英语专业大三论文写作指导 Junior Thesis

2010-10-11
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Introduction
What is a thesis? An argument in which you put forth your opinion and support your opinion with evidence that comes from your research A report on the results of your research What is research? The core: raising and answering questions
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Introduction
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Exercises
In the following, what is primary research? What is not?
Reporting your classmates’ opinion on whether third-year students should have P.E. class Reporting on how you prove that English and Chinese differ in intonation Reporting your opinion on how English should be effectively taught in high school Reporting on your teachers’ opinions about the weaknesses of New Oriental School
பைடு நூலகம்
2010-10-11
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Ideas for Research
Focusing on the nature of English
How international students code-switch (use English with Chinese phrases) in their speech, e.g., “He nihaoed me, and I nihaoed him” The role of ambiguity and fuzziness in communication, e.g., “I will study with my friend in Beijing” How differently Chinese and American journalists cover the same event?
2010-10-11
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Introduction
What is linguistics? The study of language Meaning
Semantics
Wording
Grammar and lexicology
Sounding (signing)
Phonology (phonemics) Graphology
2010-10-11
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Exercises
Interview a classmate of yours, and write up a short report on what he or she thinks is the most effective way of improving his or her English? Part One reports the setting of the interview, the background of your interviewee and the interview questions. Part Two summarizes your interviewee’s opinion. Part Three reports the details that support that opinion. Use summary, paraphrase and direct quotation. Part Four discusses what the interview does not clarify and should be explored in the future.
A combination of the above
E.g. interviews following a test
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Ideas for Research
Topic selection
Follow your interest. Select a topic you truly fall in love with. Consider the triage approach. Select a topic that is manageable
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Ideas for Research
Focusing on L2 learning
How do students practice their oral English? Do they use English in group discussions? Do English movies help with the learning of English? If so, in what way? Is the English Corner is a good way of improving one’s English? How English songs help students with their English learning? The influence of Chinese culture on learning Chinese as a foreign language
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Methods to Consider
You may conduct Tests
oral or written
Surveys
questionnaire
Interviews
structured non-structured
Observations
participant non-participant
Primary research
collects data that have not been collected in the past; proves a point that is debatable; can be replicated by another researcher.
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2010-10-11
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Ideas for Research
Focusing on the nature of English
What words and grammatical patterns do English advertisements tend to use?
More smiles per gallon The newest eye-dea
Rhetorical devices as used in newspaper headlines and leads Rhetorical devices as used on webpages How personal pronouns are used in advertisements How questions are used advertisements
English as L2; Chinese as L2
How an L2 learner handles communication pressure How an L2 learner develops L2 writing skills What a teacher can do to help out the students
2010-10-11
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Ideas for Research
Focusing on L2 learning
Difficulties Chinese students encounter in learning English pronunciation The influence of a local dialect on English pronunciation, e.g., Cantonese How international students learn tones in Chinese The effect of topic familiarity and syntactic complexity on EFL listening comprehension
with the current literature over a period of two semesters with accessible technology
2010-10-11
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Ideas for Research
Focusing on the nature of English
The use of communication or politeness strategies by a character in a novel, e.g., the use of deference strategies by Collins in Pride and Prejudice (how and why) How Chinese address forms are translated in literature, e.g., address forms in the English translation of A Dream of Red Mansions Sexism in the use of English, e.g., “chick,” “baby,” “pretty face,” “pretty legs” Do men and women use English differently?
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Introduction
What is primary research?
the Research in which you gather evidence by collecting primary data, e.g., interviewing students conducting a questionnaire survey administering a test
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Ideas for Research
Focusing on L2 learning
Is there sexism in the teaching of English? E.g., textbooks, terms of professions (e.g., “governor”), comparison of English majors with non-English majors How do successful learners learn English vocabulary? What strategies do they use? Are there differences between English majors and other students in vocabulary learning? How pocket-size electronic dictionaries and print dictionaries help students differently
2010-10-11
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Introduction
What is applied linguistics? The use of linguistics in other fields, e.g., the study of language learning and language use How a child learns L1 How a young adult learns L2
Third-Year Thesis
(?) on Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
2010-10-11
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Introduction
Learning by being taught
Listening memorizing reproducing
Learning by exploring
Raising questions answers trying to find
Search for questions Support your answers with evidence
-- Challenging your ability for critical thinking and independent research