Assignment title: Information
Strategy Week 2 Discussion
1. What is the strongest of the five forces affecting Tesla? What is the strongest of the
five forces affecting Tata Motors?
2. Where would you place Tesla and Tata Motors on a strategic group map in the
global automotive industry?
ANSWER EACH QUESTION COMPLETELY.
RESEARCH PAPER
Students will select a topic related to the history of communication and media and
write (using APA style) an in-depth research paper using online materials. Research
about communication and media history in the UAE and Arabian Peninsula is
specially encouraged. Paper should be between 2500 words double-spaced
excluding the title page and references.
The paper topic may be related to a specific event or person making an important
contribution to the field of media. For example, the inventor of Television may be
researched and his (or her) story related to their contribution to media may be
discussed. Or, you may write about an event and its importance to society such as
the invention of the printing press.
As is the case in a normal research paper, follow the structure below (which also
serves as the basis for the assignment rubric):
Writing a Research Paper
This page lists some of the stages involved in writing a library-based research paper.
Although this list suggests that there is a simple, linear process to writing such a
paper, the actual process of writing a research paper is often a messy and recursive
one, so please use this outline as a flexible guide.
1) Discovering, Narrowing, and Focusing a Researchable Topic
Try to find a topic that truly interests you
Try writing your way to a topic
Talk with me and classmates about your topic
Pose your topic as a question to be answered or a problem to be solved
2) Finding, Selecting, and Reading Sources
You will need to look at the following types of sources:
library catalog, periodical indexes, bibliographies, suggestions from me
primary vs. secondary sources
journals, books, other documents
3) Grouping, Sequencing, and Documenting Information
The following systems will help keep you organized:
a system for noting sources on bibliography cards
a system for organizing material according to its relative importance
a system for taking notes
4) Writing an Outline and a Prospectus for Yourself
Consider the following questions:
What is the topic?
Why is it significant?
What background material is relevant?
What is my thesis or purpose statement?
What organizational plan will best support my purpose?
5) Writing the Introduction
In the introduction you will need to do the following things:
present relevant background or contextual material
define terms or concepts when necessary
explain the focus of the paper and your specific purpose
reveal your plan of organization
6) Writing the Body
Use your outline and prospectus as flexible guides
Build your essay around points you want to make (i.e., don't let your sources
organize your paper)
Integrate your sources into your discussion
Summarize, analyze, explain, and evaluate published work rather than
merely reporting it
Move up and down the "ladder of abstraction" from generalization to varying
levels of detail back to generalization
7) Writing the Conclusion
If the argument or point of your paper is complex, you may need to
summarize the argument for your reader.
If prior to your conclusion you have not yet explained the significance of your
findings or if you are proceeding inductively, use the end of your paper to
add your points up, to explain their significance.
Move from a detailed to a general level of consideration that returns the topic
to the context provided by the introduction.
Perhaps suggest what about this topic needs further research.
8) Revising the Final Draft
Check overall organization: logical flow of introduction, coherence and
depth of discussion in body, effectiveness of conclusion.
Paragraph level concerns: topic sentences, sequence of ideas within
paragraphs, use of details to support generalizations, summary sentences
where necessary, use of transitions within and between paragraphs.
Sentence level concerns: sentence structure, word choices, punctuation,
spelling.
Documentation: consistent use of one system, citation of all material not
considered common knowledge, appropriate use of endnotes or footnotes,
accuracy of list of works cited.
APA WRITING GUIDELINES
The American Psychological Association or APA Writing Format is one of the
most widely used formats in writing academic papers, particularly in the field
of science.
The APA writing style has evolved through time and several changes have been
adapted in response to the electronic information age. What follows are some useful
pointers for those of you who're tasked to write a paper using the APA format.
In general, your paper should follow these formatting guidelines:
Margin. Although formerly, the required measurement for margins is 1 ½
inch, now, it is required that margins on all sides (top, bottom, left, right)
should each just measure one (1) inch.
Font Size and Type. Font for text all through out the paper should be 12-pt.,
Times New Roman.
Spacing. Double-space for the whole document, including appendices,
footnotes, tables and figures. For spacing after punctuation, space once after
commas, colons and semicolons within sentences and space twice after
punctuation marks that end sentences.
Text Alignment and Indentation. Alignment should be flush left, or aligned
to the left creating uneven right margin.
Running Head and Short Title. Running heads are short titles located at the
top of each of the pages of your article. Short Titles on the other hand are two
to three-word derivation of the title of your paper. Running heads should not
be confused with Short Titles. Running heads are typed flush left at the top of
all pages while Short Titles are typed flush right.
Running Heads are not necessary for high school and collegiate papers unless
required by instructor. These are instead mostly required for documents that are
being prepared for actual release or publication. Running Heads should not exceed
50 characters including punctuation and spacing.
Active Voice. Traditionally, the APA writing format requires writing in an
impersonal form. That is, refraining from using pronouns such as 'I' or 'We' in
your statements. Now, it has changed. Most disciplines require the active
voice. An example of this would be, instead of writing "according to the
study," it should be "according to our study." This way, papers are made