ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES FOR YOUR FINAL PAPER
Remember that this paper is to be written for a lay (non-research) audience.
Introduction to Paper
1) Try to summarize/preview the main question of your paper in the first paragraph.
2) Dedicate a couple of paragraphs to why your topic is important. It is okay to be
explicit by using a paragraph that starts: “This topic is important because…” Think about
who will benefit from reading your paper and what knowledge will be gained. Say who
can use the information of your review and how.
3) It is okay to use evidence from popular literature to make the claim that your study is
important. Consider using statistics. Support all claims with empirical evidence.
4) Make sure you define any key terms. Give one best definition. If the definition is
controversial say why you have chosen the definition you have chosen. Usually
definitions have citations.
5) Give readers important background about your topic. Only give enough so that they
will understand the study. They do not need the whole history of your topic.
6) Provide a road map of what your reader can expect in your paper.
Representative Literature Review
1) Start your literature review with a paragraph that previews what we know on the basis
of the literature.
2) Divide your literature review into sections. Include three or four sections, each with
three or four studies. The sections should be conceptual. Use APA headings to divide
the sections. Begin each section with a summary argument that states one idea that all of
the studies in that section support.
3) Make sure you describe the key details for each study. Tell us what the researchers did
and what they found. Do not tell us about their literature review or what they think the
implications are. Make sure you mention critical ideas that help the reader evaluate the
study (How many subjects? Was the sample random?).
4) Don’t just say there is a relationship between two variables. Always say the direction
of the relationship. For example, don’t say “humor and attention are related.” Say
“humor and attention are positively related.”
5) Use transitions between studies that explain how one study relates to the next. Usually
transitions explain how the conclusions in the studies are related.
Remember that this paper is to be written for a lay (non-research) audience.
Introduction to Paper
1) Try to summarize/preview the main question of your paper in the first paragraph.
2) Dedicate a couple of paragraphs to why your topic is important. It is okay to be
explicit by using a paragraph that starts: “This topic is important because…” Think about
who will benefit from reading your paper and what knowledge will be gained. Say who
can use the information of your review and how.
3) It is okay to use evidence from popular literature to make the claim that your study is
important. Consider using statistics. Support all claims with empirical evidence.
4) Make sure you define any key terms. Give one best definition. If the definition is
controversial say why you have chosen the definition you have chosen. Usually
definitions have citations.
5) Give readers important background about your topic. Only give enough so that they
will understand the study. They do not need the whole history of your topic.
6) Provide a road map of what your reader can expect in your paper.
Representative Literature Review
1) Start your literature review with a paragraph that previews what we know on the basis
of the literature.
2) Divide your literature review into sections. Include three or four sections, each with
three or four studies. The sections should be conceptual. Use APA headings to divide
the sections. Begin each section with a summary argument that states one idea that all of
the studies in that section support.
3) Make sure you describe the key details for each study. Tell us what the researchers did
and what they found. Do not tell us about their literature review or what they think the
implications are. Make sure you mention critical ideas that help the reader evaluate the
study (How many subjects? Was the sample random?).
4) Don’t just say there is a relationship between two variables. Always say the direction
of the relationship. For example, don’t say “humor and attention are related.” Say
“humor and attention are positively related.”
5) Use transitions between studies that explain how one study relates to the next. Usually
transitions explain how the conclusions in the studies are related.
Introduction to the Digital Age
Guidelines for the Final Paper
2
6) At the end of each section include a summary statement that articulates what one idea
all of the studies in that section argue.
7) If a study touches on ideas that are not relevant to your paper don’t mention those
results or that aspect of the study.
8) If a study is relevant to two or more sections mention the study in both sections.
Analysis/Recommendations
1) At the end of literature review, present a summary that articulates the main argument
from each section. Follow this statement about what we know with a presentation of
what we do not know.
2) Critique shortcomings of the studies, if any.
3) Provide an analysis of the research you have just presented: what are the key themes
that emerge? What would you tell someone about this topic? What are the
implications of the research for communication professionals who work in this topic
area?
4) What would you recommend to these professionals? You may want to consider how
larger trends in digital communication interact with these findings (think the larger
topics we covered in the first half of class: digital divide, usability, credibility,
demographics related to use). Make sure you provide clear, specific
recommendations.
Conclusion
1) Restate the main points of your paper and provide a brief summary of your argument
and recommendations. This should be a summary of your entire paper and be about 1-
2 paragraphs
Guidelines for the Final Paper
2
6) At the end of each section include a summary statement that articulates what one idea
all of the studies in that section argue.
7) If a study touches on ideas that are not relevant to your paper don’t mention those
results or that aspect of the study.
8) If a study is relevant to two or more sections mention the study in both sections.
Analysis/Recommendations
1) At the end of literature review, present a summary that articulates the main argument
from each section. Follow this statement about what we know with a presentation of
what we do not know.
2) Critique shortcomings of the studies, if any.
3) Provide an analysis of the research you have just presented: what are the key themes
that emerge? What would you tell someone about this topic? What are the
implications of the research for communication professionals who work in this topic
area?
4) What would you recommend to these professionals? You may want to consider how
larger trends in digital communication interact with these findings (think the larger
topics we covered in the first half of class: digital divide, usability, credibility,
demographics related to use). Make sure you provide clear, specific
recommendations.
Conclusion
1) Restate the main points of your paper and provide a brief summary of your argument
and recommendations. This should be a summary of your entire paper and be about 1-
2 paragraphs