writing in the disciplines
TRANSCRIPT
Writing in the Disciplines
V. LeQuire, Department of English, Appalachian State University
Writers
Wanted
Writing in the Humanities
What are the Humanities?
• Academic disciplines that study the human condition
The Humanities include…• Ancient and Modern
Languages• Literature• History• Philosophy• Religion• Visual and Performing
Arts
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?
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
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).