How to Write Micro Explanations

7/31/2019 How to Write Micro Explanations

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WRITING EXPLANATIONSMicro Economics 1101


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OUTLINE

The assessment task: write a short explanation

Sample student texts ones that work and onesthat dont

A model explanation why it works

textual features of effective explanationsA close look at each feature

Follow up


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ASSESSMENT TASK

write an explanation of an economicconcept or principle in response to aquestion.

The explanation should be one to twoparagraphs of 500 to 750 words inlength.

The text needs to be appropriatelystructured, clearly and grammaticallyexpressed.


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ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. Accuracy of information and

relevance to question

2. Logical development of the

answer paragraphs; structure;

relations between sentences

3. Clarity expression, grammar,

spelling


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EXPLANATION TEXT-TYPES

The question:

What is meant by the

term

elasticity of demand?

What are the major

determinants of price


Explain the effect each

has on the estimated

value of elasticity.

Define what X is. X = Y

Explain a process, what

happens, why it

happens e.g., what

causes X

What is effect on X


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SAMPLE EXPLANATION 1:

FIRST, THE QUESTION

Consider an industry whose production process

releases chemical into a large river in a heavily

populated area

Explain the Coase Theorem. Will the CoaseTheorem be applicable in this case? Give reasons

for your answer


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THE RESPONSE

Coase theorem is whereby the cost of

producing a product are high there maynot be an efficient outcome achieved

due to the presence of an externality

the Coase theorem will be applicable in

this case but it will not affect the

industry since the population has notcomplained about the externality been

the chemicals released into the river.

(cont)


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Reasons why Coase theorem is

applicable is that there is anexternality be it the large river.

When the population complain about

the decipating of the chemical in the

river it will then activate the Coase

theorem


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YOUR EVALUATIONHow would you rate this response out of 6?

Consider the criteria:

1. Accuracy of information and relevance to

question

2. Structure of the answer; logical development

and relations between sentences

3. Clarity expression, grammar, spelling


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THE EXAMINERS RATING

It was awarded 0/6

(A little harsh, perhaps)

Can you say why?


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WRITING AS AN ECONOMIST

requires you to :

Demonstrate Understanding ofEconomics

Use Economics terms, theoryRecognise Economics text-types

How explanations are used


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AND

Write in an academic style (or register)

Impersonally, conceptually, Showing relations between

ideas/topics Using grammatically complete

sentences

Foregrounding significant topics

sentence structure


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MORE ON RULES ABOUT SENTENCES

Every sentence has a thing (Noun) which is the

subject of the sentence.

E.g., Economics is the study of markets.

A sentence has a process which is a complete

Verb (ie., has tense, so we know when itexists/happened)

eg. Economics is the study of markets.


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SENTENCES DEVELOP IDEAS

To complete an idea, sentences

develop the subject and process witha third element (may be an object,

phrase, another clause).

e.g., The new legislation appears to

be effective.

Economists work very efficiently.

Economists work on problems.

This third element = new information


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WHICH ONES ARE SENTENCES?

WHICH ARE NOT? WHATS MISSING?

1. Research supports the idea

2. The virus in all samples

3. Each of these animals at risk of

extinction

4. In terms of higher education


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OTHER FEATURES OF EXPLANATIONS

Grammar of explanations will be

returned to later

Lets now consider the otherfeatures of explanations in

Economics


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SAMPLE 2: HOW ABOUT THIS

EXPLANATION?

