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WRITING EXPLANATIONSMicro Economics 1101
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OUTLINE
The assessment task: write a short explanation
Sample student texts ones that work and onesthat dont
A model explanation why it works
textual features of effective explanationsA close look at each feature
Follow up
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ASSESSMENT TASK
write an explanation of an economicconcept or principle in response to aquestion.
The explanation should be one to twoparagraphs of 500 to 750 words inlength.
The text needs to be appropriatelystructured, clearly and grammaticallyexpressed.
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ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
1. Accuracy of information and
relevance to question
2. Logical development of the
answer paragraphs; structure;
relations between sentences
3. Clarity expression, grammar,
spelling
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EXPLANATION TEXT-TYPES
The question:
What is meant by the
term
elasticity of demand?
What are the major
determinants of price
elasticity of demand?
Explain the effect each
has on the estimated
value of elasticity.
Define what X is. X = Y
Explain a process, what
happens, why it
happens e.g., what
causes X
What is effect on X
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SAMPLE EXPLANATION 1:
FIRST, THE QUESTION
Consider an industry whose production process
releases chemical into a large river in a heavily
populated area
Explain the Coase Theorem. Will the CoaseTheorem be applicable in this case? Give reasons
for your answer
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THE RESPONSE
Coase theorem is whereby the cost of
producing a product are high there maynot be an efficient outcome achieved
due to the presence of an externality
the Coase theorem will be applicable in
this case but it will not affect the
industry since the population has notcomplained about the externality been
the chemicals released into the river.
(cont)
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Reasons why Coase theorem is
applicable is that there is anexternality be it the large river.
When the population complain about
the decipating of the chemical in the
river it will then activate the Coase
theorem
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YOUR EVALUATIONHow would you rate this response out of 6?
Consider the criteria:
1. Accuracy of information and relevance to
question
2. Structure of the answer; logical development
and relations between sentences
3. Clarity expression, grammar, spelling
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THE EXAMINERS RATING
It was awarded 0/6
(A little harsh, perhaps)
Can you say why?
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WRITING AS AN ECONOMIST
requires you to :
Demonstrate Understanding ofEconomics
Use Economics terms, theoryRecognise Economics text-types
How explanations are used
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AND
Write in an academic style (or register)
Impersonally, conceptually, Showing relations between
ideas/topics Using grammatically complete
sentences
Foregrounding significant topics
sentence structure
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MORE ON RULES ABOUT SENTENCES
Every sentence has a thing (Noun) which is the
subject of the sentence.
E.g., Economics is the study of markets.
A sentence has a process which is a complete
Verb (ie., has tense, so we know when itexists/happened)
eg. Economics is the study of markets.
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SENTENCES DEVELOP IDEAS
To complete an idea, sentences
develop the subject and process witha third element (may be an object,
phrase, another clause).
e.g., The new legislation appears to
be effective.
Economists work very efficiently.
Economists work on problems.
This third element = new information
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WHICH ONES ARE SENTENCES?
WHICH ARE NOT? WHATS MISSING?
1. Research supports the idea
2. The virus in all samples
3. Each of these animals at risk of
extinction
4. In terms of higher education
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OTHER FEATURES OF EXPLANATIONS
Grammar of explanations will be
returned to later
Lets now consider the otherfeatures of explanations in
Economics
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SAMPLE 2: HOW ABOUT THIS
EXPLANATION?
The question:What is meant by the term
elasticity of demand?
