This document provides guidance for researchers on preparing to analyze sources on the topic of welfare in British society. It outlines the objectives of exploring academic writing, considering different viewpoints from The Daily Mail and The Guardian on the issue, and analyzing the strengths and limitations of each source. Researchers are prompted to consider whether welfare has become too expensive to support by examining the language, facts, objectivity, and types of arguments and sources presented in articles from both publications. Further resources on academic writing are also provided.

1. Getting Ready to Research
Dr Craig Hammond
Research & Scholarship Leader

2. ‛To be a successful writer
I know of only two methods;
read a lot and write a lot’
Stephen King

3. Workshop objectives
• Discuss & explore some general aspects of
academic writing, research and argument
• Consider a recent high profile ‘issue’ in
relation to British Society
• Consider 2 different sources and types of
information
• Analyse the strengths and limitations of the
types of evidence

4. Consider the following question:
• “Welfare in contemporary British society has
become ‘too expensive’ to support”. Discuss.
– Firstly … what are your own thoughts in relation to
this assertion?

5. The Daily Mail

6. The Daily Mail

7. • Pay particular attention to the type of
‘language’ being used here …
• Also, take a look at the comments being left
by the readers …
• Do you think that the articles are factually
accurate?
• Can you think of any ‘issues’, challenges and
limitations, posed by these types of
information and arguments?

8. The Guardian

9. The Guardian

10. • What makes The Guardian analysis of ‘benefits
and affordability’ different to the Daily Mail?
• What differences in style can you pick out? Which
do you think is more useful ‘academically’?
• Research:
– Information
– Objectivity (‘facts’ as opposed to biased personal
opinion)
– Different types of argument & sources

11. • How might you now consider & answer the
question:
“Welfare in contemporary British society has
become ‘too expensive’ to support”. Discuss.
• See the following link for further advice ad
guidance on academic writing:
http://www.readytoresearch.ac.uk/