The question:What is meant by the term


The response:


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The term elasticity of demand refers to theresponsiveness of demand for a good or serviceto changes in another variable. In simplestterms it is the percentage change in quantity

demanded in response to a percentage changein another variable. Elasticity of demand for aproduct may be in response to a change inprice of the good itself in which case it is calledprice elasticity of demand. It may refer to aresponse in demand to changes in the price ofother goods in which case it is called Cross -

Price elasticity. Or it may refer to theresponsiveness of demand to changes inincome and it is then called Income elasticityof demand


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ABETTER TEXT? How do the features we described of good texts

occur in this text:

Answering the question

Understanding the economics

Writing impersonally,conceptually

Writing logicallyWriting clearly and

grammatically


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UNDERSTANDING THE ECONOMICS

The term elasticity of demand refers to theresponsiveness ofdemand for a good or

service to changes in another variable. Insimplest terms it is the percentage changein quantity demanded in response to a

percentage change in another variable.Elasticity of demandfor a product may bein response to a change in price of thegood itself in which case it is calledprice

elasticity of demand. It may refer to aresponse in demand to changes in theprice of other goods in which case it is

called Cross -Price elasticity...


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WRITING IMPERSONALLY, CONCEPTUALLY

The term elasticity of demand refersto the responsiveness of demand fora good or service to changes inanother variable. In simplest termsit is the percentage change inquantity demanded in response to apercentage change in anothervariable. Elasticity of demand for aproduct may be in response to achange in price of the good itself inwhich case it is


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WRITING LOGICALLY-

SHOWING RELATIONS BETWEEN IDEAS

The term elasticity of demand refers tothe responsiveness of demand for a good

or service to changes in another variable.In simplest terms it is the percentagechange in quantity demanded in

response to a percentage change inanother variable. Elasticity of demandfor a product may be in response to a

change in price of the good itself inwhich case it is called price elasticity ofdemand. It may refer to

RITING CLEARLY


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RITING CLEARLY-

USING GRAMMATICALLY COMPLETE

SENTENCESSubject/topic verb New information

The term elasticity of

demand

refers to the responsiveness of

demand for a good orservice to changes in

another variable

In simplest terms, it is the percentage change in

quantity demanded inresponse to a percentage

change in another

variable.

Elasticity of demandfor a product

may be in response to a change inprice of the good itself in

which case it is called

price elasticity of demand.

It may refer to a response in demand tochanges in the price of

other goods in which case


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SENTENCE STRUCTURE

The beginning

of the sentence

middle End

Topic,

orients reader byconnecting to

what went above

or to what follows

Verb

anchors sentence,can show

relations between

beginning andend parts

New information

Emphasises thepoint, whats new,

whats important


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SENTENCE STRUCTURE - COMPLEXITY

Sentences can have

several clauses, phrases

to qualify information

e.g.,


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2 MAIN CLAUSES, 3 DEPENDENT CLAUSES,

5 + PHRASES

Price elasticity of demand, which as

already mentioned, is theresponsiveness of the quantity demanded

of a good to a change in the price of that good,

while all other factors which affect demand

are held unchanged(ceteris paribus),

and is determined by three factors.


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APPROACH TO WRITING AN EXPLANATION

1. Interpret the question:

what is the topic and

what aspect of the topic requires explanation

2. What is the relevant information, theory, concepts


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WHAT TYPE OF EXPLANATION IS NEEDED?

1. Define a concept

2. Explain a process

3.Describe logical relations between aspects oftopic, e.g., cause, effect, comparison,


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STRUCTURING THE TEXT

1. What are the parts of the explanation

2.

how will you structure them in a sequence3. How will you indicate the relationship between

the parts


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WRITING CLEARLY

1. Does each sentence present the meaning

completely

2. Does each sentence present meaning

accurately

3. Does each sentence express meaning

clearly


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SOURCES AND REFERENCES

Microeconomics 1101 Course Outline.

ECON1101 past exam questions and responses.Belmont W & M. Sharkey, 2006, The Easy Writer.

Louise Fitzgerald & Ginette Farcell,Learning Advisors, EDU.

In collaboration with

Diane Enahoro, lecturer-in-charge, ECON1101.


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FOLLOW UP

Writing and presenting explanations

is a fundamental aspect of whateconomists do

Develop your skills by attending

PASS -

Peer assisted study sessions

See schedule at:

www.business.unsw.edu.au/pass
http://www.business.unsw.edu.au/passhttp://www.business.unsw.edu.au/pass

How to Write Micro Explanations

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