The response:
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The term elasticity of demand refers to theresponsiveness of demand for a good or serviceto changes in another variable. In simplestterms it is the percentage change in quantity
demanded in response to a percentage changein another variable. Elasticity of demand for aproduct may be in response to a change inprice of the good itself in which case it is calledprice elasticity of demand. It may refer to aresponse in demand to changes in the price ofother goods in which case it is called Cross -
Price elasticity. Or it may refer to theresponsiveness of demand to changes inincome and it is then called Income elasticityof demand
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ABETTER TEXT? How do the features we described of good texts
occur in this text:
Answering the question
Understanding the economics
Writing impersonally,conceptually
Writing logicallyWriting clearly and
grammatically
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UNDERSTANDING THE ECONOMICS
The term elasticity of demand refers to theresponsiveness ofdemand for a good or
service to changes in another variable. Insimplest terms it is the percentage changein quantity demanded in response to a
percentage change in another variable.Elasticity of demandfor a product may bein response to a change in price of thegood itself in which case it is calledprice
elasticity of demand. It may refer to aresponse in demand to changes in theprice of other goods in which case it is
called Cross -Price elasticity...
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WRITING IMPERSONALLY, CONCEPTUALLY
The term elasticity of demand refersto the responsiveness of demand fora good or service to changes inanother variable. In simplest termsit is the percentage change inquantity demanded in response to apercentage change in anothervariable. Elasticity of demand for aproduct may be in response to achange in price of the good itself inwhich case it is
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WRITING LOGICALLY-
SHOWING RELATIONS BETWEEN IDEAS
The term elasticity of demand refers tothe responsiveness of demand for a good
or service to changes in another variable.In simplest terms it is the percentagechange in quantity demanded in
response to a percentage change inanother variable. Elasticity of demandfor a product may be in response to a
change in price of the good itself inwhich case it is called price elasticity ofdemand. It may refer to
RITING CLEARLY
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RITING CLEARLY-
USING GRAMMATICALLY COMPLETE
SENTENCESSubject/topic verb New information
The term elasticity of
demand
refers to the responsiveness of
demand for a good orservice to changes in
another variable
In simplest terms, it is the percentage change in
quantity demanded inresponse to a percentage
change in another
variable.
Elasticity of demandfor a product
may be in response to a change inprice of the good itself in
which case it is called
price elasticity of demand.
It may refer to a response in demand tochanges in the price of
other goods in which case
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SENTENCE STRUCTURE
The beginning
of the sentence
middle End
Topic,
orients reader byconnecting to
what went above
or to what follows
Verb
anchors sentence,can show
relations between
beginning andend parts
New information
Emphasises thepoint, whats new,
whats important
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SENTENCE STRUCTURE - COMPLEXITY
Sentences can have
several clauses, phrases
to qualify information
e.g.,
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2 MAIN CLAUSES, 3 DEPENDENT CLAUSES,
5 + PHRASES
Price elasticity of demand, which as
already mentioned, is theresponsiveness of the quantity demanded
of a good to a change in the price of that good,
while all other factors which affect demand
are held unchanged(ceteris paribus),
and is determined by three factors.
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APPROACH TO WRITING AN EXPLANATION
1. Interpret the question:
what is the topic and
what aspect of the topic requires explanation
2. What is the relevant information, theory, concepts
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WHAT TYPE OF EXPLANATION IS NEEDED?
1. Define a concept
2. Explain a process
3.Describe logical relations between aspects oftopic, e.g., cause, effect, comparison,
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STRUCTURING THE TEXT
1. What are the parts of the explanation
2.
how will you structure them in a sequence3. How will you indicate the relationship between
the parts
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WRITING CLEARLY
1. Does each sentence present the meaning
completely
2. Does each sentence present meaning
accurately
3. Does each sentence express meaning
clearly
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SOURCES AND REFERENCES
Microeconomics 1101 Course Outline.
ECON1101 past exam questions and responses.Belmont W & M. Sharkey, 2006, The Easy Writer.
Louise Fitzgerald & Ginette Farcell,Learning Advisors, EDU.
In collaboration with
Diane Enahoro, lecturer-in-charge, ECON1101.
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FOLLOW UP
Writing and presenting explanations
is a fundamental aspect of whateconomists do
Develop your skills by attending
PASS -
Peer assisted study sessions
See schedule at:
www.business.unsw.edu.au/pass
http://www.business.unsw.edu.au/passhttp://www.business.unsw.edu.au/pass