracsice, same bla, same…..

If you are good here it give one grade credit!!!