Writing Papers
Why Should I Care?
There are different types of papers which have differing objectives and formats. In any case, they are made up of a mix of your ideas, with the ideas of other writers. It is important to understand the type of paper you are writing, so that you use the proper formats.
This lesson has 2 parts
- Types of Papers
- Critical Review
What is Writing Papers?
Searching for documents is one thing. However, in order to write a great paper, you need to know what kind of paper you are expected to write. This will allow you to use your sources more critically. There are essentially three types of papers in the world of academics: argumentative essays, annotated bibliographies, and literature reviews.
- Definitions
Argumentative Essay
The objective of the argumentative essay is to argue a point. Authors attempt to support their argument with facts and evidence. This type of paper is used in law, in cultural studies, in literary criticism of works of fiction, and also in the press as commentary and editorials. These papers are written in prose, and are supported by a thesis argument. You can cite sources using footnotes, or an academic style such as MLA or APA.
Annotated Bibliography
The objective of the annotated bibliography is to list documents available, with their source, and a description of their content. This type of paper is used in academic and scientific especially when there is a need for synthesizing many research results for new readers, or to establish new guidelines in a new field. It can also be for personal use. The form is a list of sources, in alphabetical order of the main author's last name, using a style such as MLA or APA.
Literature Review
The objective of the Literature Review is to present the state of knowledge as present. It helps to find gaps for future research. This is used in all scientific and technological fields. This is usually part of any research paper, and sometimes is published on its own as a whole article.
- Critical Review
As a writer, you need to critically assess the sources you are using. If a source is biased in any way, your readers will not appreciate it. Whether you are writing an essay, an annotated bibliography or a literature review, your text should be evaluating each source critically. Make sure that you look at the following aspects: