The document discusses writing styles across different academic disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. In the humanities, writing employs longer paragraphs and sentences, imagery, metaphors, and active voice. Evidence is textual and based on close readings. In the social sciences, quantitative and qualitative methods are used, aiming for objectivity. Writing focuses on facts, data, and conforming to IMRAD structure. In the sciences, precise language is used with an emphasis on clarity and conciseness in describing methods, results, and references according to CSE style.

1. Writing in the Disciplines
V. LeQuire, Department of English, Appalachian State University

2. Writing in the Humanities

3. What are the Humanities?
• Academic disciplines
that study the human
condition

4. The Humanities include…
• Ancient and Modern Languages
• Literature
• History
• Philosophy
• Religion
• Visual and Performing Arts

5. Modes of Inquiry in the Humanities
• Methods are primarily analytical,
critical, or speculative
• Deal with questions for which
there are no definitive answers
• Ex: What is justice? The nature
of friendship? The essence of
God? The properties of truth?

6. Modes of Inquiry in the Humanities
• Evidence – is textual with close
critical reading and interpretation
of written and visual texts
• Pattern of Discourse - claim +
textual support + discussion

7. Every discipline has a preferred writing style.
• In the Humanities…
• Paragraphs are longer.
• Sentences are longer and more eloquent.
• Parallel structure is used to navigate long, complex thoughts.
• Imagery and metaphors are abundant.
• Active, not passive, voice is most often employed.
• Language and the way it is used in a paper is nearly as
important as that paper's content (Dartmouth).

8. Writing in the Social Sciences

9. What are the Social Sciences?
• Academic disciplines
that study human
behavior and the
influence of culture
and society on human
beings

10. The Social Sciences include…
Informational Science

11. Modes of Inquiry in the Social Sciences
• Quantitative Methods – rely on collecting and analyzing numerical data
• Qualititative Methods – rely
on language, observation, and
reporting of individual human
experiences
• Mixed Methods – employ a
combination of the two
• Aim for objectivity

12. Research Guidelines…
Observational Studies:
• Take careful field notes
• Concentrate on facts rather than
interpretations
• Devote a section to Discussion
& Recommendations
Research Studies:
• Evaluate the methodology
• Compare & contrast results with
other similar studies
• Draw conclusions based on
empirical evidence
• Devote a section to a Review of the
Literature

13. Conventional Format in the Social Sciences
• Title Page
• Abstract
• Introduction
• Review of Literature
• Methods
• Results
• Discussion
• References

14. Every discipline has a preferred writing style.
• Accurate and Current Information
• Heavy Use of Facts and Data
• Use of Tables, Charts, and Graphs
• Use of Sections and Subheadings
• Use of IMRAD
• Past Tense, Passive Voice, Hedging
• APA Format and Documentation Style

15. Writing in the Sciences
Lab
Friday

16. What are the Sciences?
• Academic disciplines
that study the
structure and
behavior of the
physical and natural
world

17. The Sciences include…
Natural Sciences:
• Space Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Life Sciences
• Chemistry
• Physics
Formal Sciences:
• Computer Sciences
• Logic
• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Systems Science

18. Conventional Format in the Sciences
• Title Page
• Abstract
• Introduction
•Literature Review
•Materials & Methods
• Results
• Discussion
• References

19. Every discipline has a preferred writing style.
• Write with an almost mathematical precision
• No adjectives and adverbs
• Write for clarity, conciseness
• Write with a consistent voice (collaborative writing)
• Present tense for most writing Past tense for past research
• Council of Science Editors (CSE) preferred documentation style