Homework: Complete Paper Draft

Background

The final summative assessment of this course will be based on a paper. Last week, you wrote the introduction and conclusion and received feedback from the class. This exercise is here to help you develop the so-called “middle part,” the final missing element.

Learning Objectives

After this activity, you can write a short design-based paper’s middle sections—background, related work, method/approach, and results.

Instructions

  1. Refresh your memory of the final assignment.
  2. Also, remind yourself of the CNTRL criteria (cf. Stappers, 2020).
  3. Open your draft manuscript file. Maybe save it as a new version.
  4. Review the feedback you received during the peer feedback session. Decide if you need to address any of it. If so, note where this should be done and how you plan to do it in the draft.
  5. Write the “middle part” (2,500–3,250 words).
    • As noted during the outline homework activity, you do not have to stick to the typical sections of an empirical paper (background/related work, method/approach, and results/findings).
    • Instead, consider writing a section for each of the following elements:
      • Background on the social issue you designed for
      • Review of the theory that frames your design
      • Description of the design itself
      • Rationale for the design (why its creators think it addresses the social issue)
    • Also, consider where you might want to use a table or a figure to support your story. For now, you could simply add a placeholder or a sketch and flesh it out later.
  6. Optionally, review and revise your…
    • Discussion/conclusion
    • Introduction
    • Abstract
    • Title

Product

A complete draft of your paper. (Check your word count!)

Follow-up

Bring a hard copy of your draft manuscript, printed single-sided on A4 sheets of paper, to next week’s class. We will discuss these drafts during next week’s session.