AR3U022

The difference between the right word and the almost

right word is the difference between lightning and a

lightning bug.

Mark Twain

Theory of

Urbanism

Challenge the future

Department of UrbanismChair Spatial Planning and Strategy

Mission statement

This 4ects course Theory of Urbanism aims to provide the student with a structured way to concise academic writing. A review paper is the concrete outcome, in which the student discusses the urban theories related to his/her graduation project. This paper can be the basis of the theoretical framework chapter of the final thesis. The course consists of a number of exercises training the students in:• understanding the difference between academic and non-academic literature;• critically assessing the academic literature and urban theories;• managing the search for relevant literature;• writing arguments;• writing outlines, introductions, conclusions and recommendations;• citing, quoting and referencing.

All papers are reviewed by a department of Urbanism review committee. The best papers are invited to be presented at the 7th Graduation Lab Urbanism Conference, in January 2011 at the end of MSc3. During the MSc3 mid-term assessment period (P1), students have to submit a paper abstract which is reviewed by the conference organising team / editorial board.

Review committeeInge Bobbink, MScDr AnaMaria Fernandez-Maldonado (editorial board)Prof. Dr Han MeyerDr Stephen ReadDr Remon Rooij (editorial board)Dr Thorsten SchuetzeDr Diego SepulvedaDr Stephan vd Spek

Important dates• 22 October 2010: submit 2 hardcopies of the paper outline at the Urbanism secretary (300-500 words, 1 A4)• 13 January 2010: submit 2 hardcopies of the full paper (3,000-5,000 words) according to the pre-established format (to be found on Blackboard)• 27 January 2011: 7th Graduation Lab Urbanism Conference

Why do you have to learn how to cite, quote and reference?

Because it is the conventional way of academic writing. The references included in your paper are needed to:• provide evidence that your position is well-researched and carefully considered;• give credit to the author of an original concept or theory presented;• help readers identify and locate the source work.

Literature

   

“Schrijven is schrappen”(“Writing is rewriting”)

Edward Hulsbergen

ScheduleExercise 1What is an academ-ic conference?What are conference proceedings?

Exercise 2Differences be-tween review, research and posi-tion papers

Exercise 3Harvard referencing method

Exercise 4Literature search management

Exercise 5Academic versus non academic sources

Exercise 6Developing a research question for a review paper

Exercise 7Reviewing paper outlines

Exercise 8Concise academic writing

Exercise 9Theory paper versus thesis plan

Exercise 10Writing a review paper outline

Exercise 11Writing arguments

Exercise 12 feed-back sessionPaper outline as-sessment

Exercise 13 feed-back sessionPaper progress: how to write an introduction

Exercise 14 feedback sessionPaper progress: how to get to conclusions and recommendations

Exercise 157th Graduation Lab Urbanism Confer-ence

U R B

Review paper ABSTRACT evaluation formMSc3 Urbanism

Name evaluator: …….………………………………………..Date: ………………………………………………

Name author: …….………………………………………..Study number: …….………………………………………..Studio: …….………………………………………..

Title abstract: …….………………………………………..

General judgment:[1] O Insufficient[2] O Moderate/Poor[3] O Sufficient[4] O Good

Specific judgmentInformative and attractive title 1 2 3 4 Representative key words 1 2 3 4 Clear motivation (relation to project) 1 2 3 4 Clear research question / aim of paper 1 2 3 4 Argumentation and explanation used literature 1 2 3 4 Clarity of presentation/organization 1 2 3 4 (writing style, structure, graphics)

In your opinion, what are the strengths of this abstract?

In your opinion, can this paper be helpful to build a theoretical underpinning and/or framework for the graduation project?

Abstract Evaluation

Preliminary Evaluation

Checklist for GREEN Theory Paper! 1. No plastic covers!

2. Print on both sides of the paper

3. No black background(saves ink)

Preliminary paper evaluation formMSc3 Urbanism

Name evaluator: …….………………………………………..Date: ………………………………………………

Name author: …….………………………………………..Studio: …….……………………………………….. Title paper: …….………………………………………..

IntroductionRead the introduction carefully. Does the introduction give the information that an academic reader expects when reading a review paper?Yes/no MotivationYes/no Problem statementYes/no Aim of the paperYes/no Presentation and argumentation of reviewed literatureYes/no Description of paper structure

Literature reviewTake a look (in general) at the body of the paperYes/ no Is there a logic structure? What does it look like? How to improve?

Conclusions/Recommendations/DiscussionRead this section carefully.

Yes/no Does the author derive clear conclusions from the review? Yes/no Does the author derive clear recommendations for the graduation project?

Use of References / BibliographyYes/no Is the referencing done accurately? (underline good/bad things in paper)

Paper EvaluationPaper evaluation formMSc3 Urbanism

Name evaluator: …….………………………………………..Date: ………………………………………………

Name author: …….………………………………………..Study number: …….………………………………………..Title paper: …….………………………………………..

General judgment:[1] O Insufficient[2] O Moderate[3] O Sufficient[4] O Good

Would you like to have this paper presented at the mini-conference? YES / NO

Specific judgment Insuff. Mod. Suff. GoodClear introduction 1 2 3 4

(motivation, problem statement, aim of paper/research question, research approach, structure of paper)

Relevance for graduation project 1 2 3 4

Adequacy of analysis of issues 1 2 3 4

Use of (academic) references 1 2 3 4

(Harvard Referencing Method: [i] in text quotations and citations and [ii] bibliography)

Clear conclusions for graduation project 1 2 3 4

Clarity of presentation/organization 1 2 3 4(writing style, structure, graphics, use format)

Specific comments

“Wie schrijft, die blijft”

traditional Dutch saying

translation:“Those who write,

remain”

Challenge the future Desig

n: R

ober

to R

occo